〖On the 16th day of the first month of the first year of Tongtai in Southern Chu, Pei Yun, the commander of the Dayong Forbidden Army, entered the Cold Garden by mistake. He was ignorant of righteousness and ignorance, and later he knew that he was wise and decisive.
— "The History of Chu in the Southern Dynasties: The Biography of Jiang Suiyun"〗
I turned my head to look, but it was a young man in gray, with an extraordinary appearance and a calm face. He was being stopped by two guards. There was some confusion in his eyes, and he seemed to not understand why there were such tight guards in this remote place. The two guards had their sabres drawn, and the situation was tense, and it was triggered immediately. Although these two guards did not see him in his eyes, he was not quite an assassin, so he did not resist. When I looked over, he was in a deep voice: "Two brothers, Pei Yun, the commander of the Imperial Guard, this time to the palace for a banquet, just because I don't like making noise, so I walked around, not intentionally trespassing, please forgive me. I know this is a forbidden place."
The two guards looked at each other, both of them being suspicious. If you say that his popularity, he really looks like a general, but I can see that he has a breath all over his body. Demeanor, if this person is really malicious, then what face does he have to return to His Highness
I have already recognized Pei Yun, but I never thought that King Yong was really good at attracting people. Pei Yun, the commander of the Northern Battalion of the Forbidden Army, was only a fourth-rank military general. Although the duty of guarding the capital was important, he was not qualified to participate in the feast of King Yong’s mansion. This kind of identity is at most allowed to send a congratulatory gift, and I am afraid that he is not even qualified to be seated. Now that he has appeared in the palace, I am afraid that His Royal Highness Prince Yong made a special post. Thinking of this, I smiled slightly, and let me help His Highness. Rather than let him have a banquet in the side hall, even King Yong can't see it, it is better to keep him here. Thinking of this, I said loudly: "Don't be rude, this is General Pei Yunpei, and the next official is Sima Jiangzhe of Tiance Commander."
When the two guards saw me speak, they bowed and stepped back. Pei Yun came over and gave a salute, "Thank you, Mr. Jiang for helping the last general." He looked at me calmly and indifferently. Every official who sees me is either curious or appraised, or even contemptuous, but I regard this person as an ordinary person, which inevitably makes me more curious about him, so I smiled and said, "The general must not like it. There was a lot of noise in the front, so I went for a walk in the back, and the same is true for the lower officials, this is the reason why I live in the cold garden, and it is fate to meet each other, how about the general sitting in the garden?"
Pei Yun said hesitantly: "His Royal Highness's banquet is about to start, I'm afraid the last general will not be able to stay here."
I smiled lightly and said, "It's not rude if the general doesn't participate, and the seats outside are meaningless. Well, if the general wants to, and Suiyun is about to eat, please ask the general to stay here for a drink. There is a cloud to wait."
Pei Yun's heart moved. Although it was honorable to receive the invitation from His Royal Highness King Yong, it was very uncomfortable to be among those officials. Besides, he could only have a banquet in the outer hall anyway. It was really meaningless. Wang's post, I only need to send a congratulatory gift. The person in front of me is always more hearty than those officials. His residence is so heavily guarded, I am afraid that King Yong holds him very highly, so he will not be rude when he is invited. Wang, by comparison, staying in the Cold Garden is a good idea.
When I saw Pei Yun's expression, I knew that he had already agreed, so he said loudly: "Go to someone, report to His Highness, and say that General Pei is staying."
A bodyguard should bow. I stepped forward and pulled Pei Yun's arm and said, "General Pei, please come in, does Zhe admire the general's martial arts?"
Pei Yun was shyly pulled by me to the flower hall. At this time, it was almost noon. The two servants brought wine and food, and habitually told them to retreat. I picked up my chopsticks and pointed at the dining table: "General Pei, Zhe is from the South. , so His Highness specially found a chef from Southern Chu to cook, please try it and see if you are used to it."
Pei Yun looked at the small plates on the table, which were full of light and delicious dishes. He was full of praise after only a few mouthfuls. Although he is a person who does not like meat, these dishes are all famous in Nanchu. The dish, he still enjoyed it very happily, I saw that he liked it, I poured him another glass of wine and said: "This is my famous Southern Chu wine, peach blossom dew, which is brewed with the top-quality peach peach in Nanchu every autumn. I didn't expect to be able to drink this wine here, it was brought by an old friend of mine from Nanchu, and it was brought in yesterday."
Pei Yun took a sip, only to feel like drinking nectar, the wine is mellow, but he has a strong temper and doesn't like this kind of soft wine, so he can't help frowning, I saw it in my eyes, and chuckled: "It seems that General Pei does not Do you like this wine? I heard that there is a kind of burning knife at Dayong Bianguan, which is extremely spicy, and the general likes it." Pei Yun was instantly happy and said, "Is there a burning knife here, sir? This wine is rare in Chang'an."
I walked to the corner of the flower hall, where there was a boxwood cabinet. I took out a small wine jar from the lower level. Although this small wine jar was not big, it still contained at least ten kilograms of wine. Pei Yun hurried over to take the wine jar. When he mentioned the table, he couldn't help but glanced at the cabinet, which contained some small wine jars, food boxes and the like.
Opening the mud seal, Pei Yun immediately smelled the fiery aroma of wine that he would never forget. He took a deep breath, then eagerly poured the wine into a large wine bowl that I handed over, and drank it seriously. The big mouth, the familiar stinging throat made him seem to have returned to the border, he sat on the chair weakly, raised the wine bowl again, the wine dripped down his throat, but there were almost tears in his eyes, thinking of the bloody battle at the border back then, Pao Ze. Deep love, how happy and carefree, now in the capital, although rich and rich, but no one knows. He wanted to go back to the border, but when he thought of his father's old figure, Pei Yun closed his eyes tightly and endured the pain in his heart.
I didn't expect Pei Yun to be so excited, but soon I understood his intentions. It seems that the greatest wish of this banned army commander is to return to the battlefield. Unfortunately, I have no way to do this, and no one can let him abandon him. The father who bereaved his beloved son, even himself, was not so embarrassed? But seeing him in so much pain, I suddenly thought of something. If he has children, it shouldn't be difficult to return to the battlefield, so I asked, "General Pei is your honor this year?"
After all, Pei Yun was a famous disciple, so he quickly calmed down and raised his head: "Lord Lao asked, the last commander is twenty-three years old this year."
I asked again, "Is General Pei married?"
Pei Yun shook his head shyly and said, "My father ordered a marriage for me, but I have been reluctant, so I haven't married yet."
I asked suspiciously, "Why is this? Ling Zun must be looking forward to Sun Xinqie. Since the general is filial to his parents, he should have married as soon as possible?"
Pei Yun glanced at me, and although he felt a little deep in conversation, he somehow had an inexplicable affection for the young man in front of him. It was not ruled out that it was because of the burning knife in the altar, but he still felt very relaxed, and those The matter was in my heart for a long time, and I wanted to talk to someone, so I said: "My lord, I don't know, it is not suitable for me to marry a wife until I have completed my martial arts, but at the beginning of this year, my tutor said that I can get married. Yes, but this is not the main reason, the main thing is that my fiancee has a special status, and the teacher is very dissatisfied."
I moved in my heart and asked, "Whose daughter is the general's fiancee?"
Pei Yun said with a wry smile: "She is the daughter of Xue Ju, the servant of the Ministry of Industry. The two families were originally good friends. She and I married each other. We were childhood sweethearts and we were like each other, but I went to Songshan to learn martial arts when I was nine years old, and I was sixteen years old. When I went down the mountain, I learned that she had actually entered the Fengyi Gate. After the teacher learned about it, he personally summoned me back to the mountain. The first Master Cihai of the Discipline Academy personally told me that if I marry her, Shaolin is inconvenient to stop it, but From now on, I can't get a glimpse of Shaolin magic. He wants me to think about it, so I still don't want to get married. I want to break off the marriage several times, but they don't agree. My father-in-law said that my daughter is not virtuous. If I destroy the marriage for no reason, I must go to the emperor. Judgment. My father has been pressing him recently, if I hadn't fought to the death, I would have been forced to get married long ago."
I thought to myself, it seems that Shaolin really has a deep feud with Fengyimen, His Highness's information is correct, and Pei Yun said it so easily, it seems that Shaolin doesn't mind turning against Fengyimen. But I asked verbally: "I don't understand now that I'm an official, this marriage is the order of the parents, the matchmaker's words, if the general wants to get married, it's a matter of course, why is your teacher forcibly obstructing it, isn't it? Contrary to human relations, could it be that the general sees so important the divine power in the sect?"
Pei Yun lowered his head and said, "Although the last general is obsessed with martial arts, she is not a person who is ungrateful. If she is just an ordinary woman, I would rather be chased back by my master's martial arts than take the blame. It's just that I went back to Chang'an seven years ago. When I met my father-in-law and met her, she became very powerful. She was not as innocent as she was when she was a child. Although her appearance and temperament are unique now, and she has practiced a good martial arts, I feel that she always leaves. I am far away, although her smile is sweet, it is hard to impress me. Moreover, she always gets together with those women who have similar identities, either going out hunting and traveling, or indulging in the city of Chang'an, although I am not one of those I can't see a good wife, but I still hope that she can support her husband, teach her children and serve her parents. In fact, when I came back from the border two years ago, I wanted to stop thinking about the entry of martial arts and get married as soon as possible, so that my parents could take care of their grandchildren. , but seeing her again, the dissatisfaction in my heart has not diminished in the slightest. She is indeed beautiful and talented, but what I want is a good wife who is willing to support each other. When I get married, she will serve my parents for me, and I still want to Go back to the battlefield and serve the country, but she can't do it. Every time we meet, she is not talking about the world or the situation in the world. I really don't want to marry such a wife. "
I looked at Pei Yun silently, knowing that every sentence he said was from the bottom of his heart. For a warrior on the battlefield, what he needs is not a beautiful painting, but a good wife who can manage the house. Fengyimen probably did not expect On this point, not all men like wives who are beautiful and talented but can't deal with firewood, rice, oil and salt.
Thinking of this, I smiled lightly and said, "Actually, the general is overthinking it. There are no parents in the world who do not favor their children. If the general and his relatives explain the truth of marrying a wife and a virtuous person, the old man will not fail to understand. If it is because the Yue family refuses, the general will Might as well marry a side room outside first, and after the child is born, will the parents in the hall still be angry when they see their grandson?"
Pei Yun's heart moved, when he wanted to use the excuse of practicing martial arts to delay the marriage, I was afraid it would not work. I saw his expression and understood that he was already willing, but there were still obstacles, so I said, "The general has repeatedly asked to break off the marriage, but the other party refuses to do so. Presumably the general's reason for breaking off the marriage is not sufficient, and I don't want to offend the Yue family, so the general may as well. Said that he accidentally formed a bad relationship with another woman outside, and he couldn't ignore it, even if the other party had a big background reason, he couldn't stop the general from taking a concubine. If he insisted on marrying his daughter, could outsiders still be able to intervene in matters between the husband and wife? As long as the general loves his concubine, and the two elders in the hall love their grandson, I am afraid that Mrs. Zun will propose "reconciliation" soon. "
Pei Yun couldn't bear to say: "Although this plan is good, I'm afraid it will hurt people too much."
I said lightly: "Although it hurts people for a while, there must be many suitors for the general's fiancée. If the general reluctantly takes a wife he doesn't like, and the husband and wife will fall apart in the future, they will not be able to obey their parents, and it will be inconvenient to raise their children. This is a violation. Ren Lun, if that Miss Xue is a virtuous and virtuous woman, and the lower official says this, it is a marriage of a bad person, and the guilt will not be forgiven, but Miss Xue must be—"
I didn't say any more, but seeing that Pei Yun's face was red and white, I must have said it right. There are a few disciples of Fengyi Sect who don't like to show their faces. Besides, Dayong's attitude is open, even the women of the common people will not open doors. It's not a step out of the second door, let alone those wealthy women from noble backgrounds.
After a while, Pei Yun had calmed down and thanked me with a blushing face. I smiled and said, "Today, the general's worries are all gone, why don't you drink a few more glasses." Peach blossom dew, I can't bear to burn a knife.
The heart-to-heart exchange just now made the two of us get closer, so we gradually became less restrained when we talked. This Pei Yun talked about military affairs with relish. He used to be a brave general under King Qi, so many things he said were related to King Qi. , Although King Qi is not a famous general, he is brave and fearless, and he is willing to listen to the advice of his staff, so he is also respected by soldiers in the army. Pei Yun said that he is also very respected. The second attack on Xiangyang failed. It was because Xiangyang was heavily defended, and his dispatch of troops did not have an overall strategic goal. I once heard King Yong say that the dispatch of troops was promoted by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. He was really wronged. As long as he sent a few good staff to King Qi, King Qi could be on his own and guard one side.
When we were talking very speculatively, I heard the music of the banquet coming from the front. Although it was separated by a heavy building, I could still hear it vaguely. Knowing that the banquet was already held there, I smiled and said: "Today I Stop you from participating in His Royal Highness's feast, but you are not at a disadvantage, you must be satisfied with the wine I have here."
Pei Yun said with a smile: "Thank you Lord Jiang for burning the knife. If it wasn't too abrupt, I would still like to take away a jar of wine."
I was about to answer when suddenly a low moan came from my ear. I froze in my heart, and I listened carefully, and there was another rapid breathing, accompanied by the sound of broken bones. Oh my God, someone is sniping at the guards of the cold garden. Guard, I forced myself to calm down. I know the approximate positions of the guards around. I heard that the two guards who were killed should be very close. The other guards are hundreds of steps away. missing. I glanced at Pei Yun, he didn't notice this, and then I heard the sound of someone pushing open the garden door, I think Pei Yun noticed this sound, but he just focused for a while, I looked at his expression, and said There was nothing unusual, it seemed that he thought it was Han Yuan's servant. I put down the wine glass, how could someone kill the guards in the cold garden, I judge that the guards in other directions are probably killed, otherwise no one will notice that someone entered the cold garden without authorization. Looking at the time, it was when the feast was in full swing, and most of the guards were defending in front, so he could break in so easily. What should I do, I have no power to hold the chicken, let's see if Pei Yun can be trusted, after all, he used to be the subordinate of King Qi.
Pei Yun looked at Jiang Zhe strangely, why did he suddenly become silent, and his expression was a little weird, he couldn't help but gather up his skills just in case, but at this moment, there were light footsteps in his ears, it was stepping on Pei Yun's heart shuddered at the sound of the snow in the garden. He could tell that the person who came here was very clever. Judging from this sound, I'm afraid there will only be a small pit left in the snow. Could it be the master of Yongwangfu? Well, Pei Yun thought so, but for some reason he didn't feel it, because the kind of person who was careful not to be from Prince Yong's mansion, he looked at him and didn't bring any weapons. Although he was good at punching and kicking, it was good to have a weapon. He said to Jiang Zhe in a low voice: "Master Jiang, someone is coming from outside. It seems that they are not from the palace. Do you have any weapons here?"
I glanced at Pei Yun, and it seemed that he could be trusted. My life depends on him for the time being, and I am afraid that it is with bad intentions, but there is nothing around me that can alert the guards in front. Those who were killed There is a copper whistle on my guard, but I can't get it at all. I don't know if Pei Yun can block the people outside. If no one arrives in time, I'm afraid my life will be over.
Without hesitation, I took out a dagger from the cabinet. It was the only weapon in the room. Although the hairpin on my head was extremely sharp, I didn't expect Pei Yun to use it.
Pei Yun frowned, shoved the dagger to me and said, "You keep it for self-defense." I smiled wryly and looked at this delicate dagger. It was originally a small knife used to cut meat. Killing, but what use is it to me? But I still accepted it. Since Pei Yun is very good at punching and kicking, he can't use it for him. At this time, someone outside the door whispered: "Mr. Jiang, Your Highness knows that you don't want to go to the banquet in front of him, so he sent his subordinates to send imperial wine."
Pei Yun's expression relaxed, he glanced at me embarrassedly, as if he felt that he was too sensitive, but I held him and shook my head, he couldn't be from King Yong, His Highness knew my habits and would never send a stranger It would be normal for him to send Xiao Shunzi back, but for a stranger, it would be impossible.
I said lightly: "Who is outside the door, please come in and talk."
The door quietly opened, and walked into a middle-aged man dressed in a guard costume. His appearance was plain and easy to forget. I knew at a glance that he was not from Prince Yong's mansion, and I smelled two scents on him, one. One was the smell of cooking fumes from the kitchen, and the other was a faint smell of blood. Looking at him, I asked coldly, "Are you the chef of Nanchu who came recently?"
The middle-aged man was taken aback, and Pei Yun looked at me strangely. I ignored their surprise and asked coldly, "Why did you come to kill me? Who ordered you to come?"
Pei Yun immediately stared at the middle-aged man, his eyes full of vigilance.
The middle-aged man's expression suddenly changed from peaceful to ruthless. In an instant, the mediocre guard disappeared, and a cold-blooded killer appeared in front of us. Pei Yun stepped forward and stood in front of me.
The middle-aged man suddenly laughed, and he asked, "How did Jiang Zhuangyuan know that I was a killer?"
My expression became desolate, and I said lightly: "I know you, you are a vicious hand and evil heart, the number one killer in the Southern Chu army, who used to obey Zhao Jue, Prince Yude, now I'm afraid you have obeyed Rong Yuan?"
The middle-aged man's expression became serious, and he said coldly: "No wonder the prince's order, if Jiang Zhe surrenders, he must try his best to kill him."
Hearing this, I couldn't bear it any longer, a mouthful of blood poured out from the corner of my mouth, I slowly sat down and closed my eyes.