When I returned to the capital, it was the Spring Festival.
The snow had stopped in Chang'an when I arrived, but it was still snowing lightly in the capital, not heavy. Children wearing flaky felt hats were running around in the snow and making snowmen. Fireworks were ringing in the city, and the atmosphere was full of joy.
The three of them did not alarm the city defenses. They chose a secluded place to land from the air, and led their horses while looking at the scenery of the capital with a smile on their faces.
It has been a while since I left Beijing. From the time when Lu Jianzhang and others were committing suicide, the capital was deserted, but now it has begun to show signs of revival. Although it is still not as prosperous as Chang'an, it is really starting to have a good atmosphere.
The war at that time implicated many people, but under Tang Wanzhuang's management, the involvement did not expand. Even Qin Dingjiang and his people were released, and there was no impact on ordinary people. Looking at the large number of people killed, maybe it should be said that 99% of them were parasites.
Facts have proved that the prosperity of the world is created by the people, not by some wealthy and powerful family.
"Ouch~" A little girl stepped on the snow and lost her balance. She fell forward with a plop, but landed on a long leg and did not fall flat on her face.
The little girl looked up in confusion and saw a very pretty and gentle older sister squatting down and picking her up, saying with a smile: "Watch the road... Where are your parents?"
"Mom called me home to eat dumplings."
Huangfu Qing smiled and carried the child into the alley next to him: "Is this the place?"
"Yes, yes, Auntie, you are so beautiful and smell so good."
"… Not long ago, people also called me the little girl from the capital. They called me sister."
The little girl looked at her and didn't want to scream.
Huangfu Qing gritted his teeth: "Why are people worshipping Buddha in this alley..."
"Some people worship Buddha, and some people worship the four elephants."
"Which one do you think is better?"
"Buddha is good, chubby and cute."
"Four elephants are better. I told you that the Vermillion Bird is as beautiful as my sister, and firecrackers don't require fire." Huangfu Qing quietly passed a bald spinning top to him: "Look, Buddha is like this."
The little girl grabbed the spinning top and laughed: "Thank you, sister."
"Eh? Where's the letter to the Four Symbols?"
Zhao Changhe and Yue Hongling followed in amazement, their heads moving in sync as they watched Huangfu Qing carry the girl into the alley, and then they looked at each other in sync, both of them still with their hands trying to support the child. They didn't expect that Huangfu Qing would take the lead, and they didn't expect what would happen next.
I wonder what the child's family would look like if they knew that the one who sent the child back was the Empress Dowager. She even used toys to slander Buddhism and tricked the child into believing in the Four Symbols. When did she secretly hide the bald spinning top
Is this still the Suzaku Venerable who was feared by the world back then? Forget about the past. Just a dozen days ago, she slaughtered countless people in Jinzhong. How could she tell that she was just one person
"Um... Is there something wrong with my perception of Sister Suzaku?" Yue Hongling fell into self-doubt and turned to ask Zhao Changhe: "I heard that she is a big devil, but after meeting her, I don't feel that way..."
"Why, you thought she would tear you apart?"
Yue Hongling tilted her head: "Yeah, I wanted to tear her apart, and I thought she would be very fierce, but I found that she is quite easy to get along with."
Zhao Changhe hesitated to speak, hoping that Chi Chi and Wan Zhuang would agree with your point of view.
Also, I think the person who might be the most cruel to you is Chi Chi.
During the conversation, Huangfu Qing walked out of the alley with a smile on her face. Seeing her rare aunt-like expression, Zhao Changhe couldn't help but laugh: "Why, you succeeded in hooking up with another little believer, right?"
Huangfu Qing smiled and said, "Why bother to hook up? Most of the people in the capital already believe in the Four Symbols. I took a look at the so-called worship of Buddha and it was just a formality. There was a fat statue there. When I asked them what Buddha it was, they all said it was Tathagata. In fact, it was Medicine King Buddha. They were not as familiar with it as I was. However, every household has a Four Symbols sculptor and can recite a few words of the doctrine. It seems that they did a good job and the Tang family didn't do anything bad."
She was in a good mood and scratched Zhao Changhe's chin, saying teasingly: "It would be bad for me to walk with you on the street, so I will go back and rest first, so as not to disturb you and your female knight in your private visit to the people. Xiaohezi, do whatever you want tonight."
After saying this, he turned into sparks and flew straight into the palace and disappeared.
Zhao Changhe was just about to say that he had no intention of conducting a private visit to the people, as Huangfu Qing had already run away, and he was still as impetuous as ever, without much change.
Yue Hongling smiled and said, "Then take me to your house?"
Zhao Changhe: “…”
"What's the matter?"
"Now that you mention it, I remember that I don't even have a mansion."
Yue Hongling's first reaction was that this was too selfless for the country. He had fought for the Han Dynasty all this time, but he didn't even have a house... Then he realized that he was not selfless at all. He must have lived in the imperial palace in Beijing. Who knows how ridiculous it would be! He might not even have his own palace. He could sleep with whoever he wanted.
Yue Hongling kicked him angrily and walked away angrily.
Zhao Changhe followed, holding his calf and hopping along, smiling apologetically.
Yue Hongling glanced at him and said, "Where are we going now? Back to the palace, Xiaohezi?"
Zhao Changhe originally wanted to say that he could live in the Tang family, but seeing Yue Hongling's sullen face, he could only smile and say, "We're not going anywhere, just strolling around. Uh, how about we buy a house?"
Yue Hongling laughed: "Can you afford it?"
Zhao Changhe's face froze. He really couldn't afford it. No matter where he went, even if the palace and the spirits allowed him to take whatever he wanted, he really didn't take much money. He always took a few ingots of silver to stuff into his rings, which was enough for the journey. After all, everyone was short of money at that time, and Zhao Changhe had almost no material desires.
Now when I recall the time when I was the richest, it was actually the time when I had just left the Cui family, and my father-in-law was willing to give me money.
Yue Hongling guessed about 70% of the answer just by looking at his expression. It was really a bit funny. Who would have thought that the King of Zhao of the Han Dynasty, who had dominated the world and was now ranked tenth on the Heavenly Ranking, might only have a few pieces of silver left in his possession, and only a sword, a bow and a bottle of wine to live with forever. It was unclear whether he should be considered rich or a pauper.
Although he could have it whenever he wanted, and it didn't seem like a big deal, he never thought about it. This really proved that this man's heart had never considered his own selfish desires... If there was any, it was the only flaw of being a playboy. Apart from that, Yue Hongling really doubted whether this guy was a saint.
Thinking about it this way, it seems that being unfaithful is not a bad thing. At least it proves that he is still human. Yue Hongling sighed, and her tense face relaxed. She lowered her head and took his hand to stroll in the light snow, whispering: "Where is He Yong going... Come with me to see your country."
Zhao Changhe stopped talking and took her hand and walked slowly on the streets of the capital. Firecrackers were going off everywhere, and the smell of gunpowder in the air was pleasant. Every household had red paper stickers, which looked very festive.
This is Zhao Changhe’s third Spring Festival that he has traveled through.
The first Spring Festival was spent in the mountain village with Yue Hongling, and the second Spring Festival was already spent traveling, and we missed each other without realizing it. The third Spring Festival would have been the same, but now we can fly... Traveling to Beihai in the morning and Cangwu in the evening, we no longer have to endure the pain of traveling. So the third Spring Festival was still held by Yue Hongling's hand, walking in our own city.
The smiles of everyone on the road made Zhao Changhe feel very peaceful. Isn't it for this that he fought so hard and shed blood
He suddenly understood Huangfu Qing's behavior just now. It was not that Huangfu Qing had become gentle, but Zhuque as a rebel and Huangfu Qing as the "girl who spent her youth in the capital" had different positions and moods. She felt the joy of seeing her efforts bear fruit, and she found the meaning of her fight.
"Eh... is that Yue Hongling?" Finally, a passerby saw the two people walking in the snow, and the first person he recognized was Yue Hongling instead of his own King Zhao.
Someone approached cautiously, and Zhao Changhe's world of two was disturbed. He said unhappily, "You got the wrong person! This is a fake Yue Hongling!"
"Zhao..." This time someone recognized him. They paused in their approach but still surrounded him: "Can the King of Zhao fly now? How come he was in Chang'an yesterday and is back today?"
A Four-Elephant Cultist puffed out his chest and said, "This is our Night Emperor God! With the power of gods and demons, flying is just a piece of cake!"
Zhao Changhe uttered an "eh" sound and subconsciously tried to find where the blind man was. Then he heard someone say, "Did King Zhao really take the throne of the Night Emperor? We always thought that was not the case."
More Four Symbols believers said on the side: "If King Zhao doesn't go, who will go? At that time, the stars were shining, the four symbols were in harmony, and the sun and the moon shone together. Even the Venerable could not have achieved it!"
Zhao Changhe: “…”
No, just be the Night Emperor. Could you please stop using the word "above"... Can't you feel that the Demon God's gaze is already looming over you
It was said that Yue Hongling was recognized first, but once Zhao Changhe was recognized, it immediately became his home field. Yue Hongling tilted his head and watched from the side, finding it quite interesting. The interesting thing was that no one was afraid of Zhao Changhe, neither his notorious reputation as the "bloodthirsty Shura" nor his powerful position as the "King of Zhao". Even the Four Symbols followers dared to directly comment on their own "god".
How did this happen... In all of Yue Hongling's experiences in the martial arts world, this was the first time he had seen this. Everyone was so natural that Zhao Changhe couldn't vent his frustration at being disturbed, so he could only say, "Now that the past and the present are connected, there is no separation anymore. The so-called power of gods and demons is actually just a new realm after the secret storage, and everyone can practice it. I... I will devise some methods, and those who meet the conditions can obtain the practice methods leading to the imperial realm, such as military merits... Whether you can fly by then depends on your own efforts."
The crowd was stunned for a moment, and then burst into thunderous cheers: "Long live King Zhao!"
Some people even ran away, apparently to tell their families the news.
Sure enough, the previous judgment was correct. Providing people with this kind of advancement ladder is no worse than providing education, and to some extent it is even more important.
If it is really done well, not only people in the Han territory, but also people from other places may run here. This is truly the heroes of the world are within the grasp... I will discuss the details with Chi Chi Wanzhuang and the others later.
"Alright, alright." Zhao Changhe waved his hand to stop the boiling crowd, and took Yue Hongling's hand with a smile: "Everyone, let's go shopping, okay? I'm the bloodthirsty Shura, who can kill people? Have you never heard of me?"
People all laughed and made way for her: "Is Lady Yue really the Princess of Zhao now?"
Yue Hongling glanced at Zhao Changhe with a smile, her eyes moving, but she did not refute.
“That…” Several people in the crowd said “that”, but many of them shut their mouths at the same time.
Everyone wanted to ask, "What should Your Majesty do?" and "What should Prime Minister Tang do?", but no one dared to ask. They were even afraid that they would ask different questions, which made everyone feel awkward.
The scene was inexplicably silent because of this incident. Zhao Changhe knew the reason and felt embarrassed. He lowered his head and pulled Yue Hongling away quickly.
Yue Hongling, however, was smiling all the time without showing any dissatisfaction. It was not until she was far away from the crowd that she smiled and sighed softly, "The spirit and outlook of the capital is better than many places I have seen before. People are confident and not afraid of the powerful."
Zhao Changhe nodded: "Chi Chi is trying hard to do what his father didn't do, and Wan Zhuang has always had this in mind. The monarch and his subjects have the same goal, so we will naturally see the result."
Yue Hongling glanced at him.
Zhao Changhe was stunned: "What?"
Yue Hongling smiled and said, "Don't you think it has anything to do with you?"
Zhao Changhe scratched his head: "I only fight, I have never done anything about these things..."
The grass is full of spring water, and the sun is setting outside the window. How about holding them and taking turns to refill their cups
Yue Hongling whispered, "Because you don't use your power to bully others, the officials at the top follow suit, and this is what leads to this situation."
"Hmm... I think it may be because the powerful have killed too many people, and now people with a little power are cowering and doing things, which led to this result."
"Maybe." Yue Hongling did not argue and pointed to the distance: "Why are there still yamen runners coming in and out over there? Today is the first day of the Chinese New Year, and the yamen is not closed yet?"
Zhao Changhe looked up and said helplessly: "I don't know if she gives overtime pay to others. She works so hard that she always brings others along with her..."
Yue Hongling understood: "Demon Suppression Division..."
Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment: "Go and have a look?"
Yue Hongling smiled slightly: "Okay, actually I have already visited all the streets I wanted to visit."
When the two entered the inner hall of the Demon Suppression Division, Tang Wanzhuang had actually finished her morning work and was reading a book in the hall.
Baoqin was holding the zither and was rushing in from outside the hall. It seemed that Tang Wanzhuang wanted to play the zither and asked her to get it. She bumped into Zhao Yue and others at the door. Baoqin stopped and looked up and down at Yue Hongling. After a while, she said, "It's New Year's Day, you're wearing festive clothes."
Yue Hongling: “…”
How did this maid survive until now without being strangled to death by Suzaku
"Hold the zither, don't be rude." Tang Wanzhuang's lazy voice came from inside the room: "Bring the zither to me."
Baoqin shook his little head and walked into the room hummingly. His foot hooked on the threshold and he almost fell down with a "ouch!", and even his zither flew away.
Zhao Changhe grabbed her collar and lifted her up. Tang Wanzhuang waved her hand lightly and put the zither on the table. She still held the book in the other hand and did not even raise her head.
Zhao Changhe walked in with his harp. Tang Wanzhuang looked up and smiled: "Since you are here, why do you bring any gifts? Just leave it there."
Holding the zither: ""
Zhao Changhe placed his harp on a chair beside him, turned around and said with a smile, "I thought you were busy... but it looks like you're reading some leisure books instead of official documents. What kind of books are you reading?"
"The Romance of the West Chamber. Baoqin found it especially for me to read."
Zhao Changhe: “…”
Tang Wanzhuang finally put down the book and said with a smile, "I wasn't busy with any work this morning. You see people coming in and out. In fact, they were representing the court to send some gifts to the military camps and wish the soldiers a happy new year. They just returned to report. Of course, this kind of thing should be done today. I can't let others do it while I hide at home and sleep... In fact, it was earlier in the morning. There was a sacrifice ceremony in the court, and I had to participate. In places unknown to people, the 'court lackeys' are often very hard-working, and it's not my fault."
As he spoke, he glanced at Yue Hongling intentionally or unintentionally, and it was unclear whether he was intentionally saying something to the chivalrous knight who often opposed the "hawks and dogs".
Zhao Changhe suddenly remembered what Tang Buqi had said to him a long time ago: what is a hero? In the eyes of the court, he is actually a thief.
I thought Hong Ling and Wan Zhuang would be the most compatible, but it seems that is not the case. It's really strange. The representatives of the righteous and evil forces in the martial arts world like each other very well, but how could they not be compatible with Wan Zhuang
Tang Wanzhuang's next sentence broke the suspicion: "Someone is holding a girl's hand on the street and being openly called Princess Zhao. Are you very happy?"
I guess he's jealous! Zhao Changhe didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You can also announce it."
“Hehe.” Tang Wanzhuang finally stood up from her chair and formally bowed to Yue Hongling: “Tang Wanzhuang from the Demon Suppression Division, greetings to Lady Yue.”
Yue Hongling also returned a standard Jianghu greeting, but she only used a few words to dispel Tang Wanzhuang's hostility: "Sister, you have worked hard."
Tang Wanzhuang's face instantly blossomed with spring: "Hold the harp, serve tea to the distinguished guest."
Baoqin squatted on the chair and watched for a long time, then reluctantly jumped down to boil water and pour tea, mumbling something inaudible. If you listen carefully, you can vaguely hear: "You are still fair and selfless in governing the martial arts world, but you can buy it off with just two words... If the martial arts world had known that you were like this, Daxia would have collapsed ten years ago."
Tang Wanzhuang pretended not to hear and said to Yue Hongling with a smile: "Hongling, please stay at my house tonight. We have known each other for a long time and I want to have a chat with you all night long."
Yue Hongling said: "That's what I wish for... uh, wait a minute."
The two women looked at each other and said in unison: "Go to the palace tonight and don't bother us."
I didn't intend to rob you tonight. Zhao Changhe really didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "Wanzhuang, didn't we come back to discuss military affairs? What are we doing here?"
Tang Wanzhuang looked at him in amazement: "Are you more loyal to the country and dedicated to your duties than I am?"
“It just felt like a tense situation.”
"You know, Huangfu suppressed Jinzhong, and now the grain is still halfway to the capital. Buqi transferred some grain purchased overseas to the north, and it is still on the canal. It's snowy and icy, and it's extremely difficult to transport grain. You seem to have done a lot of things flying back and forth, but for ordinary people, a lot of time is still walking and hesitating... The pace of mortals is not as fast as you think." Tang Wanzhuang shook her head and smiled, "Even if you want to be nervous, things have to keep up with your pace."
Zhao Changhe muttered: "So slow..."
"Yes, it's for transporting food. Do you think it's your storage ring? Why do you just carry it with you?"
Zhao Changhe said casually: "What if there is a group of people who can use storage rings, and each of them carries a bunch of rings filled with money and food for transportation, wouldn't it be faster?"
Tang Wanzhuang was stunned for a moment, then stood up suddenly, almost knocking over the teacup on the table.
There is no need to have a group of people who can use storage rings, as long as there are that many storage rings... As long as a small number of people bring a few large bags of storage rings, and when they arrive at the location, as long as there is one person who can be responsible for opening them...
Zhao Changhe's casual words will change the war!
(End of this chapter)