Chapter 3 Chapter 03 Chaos

After more than two hours of saying goodbye to his mother, Yang Lin once again fell into great despair.This despair was like a rope that was getting tighter and tighter, entangled his neck tightly, making him feel indescribably suffocated and disillusioned. Jinchengguan and Lanzhou City face each other across the Yellow River, but compared with the prosperity and noise of Lanzhou City, Jinchengguan is much more remote and deserted.And here is the most desolate area outside Jincheng Pass. Just under the towering city wall, there are weeds and gravel everywhere, and there have been no human traces for many years.The reason is actually very simple: in the middle of this remote area, there is a large mass grave filled with lonely graves.It is said that during the troubled times of the North and the South, a bloody massacre took place in this place.Countless old and young women and children were killed by the brutal gangsters, and the mutilated corpses were thrown everywhere, and the bloody atmosphere lingered for several months.Because they were all family members, no one came to collect the corpses for a long time after the massacre, and gave these poor people a chance to rest in the ground. After several years of wind and rain, all the corpses were reduced to bones , or hidden or now in the grass.

No one dared to approach this place, because every time night fell, even a few miles away, one could hear a whimper-like sound echoing in the sky above this place, lingering for a long time, endlessly gloomy, and creepy.There was also a group of brave monks who built a simple temple in the middle of the wasteland, picked up the bones and buried them, and performed a Taoist salvation for the souls of the unjustly killed, saying that they wanted to calm down with great kindness. Smoldering resentment.But they failed to succeed. Following the strange deaths of the abbot and abbot of the temple, the young monks fled in fear and went their separate ways.The temple that had some incense just now was abandoned, and besides some unnamed graves, there was only a cold and dilapidated temple left in this place, which only added more horror.

For the ordinary people outside Jincheng Pass, this piece of chaotic tomb slope at the base of the city wall is a place to avoid, even the government never set foot here.But this place, this abandoned temple, was the place Yang Lin visited the most in the past year or so.Whenever possible, he would come here in the dead of night, linger here all night, and then leave before dawn.And actually, he wasn't the only one doing it. But tonight, in the main hall of this dilapidated temple, he is indeed the only one sitting, oh no, not one, but two people.Opposite Yang Lin, there was another person sitting.The man's face was buried in the shadow of the candlelight, and he couldn't see his face clearly at all. He only had a pair of burning eyes, which exposed the cruelty and viciousness in his heart without any concealment, and stared at him as if admiring prey. Yang Lin.

This night, it's really cold, no matter how you describe it, it won't be too cold.But Yang Lin's forehead was already dripping with sweat. He was staring at the five dice in front of him intently. Three of them were lying down, all black, and the other two were still spinning vigorously. Yang Lin's hands were grasping spasmodically. Sitting on the edge of the table, it seemed that he wanted to reach over to help, so that the two dice could lie obediently on the side he wanted, but he was frightened by fear and dared not make any movements.His fingers were white, his lips were white, and his cheeks were white.The eyes of the person opposite became more and more cold: he had seen such a scene too much and was too familiar.At this time, he clearly knew that another person was about to fall into the abyss of eternal doom.Lucky?Hum, they are so stupid.Even if there is luck in this world, it will never belong to them.Of course, sometimes he will ask himself whether he has done too much.But each time he found himself finding the answer was the same.No, it wasn't him who brought these people into hell, it was themselves who committed their own crimes and couldn't live. He was just a specific organizer.Or, just a guide.

How many times, faced with a situation that was very similar to Yang Lin's appearance at the moment, he would even have the urge to shout loudly to remind the other party to rein in the precipice and repent.But in fact, every time he did the exact opposite, as he was about to do now.Another die lay down, still black.Yang Lin was already sweating profusely, the corners of his mouth twitched violently unconsciously, and some white foam appeared on his lips. The person opposite him sighed involuntarily, "Ba da", the last dice fell, The white side was revealed without any suspense.Yang Lin leaned back abruptly, with a moan that didn't sound like a moan, and a sigh that didn't sound like a sigh, but the person on the other side heard it clearly and enjoyed it very much. He heard Yang Lin say: "I lost!"

There was deathly silence in the Daxiong Palace, Yang Lin leaned back on the chair back, staring straight at the beams, and did not move for a long time.The person on the other side waited patiently, and also remained motionless. He knew that he had to give his victims some time so that they could adapt and finally accept the arrangement of fate. I don't know how long it took, Yang Lin seemed to wake up from a big dream, stood up from the chair, looked around with empty eyes, then staggered towards the door.Just when he was about to step out of the palace gate, a dull and broken voice came from behind him: "What? Are you going to leave now?"

Yang Lin shook his body suddenly as if he was being hit, and leaned slumped against the door of the palace, finally couldn't hold on, slipped and fell to the ground, he sat on the ground with his head down, as if he had lost consciousness. The man behind him stood up from the table, came slowly behind Yang Lin, and continued to say in his hoarse and broken voice: "You can leave if you want, and pay back the money you owe, but there is no harm in leaving." Yang Lin was still slumped on the ground, but his whole body began to tremble violently. He turned around slowly, still lowered his head, and said weakly: "I have no money, really no money...all the money, all the money I lost to you." The man slowly squatted down, put his face in front of Yang Lin, and said, "Oh, so you don't have any money. Then, you can't leave so easily."

Yang Lin finally raised his head, with tears running down his face, he stared at the person opposite, tremblingly said: "I, didn't I give you that thing already. Well, that is the treasure my mother brought out from the palace, It's worth a lot of money, you know..." "Oh? Is it worth a lot of money? How much is it worth? I don't know. How can I know if I will be fooled just by what you say? Besides, I seem to remember that you have paid 50,000 yuan for that kind of thing long ago. Me. And the 50,000 yuan, you lost to me ten days ago. That thing, even if it is really valuable, already belongs to me at this moment, you have to raise another money to pay back yours Gambling debt!"

This man's voice was like a sharp weapon cutting across the cast iron, every sound was harsh and hoarse, it was unbearable to listen to.Yang Lin couldn't help raising his hand to cover his ears. At this moment, the sound brought him a sharp pain like a knife piercing his heart.No!The deep-seated despair made him shake his head crazily. Could it be that everything has really come to an end? !Could it be that he, Yang Lin, is really going to die? !The most frightening thing is that he might drag his poor mother down... "Mother..." Yang Lin burst into tears.The person on the opposite side sighed and shook his head: "Seeing that you are also in your thirties, you know that calling your mother is useless! Okay, today is New Year's Eve, I have already spent too much time with you, and I don't want to spend too much time with you anymore." Continue to spend endless time with you. Tell me, what are you going to do?!"

"What do you want me to do?" "Didn't I make it very clear to you, there are two paths for you to choose. One, you pay off all the gambling money owed over the past year, and we will go our separate ways immediately; two, if you don't plan to Pay back the money, then do what I told you to do. As long as you succeed in doing it, you will naturally have endless glory and wealth, and my gambling debts here will also be written off for you!" Yang Lin lamented: "You know I can't choose the first one, I, I'm already penniless. Even the silver taels my mother just gave me, I, also lost to you." The man said relaxedly: "Then choose the second option. I told you earlier that this is the wisest choice."

Yang Lin showed fear and said: "But, but I just can't figure it out, why do you want me to do that? What benefits can you get by doing this?!" The man sneered: "You really think too much! After all You are a scholar. It's a pity that you don't want to think about what you should think about. It's useless to think about it! You don't care about the benefits I get, and you can't care about it. Now if you have no other choice, just do what I say honestly .You don't need to worry about the rest!" Yang Lin fell silent, he lowered his head and gritted his teeth.After a long time, he finally made up his mind, raised his head and said, "Okay, I can do that. But, I have one condition." "What conditions?" Yang Lin stared at his confused eyes, and said word by word: "I can do as you say. But you must return that thing to me. My mother hasn't found out that I stole it. I just want to Take it home, and immediately set off for Shendu. Don't worry, I will do everything you tell me!" After speaking, he held his breath and waited impatiently for the other party's answer as if waiting for a judgment. The person on the opposite side was silent for a while, looking at Yang Lin's desperate expression with great interest, suddenly burst out laughing, and said: "I am already at the end of my life, and I am so ridiculous that I still think of negotiating terms with me. Your mother has worked so hard to raise her." For a son as big as you, I'm not worth it for her!" "You!" Yang Lin's complexion changed drastically, his fists became tighter and tighter, the confusion in his eyes had been replaced by deep-seated hatred, and he shouted hoarsely: "You devil! It was you who lured me to this road, and you You set up a game step by step so that I can't extricate myself from gambling. Don't think that I don't know how many people you have harmed in this gambling den. If you push people too hard, I will report you to the government!" The man shook his head again and again and said: "Then you won't be afraid of your old mother being heartbroken? She is still looking forward to her son's victory in the Toad Palace, the title of the gold list, and one day helping her to honor her ancestors." Yang Lin gritted his teeth and said: "I I will confess to my mother. I will also swear to her old man that I will change my mind and start a new life. She will believe me, and she will forgive me!" The man was happy again, and said in a relaxed tone: "It's a pity, I only need to hand over that thing at that time, and the government will know that it was your mother who got it from the palace, and your mother will be beheaded at that time. She just wants to forgive you, but she has no chance." These words finally broke Yang Lin completely.He knelt down in front of the opponent, grabbed the sleeve of the opponent's robe with trembling hands, and begged incoherently: "No, no, no, you, you must not hand over that thing, it will kill my mother , will kill her! Okay, okay, I promise you, I promise you everything, I will do everything according to your orders, everything!" He screamed and buried his head in tears. The person on the opposite side pulled Yang Lin's hand off his body in disgust, and cursed: "Cry, even if you cry to death, no one will come to save you in this place! Why is it so hard to make you understand something? Let me tell you, I sent people to the capital half a month ago. If you really want to come back, you have to go to Luoyang immediately and do as I said. If you want to save you and your old lady , this is your only chance!" Yang Lin continued to cry on the ground. The man took out a note from his sleeve, threw it in front of Yang Lin, and said coldly: "This is the address. You can go to Luoyang to find him. He will tell you what to do next. How to do it. In short, don't take chances, this is your only way out!" After speaking, he got up and walked away. Yang Lin lay on the ground for a while, and when the sound of the man's footsteps disappeared, he jumped up suddenly, picked up the note in front of him and put it in his arms, looked around hastily, and wiped away his tears with his hand, Then he quickly ran out of the Daxiong Palace.Outdoors, it was windy and snowy, and the wild grass had already been covered by layers of snow. Yang Lin bent down, trying his best to distinguish the footprints on the snow.Soon, he found the right direction and followed a fresh trail. The New Year's Eve Banquet in Jixian Hall is about to begin.The entire main hall has long been decorated with lights and festoons, and the decorations are dazzling and gorgeous.In order to create a festive and warm atmosphere, the prince specially issued a decree, so that officials do not have to stand in line in front of Mingfu Gate as they usually do when they go to court, and wait for the summons shivering in the cold wind, but go directly to Jixian Meet outside the door, and then enter the hall to sit in order.Respected veterans like Di Renjie, or princes and marquises, were let to the Jixian Academy not far from the Jixian Hall, where they could enjoy the elegance and narrate the friendship of colleagues. Love, it can be regarded as a rare moment of relaxation for them throughout the year. Di Renjie did not go to Jixian Academy to wait for the banquet with everyone, but sat alone with Shen Huai in the deserted Zhongshu Province.As a prime minister, he has dealt with people at the New Year's Eve banquet over the years as an official business. He has never liked it, but he has never avoided it either.But this year, he suddenly had a reason to avoid all those flattering or cunning or insidious or arrogant faces, and as the organizer of the banquet, he hid in this place that suddenly seemed particularly secluded, saying that he was handling the banquet. In fact, all affairs are enjoying an unexpected tranquility all to themselves. Of course, Di Renjie couldn't feel relaxed even if he hid here because he was also the host of the whole New Year's celebration.Different from the New Year's greetings on Yuanzheng Day tomorrow, there is no formal etiquette procedure for the process of keeping the old age in the palace. To put it bluntly, the monarchs and ministers gather together to eat, drink, enjoy music and dance. Not a little sloppy.Just the list of officials and princes attending the banquet was appointed by the emperor, and the arrangement of the seats for the entire banquet came from this, and there was no room for any mistakes. The space in Jixian Hall is limited, and a certain distance must be kept between the adults. It is not decent for them to jostle shoulder to shoulder, and there are only ninety-nine and eighty-one seats.The remaining officials, bachelors, eminent monks, etc. who did not have their turn to enter the hall could only attend in the square outside Jixian Hall.In such a cold winter night, it is not easy to stay outside all night.Of course, compared with the glory of being able to welcome the New Year with the emperor, getting a little cold is really nothing. No one will give up the opportunity to enter the palace to watch the new year because of this, so every year there are old, weak and overwhelmed people. Guy, after this New Year's Eve, he caught cold and fell ill. In order to arrange the seats inside and outside the hall, the Ministry of Rituals has used all their brains, not only considering the level of dignity, but also taking into account the closeness and closeness.So once someone is absent for any reason, the seating arrangement must be adjusted accordingly.Obviously, apart from the emperor himself, that is to say, those who have been granted full authority by him can decide the change of seats, and no one else would dare to make mistakes even if they borrowed a hundred of their courage.At this moment, Di Renjie was sitting in the Zhongshu Province, and he had nothing else to worry about. What he needed to worry about was whether there would be any changes in the final banquet guests, and if so, how should the seating arrangements be changed accordingly.Just after You Hour, Yu Chijian hurried over from Jixian Gate, holding in his hand the list of all the people who finally attended.Shen Huai stepped forward, took the list from Yuchijian, and turned around to present it to Di Renjie. Di Renjie slowly finished a sip of tea in his mouth, and just now he unfolded the list, read it carefully, and smiled on his face.Shen Huai and Yu Chijian couldn't help but looked at each other, then looked at Di Renjie, looked at the list again, then put it down, sighed and said: "Weird things happen every year, especially this year." Shen Huai took a step forward and said: "My lord, you..." Di Renjie shook his head, picked up his pen, circled on the list, refolded the list in a moment, handed it back to Yuchi Jian, and said with a smile: " Master Yuchi, thank you for your hard work." Yuchijian took the list with both hands, bowed and left quickly. Di Renjie picked up the teacup again, took a sip, and then said to Shen Huai who was full of suspicion: "Shen Huai, do you want to know how many officials are absent from today's banquet this year?" Shen Huai did not answer, but just watched quietly. Di Renjie. Di Renjie sneered, and said: "Tell me, it's only a list of 200 people, and there are as many as 37 people absent. Isn't it strange? It seems that many people are not interested in this year's New Year's feast. If you flock to it, you can't avoid it." Shen Huai asked in surprise: "How could this be? This, this is an extraordinary and glorious event, how could you avoid it?" Di Renjie glanced at him, and asked calmly, "What do you think?" Shen Huai asked hesitantly: "Could it be, is it because of the crown prince..." Di Renjie snorted coldly, "The Zhang brothers excused not to attend tonight's New Year's Eve banquet under the excuse that they wanted to accompany the Holy Majesty, but it was actually showing that they did not take the crown prince seriously. They They think it is their credit to welcome King Luling back, and the prince should be grateful and praise him, but they themselves don't have to show respect to the prince at all." Shen Huai asked again: "Then those other people..." "I've looked at the other people. Most of them were members of the Zhang family. They relied on catering to the Zhang brothers' promotion all the way. Naturally, they looked up to them. Oh, there is another strange thing. Fu Min, the servant of the official department, died suddenly last night , he is the brother-in-law of King Liang, so King Liang also declined tonight's banquet for this reason." Now Shen Huai was even more surprised, and said loudly: "Master Fu is dead?! It's too sudden, what is the cause of death?" Di Renjie shook his head and said, "I don't know. I just learned about it from this absentee list. This Fu Min was originally just the son of a wealthy businessman who was ignorant and inexperienced. With a large amount of wealth, he actually got married with King Liang." Dear, being promoted to such a high position as Minister of the Ministry of Officials in less than two years is really frustrating!" Shen Huai hesitated and said: "However, since Fu Min is an official of the imperial court, he should investigate the reason for his sudden death." Di Renjie smiled slightly: "King Liang will investigate this matter, he has to give his sister an explanation, and you don't need it." I'm worried. But Fu Min's death gave King Liang an excuse not to attend the New Year's Eve banquet, which is quite strange." Shen Huai frowned and thought: "If King Liang doesn't come, does that mean that a group of Wu faction officials will also stop coming?" Di Renjie nodded approvingly and said, "Shen Huai, you are very sophisticated. What do you say That's right, otherwise there wouldn't be so many people missing." After a short pause, he went on to say: "In addition, there are two people who are absent, that is, Lord Zhou of Honglu Temple and Mr. Liu who we all know are absent." grown up." Shen Huai nodded silently.Di Renjie pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said, "That's good, it saves a lot of trouble, and I don't have to socialize with those people. I'm in the mood to attend this year's New Year's Eve feast." Inside and outside the Jixian Hall, after three rounds of wine, the banquet was in a good place, singing and dancing made peace, and the monarch and ministers rejoiced together. It was a scene of a happy and prosperous festival.While Di Renjie frequently chatted and drank, he carefully observed the expressions of the officials at the meeting. Beneath the cheerfulness on the surface, he could indeed feel the obvious uneasiness and fear.Di Renjie knew very well what they were worried about, what they were afraid of, and what they were looking forward to.Amidst the clamor of people, he suddenly felt a strong sense of urgency, which made him breathless. He raised his head and looked straight ahead. Performing his duties in a panic, his actions are so unnatural and unconfident.Di Renjie sighed deeply in his heart, this person, the prince, can he really support the burden of the country?Can he really become the real dragon emperor who can finally clear the chaos in front of Li Qing's eyes?Di Renjie drank the wine in the glass, feeling a dull pain in his chest, he told himself that he had to do more, more, the more the better. Shen Huai came behind him silently, and said softly: "My lord, your complexion is not very good. Are you okay?" Di Renjie nodded: "Shen Huai, the old man is too strong to drink, you block it for me, I will Go out for a walk." "Yes." Di Renjie said a few more perfunctory words, then turned around and quietly exited Jixian Hall. Standing in the shadow under the eaves of the verandah outside the hall, with the cold wind blowing on his face, Di Renjie felt a lot clearer.Because the banquet outside the palace was not in front of the prince, everyone was more relaxed and had more fun, and no one noticed Di Renjie for a while.Di Renjie walked away slowly along the shadow of the corridor, feeling intensely lonely again. On this New Year's Eve, no matter how hard he tried, he finally couldn't resist the longing that surged from the bottom of his heart.Yes, he missed them, those two children who were thousands of miles away.He thought it would feel better to think of the two of them together, but only now did he realize that he was just deluding himself.The most frightening thing was that the longer they left, the more he would question himself over and over again, whether the original decision was right or wrong. Di Renjie looked back into the hall, Shen Huai was exchanging glasses with several adults, very harmonious.Li Yuanfang was never willing to help him with such things.Di Renjie remembered that he had tried to make him socialize for him, but this guy just kept a gloomy face and ignored everyone from the beginning to the end, which made Di Renjie half dead, and he gave up this idea since then.Others thought that Li Yuanfang obeyed Di Renjie's words, but Di Renjie knew in his heart that Li Yuanfang only did what he was willing to do, "I will do everything according to my lord's orders." Di Renjie smiled bitterly at himself, this kid finally listened and left me.What a fool, no, what a fool. It's been more than a month and a day, and these two foolish boys haven't said a word to him yet.Young people are hard-hearted after all, and Di Renjie wanted to reprimand them face to face.Di Chun was quite right, Li Yuanfang has always been like this.When I went out to do errands, no matter whether it was a month, two months or three months, I never wrote him a letter to report his safety except to deliver the most urgent case clues.During the Hangou case, he wrote a short message, which almost became a suicide note.A long time ago, Di Renjie also pointed out this problem to Li Yuanfang quite formally. At that time, this guy smiled helplessly and replied forcefully: "My lord, don't embarrass me. I really don't know what to write to you. , I always feel that I am going faster than those letters. When I am back, I will feel very embarrassed if you receive a letter from me. " What's the point? !However, Di Renjie accepted Li Yuanfang's reasons, just as he accepted and condoned many of Li Yuanfang's other behaviors.Throughout his life in the ups and downs of the officialdom, Di Renjie has seen too many hypocritical friendships and insincere confessions, so he understands the innocence behind those simple words and deeds.Many times, Di Renjie can't help but want to protect this precious sincerity, but there are always too many entanglements, too many needs and too many worries, making this protection weak and eventually nothingness. Today, before this grand royal banquet, Di Renjie said silently again: I am too selfish.However, looking at it from another angle, I feel that selfishness is not enough!The chaotic state affairs, the unpredictable chaos, relying on one's own strength is too hard and too difficult. Di Renjie has never realized his need for Li Yuanfang like this month, but Li Yuanfang has already left, so resolutely, in order to leave , willing to pay the heaviest price. When Miss Ajun stood in a daze in front of the bright and warm main room, she could never have imagined that these two embarrassed strange men, who seemed to have fallen from the sky, would have the closest relationship with the highest level of power and status in the Great Zhou Dynasty. The close connection, at this very moment, made the Prime Minister of the Great Zhou worry about him at the New Year's Eve banquet in the palace, with a lot of thoughts. While she was in a daze, the old woman lying on the ground groaned slightly, which immediately attracted everyone's attention.Because the room was warm, the old woman was put next to the brazier by the strong man surnamed Mei. After a while, the frozen frost on the old woman's body and the icy water all over her body flowed all over the place.The old woman seemed to be lying in a small pool of water.The strong man surnamed Mei looked at A Jun with some embarrassment: "A Jun, this old lady, look..." Before he finished his words, Ah Jun had already walked quickly to the old woman, squatted down and took a look, then stretched out her hand to touch the old woman's wet clothes, then turned her head and said to the strong man surnamed Mei: "Mr. , you quickly carry this aunt to my room, and I will change her clothes first." "Okay." Mr. Mei carried the old woman on his shoulder with ease, and then followed Ah Jun out of the main room.Di Jinghui and the three were thrown in the main room, at a loss for what to do for a while, and they couldn't move around freely without the owner.Li Yuanfang soaked in the glacier once, his body was already drenched, and with the addition of ice and snow along the way, the heat was suffocating, and now he was dripping from head to toe.Di Jinghui looked at him, and muttered viciously: "Hurry up and change this clothes, you don't want to turn the girl's house into a bathhouse, do you?" Without saying a word, Li Yuanfang took out clean clothes from his luggage, walked to the side and took off his shirt. Before he could change into it, the door was pushed open with a "bang", and Mr. Mei strode into the room. Scar, involuntarily gasped.It was also the first time for Di Jinghui to see this, and he was stunned. Fortunately, Mr. Namei is quite self-cultivated. When Li Yuanfang changed his clothes and turned around, he immediately covered up his surprised expression, smiled and saluted the two of them naturally: "I'm really ashamed. Well, I was in a panic all the way, but I didn't even ask the names of the two benefactors. Xiao Kemei Yingchun, I don't know who the two are..." As soon as he finished speaking, Li Yuanfang clasped his fists and replied, "I'm Li Yuanfang. It's a mere effort. Don’t worry about it. Brother Mei, you don’t need to be too polite.” Immediately afterwards, he asked again: “Your Excellency is not from the Central Plains?” When Di Jinghui heard this, he suddenly realized that he had been busy saving people just now and hadn’t noticed it. Mr. Wei Mei turned out to be a barbarian with a high nose and deep eyebrows, blue eyes and brown hair. He was about the same age as the two of them, in his thirties. He has an elegant demeanor, but at the moment he speaks and behaves politely, elegantly and vividly, and appears to be very educated. When Mr. Mei heard Li Yuanfang pointed out that he was not a Han Chinese, he smiled freely and praised, "Brother Li has good eyesight." He glanced at Di Jinghui, and then asked, "Then this brother is..." Di Jinghui responded casually : "I'm under Di Jinghui." "Oh, so it's Brother Di." The two met in a serious manner, and Di Jinghui smiled and said, "No wonder I always felt that your speech was a bit vague. I thought it was your tongue that was frozen, but it turns out You are not Han Chinese." Mr. Mei nodded again and again: "Brother Di is right. Mei was not a Han Chinese in the first place. This Chinese was learned later. Although Mei spent a lot of effort, she still couldn't learn the original taste." Di Jing Hui also smiled brightly: "Oh, your Chinese is good enough, except for a little nonsense in the tune, as if your tongue is tied, you can speak more than ordinary Han people It’s good, and it’s a bit of a Confucianist taste.” Mr. Mei cupped his hands: “Brother Di, I’m so grateful.” Di Jinghui couldn’t help but joked: “This Chinese is fine. I just don’t know about the red tape of Brother Mei. Where did you learn it?" Mr. Mei laughed loudly: "Brother Di, you are laughing at me. Although I was born a barbarian, I have always admired the etiquette and rules of the Central Plains people the most. Didn't your sage Confucius say that 'morality, benevolence and righteousness are beyond the rules of propriety'? Di Jinghui sighed greatly: "Brother Mei, it seems that you are really proficient in Sinology, which is admirable!" Li Yuanfang frowned slightly, and listened to the two of Mei and Di answering each other, and suddenly interjected: "Mr. Mei, how is that aunt?" , replied: "Ah Jun has changed the wet clothes for this aunt, and settled down on her own bed to warm up. This aunt is very cold, and she is still in a coma. It may take some time to recover." Li Yuanfang Hearing this, he turned his head away, turned his face to Di Jinghui and said, "Di Jinghui, do you want to show her?" Di Jinghui breathed out his nose and muttered in a low voice: "Me? Why should I, a prisoner, show her? I have to live by watching other people's faces!" Li Yuanfang said angrily: "What nonsense are you talking about, don't you just let you go? Seeing a doctor." Di Jinghui glared at him: "Then you won't talk about it?" "Where did I not speak well?" "Just because of your gloomy face, can you still speak well?" Mr. Mei laughed at the side, and said loudly: "Two brothers, two brothers, don't worry. Listen to what Mei said. Mei just watched it. That old lady is fine, and there is Ajun again. The girl is taking care of it, so it’s okay not to look at it for the time being.” As he spoke, he lightly raised his hand and made a ‘please’ gesture, and said, “I don’t think we should all stand, we’re so tired today, why don’t we just sit down first? Let's talk." Everyone took a look and found that there were several chairs beside a round table in the room, and they were indeed too tired, so they took their seats.Han Bin was so sleepy that he staggered here and there, leaning on Li Yuanfang with his head drooping.Li Yuanfang moved a chair next to him, and Han Bin lay down on the chair, with his head resting on Li Yuanfang's legs, and fell asleep immediately.This Mr. Mei is quite interesting, as if he is the owner of this place, he picked up the teapot on the table and poured a few cups of tea, handed them to Li Yuanfang and Di Jinghui, and he drank two cups with his neck back, Fang said: "Today in the Yellow River I drank a full stomach of ice water, and I didn’t even feel thirsty.” He brought the teacups to the two, and then said with a smile: “If you don’t mind, brothers, can you tell me what you do for a living? Will you run to the bank of the Yellow River on such a day?" Li Yuanfang took a sip of tea, lowered his head and did not speak.Di Jinghui let out a soft "hum" and said sharply: "Brother Mei, I think you seem to be someone who has seen the world. I'm afraid you already have some guesses about the identities of the two of us? Why don't you tell me and let me see." Did you guess correctly?" Mr. Mei was not embarrassed, and replied calmly: "It is true that Mei does not dare to guess the identity of the two of you casually, but judging from the words and deeds of the two of you, you are definitely not ordinary people." Jing Hui glanced at Li Yuanfang, and said sarcastically: "Oh, why do ordinary people wander on the bank of the glacier on New Year's Eve? I want to be an ordinary person, even if I have a peaceful life for a day. It's a pity, there are always people around me. Someone is staring at me all the time, and I will never let me forget my identity!" Mr. Mei asked with a smile, "Oh, identity? What identity?" Di Jinghui was about to open his mouth, but swallowed his words after thinking about it, and drank his tea in suspense.Mr. Mei didn't ask any further questions, but just looked at Di and Li with a smile.The room suddenly fell silent, and the three of them looked at each other, speechless. "Mr. Mei, Mr. Mei." Someone shouted outside the door, and Mr. Mei jumped up: "It's Ah Jun!" He hurried to open the door, the cold wind swept the snow into the room, and Ah Jun came in with a big food plate , Mr. Mei hurriedly reached out to take it and put it on the table, and said repeatedly: "Miss Ah Jun, you should ask me to help you with such a heavy plate." Ah Jun said: "It's okay, I can handle it. You guys must be hungry. I just went to the kitchen to look for it. For the time being, I only have these cold porridge and side dishes, so I brought them all. Before they had time to heat up, the old lady I didn’t wake up, and I didn’t dare to leave for too long. Mr. Mei, please go to the kitchen and bring a small stove, and you can heat up the porridge here by yourself.” , but her voice was soft and melodious, straight into people's hearts, and she said a few ordinary words, full of tenderness and affection, as if there was a kind of magnetic force, which made several men feel a little dazed when they heard it.Seeing no response from everyone, she blushed slightly, pointed to the wine on the food plate, and said with a smile: "Mr. Drink it hot first, don't drink it cold." "Okay, okay." Mr. Mei promised repeatedly as if waking up from a dream, and went out to the kitchen to get the stove.Ah Jun caught sight of Han Bin who was soundly asleep, and said softly, "This kid will catch a cold when he sleeps like this." She blinked and looked up at Li Yuanfang: "Let him come to sleep in my room, it's warmer in my place." " Li Yuanfang hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said: "Okay, thank you girl." He patted Han Bin: "Bin'er, wake up." Han Bin remained silent.Ah Jun smiled softly: "He slept soundly. Don't wake him up, just hug him. My house is just across the street, not a few steps away." Li Yuanfang picked up Han Bin and followed Ah Jun through the small courtyard in front of the main room to the east wing.Ah Jun opened the door, let Li Yuanfang in sideways, and led him directly into the back room.里屋的床上，那位大娘还昏沉沉地躺着，李元芳抱着韩斌来到床前，询问地看着阿珺。阿珺指了指床的外侧：“就让他睡这儿吧。” 李元芳把韩斌放到床上，阿珺展开被子将他盖了个严严实实，这才回首对李元芳微笑：“这下不会着凉了。”李元芳欠身道谢：“多谢姑娘。可是……你今晚不能睡了。”阿珺低声道：“没关系。今晚是除夕，本来就要守岁的。再说，我爹爹还没回家，我要等他。”李元芳忙问：“令尊这个时候还在外办事？怎么还没回家？需不需要我们去找找？”阿珺的脸上掠过一抹忧虑的神情，她微微摇了摇头：“不用。爹爹就快回来了，我等着便是了。”李元芳看看她，迟疑了一下，还是点点头，又道了声谢，就离开了阿珺的闺房。 李元芳回到堂屋，梅先生已经取来了小炉子，正热着酒。狄景辉看到有酒喝，情绪顿时又振作了不少。堂屋里添了个炉子，又新增几分暖意，淡淡的酒香渐渐飘出，几个时辰前的生死危机，突然变得那么不真实，犹如一个远去的梦境。 梅先生提起温热的酒斛，满满地斟了三杯酒，正对狄、李二人，高高端起自己面前的那杯：“二位兄台，今日是除夕，你我三人能相逢在这里即是有缘，梅某先敬二位一杯。”说完，将手中的酒一饮而尽。李元芳和狄景辉也各自干杯。滚烫的酒液流入腹中，缓缓逼出满身的寒气，胸中的郁结似有松动，额头渐渐冒出汗珠来，眼睛深处不期之间蕴出点点湿意。狄景辉长叹一声：“马上就要新年了。这个除夕会如此度过，我过去即便是想破脑袋，也无论如何都想不到啊。” 梅先生微笑点头，李元芳也端起酒杯：“梅兄，我二人不透露身份来历，实在是有难言之隐，希望梅兄不要介意。在下自饮一杯，向梅兄赔罪。”梅先生忙道：“李兄过虑了。出门在外，有些不方便的地方也很自然。所谓相逢不必相识，只要是意气相投，便做得朋友！”三人又干了一杯，狄景辉笑道：“梅兄，也别光说我们两个，其实我看你也神秘的很啊。你的身份来历一定也很不简单。” 梅先生郎声大笑：“狄兄真是心直口快。不错，不错，咱们其实是彼此彼此。”狄景辉转了转眼珠，狡黠地问：“梅兄，既然彼此彼此，我们就都不追问对方的来历。可是，你的汉名实在有趣，这个名字的来历是不是可以告诉我们？” 梅先生又是一阵爽朗的大笑，半天才止住笑声，答道：“我也知道这个名字颇为古怪。其实这名字是我的头一个汉学老师给起的。他不仅精通汉学，还擅长占卜算卦等等异术，是个有道行的奇人。据他说，给我取个像女人的名字，是为了遏制我命中的杀气。”狄景辉好奇地问：“哦？那为什么要姓梅呢？”梅先生道：“这只是个巧合，他问了我的生辰八字，说我命中缺木，最好在姓名中带个木字，恰好我那位老师自己姓梅，便就给我用了这个姓。而我又生在冬季，老师便给我起了迎春这两个字。那时候我还不通汉学，也不知道这名字是什么意思，就认了下来。等后来常常被汉人笑话，才知道这个名字实在女气得很。” 狄景辉点头笑道：“倒也还好。冬梅迎春，占尽先机，意思很不错。只是和你的样子太不配，所以才会让人觉得好笑。”梅迎春大为赞同：“是啊。意思好就行了。名字嘛，不过是用来识人的手段。我的本名不便让人知晓，游历中原的时候一直就用梅迎春这个名字，如今倒也习惯了，居然还越来越喜欢。”狄景辉举杯：“嗯，自己喜欢才最重要，管别人笑不笑！梅兄，为了你这精彩的名字，来，咱们再干一杯！” 梅迎春和狄景辉碰了碰杯，仰脖干了杯中之酒，看李元芳没有喝，便朝他举了举杯子，问：“李兄，怎么？这酒不对胃口？”李元芳微笑着摇头：“不是，我只是不常喝酒，有点儿不胜酒力。请梅兄见谅。”梅迎春闻言仔细端详了下李元芳，微微皱眉道：“李兄的脸色是不太好，怎么才喝了这点酒就……”狄景辉也瞥了李元芳一眼，随口道：“没事，他平常也不喝酒的。” 李元芳站起身来，对二人抱了抱拳：“抱歉，我觉得有些闷，想出去透透气。二位请自便。”随后便打开房门走了出去。屋内，梅迎春诧异地问狄景辉：“李兄怎么了？”狄景辉摇头道：“我也不知道。本来一直好好的，把你们救起来以后突然就发起脾气来。他平时倒从来不这样。” 梅迎春朝门口张望着，有些担心地道：“我看李兄的脸色很不好，会不会那时为救我们落入冰水，受了冻身体不适？……而且方才我看到他的背上，怎么有那么多伤？”狄景辉盯着手中的酒杯，有些郁闷地回答：“坦白对你说，我也是头一回看到那些。梅兄你要是想知道原委，恐怕还得问李元芳自己。不过按我对他的了解，这人硬气的很，受点冻不会怎么样的。” 梅迎春低头想了想，对狄景辉道：“我出去看看他。”狄景辉示意他随便，继续自斟自饮。梅迎春起身出门，一眼便看到李元芳的身影，独自站在堂屋前的廊下。 梅迎春走到李元芳的身边，发现他正注视着漫天飞舞的大雪，便默不作声地站在他的身边，一样静静地凝望漆黑夜空中如粉如雾的白色雪花。半晌，李元芳收回目光，才突然发现身边站着的梅先生，惊讶地问：“梅兄，怎么不在屋中喝酒？”梅迎春淡然一笑：“李兄在此赏雪，可比我们这些酒徒要风雅很多。”李元芳苦笑着摇摇头：“让梅兄见笑了。元芳从来不是风雅之士，只是心中突然有些感触，也不懂如何排遣，便觉憋闷得很。” 梅迎春连连摇头：“嗳，你们汉人的一代枭雄曹操不是有名句：'对酒当歌，人生几何。何以解忧，唯有杜康'吗？我看狄兄就很得这诗中的精髓。梅某虽不知道二位的心事，但李兄既然和狄兄是同路人，也应该学学他嘛。”李元芳笑了笑，没有说话。梅迎春上前轻轻拍了拍他的肩：“回屋去吧，今晚我们喝个一醉方休如何？” “好。”李元芳点头，从地上抓起一大把雪，用力地擦了擦脸，振作起精神，随梅迎春一起回去堂屋。 狄景辉看见二人回来，也不多说话，站起身来便给二人把面前的酒杯斟满，三人举杯便饮，如此这般，沉默着连干三杯，狄景辉轻轻一拍桌子，叹道：“真痛快啊！”三人这才围着圆桌重新坐下。 狄景辉颇为赞赏地对梅迎春道：“梅兄，你的酒量很不错嘛。”梅迎春潇洒地挥挥手：“自小便在大漠草原上生长，酒是当水来喝的。只没想到，二位兄台也是好酒量！”狄景辉欣然一笑，朝李元芳偏了偏头：“哼，我与他？头一回喝酒就差点打起来。” “哦？”梅迎春好奇地问：“还有这样的故事？左右无事，是不是可以说来听听？”狄景辉连连摆手：“还是不要提了。我估计他到现在还怀恨在心呢。否则为什么今天突然又对我横眉冷目的？”李元芳闷闷地回了句：“和那没关系。” 狄景辉来劲了，追问道：“哦？那你今天是怎么回事？”李元芳低下头不说话。狄景辉眼睁睁地等了他好大一会儿，看他就是没有开口的意思，才恨恨地道：“你这个人有时候就是这么不痛快，费劲！”梅迎春忍着笑摇头：“你们两个人的性情实在是天差地别，真不知道是怎么走到一处的。”狄景辉瞪着眼睛道：“你以为我想啊，我是没有办法！”梅迎春忙举起酒杯：“喝酒，喝酒。” 又喝了几杯酒，李元芳朝窗外望了望，问：“也不知道现在是什么时间了？”狄景辉道：“我估摸快到子时了。眼看着就是新年了！”李元芳皱起眉头，低声道：“这位阿珺姑娘的爹爹是干什么的？这种时候还不回家？”狄景辉奇道：“她还有个爹爹？你怎么知道的？” “她方才自己对我说的，要等她爹爹回家来过节。”李元芳沉吟片刻，注视着梅迎春，正色道：“梅兄，到现在我们都还不知道你是怎么掉到黄河里的，又是怎么遇到那位大娘的。能对我们说一说吗？还有，梅兄怎么和这户人家熟识，这个宅院孤零零地坐落在如此荒僻的野外，只一个姑娘和父亲居住，家里面连个丫环仆役都没有，这姑娘的爹爹除夕都深夜不归，也实在是奇怪的很。不知道梅兄是否了解些其中的缘故？” 梅迎春含笑点头：“说怪其实也不怪。待我慢慢给你们解释。不过，首先容我猜测一下，二位是今天从黄河对岸过来的，我说的对不对？”狄景辉不以为然地应承道：“说的不错。要说这也不难猜，这种时候若不是为了渡河，谁没事往黄河岸边跑……”忽然，他的眼睛一亮，大声道：“我知道了，你也是渡河的吧？不过我们在冰上没瞧见有人一路，所以你应该是从此岸出发！” 梅迎春频频点头：“狄兄猜得有理。”接着又追问：“那么说，二位的确是今天从对岸过来的。难道你们真的是自冰上走过来的？”狄景辉干笑一声：“你这话有趣，难道还有别的办法不成。就是走过来的，走了一整天，累死人了。”梅迎春郑重地道：“走冰渡河很不容易，既要有胆量又要有办法，你们还带着个小孩子，在下佩服！”李元芳本来一直听着没说话，这时插进来道：“梅兄，这么说，你原来也是打算走冰渡河吗？” 梅迎春道：“是的。哎，说来惭愧。梅某在神都有事情要办，本来今天就该抵达洛阳的。一个多月前，梅某就到了这里准备渡河东去，却因故多盘桓了几天，没想到就碰上了大雪封河，行程受阻。好不容易等到这几天河上冰封得结实了，才决定要在今天走冰渡河。可是待我到了黄河岸边，才发现自己犯了个严重的错误！” 李元芳低声道：“你不该带着你的马。”梅迎春长叹一声：“李兄说得太对了！唉，我本来也想过，马匹不擅走雪地冰路，带着会多有不便，可我实在是不愿意抛下我那'墨风'，它从小就跟着我，是匹千金都难求的良马啊。”说到这里，他的眼中猛然闪现出点点泪光，呆呆地望向窗外，一时间神情恍惚。良久，深深地叹了口气：“是我害了它。” 大家都沉默了，每个人都下意识地竖起耳朵，期望能再次听到那匹神驹凄厉的嘶叫，但实际上，除了呼啸的风声，他们什么都听不到。过了好一会儿，李元芳低声道：“梅兄，明天一早我和你一起再去黄河岸边找它。”梅迎春苦笑着点了点头：“现在我倒是宁愿明天找不到它，如果它不见了，就说明它自己逃出了生天，否则……” 半晌，还是梅迎春自己重整了心情，继续往下说：“事情的经过是这样的。今天我到了黄河岸边打算渡河，沿岸寻找了很久合适的渡河地点。岸边太滑，'墨风'一路走得十分费劲，耽误了不少时间。我找了几个下冰的地点，可都因为'墨风'下不去，只好放弃了。如此几次三番，弄得人困马乏，天也过了晌午。我眼看着再不出发，就不能赶在天黑前渡到对岸，便有些着急。恰恰那时，我找到了咱们最后上岸的那片大滑坡，便想试试看让'墨风'沿那滑坡而下，可谁想'墨风'刚一踏到那滑坡的边沿，就再稳不住步幅，直接就滑到了冰面上。本来我想着，就这么滑上河面倒也未尝不可，我自己也随坡而下，与'墨风'到了一处。但紧接着，我就发现自己大错特错了。那'墨风'在冰面上根本无法行走，我费了九牛二虎之力助它站稳，刚迈开步子，便又摔倒。这样我真的是进退两难了，往前走走不动，要想退回来，又想不出法子把'墨风'弄上岸，一直折腾到天都快黑了，河面上又起了暴风雪，我才痛下决心，打算先抛下'墨风'，赶回来找人去帮忙。那个大滑坡不好上岸，我便往旁边走了走，这才发现自己还算十分幸运。我和'墨风'滑下来的冰面冻得很结实，我们在上头折腾了半天，虽然没能前行，但也未遇到真正的危险。可就在离我们不远处的那些冰面，不知道为什么却冻得很薄，危险的很。我于是再不敢造次，还是想沿原路设法上岸。可谁知道，就在那时，河岸边突然出现了位老妇人，慌不择路地便往河面上跑，根本不辨方向，也不查看下冰面的情况，直接就朝冰上最薄的那个地方跳。我顿时惊出一身冷汗，刚想喊，那老妇人已然踏破了冰面，坠入冰河！” 梅迎春脸色阴沉地停了下来，给自己满斟一杯酒，仰脖就干，半晌才道：“我见有人落河，也未曾多想，便投入那冰窟窿救人。可恨那冰窟窿周围的冰面实在太脆，我试了几次都没法把老妇人送上冰面，连我自己也再无法爬上去。那情形李兄你也很清楚，我就不用细说了。说实话，今天若不是二位搭救，我梅迎春之命休矣。你们汉人有话，大恩不言谢，梅某此刻也不多说什么。今生今世，必有机会让二位知道梅某的为人！”说完，他默默饮干杯中之酒，眼中乍现锐利而深沉的光华。 集贤殿前的广场四周，为了给参加夜宴的诸位大人们取暖，特别树立起了几十根高达丈余的方形铜柱，柱内熊熊燃烧的烈焰，源源不断地给整个广场送来暖意，火势是这样地猛烈，靠近铜柱的地方竟让人产生温暖如春的错觉。今天是节日，为了助兴，每根铜柱旁还多站立四名身披重甲、英姿勃发的千牛卫将领。这些被精心挑选出来的俊朗年轻人，负责每隔一段时间，就用鼓风的皮囊向铜柱内送入强烈的新风，火柱在风力的催动下，一齐向黑色的夜空喷出滚滚热浪，并伴着震耳欲聋的轰响，犹如隆隆的炮声，又像阵阵雷鸣，这是大唐的声势，也是大周的气韵，何其热烈，何其豪迈，又何其雄壮！ “恩师！”一声呼唤把正凝神观赏火柱的狄仁杰惊醒，他回头望去，曾泰身披三品重臣的紫色袍服，容光焕发地站在面前。狄仁杰满意地上下打量着自己的这个学生，不错，很不错，能够亦步亦趋地跟随自己的安排，也能够衷心耿耿地执行自己的指令，曾泰会有今天完全是在意料之中。不出差错的话，他还将是自己为李唐将来所铺设的棋局中一枚相当有力的棋子。景辉这孩子就是喜欢自作聪明，一味地鄙夷做棋子的命运。看看，曾泰就是一枚做得十分成功的棋子，而且还会继续成功下去，和他相比，那两个远在天涯的傻小子，实在是幼稚得令人心痛。 狄仁杰微笑道：“曾泰啊，你怎么找出来了？”曾泰跨前一步，恭敬地道：“方才在殿内未寻到恩师，问了沈将军，他说您身体不爽，出来散步了。学生牵挂的很，也就无心喝酒了，赶紧出来看看。恩师，您没事吧？” “没事，没事。我很好，很好啊。”狄仁杰再次打量了一遍曾泰，继续笑道：“曾泰啊，你外放多年，这会再次入朝为官，感觉还习惯吗？今天的守岁宴是极好的机会，可与其他的朝廷官员相互熟识熟识，你就别一味顾着老夫了。你我师生多年，虚礼可免。” 可能是喝了些酒的缘故，曾泰的脸微微泛红，有些激动地道：“恩师，您这么说是让学生无地自容了……”他还要继续往下说，被狄仁杰打断道：“好了，不要激动嘛。老夫只是与你开个玩笑。” 曾泰很识相地闭了嘴，陪着狄仁杰沿广场边的石阶慢慢拾级而下，风中飘起细小的雪珠，犹如白色的小花轻舞飞扬，悠悠落上苍松翠柏的枝叶间，铜柱中的火焰再次被风鼓起，巨大的热浪冲天而上，银白的雪雾中火红的烈焰滚滚。 狄仁杰和曾泰停住脚步，回首望向这如梦如幻的景致，陷入各自的思绪。沉默了半晌，狄仁杰突然想起了什么，问道：“曾泰啊，关于刘奕飞大人的案子，你这一天来可查出什么线索？” 曾泰正色道：“恩师，学生正想和您聊聊这件事。这个案子实在是蹊跷的很啊。” “哦？你详细说说看。” “是。”曾泰拧起眉头，思索着道：“刘奕飞大人的尸体此前已经被送回家中停放。学生亲自带着仵作去刘大人家中查验。经细查，仵作确认刘大人是被一柄匕首刺中后心而亡，因匕首直入心脏，刘大人肯定是当场毙命的。从匕首刺人尸体的位置和力度来看，行刺之人当时就站在刘大人的身后，行刺的手段既迅速又坚决，故而刘大人在毫无防备的情况下就被刺中。他随即往前倒去，被周大人扶住，周大人的手才沾上了鲜血。” “凶器可曾找到？” “找到了，就在事发地点的宫墙之外。是一柄很普通的匕首，市上随处都可以买到。” 狄仁杰点点头，继续问道：“事发现场都勘探过了吗？可曾发现什么特别的蛛丝马迹？”曾泰回道：“学生亲自去察看过了。事发的地点是在鸿胪寺到东宫的一条巷道的中间。前方不远处就是宾耀门，巷道的一侧是成行栽种的松树，另一侧就是皇城的外墙。”狄仁杰轻捋胡须道：“嗯，可曾发现什么可疑的足迹？” 曾泰小心地回答道：“因为这些天都在下雪，足迹在雪地上倒是十分清晰。除了刘大人和周大人的足迹之外，并无第三人的足迹。”狄仁杰猛一回头，问道：“只有他二人的足迹？”曾泰忙道：“哦，是学生没有说清楚。在从鸿胪寺到事发地点的一路上，只有周刘二位大人的足迹，事发的地方足迹一片混乱，又有鲜血和刘大人倒地的压痕，确实无法辨别清楚。但是在旁边的皇城墙上，倒是发现了有人翻越的痕迹。” 狄仁杰微微点头道：“原来如此。你刚才说那柄杀人的匕首，也是在皇城墙外发现的。” “是的，就在翻越的痕迹近旁。” “那足迹能否跟踪呢？” “皇城墙外不远处就是洛水，那足迹到了洛水边就混入其他的足迹之中，再也无法寻找了。” “嗯。”狄仁杰凝神思索了一会儿，又问道：“据周大人说，他看到刘大人被杀以后，就疯狂地往前奔跑，一路都听到有人在身后跟随，还有个声音一直在他的耳边说'生死簿'。那么，自事发现场开始到周大人被人发现的地方之间，又有什么特别的痕迹吗？” “这……”曾泰迟疑着说：“从事发地点到周大人被发现的地方之间，要说足迹嘛，其实就只有周大人自己奔跑的足印。但……有一件很奇怪的事情。” “哦，什么奇怪的事情？”曾泰的声音里透出一种古怪的忧惧，他慢慢地道：“在周大人的足迹后头，有一条血迹紧紧跟随，不是足迹，只是一条血迹，似乎是一路滴落的。每隔一段距离，这血迹还画出个模糊的'死'字，一直延续到周大人被发现晕倒的地方。” 狄仁杰注意地观察着曾泰的表情，许久，才冷冷地道：“果然是够古怪啊。那么曾泰啊，对这件案子，你可形成了什么看法？打算怎么办？” 曾泰思忖着道：“从皇城墙上的翻越痕迹和丢落的匕首看，刘大人应该是被一名翻越城墙进入皇城的凶手所杀。学生想来，这个凶手必定是在巷道边等待多时，等周刘二位大人走到身边才动的手。杀害了刘大人之后便翻墙而逃，顺手丢弃了凶器。” 狄仁杰微微点头道：“那么，凶手的动机是什么？他为什么要杀害刘大人？”曾泰略显尴尬地道：“这个学生还未查察清楚，还，还需要些时间……” 狄仁杰轻轻拍了拍曾泰的肩膀，鼓励地道：“曾泰啊，一天的时间对这样一起案件来说，肯定是不够的。老夫不是在质疑你的能力，只是想从自己的经验来给你些帮助和启发。你不用有顾虑。在老夫看来，你已经做的很多很好了。”曾泰拱手道：“学生惭愧。” 狄仁杰往前走了几步，又道：“曾泰啊，除了动机以外，还有几个问题，你也可以想一想。一、这个凶手是如何进入皇城的？” “会不会翻墙而入呢？” “这当然是一个可能。但问题是城墙旁边白天一直有守卫巡逻，根据案发的时间来看，这人在白天就翻墙而入的可能性不大。另外，他怎么知道周刘二位大人当天晚上一定会走这条巷道，难道他天天翻墙进来等在那里不成？所以老夫觉得，凶手趁夜色翻墙而逃的可能性较大，但却并不是翻墙进入的。” 曾泰忙问：“那他还有什么办法进入皇城呢？”狄仁杰微笑道：“办法很多嘛。这些天为了新年的庆典，左右掖门每天都要到戌时以后才关闭，出入的人员中更有不少外来的工匠和艺人，虽然有盘查，但严谨不如平时。再说了，凶手会不会本来就是皇城里面的人呢？”曾泰想了想，道：“这……学生觉得不太可能。如果凶手本来就是皇城里面的，杀人之后就不用翻墙而出了。” 狄仁杰轻轻点头道：“嗯，这也算是一种解释。”顿了顿，他又道：“那么假如凶手是外面的人，就产生了第二个问题，凶手为什么要在周刘二位大人路过那条巷道去东宫的时候杀人？假如他是皇城外的人，要杀刘大人的话，在皇城外杀人恐怕比在皇城内要容易得多吧？他何必要冒这么大的风险？” 曾泰无言以对。狄仁杰继续道：“所以，从我们刚才的讨论看，老夫认为你最应该去彻查的，仍然是动机。刘大人为什么会被杀？什么人想要置他于死地？只有理清了这些，这桩案子才能找到头绪。如果仅仅是被现场的情况牵着鼻子走，恐怕要误入歧途。” 曾泰一惊，忙问：“恩师，您的意思是说，有人在故布疑阵？”狄仁杰微笑道：“曾泰啊，我可什么都没说。你自己好好想想吧。” 曾泰连连点头，想了想，又问：“恩师，对那行血迹和'死'字，您有什么看法吗？”狄仁杰冷淡地回答道：“老夫一直认为，某样事物越是看上去玄之又玄，本质上就越是简单。对于这血迹和'死'字，老夫目前没有什么看法，但我觉得，你查案时大可不必把这放在心上。” 曾泰愣愣地看着狄仁杰，若有所悟，迟疑了半晌，又问：“恩师，您或许还不知道，前日夜间神都除了刘大人这件命案之外，还发生了两桩暴卒的事件？并且都与这个'生死簿'有关？” 狄仁杰一惊，猛停住脚步，回头质问曾泰：“刘大人命案之外还有两桩暴卒的事件？！怎么回事？” 曾泰郑重地道：“恩师，确实有两桩暴卒的事件，一是吏部侍郎傅敏大人在遇仙楼暴卒，二是天觉寺的圆觉和尚失足坠塔。” 狄仁杰死死盯着曾泰，嘴里低声地重复道：“傅敏？圆觉？遇仙楼？天觉寺？……居然还有这样的事情？同时发生在前日夜间的暴卒事件？……”他突然提高声音问道：“曾泰，你为什么说这两桩暴卒事件都和'生死簿'有关？！” 曾泰诚惶诚恐地答道：“恩师，事情是这样的。白天学生在大理寺整理公务，并查察刘大人的案件时，听到一些下属谈起傅敏傅大人暴卒的事情。”狄仁杰抬手道：“嗯，其实这件事情我