In the night, candles as thick as a baby's arms were lit in the meeting hall of the feudal mansion, illuminating a spacious hall as bright as day.
There is a gathering of generals in the hall, which has an invisible brilliance, which complements the brilliant lights that fill the hall.
Yuan Zuozong, the commander of the Beiliang Cavalry Army, Gu Dazu, Chen Yunchui, the deputy commander of the infantry army who is stationed in Liangzhou, and Yang Shenxing, a deputy Jiedu envoy who has really integrated into the Beiliang Frontier Army, was previously transferred as the deputy general of Youzhou. Yue Dian, the deputy general of the Daxue Dragon Cavalry Army, is now also leading a heavy cavalry army. There are also Cao Xiaojiao, Hong Xinjia and others who came from Youzhou specially, and a large group of powerful generals and lieutenants in the territory who were temporarily summoned to Jubei City, such as Lingzhou deputy generals Wang Zhi and Huang Xiaokuai, the two guarding the east gate of Liangzhou Lieutenant Xin Yin and Ma Wei of Tongguan, Lieutenant Zhu Boyu of Fengqiu of Lingzhou, Lieutenant Ren Chunyun of Beiguo, Jiao Wuyi who replaced Huang Xiaokuai as Lieutenant of Pearl, and many generals gathered together to discuss how to defend and reject Beicheng.
Among them, Hong Xinjia, who created the Hulukou Wubao beacon system, is actually not high in rank, but at this time, together with the young vassal king and the two deputy commanders of the frontier army, they are all listening to this person's eloquent defense. city details.
A large number of counselors in green shirts attended the meeting.
Crazy Hong Shuwen is undoubtedly the most legendary figure in Baimayi who has been promoted the fastest and became an official. He is young, but he has already served as the chief general of the Yizhou Cavalry Army under the command of General Han Laoshan of Lingzhou. This sturdy warrior who traveled with His Royal Highness through the rivers and lakes of the Central Plains in the early years, and rushed to the iron gates of the Western Regions to intercept and kill Liyang Prince Zhao Kai, did not stand in the lobby, but stood at the gate with his sword in his arms, closing his eyes and meditating alone. His aura is cold, like a ruthless door god, who will draw his sword at others if he disagrees with him.
The governor of Liangzhou, Bai Yu, Lifang Wang Jijiu, and Nanjiang master Cheng Baishuang, the three of them came hand in hand. After meeting, the three of them congenial and had a good conversation. Wang Jijiu secretly took out a few pots of green ants that had been treasured for a long time. Drinking wine, I took two scholars to have a drink together. Half an hour ago, after the counselor informed that there would be a discussion in the lobby tonight, Wang Jijiu, who was in full swing, was a little embarrassed. A heavily guarded lobby is out of date, and Wang Jijiu doesn't have the guts to look at him. He is very old, no matter how thick-skinned he is, he really can't bear the knife eyes. Wang Jijiu knows very well who is the soft persimmon in this mansion of Jubei City, not an old fox like Li Gongde and Yang Shenxing, nor Bai Yu, a gentleman who is as respectful and humble as jade, or even a group of passionate military counselors, it is clearly a young man. As for the feudal lord, even if the old man didn't keep his mouth shut and leaked the allusion of coming out of the wall, it's not the same as thunder and rain, but he was killed on the chessboard by the young feudal lord who became so angry that he threw away his helmet and armor
In addition, Wang Jijiu didn't dare to show the grotesque laissez-faire style of celebrities. The reason is very simple. The old man knows that the civil and military leaders of Beiliang never eat this kind of thing, and the old man himself is not good at it. So after vigorously shaking the fan to disperse most of the alcohol, Wang Jijiu dared to drag the two of them to the entrance of the meeting hall.
As a result, the door god at the door did not stop the suave Mr. Bai Lian, but Wang Jijiu and Cheng Baishuang. With the undefeated and impoverished style of friends, he turned a deaf ear to the old gentleman's plea for help. After striding across the threshold, he just turned his head and cast a helpless look. Wang Jijiu had originally vowed to promise Cheng Baishuang to enter the meeting hall hand in hand. His old face suddenly looked miserable. He first smiled boldly at Cheng Baishuang's swollen face and pretended to be fat. Whispering, it's easy to say, saying that the prince has a lot of trust in this southern border master, Cheng Baishuang is a man of integrity, and he will never make any troubles, let alone leak military plans. Hong Shuwen held the knife in both hands, sternly ignored him, no matter how the old man bowed his head and flattered him, he just blocked the door and refused to nod to let him go.
The mouth-worn Wang Jijiu had no choice but to play tricks and act shamelessly. He didn't want the gentleness of a scholar anymore. He stared and said, "Hong Shuwen! Believe it or not, I'm just screaming for grievances here. Do you think the prince will let me enter the meeting hall?"
Crazy Hong, who was invulnerable to oil, salt, water and fire, was still indifferent, and sneered: "Old man, you can shout as much as you want, and as long as the prince agrees to come down, I will give way. Otherwise, with your shameful smell of alcohol, I really got to compete with you today!"
The old man stared like a bull's eye, Hong Shuwen lazily said: "What's wrong, you're not convinced? Wang Jijiu wants to bully me for my short training time because of my age?"
The old man almost sprayed his old blood on this shameless young general. The old man is worthy of being a person who reads the real knowledge, lowered his voice, and stretched out a finger.
Hong Shuwen looked sideways, with disdain on his face.
The old man reluctantly gave up, tremblingly stretched out two fingers.
Hong Shuwen said to himself: "Scholars are just not comfortable."
The old man took a deep breath, stretched out a palm, and slapped the young man's arm heavily, and said with a sad face: "I only have this count, and killing people is nothing but nodding! Hong Shuwen, give me a good word!"
Hong Shuwen raised his eyebrows, moved his footsteps to get out of the way, and said with a smile: "The meeting is over, I will go to your place to get the wine in person, five pots of green ants, if you dare to miss one pot, I will demolish your ceremonial room. Anyway, it’s only a few steps away. And remember, don’t get too close, it’s almost enough to stand on the edge with Counselor Lang.”
The heartbroken old man didn't go to bargain at all, and hurried across the threshold, he didn't forget to turn his head and whisper to Cheng Baishuang: "Old Cheng, the wind and moon outside the house, the scenery is pleasant, I won't accompany you."
After Wang Jijiu took seven or eight steps away from the gate of the meeting hall, he suddenly turned around and pointed at Hong Shuwen, with a face full of triumphant expressions, mixed with rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
Hong Shuwen suddenly realized that the five pots of green ant wine that had been agreed in advance must have been squandered, and he raised his foot and made a kicking motion.
Wang Jijiu hooked his fingers, as if he wanted to beat you if you have the ability, but when the old man saw Hong Shuwen sneered and was about to break into the meeting hall, he immediately ran away nimbly.
Hong Shuwen was not surprised, turned around and continued to hold the knife with his eyes closed.
Cheng Baishuang opened his eyes.
A Mr. Bai Lian who talks elegantly and coquettishly, and You Jijiu, a Shangyin school who was close to dominating the literary world in his early years, why is he so brazen when he comes to Beiliang
Cheng Baishuang, who is both civil and military and has profound attainments and profound realms, was a little dumbfounded, but he was not annoyed, let alone left in shame and anger. Instead, he stood outside the door of the meeting hall and looked inside, and asked softly: "Dare to ask this general, what can I do?" Would you like to stand here and listen to the discussion in the house?"
Hong Shuwen didn't open his eyes, and said in a bad mood: "Since the prince allowed you, Cheng Baishuang, to walk freely in the mansion, as long as you don't make an inch and cross the threshold tonight, then it doesn't matter if you stand and listen outside the door, even if your head is on the ground." Chaotian, I will not stop it."
Cheng Baishuang, who was almost a Confucian saint, laughed it off.
Cheng Baishuang heard many anecdotes and anecdotes about drinking and drinking with King Bai Yu before, and the speaker had no intention of listening to them.
Bai Yu said that the young feudal lord would occasionally leave the study on the right hand side of the signing room in the second hall, and go to the room on the left side of the signing room that was called "vegetable garden" by Beicheng. , because these young people with different roots and backgrounds have no rank or official status, and only wear Confucian green shirts. At first glance, the green color is particularly lush. The crowd gathers like a green vegetable garden, and those people , This is the seed of reading in Beiliang, whether it is a native of Beiliang Dao or a scholar from a foreign country who went to Liang, they will eventually take root and grow in Jubei City. Xu Fengnian would go there to sit there from time to time, regardless of day or night, and without regularity, and never made long speeches, just chatting with those scholars in Qingshan, who were mostly of the same age, mostly about trivial matters, at most they were writing articles for learning. On the contrary, there are very few major military and national events, and the two words of governing the country and the world, those border wars, are not involved much. Mr. Bai Lian happened to participate in it once when he had nothing to do. That night, a king of Beiliang and a governor of Liangzhou were surrounded by dozens of scholars in green clothes, talking and laughing, and the laughter continued.
When a military counselor Lang said that he would go to battle to kill the enemy and would never hesitate to die in battle, the young feudal lord neither refused nor approved. The impassioned scholars from other places, the scholars are strategizing behind the scenes, willing to make suggestions for border affairs, willing to speak up for national affairs, and willing to speak up for the border army in a deadly battle. In addition, if you scholars are willing to die, it must be a good thing, but I, Xu Fengnian, never respect this matter. From Xu Xiao to me, I have always believed that Beiliang cavalry guards the border. Riding a war horse, then there is no way to retreat and die on the battlefield, it is a matter of course. As for scholars who are not good at fighting with bows and horses, it is enough if they have the heart. Beiliang is not willing, and should not ask you scholars to sacrifice their lives to die. It is even said that scholars who have never experienced the smoke of gunpowder in the battlefield are afraid of death and cherish their lives. Good for you, I do mine well, and I have a clear conscience. As for ordinary people living in the streets and alleys, let alone expect them to come to the border to kill the enemy, they should live a good life and have a peaceful life.
Cheng Baishuang put his hands behind his back, turned his back to the meeting hall, looked at the archway, lost in thought.
With the official finalization of each emergency strategy, generals in the meeting hall continued to leave in batches in a hurry. When finally even Gu Dazu and Chen Yunchui, the two frontier army leaders stationed in Shubei City, also stepped over the threshold, the young vassal king and Wang Jijiu They finally walked out side by side and came to Cheng Baishuang who had been at the gate of Kuzhan for nearly two hours. Bai Yu had already gone to the household room to discuss matters. When the young feudal lord saw this Nanjiang master who took advantage of the opportunity of the most holy Confucian benefactor in Wudang Mountain to achieve the great celestial phenomenon, Xu Feng laughed young and said: "After Cao Changqing and Xuanyuan Jingcheng, the human world is finally here again. A Confucian sage is about to appear to control luck."
The three of them walked down the steps together, Cheng Baishuang shook his head and said: "Limited by the structure, I can't reach the realm of Confucian saints."
Xu Fengnian asked doubtfully, "How do you say that?"
Cheng Baishuang said with a smile: "Even now, I still don't have the kind of state of mind to establish my heart for the world, to inherit my knowledge for the past, and to bring peace to all generations."
Xu Fengnian nodded, and did not despise this old Confucian scholar who had long since perished.
Cheng Baishuang suddenly asked: "My lord, what do you think is a scholar?"
Xu Fengnian thought for a while, and replied: "Scholars rule the country, and the world is peaceful and prosperous."
Cheng Baishuang asked again: "In the troubled times, when the country is in crisis, what should a scholar do?"
Xu Fengnian said without hesitation: "Don't demand too much from them."
Cheng Baishuang asked with a smile: "Shouldn't it be resolute to rise up and save the country as a scholar?"
Xu Fengnian laughed it off, "Then I don't care about it. Scholars choose their own responsibilities. Whether they want to, dare to dare, and whether they can, are all the scholars' own business."
Cheng Baishuang seemed a little surprised by this statement, remained silent for a long time, and said with a smile, "That's true."
…
At daybreak, outside Jubei City, a rider galloped eastward from Liuzhou Laowo Mountain to outside Jubei City. Before approaching the city gate, Lou Huang reined in the horse suddenly.
Turning his head to look, he saw a guy who was far away from the battlefield but was still wearing an iron armor with two knives on his waist, looking up and trying to smile to himself.
Lou Huang got off his horse and felt the extremely unfamiliar strong murderous aura on this senior brother, so he had to ask, "How about the one named Xie?"
The bridegroom said with emotion softly: "It can only be said that he is not dead yet, Xie Xizhen was seriously injured."
Lou Huang didn't say anything more.
Groom Yu hesitated for a moment, "Junior Brother Lou, I entrust you with one thing."
Lou Huang said without hesitation: "You say so."
Groom Yu said sadly: "Maybe I need to trouble you to bring the little green robe back to the Central Plains. I took her for a long time. I thought she could stay in Qingliang Mountain and listen to Chaohu without any worries, and be the same age as those around her." People climb trees and catch fish all day long, and then grow up slowly... Now it seems that it is very difficult."
Lou Huang shook his head and said: "This matter, you ask Xu Fengnian to find someone else, I can't help."
Yu groom frowned and said, "You want to stay too?"
Lou Huang snorted coldly: "Could it be that you are only allowed to be heroic in the groom, and I, Lou Huang, is not allowed to be heroic?"
The groom was speechless.
Lou Huang said regretfully: "It's a pity that you and I don't have a good sword at hand."
The bridegroom patted the cold knife on his waist, and said with a smile, "After using it, I found it's very easy to use. You don't have to lift the knife and drop the corpse. It's very refreshing."
Lou Huang jokingly said, "Why don't you share with me?"
The groom resolutely refused, "Don't think about it."
Lou Huang tutted, "I want you to promise one thing."
The bridegroom smiled and said: "You have to talk and listen first, and then see if you agree or not."
Lou Huang grinned and said, "If I kill more people than you in the next battlefield outside the pass, how about you call me Senior Brother?"
The bridegroom patted the junior on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "Although a junior who doesn't want to be a senior is not a good junior, as a senior, I can understand this feeling, but unfortunately I still won't agree to you."
Lou Huang was not surprised, he led the horse forward with a smile on his lips.
For so many years in Emperor Wudi City in the East China Sea, the two brothers and sisters hardly met each other, let alone chatting casually like this.
Yu groom, who seems to be the best talker but the worst talker, is too talented, too good at root, too high in cultivation, and too deep in sword comprehension, so even if he has the best temper among all Wang Xianzhi's disciples, he will give people a feeling that he is not really him. Look down on how you feel.
Lou Huang really couldn't like the groom like that.
Now the groom Yu, Lou Huang, the junior brother who is very victorious, can't be hated on the contrary.
Bridegroom Yu said suddenly: "If I can leave Beiliang Border Pass alive, I will find a graceful and charming woman, find a peaceful and quiet small village, and spend the rest of my life together."
Lou Huang nodded, "Not bad."
The bridegroom Yu said with emotion: "It is very good. But I am also very worried now. With my appearance as the groom Yu, it is easy to find a beautiful little lady in Yanzhi County, Beiliang, but what about your appearance, junior brother? In case I see a nice woman who I don't like and want to introduce you, but they only like me, then I will be very embarrassed."
Lou Huang took a deep breath.
Take another deep breath.
Only then did he resist the urge to hit someone.
…
At noon, in a quiet courtyard of the mansion, a one-armed old man with white hair and white clothes raised a glass and drank with a relaxed attitude.
This old man who has a penchant for devouring the world's famous swords is not only of the same generation as Liu Songtao, but also competes with Li Chungang in swordsmanship, and is also the common master of Xishu Sword Emperor and Qingliang Mountain Sword Jiuhuang.
Opposite the stone table is Chai Qingshan, the current suzerain of Dongyue Jianchi. Although in terms of martial arts status and prestige in the Central Plains, Chai Qingshan is far higher than the hidden sword-eating ancestor, but in terms of seniority However, the nearly seventy-year-old Chai Qingshan is still one generation, or even two generations, lower than Sui Xiegu. Sui Xiegu once visited Jianchi in person when he was in his thirties, and beat an elder of Jianchi family named Song who was already in his sixtieth year. But before the elder died, he still admired Sui Xiegu, a rising star, and regarded him as a fellow in the way of swordsmanship. After young Chai Qingshan entered Dongyue Jianchi with someone with a different surname, he and the previous patriarch Song Nianqing became senior brothers, and they were all taught by that uncle, so today he finally saw the real face of Sui Xiegu. Aoyama respectfully held the junior ceremony from the bottom of his heart.
Sui Xiegu remembered those old events, and said slowly: "At that time, every time Li Chungang defeated a long-established swordsman master, I would follow him to join in the fun, but some swordsmen were defeated by Li Chungang. After stepping up, the heart of the sword was covered with dust, and the intent of the sword was shattered, naturally I won't be able to win by force."
Speaking of this, Sui Xiegu glanced at Chai Qingshan, and said with a sneer: "Song Nianqing's father, that is, your master, is such a person. He couldn't afford to lose, and died of depression after being humiliated. On the other hand, your Uncle Master, although he is not as skilled in swordsmanship as the suzerain's nephew, his heart is obviously more tenacious. After losing to me, he worked hard for twenty years, and then he fought me again, but he still lost again. But you know that centenarian at that time, Did you say something with a smile when you saw the sword being broken by me?"
Chai Qingshan shook his head.
Sui Xiegu squinted his eyes and sighed: "The old guy laughed and said, his mother's life is only a hundred years, how can I hold enough of the three-foot Qingfeng? It's not enough, but it's not enough. In the next life, the next life will be a hundred years, and the old man will still practice swordsmanship." !"
Chai Qingshan kept silent, but he was fascinated by it.
Sui Xiegu said flatly: "Speaking of which, your master's sword practice can't be completely blamed for his lack of firmness. After all, as the master of a sect, especially in a family of swordsmen with a long history like Dongyue Sword Pool, he probably came from Since the mother was born, she has to bear the honor and disgrace of the family's rise and fall, so it is naturally more difficult to let go."
Chai Qingshan, who is still the head of the sect, said with emotion: "It is true, it is not easy."
Sui Xiegu said inexplicably: "It's even more difficult."
Chai Qingshan was slightly astonished, then suddenly realized.
At this moment, Hong Shuwen, who did not follow Wang Zhi, Huang Xiaokuai, and the two Lingzhou lieutenants who left Jubei City, strode into the small courtyard, holding a huge wooden box, with a face like someone owed him a million taels of silver Almost, he threw the wooden box heavily on the stone table, stared blankly at Sui Xiegu and said, "My lord asked me to bring it to you old man, a box of six swords, in addition to the two swords of the Shu Dao Fushi, there are also listening The four swords of the capital and dragon scales that have been treasured in the Chao Pavilion for many years are sent together."
Sui Xiegu opened the wooden box casually, full of sword energy, the small courtyard seemed to be in the midst of a snowstorm and winter, and indeed there were many peerless swords for Fushi, like a peerless beauty who was obviously beautiful but raised in a deep boudoir.
Sui Xiegu said to himself: "It's rare for that kid to make a loss-making business."
Sui Xiegu waved his sleeves, put the sword box together again, raised his head and asked with a smile: "This is definitely not your prince's original intention. If I guess correctly, it is the meaning of Xu Weixiong's daughter?"
Hong Shuwen was not in awe of the sword-eating ancestors, so he said angrily: "I just send the sword here!"
When the young man was about to turn around and leave, Sui Xiegu suddenly said: "Four swords are almost enough for me to strike, you just take back two swords, I am never the type to take advantage of the fire."
Hong Shuwen bent down to open the sword case with lightning speed, and hurriedly asked: "Senior Sui, may I ask which two swords are the Fushi of Shu Dao?"
Sui Xiegu sneered, too lazy to answer.
The famous Shu Dao sword is very recognizable. The blade is extremely narrow and long, and there are inscriptions engraved on the scabbard. Hong Shuwen didn't spend much effort to identify it, but which one is the Fushi that is as famous as the Shu Dao in the spectrum of heavy weapons, Hong Shuwen has no choice. I was a little uncertain, so I finally confirmed the other three swords, and finally had a difficult choice between the two swords.
Sui Xiegu stretched out two fingers and twirled a long snow-white eyebrow, smiling playfully.
As soon as Hong Shuwen gritted his teeth, he was about to pick up an ancient sword that looked like a shackle. As soon as he held the scabbard, he heard the Chai Sect Master of Dongyue Jianchi cough lightly. Hong Shuwen immediately put down the long sword in his hand and grabbed it. Holding the other long sword with a black scabbard, he laughed happily and walked away quickly.
Chai Qingshan hesitated for a moment, and said: "I hope seniors don't mind."
Sui Xiegu looked indifferent, "It doesn't matter anymore."
…
At dusk, an old man in a Confucian shirt who took off his Taoist robe slowly walked towards the bridge and headed north.
A tall woman in white on the bridge blocked the way.
The old man didn't take it seriously, walked up to the bridge, and asked with a smile: "Why do heaven and man make things difficult for immortals?"
The woman with eyes like snow said indifferently: "Going against the law, the law of heaven cannot tolerate it."
The old man smiled, pretending to be surprised, "Oh?"
The tall woman is Tantai Jingping, the master Qi trainer, and her eyes became more and more fierce, "Zhao Changling! Back then you were not suppressed in the Shuiyue courtyard, it is the way of heaven that has forgiven you, I advise you not to push yourself too far!"
The old man said indifferently, "So what?"
She stood in the middle of the bridge, "If you dare to step forward, even if I fight Xu Fengnian and hurt both, I will kill you!"
The old man laughed loudly, "I was scared to death!"
The old man suddenly restrained his smile, "It's a pity, I am Zhao Changling, the fairy in the sky!"