Everything swept away like smoke.
April 28, Lin'an.
The carriage galloped on the road between the cities. When turning a sharp bend in the road, the opposite carriage approached, unable to avoid it, and crashed into each other. The panicked horses struggled and tried to get up. Roll to the food stall by the road in the distance. In the small square, everyone scolded in the chaos, and some people gathered to help hold the struggling horse back.
Cheng Zhouhai crawled out of the car and touched his forehead, where he was scratched by a piece of wood and was bleeding, he just wiped it. I don't know which family the carriage on the opposite side belonged to. Lin'an was closed for April, and the pace of life was slowing down. Maybe he heard some news when he was running so fast. He patted the entourage on the shoulder and asked the other party to handle it. Horse, roll over.
This way, it is a different business of Li Pin in the north of Lin'an City, and someone opens the door to welcome him. In the courtyard, Li Pin had arrived, and Tie Tianying had also arrived. A solitary weeping willow was planted beside the empty courtyard. It swayed in the morning sunlight. The three of them went inside and pushed open the door. The warriors in the room were wiping sharp edges from their hands, and there was still someone sharpening their knives in one corner of the room. They were skilled and sharp, wiping the blade edge on the stone and wiping the oozing azure light.
The three continued to walk in.
"Is the news confirmed?"
"There is still half an hour at most, and the envoys of the Jin Kingdom will enter from the Anding Gate, and their identities are to be checked for the time being."
Open the curtain of the door, the second room is also the same as when the weapon was polished. The warriors are male and female, each wearing different clothes. At first glance, it looks like the most common pedestrian on the street. The third room is the same.
"The situation in the court is chaotic, and the clues are unclear. Your Highness has entered the palace this morning, and there is no news for the time being."
"Would you like to wait for His Highness to come out and make a decision?"
"His Royal Highness entrusted me to act according to the situation. Wanyan Xiyin's strategy has been in operation for a year, neither of you nor I know how many people are going to stand in line in Beijing now. Ning Yi's hoeing order has made us more united, but we can't support it. When I live, I'm afraid it will get out of hand."
"understood."
Tie Tianying nodded with determination in his eyes, Li Pin also nodded, Cheng Zhouhai was standing there, and in front of him was the door to another empty yard, where the sun was falling.
"The escort of the Jurchen envoys may be the troops of the moat army. No matter what the outcome of this matter is, maybe you all..."
Tie Tianying waved his hand, interrupted his speech, and looked back: "It's all people who lick blood at the edge of a knife. The most important thing is morality, not your king's law."
When he said this, Cheng Zhouhai nodded slightly and smiled. Tie Tianying hesitated for a while, and finally added another sentence.
"I expected these things to happen, but it's... a little early."
The warriors in the room hid their weapons in their arms. Cheng Zhouhai didn't say anything else, and Li Pin sent him out: "If you should say hello, you have been saying hello one after another. The time is short, and the reply is unknown. The forbidden army Niu Xingguo has an old relationship with me. I will see him later to check the situation. Side, you have to worry about it... Brother Cheng, the wind starts at the end of Qingping. When some things are clearly seen, it is already too late. Just do what needs to be done. After all, since Ning Yi killed the king, the world has changed Nothing out of the ordinary."
Cheng Zhouhai nodded: "I will contact His Highness first, and make all preparations."
****************
In the inner palace of Lin'an Imperial City, in the side room of Funing Hall, Zhou Pei sat there, reading a book and listening to the birdsong in the garden outside the window.
She has been waiting for the whole morning, and the officials of the third rank and above who were summoned to the Jinluan Palace outside are still arguing and fighting in chaos. She knows that it is her father who has provoked the whole thing. Jun Wu was injured, Zhenjiang fell, and his father's entire rules were in chaos.
In fact, when the Jurchen went to war, her father had no rules to speak of, and when he stepped out of the black flag of Yanhe and broke with Baiguan, fear might have enveloped his body and mind. Zhou Pei often came over, hoping to explain to his father, but although Zhou Yong nodded his face kindly, it was difficult for him to listen to his words in his heart.
In any case, his father did not have the courage to face difficulties, and all Zhou Pei's solutions were ultimately based on courage. Jun Wu faced the Jurchen army with courage, but the father in the back even believed in his courage. nothing.
She can only do her best and obey the destiny. During this period, Zhou Pei and Qin Hui have met several times. will.
She is waiting to convince her father that she is not suitable for the past in the front court, but she has privately notified all the officers who can be notified, and tried her best to tell her father and the Lord and faction forces. Even if the rationale is untenable, she hopes that the officials in the main battle can unite as one, and let her father see that the situation is stronger than people.
She took a sip of the cold tea in the teacup. She didn't know when, footsteps came from outside, and Zhou Yong's figure appeared at the door of the room. He was emaciated and looked tired, but when he saw Zhou Pei, there was still a hint of softness and softness on his thin face.
"Daughter, have you been waiting for a long time?" He walked over quickly, "No manners, no manners, the news of Jun Wu... You know?" At this point, there was a sad expression on his face.
"Jun Wu is only injured, and there is no serious problem. My daughter came here today in the hope that... I can tell the father and the emperor the interests and hope that the father can recover his life. Although Zhenjiang has lost, things can still be done. As long as Lin'an..."
When her words came to this, Zhou Yong waved his hand: "Daughter, these matters are left to the princes in the court, I... alas..."
"Why did the royal father order to transfer the boat to the Qiantang water master..."
"Daughter! These things... let Qin Qing tell you, okay? Qin Qing, come in—"
Zhou Yong looked embarrassed, and opened his mouth to the door, only to see the old minister who was waiting outside the hall door and came in. Qin Hui's hair was half-white. Due to the tossing of this morning, his hair and clothes were all messed up and then tidied up. He lowered his head slightly, and his body was humble, but his face and eyes were full of "Though Qian Qian". Ten thousand people I will go." The generosity of the air. Qin Hui greeted Zhou Pei and then began to tell Zhou Peichen the stakes of the whole thing.
The morning sun slanted into the palace, and Zhou Pei stood up straight in a long skirt. Hearing Qin Hui's words, she pursed her lips tightly, but the expression on her face gradually became angry, and after a while, she pointed at Qin Hui and cursed. Qin Hui immediately fell to his knees, and he continued to speak. Zhou Pei scolded or argued, and finally started to speak to his father beside him.
She looked sad. First, she said that Jun Wu's battles ahead were worthless, and then talked about the sacrifice of millions of people, and then began to refute Qin Hui's wolf ambitions. Wu Chao feared that he would repeat the mistakes of the Jingping period. Speaking of which, Zhou Yong finally couldn't bear it any longer.
"Fight and fight, no matter what, who can fight... In the battle of Zhenjiang, the soldiers on the front line broke their courage. Prince Junwu is on the front line. If Xi Yin attacks again, who can keep him! Daughter, I am the prince of mediocrity, I don't know how to fight, but I know what a bad guy is! In your eyes, my daughter, those who are thinking of surrendering in the capital are bad guys! I am a bad guy! I have been a bad guy before, so I know what these bad guys can do Things are coming! I can't trust them!"
His voice shook the palace, spittle sticking to his mouth: "I trust you and Jun Wu, but the situation is now, and it can't be saved! Now the only way out is the black flag, the Jurchen wants to fight the black flag, they have no time. Search the Wu Dynasty, let them fight, I have already sent people to the front to call Jun Wu back, and my daughter, let's go to sea, as long as the Jurchen can't kill us, we will always have a chance to rise again, I carry the infamy of running away , then give way to Jun Wu, can't you? It can only be like this-"
Zhou Pei burst into tears and roared, "If I had known this, it would be better to give that half of the country to the Huaxia Army!"
"I want to cut it too!" Zhou Yong waved his hand and shouted, "I've let it go! I want to negotiate with the black flag! I can rule the world with them! Even my daughter... you can... But what did the black flag do! Daughter, I have also told you this twice and three times, I... I don't blame you. I, I blame the people who are making a name for themselves in the court, I blame the black flag! This is the end, can you blame me? Can I blame me? It's all done! It's their fault—"
"I won't go to the sea, and Jun Wu will definitely not go either!"
"Then only I live, maybe Jun Wu can save his life! After thinking about it, I have decided-"
"Father, you are greedy for life and fear of death, it's a huge mistake..."
"Shut up shut up!"
Zhou Yong shouted hysterically.
"I am the king of a country!"
"I am the Son of Heaven!"
"I am the emperor—"
The voice reverberated, and the majestic and solemn golden robe sleeves representing the honor of the Nine Five were waving in the air, the birds on the tree were startled and flew away, and the majesty of the emperor and the princess confronted each other in the palace...
****************
The figures of various pedestrians left the yard from different directions and merged into the crowd in Lin'an. Tie Tianying and Li Pin walked together for a while.
"The Imperial Guard Yu Zihua is His Majesty's confidant. His talents are limited but he is loyal and persuasive. It is impossible to persuade him. I will visit Niu Xingguo, and then I will discuss with Niu Yuanqiu and the others. I just hope that everyone will work together and things will eventually turn around."
"I can't say anything about the temple, as a martial artist. I can only do my best. It's Mr. Li, you plan for the world, and take care of yourself. You can't do anything.
"Sometimes things in the world can't be forced, and sometimes they have to be forced, who can say for sure."
"That's true... Mr. Li, we met for a long time, and I forgot to ask you, how is your Neo-Confucianism?"
"We attach great importance to the examination of things, and promote education. I hope that in the end, the old Qin's learning can be integrated and implemented, and it has begun. Unfortunately, the world is uncertain, and the time is not for me."
"Do you still believe it, sir?"
"What I learned was stupid, maybe because of what I learned during the Taiping period, I was clumsy in the troubled times, maybe the people who grew up in the troubled times can have more updated understandings, my hope, maybe still. Above the next generation. But Dexin believes in the millennium tradition of Confucianism.”
"That's it."
"Tie Caotou doesn't believe this?"
"The old man has been a person in the world all his life, and he has walked through the muddy waters of the public gate. There are many things that are right and wrong. I can't ask enough and can't tell them apart. In fact, I'm not that particular about it."
The old catcher smiled quickly, and the figures of the two were gradually approaching the predetermined location near Andingmen. For several months, Wushu's cavalry had been wandering outside the city, and there were not many pedestrians on the streets near the city gate. Several shops and restaurants opened their doors feebly. Walking slowly, in this calm scenery, they are about to say goodbye.
"Mr. Li, do you think that at some point in the future, will someone talk about the various things that happened in Lin'an City today?"
"Maybe one day, when Ning Yi takes over the world, his storytellers will write down these things."
"...that's not bad either."
They laughed, took care of themselves, and said goodbye. Lao Chakuai, carrying a long knife and wearing a thin cape, stepped onto the second floor of the tea shop on the street. Many people who had just separated were already waiting here, and the road below gradually became more and more crowded.
Tie Tianying ordered a pot of tea and slowly drank it at the window. At a certain moment, his brows slightly frowned, and people came up one after another below the tea shop, and gradually filled the seats in the building. sit down at the table.
"There is someone here." Tie Tianying looked out the window and took a sip of tea.
The man sitting across from him was around forty years old. Compared to Tie Tianying, he still looked young. His face was obviously carefully groomed, and there was no beard under his jaw, but he still looked upright and imposing. Help master, don't reject people for thousands of miles. The younger brother came here sincerely, not looking for something."
"Nie Jincheng, the outsiders say you are the leader of the Jiangnan martial arts, but you really think you are? It's just a dog under the command of a few adults in the court." Tie Tianying looked at him, "What's wrong? Your master thinks To be a dog?"
"The leader of the Tie Gang is highly respected, and everything he says is to give advice to the younger brother." Nie Jincheng raised his teacup, "Today's matter, I have to have a last resort, Nie has respect for the senior, but the boss has spoken, and there can be no accident on the side of Andingmen. It's useless to come here and say what you say from the bottom of your heart, Iron Gang Master..."
During this conversation, a mighty army had already come over from the other side of the street. They drove away the pedestrians on the street, or drove you into a nearby house, and told them not to come out. The voices of people on the street were puzzled. Still don't understand what happened.
"Since I have respect, this matter is yours? Let's do it together." Tie Tianying raised his teacup.
Nie Jincheng closed his eyes and said, "He is full of blood, and everyone is angry. If this matter had been done 20 years earlier, Nie would have done it without hesitation, but now his family and parents are in Lin'an, so please forgive Nie. The person above has not spoken yet, so why do you risk everything? Maybe things will turn around, and there is still room to talk with the Jurchen, or, if the person above really wants to talk, you kill the messenger, isn't the Jurchen just in time for trouble? "
"The adults behind you really want to draw it slowly again."
"Even if you don't want to, Tie Gang Master, if you can't do this today, once you do it, all your brothers will die. I've already come, which is the proof." Nie Jincheng said, "Don't make it difficult for brothers."
Tie Tianying sat there and stopped talking. After a while, there were cavalry teams and motorcades slowly approaching from the other side of the street. Then someone went upstairs. It was a team of officers and soldiers. , These are the duties of patrolling the garrison of the troops, recruiting and teaching the forbidden army, patrolling and defending against thieves, and so on. Speaking of which, they are the immediate bosses of the common Jianghu people, and most of the people behind him are the catchers in Lin'an City. Head catch.
As soon as the group came up, Li Daoyi, who was the leader, waved his hand, and the general manager walked over to the nearby tea tables, while Li Daoyi himself walked to Tie Tianying, opened another seat and sat down.
He poured himself a cup of tea and bowed his hands to Tie Tianying: "Master Tie, this official respects you as a senior from Six Gates. I won't say more, call your people and go back with this official, today is over. At noon, just pretend that nothing happened, tonight in Xingqing Building, this official will give you a drink to make amends."
Tie Tianying looked at the scenes outside the window. In fact, he had already felt it in his heart. Just like Ning Yi killed the king more than ten years ago, Tie Tianying had already noticed the problem. This morning, Cheng Zhouhai and Li Pin each had his own luck, but all the ghosts, ghosts, and snakes in Lin'an City finally started to move at this moment.
These people held the position in the past. When the Princess Mansion occupied the authority, they all acted squarely, but on this morning, the forces behind these people finally made a choice. He looked at the team that came over, and understood how difficult things were today—you might not be able to do things with your hands. If you don't do it, go back with them, and you won't know what will happen next.
In the teahouse and upstairs on the opposite side, their eyes were cast here, and doubts flashed in their eyes. Tie Tianying held the teacup, and his eyes were even more sympathetic. He remembered the conversation with Li Pin, if it is impossible, there is no need to do it. Reluctance, yes, form is stronger than human beings, you don't have to force yourself.
"You said..." The white-haired old catcher finally said, "At some point in the future, will anyone remember these little things that happened in Lin'an City today?"
The sun shines in the early summer, the huge Lin'an City is like a living object, and it is turning calmly and as usual. Houses are its internal organs, streets and rivers are its blood vessels, ships and vehicles help it metabolize, it is people's activities that make it a great and orderly life, and a more profound and great cultural and spiritual bond arises. all of these.
In the eyes of Lao Chakuai finally flashed the deep-rooted anger and pain.
The table between the three flew up, Nie Jincheng and Li Daoyi stood up at the same time, someone from the back fired a knife, Tie Tianying's two apprentices approached and squeezed Nie Jincheng's path, Nie Jincheng twisted like a giant python , with a move of his hand, the throat of one of the people squeezed from behind was cut open, but in the next moment, the long knife in Tie Tianying's hand slashed like thunder, Nie Jincheng's arm flew out, the wooden table flew away, and it was like a With another sword like a thunderous dance, Nie Jincheng's chest and belt bones were slashed open. His body flew over a distance of two meters in the restaurant, and thick blood spurted out.
Li Daoyi's legs were trembling, and when he saw Lao Chakuai's blood-red vision that turned his head suddenly, a slap fell and slapped him on his Tianling cover. His seven orifices burst out of blood at the same time.
Countless knives and guns were unsheathed, lit fire and thunder fell toward the center of the road, hidden weapons and arrows flew, and people rushed out of windows and roofs. The peace and order of this city was torn apart, and time reflected this scene in its silhouette...