The soil is moistening the summer heat, the cicadas and insects are neighing, and on both sides of the Suzaku Street, there are dense shades of Huai Yu.
A round of rising sun rises in the east, the rays of the sun are shining, and the morning light splashes down. The rumbling sound of street drums rang from the gate tower of Tianjie, echoing far away, and the bells and drums of the gate towers in all directions were played, forming a majestic ocean wave, which was earth-shattering.
Today, however, louder than the drums are the vocals.
Suzaku Street was crowded with people.
The news of Princess Wen Zhao's return to Beijing made the entire Chang'an boil.
The people poured out of their homes and rushed to the square frantically. The children of the rich family, the ladies, the officials, the young men of Wuling who used to adore the princess's beauty, the commoners, men, women and children who had been favored by the princess, all refused to be left behind. The brightest clothes crowded the long street.
"Is Princess Wen Zhao riding a horse or riding a car? Can she see us?"
"I heard that the concubine is the monarch of a country called Wangting outside the territory. Did the concubine come back with the princess?"
"I heard that the concubine used to be a monk! He was a Buddhist!"
"The concubine's face is like a crown of jade, a figure like an immortal, and a princess is made in heaven!"
In the noisy discussion, the sound of hunting wind came from the end of the long street that was swept.
Everyone was very excited, grabbed the shoulders of the person in front, and looked around on tiptoe.
The morning light floats, and gray shadows come from the mist.
The first thing that caught their eyes was the flags fluttering in the wind, chilling black and icy white, with densely written words on them.
Everyone was stunned.
This is not the flag of the Royal Court, nor the flag of the Western Army.
It was a soul-inducing flag with the names of the deceased written all over it. The flag was decorated with long streamers, and the streamers were also full of words.
Line by line, the line continued, and the sound of flags and flags resounded throughout the world.
What followed was a roar of chariots and horses, and the carts followed the flag team and drove into the entrance building.
When everyone saw clearly what the wooden signs on the cart were, the chattering voices in the crowd stopped abruptly.
A solemn atmosphere hangs over the square.
Yang Qian and Yang Nianxiang, dressed in armor, holding talismans and maps, walked beside the carriage, walking heavily, and their eyes were solemn and solemn.
Beside and behind them, carts loaded with ashes and tablets slowly walked down Long Street Avenue.
Some of these tablets were written by Yang Qian himself. They have different identities and experiences. Some are his clansmen, some are ordinary people who once cried and knelt at his feet and asked him if the Wanyan Book was delivered to Chang'an, and some were fighting side by side with him. Friends of the same robe, and more are strangers with whom he has never met.
They have the same desire to regain lost territory and return to their homeland.
For this reason, some of them have been looking forward to it for decades, some have tried their best to help the Western Army, and some have devoted their efforts to resisting and dying under the enemy's long sword.
Princess Wenzhao left a name for them. Today, the princess brought them back. They will be sent to their ancestral home for burial and their souls will return to their hometown.
There was silence on both sides of the road.
No one dared to disturb the deceased aloud. Tears flickered in their eyes, and they silently stared at the plaques on the carriage.
At this moment, what walked in front of them was not the carriage carrying the ashes of the spirit tablets, but the thousands of people who were kidnapped in the war, far away from their hometowns, suffered so much, and hoped that they would return to their roots after death. Returning from the east, he threw his head, shed his blood, and sacrificed his heroic soul.
There are old people, children, men, women, poor peasants, and young and vigorous family sons. They are no different from the people of Chang'an. They were forced to cut ties with their motherland, and they were displaced. Dongfang Yao worshipped and prayed to Master Wang to recover the lost land so that they could return to their hometowns.
Return of the soul.
Come back, lonely souls wandering outside.
Come back, the young sons who sacrificed their lives to resist oppression and lead their clan to return home.
You are home.
Look, the Western Regions have been pacified, the rivers and rivers are unimpeded, you have finally returned to your hometown where you have been haunted by your dreams, and the dead souls can be comforted.
In the future, from the vast and fertile Central Plains to the bitterly cold snow-covered plateau, there will be no more wars and killings. Farmers carry hoes to plough the fields, merchants travel in carts full of silk and jewelry, and herdsmen rush to the land. Herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely on the boundless grassland. Han people, Hu people, northerners, southerners, Buddhists, believers, Zoroastrians, Manichaeans, all live in harmony and create a peaceful and prosperous world.
Your children and grandchildren can live a stable life, and they will not be like you again, with precarious situations, separation of wives and estranged families, and turbulent life.
The long wind blew, the flags flew high, and the streamers flew sassily.
The undead seemed to appear alive in front of the people. They crossed their shoulders and walked on the crowded Suzaku Street, laughing, marveling, and sighing.
People stared at them silently.
I'd rather be a dog of peace than a chaotic person!
Above the tower, Li De was wearing a crown of heaven and a dress, standing under the banner, overlooking the fleet of flags fluttering in the distance.
The people were in tears, and the plaza, which had been noisy just now, was as silent as still water, except for the sound of horses and carriages passing through the long street and the sound of flags being beaten by the spring breeze.
Li De's face was condensed.
The few servants behind him looked at each other: they all thought that the generals of the Western Army would escort Princess Wen Zhao into the city. Fortunately, Li De showed the strength of the Western Army. soldier. Princess Wen Zhao didn't even see a shadow.
On such occasions, nothing matters. Who would dare to test whether the Western Army is monolithic at the risk of arousing public anger
Next to the ceremony platform under the city tower, the civil and military officials looked at the coming carts, their expressions shook, and they remained silent for a long time.
The young officials could not help but feel sore noses and hot eyes, blood boiling in their chests, full of pride.
The old official exchanged glances quietly and sighed silently.
They still remembered the day when the princess got married, dressed in fancy clothes, left Chang'an in a carriage, and the people wept and cried.
At that time, they all thought that if the princess did not return, she would soon perish among the war-torn tribes.
After a few years, the princess returned to Chang'an with maps of dozens of states and her subordinates.
Kai Ge immediately cleared the song, not when Zhaojun left the fortress.
Li De glanced at the hundreds of officials under the stage and had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions.
The valet wiped off his sweat and whispered, "Your Majesty, the princess is very popular..."
Li De looked calm.
Because of this, the more he has to beware of Li Yaoying, she has people's hearts, soldiers and horses, a rebellious elder brother, and will marry King Tanmo, and she is also Li Xuanzhen's weakness.
The officials of the Ministry of Rites responded quickly, and immediately dispatched brilliant new scholars to write several impassioned sacrificial articles on the spot to pay tribute to the deceased.
Li De signaled his attendant to issue an edict to comfort the states in the Western Regions.
Yang Qian and Hexi generals bowed to the grace of the landless people on behalf of the people.
All the people in the square burst into tears.
…
Yaoying rode at the back of the team, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites greeted her and repeatedly begged her to take a beautifully decorated carriage into the city. She shook her head and said, "I'm here to send the deceased home, so I don't need to show up."
The officials were a little surprised. When singing during the day, you must drink alcohol, and when you are young, you should return home. The ceremony of returning to the city is so solemn. Only when the princess appears in front of people can she win people's hearts. She has suffered so much in the Western Regions and is willing to miss this opportunity to show off.
Yao Ying plucked the horse and passed between them.
She promised those old men and dead soldiers to send them back to their hometown, and she did what she said.
The protagonists of today are the dead.
Downstairs, after the ceremonial officer announced Yaoying's title, all the young officials in Chaozhong raised their heads with nervous anticipation, and a few impatient ones were even more concerned about etiquette and stretched their necks to look out.
Countless eyes all looked at Yaoying.
In the crowd, Zheng Jing looked at the long street, remembered the scene when he first met, and smiled slightly.
The banner hunts, the personal guards are squires, Yaoying rides a horse, has a silk sash on her head, and wears a brocade robe with narrow sleeves and a lapel. She gallops to the front of the steps, dismounts neatly, and faces the gazes of civil and military officials. , first took the incense that Yang Qian handed over, and worshipped at the altar, looking forward to being divine and dignified.
Intimidated by her aura, everyone stood still, and no one dared to come forward to greet her.
The officials in the DPRK looked at her in a daze, met the cold eyes of the guards beside her, and suddenly remembered that the current Princess Wen Zhao was no longer the seventh princess who had been slaughtered by others. The saints can't just point fingers.
Everyone exchanged glances. It was rumored that Li Zhongqian returned to Beijing secretly, intending to assassinate, but was captured on the spot. He is the brother of Princess Wenzhao, and the brothers and sisters are deeply in love. It is no wonder that Li De did not issue an edict to kill, but only by keeping Li Zhongqian, Princess Wenzhao will be safe. .
After the ceremony, a large banquet was held in the palace to wash away the dust for the generals of the Western Army.
Yang Qian looked around and couldn't help but ask, "Why don't you see His Royal Highness?"
The official replied, "The prince is out with his troops and has not yet returned to Beijing."
Yaoying's seat was on Li De's left. She didn't watch the singing and dancing. She picked up her wine cup, took a few steps forward, and said straight to the point: "Your Majesty, where is my brother? Is he alive or dead?"
Li De smiled. After a few years, she was still direct, she never made excuses with him, and she was still very affectionate and willing to take risks for Li Zhongqian.
He didn't announce who the assassin was, and could secretly execute the assassin at any time. She couldn't find a way to force him to let him go. She knew that Chang'an was a trap, so she could only dig into it.
"You have been away from the Central Plains for a long time. If you stay for a few more days, you will naturally be able to see your brother."
Yaoying said lightly: "As long as Li Zhongqian is all right, I can stay. You have to let me meet him first."
Li De gestured to the servant beside him.
The waiter stepped back, came back with a sword in his hand after a while, and shook the engraved place on the hilt towards Yaoying.
"Li Zhongqian is still alive."
just now.
Yaoying recognized Li Zhongqian's sword, lowered her eyes, drank the remaining wine in the cup, and returned to her seat. Young officials kept coming over, lingering beside her seat, wanting to chat with her. Seeing her worried appearance, she didn't dare to be abrupt and retreated.
Only a few officials whose accents were obviously different from the others approached Yaoying and toasted her with a very respectful attitude.
They reported their respective official positions, and they were all ministers of Nanchu. After Nanchu surrendered, they were sent to Chang'an.
Yaoying was vigilant and glanced at Li De, thinking that he was going to expose his own life experience on the spot.
Li De didn't seem to notice the few Southern Chu surrendered officials, got up to talk to Yang Qian and the others, the majesty did not lose affinity, and the faces of the young generals were red, and they couldn't hide their excitement.
Yaoying didn't say much to those Nanchu officials, she said she was too drunk, and retired early.
Li De did not stop her, but only sent someone to hand over Li Zhongqian's saber to her, saying: "The princess is very valuable now, and Duke Wei is the elder brother of the princess. Be careful in your words and deeds, so as not to cause trouble and harm Duke Wei."
Yaoying understood Li De's suggestion and closed the door to thank her guests. Everyone sent her invitations to talk, drink tea, offer incense, and enjoy the flowers. Do not step.
Li De sent people to monitor Yaoying. After observing for a few days, it was confirmed that Tan Mo Luojia was not with her, that there was not a single royal guard by her side, and there was no trace of Wang Tingren near Chang'an. He continued to send people to investigate. , report back immediately.
It was not until it was confirmed that Yaoying had arranged a contact person in private that he sent someone to deliver a letter to her: If you want to see Li Zhongqian, go to Ci'en Temple first. Attached to the letter is a dew bag that Li Zhongqian often wears on his body, and the pair of beasts on it is embroidered by Yaoying himself.
Yaoying took Xie Qing to the Ci'en Temple, worshipped Buddha with incense, talked with the host, got the second instruction, left the temple, and went straight to the Li Palace outside the city.
Li De actually imprisoned Li Zhongqian in the Li Palace.
She followed the eunuch through the winding corridors, walked into the narrow and cramped dark passage, pushed open the door, and the man in the corner raised his head and brushed away the messy hair on his face.
"Brother!"
Yaoying was so anxious, she breathed a sigh of relief, and ran over quickly, raising her hand to beat him, "You..."
She and the man looked at each other for a moment, her expression froze, and cold sweat broke out from her back.
The man's eyebrows are somewhat similar to Li Zhongqian.
But he is not Li Zhongqian.
Xie Qing frowned and drew his knife immediately. Yaoying stood up, quickly exited the dark passage, raised her head and glanced around.
All exits are guarded by Jinwu guards, and there are many people on the wall, and people are also ambushed.
Yaoying held Xie Qing's hand and asked calmly, "Where is the sage?"
The eunuch smiled and led her to the Buddhist hall. Jin Wuwei held a long sword and followed her closely.
The icy light of the knife reflected on her face, her expression was as usual, and her eyes signaled Xie Qing to put away the knife.
There is a Buddha statue in the Buddhist hall. The sandalwood is fragrant, and the incense candles are smoked. Li De sits in front of the Buddha statue, leaning on the hidden sac, his head wrapped in a scarf, and his face is pale, which is described as old.
Yao Ying walked into the Buddhist hall, "Is the Sage going so much trouble just to trap me? If something happens to me in Chang'an, the settled Western Regions will be chaotic again. The Sage can't kill me, so what's the use of trapping me?"
Li De's eyes fell on her face, "If you don't trap you, how can you draw out Li Zhongqian?"
Yaoying smiled mockingly.
The assassination of Qu Jiangchi was arranged by Li De. He knew her weakness and made the world think that Li Zhongqian assassinated in public, lured her into Beijing, and then used her as bait to lure Li Zhongqian out and use Li Zhongqian to threaten her.
"How can the sage be sure that I will be hit?"
Li De looked at the half-rolled Xiangzhu curtain and said, "Since I angered Li Zhongqian to return to Beijing, every step of your reaction was expected, I cut off your connection with Li Zhongqian and deliberately released news, you can't find him. , I am eager to save people, even knowing that it is a trap, it will still come."
"Where is my brother?" Yaoying walked to the Buddha statue and threw a piece of incense cake into the copper incense burner with the head of the beast, "Why do you have his sword?"
"When Li Zhongqian returned to Gaochang, my people followed him. He was very cautious this time. Our people followed him all the way to Jingzhao Mansion. When they were about to close the net, they let him escape, but they got his saber. And personal things, trapped him in the square, he has been hiding for many days, it is time to show up."
Although Jin Wuwei couldn't catch Li Zhongqian, they blocked him in the workshop, and he couldn't send or receive any news. After Yaoying entered the city, Li De, on the grounds that she was precious, ordered all those who approached her residence to be taken away for interrogation, but there was still no information about Li Zhongqian. Li Zhongqian's composure was unexpected to Li De.
Now he lured Yaoying into the Li Palace, and then released the news, no matter which corner Li Zhongqian hid in, he would show up sooner or later.
From the moment Li Zhongqian decides to go back to the Central Plains, this pair of siblings will fall into his trap - Li Zhongqian must return to Chang'an, he can't tolerate them continuing to grow, and he won't let them live in peace one day on the throne.
Father and son, ruler and minister, you die and I die, there is no other way to go.
Yaoying sat down with her legs crossed opposite Li De.
Li De looked at her: "Aren't you afraid that I will kill you?"
"Everyone in Chang'an City knows that I came to Li Palace, and the Sage killed me like this. How can I explain it to the Western Army? The Sage can put me under house arrest, but he doesn't dare to kill me." Yaoying looked at the lush banana bushes in the courtyard, road.
The corners of Li De's lips raised, signaling the attendant to serve tea.
In fact, he admires Yaoying very much. She is very aware of current affairs, knows her own support, and can bend and stretch. Unfortunately, she is like Xie Wuliang in her bones. Such a person has too many ties.
Unlike him, he is ruthless and unscrupulous.
Yaoying hadn't eaten Chang'an tea for a long time. She smelled the familiar aroma of tea and said, "Your Majesty, if I bring my brother back to Gaochang, and I don't set foot in Chang'an again in my life, will the Holy Lord let us go?"
Li De said: "Let the tiger return to the mountain, there will be endless troubles."
Yaoying raised her eyes.
Jin Wuwei knelt outside the corridor: "Sir, the news has been released. The inner city is under martial law, and the Western Army is under our strict surveillance. All palace gates are guarded by the Imperial Army. Within five days, no one except the Imperial Army will be allowed. Leaving without permission."
"Five days, that's enough." Li De nodded and glanced at Yaoying, "Chang'an has become a dead city, no one can approach the Li Palace, except for a lifeless lunatic like Li Zhongqian, wait for him, no later than tomorrow night , you can see him."
Yaoying was silent.
The heat subsided, night fell, the evening wind blew the broad banana leaves, bringing bursts of coolness, the moon was flowing, and all sounds were silent.
Xie Qing was taken down, Yaoying sat in front of the Buddha statue, closed her eyes and meditated.
In the silence, a panicked shout suddenly sounded, the figures around him swayed, and the guards in black rushed out from every corner of the empty courtyard. The footsteps sounded like sudden raindrops. hall.
Yaoying opened her eyes.
Several lanterns came from far and near. Li De was wearing a big cloak and stood at the door with a pale face: "Li Zhongqian will come to rescue you tonight, come with me."
Yaoying sneered, got up and followed him.
The scattered pavilions and pavilions of the Li Palace have been shrouded in rumbling black smoke, and flames are rising everywhere. Fire burning soot.
The guards flew over from different directions to report: "Sir, there is a horse in the south!"
"There are also enemy attacks in the north!"
"There is also in the east!"
Arrows rained down.
Li De's brows didn't even wrinkle, the commander Ruo fixed, took Yaoying up to the highest Drum Tower, and let the guards set the courtyard ablaze, lighting up and down the Drum Tower.
The burning torch engulfed the night, and in the black smoke, several teams rushed to the Li Palace from three directions, and were intercepted and strangled by the well-prepared Imperial Army.
Li De looked around and listened to the intermittent screams of killing in the night wind: "They are all Han people, why didn't Wang Tingren come to save you?"
Yaoying stared at the cold lights of silver armor that flashed from time to time in the dark night, with a slight mockery in her eyes: "The sage thought that Wang Tingren would intervene?"
Li De really thought so. He sent people to guard the key roads in Beijing, just to guard against Wang Tingren. As long as a Wang Tingren appeared in the Li Palace tonight, he would seize the matter and question Tan Mo Luojia and Li Yaoying for collusion. , concealing misfortune.
"The sage has been worrying too much. There is no need to involve the royal court in the matter between you and my father and son, so as not to break the covenant between the two countries."
Yao English is indifferent.
Li De was silent for a while: "Yang Qian didn't come, and all the generals of the Western Army couldn't hold back. You're not surprised at all?"
Yaoying smiled: "I guess, when I came to the Li Palace, the sage told the Western Army about my life experience?"
Not only did he want to lead Li Zhongqian out, but he also wanted to blame Wang Ting and wipe out the generals in the Western Army who were loyal to her in one fell swoop.
Li De nodded: "You are not my own daughter, the Western Army will still respect you, but you are from Southern Chu, and there are still remnants of Southern Chu who hid in the mountains and refused to submit. Return to the court, restore the glory of the past, and do not want to be in the company of the remnants of Nanchu, your status is no longer suitable to be their leader."
"Qiniang, the world is like this, don't overestimate people's hearts."
Yaoying sneered.
The fire was burning.
The author has something to say: Soul-inducing banners are probably a custom formed after the Song Dynasty. The description of the soul-inducing banners in the text refers to folklore materials. Different ethnic groups in different places have different customs and colors. Please refer to one of them.
Kai Ge immediately cleared the song, not when Zhaojun left the fortress. Quoted from "Four Imperial Poems" (Part 1)