Chapter 14 Chapter Thirty

The twenty-third of the twelfth lunar month is a day for folks to sacrifice to the stove.This day is also a festival, and sugar pancakes are refined, and these foods will naturally be eaten by people after the stove is sacrificed.On this day, King Anle asked me to go to the palace for dinner, but the time limit given by Marquis Wen was only a few days. Wei Zongzheng has been very anxious these days, and he still can't get a statement. At the end of the day's trial, the snake man was already half-dead by the criminal law, and there was no way he could be tried again.Dragging it down, Wei Zongzheng looked ashen, looked at me, then at Zheng Zhao and Ding Henry, and sighed: "General Chu, Lord Zheng, General Ding, it seems that this old man has nothing to do."

Ding Henry didn't say anything, Zheng Zhao said: "Lord Wei, there is no need to feel guilty, there is nothing to do about it." When I left, I stopped them and said, "Brother Ding, Brother Zheng, do you still remember what I promised when I was in Wuyang City?" Zheng Zhao didn't say anything yet, but Henry Ding's eyes flashed, and he said with a smile, "Ha, Brother Chu seems to be finally willing to let me get what I want." He must have thought I was talking about his recruitment, probably that I had agreed to join the IRA.I smiled secretly in my heart, and said, "Finally fulfilled the mission. Feng Qi, bring me the presents I gave to Mr. Zheng and General Ding."

Both Henry Ding and Zheng Zhao were startled, Feng Qi had already brought two wooden boxes over, and said, "Commander, here you are." I handed one box to Henry Ding and one to Zheng Zhao, saying: "Brother Ding, Brother Zheng, this is a little wish from the young general for Qing to play with." Ding Henry and Zheng Zhao were still puzzled, Zheng Zhao said: "General Chu, what is this?" "The young general likes carving very much. These are two woodcarvings. I'm laughing at you." I sighed and said, "It's rare for you to come here once. When you return to Wuyang City in the future, you will be separated from each other, and it will be difficult to meet each other. These two woodcarvings have long been Let's do it, the work was just completed yesterday, please don't laugh at Brother Zheng and Ding."

When I was in Wuyang City, I didn’t tell them that I learned to carve at all. I just borrowed this topic to send these two woodcarvings, so I deliberately made it vague. Zheng Zhao would think that I promised Ding Henry, and Ding Henry would I feel that if I promised Zheng Zhao, neither of them would become suspicious.The woodcarving given to Zheng Zhao was a lychee tree, while the one given to Henry Ding was his full body portrait.Ding Henry's appearance is very strange, I also often carve portraits, it is not difficult to carve out, but the lychee tree is extremely complicated and delicate, it will probably take me a month to carve it, and I asked Xue Wenyi to carve it for me.And among these two wood carvings, one hides the Tiandunyin improved by Xue Wenyi.

The so-called Tiandun sound is produced by the mutual induction of two extremely thin copper plates.I was amazed when I heard Xue Wenyi talk about it that day.What surprised me even more was that the one who came up with such a strange thing was actually a humble person!I still remember that when the little prince first joined the army, he said that Zheng Zhao and a legal person came to pay a visit to King Anle. The legal mage still recognized me, but the little prince forgot his name. At that time, I couldn’t think of who it was until It was only then that I realized that I was being humble.Xu Xinzi had already made Tiandunyin when he was in Wuyang City, but although his mind was rich and ingenious, his craftsmanship was far inferior to Xue Wenyi's. It was difficult to hear clearly when there was a little noise, and he couldn't think of a way to improve it after much deliberation, so he came to ask Xue Wenyi for advice.It's just that I still can't figure out why Xu Xinzi had no reservations, and told Xue Wenyi the whole story of this day's escape. In retrospect, Xu Xinzi has no city in his heart. I'm afraid he didn't expect the day when the Republican Army and the Empire would meet in battle. Bar.On that day, I urged Xue Wenyi to never tell anyone about it, but to forget about it.If Marquis Wen knew that he had this thing, Dijun, Zhang Longyou and the others would no longer be able to hide their tracks.Not only that, I'm afraid that everyone in the court will be in danger, even in private, they are trembling and dare not say anything.That day, Xue Wenyi was terribly frightened when he heard my statement about the advantages and disadvantages, and he nodded in agreement.In fact, coincidentally, Xue Wen also has a limited number of palaces in his chest than Xu Xinzi. Although he improved the Tiandunyin and made it smaller, it can be said that he is striving for perfection, but he actually used it to eavesdrop on whether his wife scolded him behind his back.It's also thanks to the fact that he assigned it such a purpose, so he kept it a secret, and no one knew that he had improved it into this way.

Xue Wenyi's improved Tiandunyin can be heard within ten feet. Zheng Zhao and the others eavesdropped on Wenhou with the Tiandunyin, and I will treat him in the same way as others, and listen to what they say behind their backs. .I heard them chatting in Deyiju that day, there were too many questions, Zheng Zhao and the others might not just tell the secrets to the woodcarving, but with this arrangement, there are always more chances to learn the secrets. They took it in their hands and thanked them repeatedly.I know that Henry Ding probably doesn't doubt that there is him, but with Zheng Zhao's temperament, he must be suspicious, but he can't use mind reading skills on me, I'm afraid it will be very itchy and uncomfortable.Although I had a sullen face, I couldn't help laughing in my heart.

After leaving, I got on the horse, but instead of going back to the camp, I went to a small restaurant in the south of the city and ordered a few dishes to serve myself.I didn't tell anyone about the matter of letting the sky escape, but I have already sent Feng Qi to follow Zheng Zhao and Ding Henry secretly.Fighting immediately with ten swords is not strong, but these stealth and tracking are their strengths.After waiting for a short time, Feng Qi came to see me in a hurry, saying that he had found out that Zheng Zhao and Ding Henry had arrived at the Republican Army's conference office in the imperial capital.In fact, this was as expected. After Ding Henry and his party followed us to the north, they declined the Honglu Temple residence that Marquis Wen arranged for them, and they have been living in the meeting place.

As soon as I found out where they were going, I exchanged clothes with Feng Qi in the restaurant, let him go back to the camp first, and boarded the carriage I had prepared earlier and walked to the Republican Army Council.Feng Qi and the others have already seen it on the spot and told me about the situation around the conference office.It was a large house, covering several acres of land, but most of the houses were against the walls.I don't know which one Zheng Zhao and the others are in, and now I can only gamble on my luck to see if I can hear any useful information before going to Anle Palace for dinner.This car was prepared in advance and had nothing to do with the military. It was just an ordinary small car.

The carriage drove slowly along the wall, and the driver was an infrequent Ten Swordsman named Zhou Yichi.Zhou Yichi's swordsmanship is not too strong in Ten Swords Slashing, but this person is just plain-looking, if he is placed in a crowd, he might not be found in a blink of an eye, and I want such a person now. After walking half a circle, a low voice suddenly came from my ear, I knocked on the front wall of the carriage, and Zhou Yichi stopped the car knowingly. The place where the car stopped was a corner, and there happened to be an open space.There were a few windows originally on the wall, but the windows have been built with bricks, probably because Zheng Zhao didn't want people to peep inside.In this way, the car will not feel strange when it is parked here.

As soon as the car stopped, Zhou Yichi listened to me and went to a restaurant across the street for dinner, and pretended to put the car here first.As soon as he left, I put my hands on the reed and carefully identified the sound coming from it.Even though Xue Wenyi improved the tone of the dungeon, the sound is still very soft, you have to listen carefully to hear it.I didn't even dare to breathe, and listened desperately. At this time, it was Ding Henry's voice that came from the listening box.Although the voice from Tinghuang was distorted, the tone was still Ding Henry's.He said rightly: "No way, Tian Dunyin is the unique secret of the honest man, and the empire does not have this."

"Xunxinzi is a bit ignorant, hasn't he been to the imperial capital in the first half of the year? What if he handed over Tian Dunyin to someone?" I don't know whose voice it was, and another person beside him suddenly said: "Probably not. The humble man is loyal to the Republic and will never do such a thing." This tone is precisely Zheng Zhao.Then the one who just said that Xu Xinzi might hand over Tian Dunyin to someone else should be that young master.This person is very likely to be the Young Master Nanwu that Bai Wei mentioned.I couldn't help smiling.This person is really suspicious, but his guess is accurate and he is really difficult to deal with.But no matter how suspicious and smart this person is, he will never be able to discover the Tiandun sound I installed. Tiandunyin has two parts, one part is the voice spring, which is installed in the wood carving, and the other part is called the listening spring, which is placed next to the ear.Xue Wen is also worthy of the name of a master, he said that the reeds of Xuxinzi's Tiandunyin are flat, so the shape should not be too small, otherwise it will not be able to spread far.And Xue Wen also imagined that it would be unconventional, and made the voice spring and the listening spring into a snail shape, so that the shape is greatly reduced, and the eavesdropping distance is even greater.The lychee tree given to Zheng Zhao was his favorite work, and the reeds were skillfully made into lychees.The reeds made by Xu Xinzi are all hidden inside, but Xue Wenyi put them outside in a grandiose way. No matter how sensitive Zheng Zhao's mind is, he would never think that they are reeds.Those two wooden carvings, the figure given to Henry Ding had an empty belly, so there was a possibility of a hidden mechanism, but in fact the figure had no mechanism.I sent those two woodcarvings, the portraits were suspicious, and let them be suspicious.Listening to them talk, I didn't find my trap. Mr. Nanwu paused, and said: "Have you ever used mind-reading skills on Mr. Xu Xin?" Zheng Zhao also paused, and said, "No. In fact, if you ask him, he will definitely tell the truth. It's just that I didn't think of this at all." Hearing the sound of "hissing" from the spring, it must be that Mr. Nanwu sighed, and said: "If the sound of Tiandun is really hidden in this wood carving, then the eavesdropper must be nearby. Zheng Zhao, you immediately Go outside and see if there are any suspicious people waiting." I was so cold that I almost cried out.I only thought that they would not be able to find out the Tiandunyin I had installed, but I didn't expect that they would do so.Now Zhou Yichi is eating there, according to the agreement in advance, he will come back after seeing me give the signal to get off the car, otherwise he will have to eat in the restaurant for an hour.As soon as I leaned over, I almost immediately pulled down the signal signal of the car, but stopped again. wrong.After all, the wood carvings are in their hands, and the conference room occupies a huge area, and if they talk a few rooms away, they will definitely not be able to spread the word outside.If Mr. Nanwu was suspicious, he shouldn't say this to the wood carving, he could find another place. He is shaking the mountain and shaking the tiger!In an instant, I understood Mr. Nanwu's strategy.He didn't want Zheng Zhao to look at it at all, but someone was observing the surrounding situation now.If I pull down the mark rashly, I will fall into his trick. Thinking of this, I stopped immediately, simply lay down on the car floor, and listened carefully.But now there was no sound, and after a while, Zheng Zhao said: "There is an empty car parked outside the left wall, and there are a few peddlers by the right wall, nothing suspicious." Hearing Zheng Zhao's voice, I couldn't help but secretly let out a long breath.If I can't hold my breath, I will be cheated out by him in one fell swoop.I was proud, but I couldn't hear the sound in my ears all of a sudden. After waiting for a while, I still couldn't hear it at all.I was wondering if the sound escape was broken that day, when suddenly a voice came from the listening reed: "What is this?" The voice from the listening reed was distorted, and I couldn't tell who it was, but someone said: "It's a wood carving, put it back." This is Zheng Zhao's voice!I was stunned, and suddenly understood what Zheng Zhao meant.It turned out that Tian Dunyin hadn't been broken, but had been kept in a closed place.It seems that although Mr. Nanwu didn't notice anything unusual, he still asked Zheng Zhao to put it away.This Mr. Nanwu is really an extremely careful character, too difficult to deal with. I was amazed, but I heard the man just said: "Chu Xiuhong made it? Is it for you or for me?" Hearing the man say my name, I couldn't help being stunned, and I didn't understand why this man talked to Zheng Zhao so casually. Before I got over it, Zheng Zhao said: "Of course it's for me. Awei, close it." All right, let's go out to eat." As soon as I heard Zheng Zhao say the word "Awei", my head suddenly "hummed".It's Bai Wei!It turns out that Bai Wei is also in the imperial capital!The little prince said last time that Zheng Zhao and his family had come to pay a visit to King Anle, but when I was in Wuyang City, I heard Zi Liao say that they were the commanders of the women's battalion of the Republican Army.After I returned to the imperial capital, she never came to see me. I only thought that she had already returned to Wuyang City, but I didn't expect that she was still here. In Wuyang City, Bai Wei also tried to use me, but finally told me the truth.I know that she has a very subtle feeling for me, and Zheng Zhao also knows that at that time he almost attacked me because he was afraid that I would cuckold him.But with his mind-reading skills, he should know that Bai Wei and I are innocent. It seems that Zheng Zhao didn't let her see me. Now I just hope that Bai Wei can say a few more words with Zheng Zhao, so that some news can be revealed from it.But after a pause, I heard Bai Wei say: "Ah Zhao, I didn't do anything to offend you." Zheng Zhao also paused, and said, "I believe in you. Get things done quickly, the young master will go back tomorrow, so you can take this wood carving back to Wuyang City." My heart sank, although Zheng Zhao didn't discover the mystery in this wood carving, once Bai Wei took it away, all my arrangements would be in vain, and I couldn't even overhear a meaningful sentence.The matter has come to this point, and there is no other way to think about it now. I waited for a while, but there was no sound from the reed, probably wrapped up by Bai Wei.I still didn't give up, and listened desperately for a while, but there was still no sound in the listening box.He was pricking up his ears to listen, but he heard someone at the gate saying: "Mr. Zheng, is Mrs. Zheng going out?" It was the Secretary of the Republican Army Council who was speaking. "That's right, Mr. Zheng and I went out to a banquet. Brother Qian, you have worked hard." That was Bai Wei's voice! I raised my head and looked out through a small crack in the carriage.As soon as I looked out, I happened to see Zheng Zhao and Bai Wei approaching hand in hand, and I only saw Bai Wei's figure flashing past.In the past few years, she hasn't changed much. Although I just glimpsed her, I always feel that there is a hint of worry on her face. For some reason, my heart suddenly hurt.I seldom think of her sisters, except occasionally when I put on the clothes she gave me.At this moment, I suddenly felt that she seemed to miss me all the time. In Gaojiu City, if they hadn't left the city, they would have been killed by Marquis Wu as rations.Life is originally determined by a trivial choice.Now I can't see her figure, but my eyes are moist without knowing it. It seems that there is no way to eavesdrop on Zheng Zhao's affairs anymore, but I am not disappointed.Although I don't think of Bai Wei very much, and I don't know if I have feelings for her, but I think it's good to be able to hear Bai Wei's words and see her once. I pulled down the password for the car item.Zhou Yichi has been paying attention all the time, as soon as he sees my signal, he immediately comes over and drives the car away. I took the car to the tavern where I ate and drank before, and I got out of the car, Feng Qi had already greeted me, and said: "General Chu, why are you here so late, I'm afraid I might miss the prince's dinner." I said: "It's okay if it's a little later." Feng Qi looked around and whispered: "I just heard that Zheng Zhao and his wife were also invited by the prince today." These words were like a bolt from the blue, I said, "Are they going too?" I finally understood Henry Ding's intention of burning that handkerchief.I think I have a plan, I am afraid that I have been listening to them in Deyiju, and I have long been spotted by their outside eyes.In Deyiju, he deliberately showed his flaws, and deliberately said something about Tiandunyin, he should be confirming whether I have Tiandunyin, if I really have Tiandunyin, I will definitely send it up.It's ridiculous that I thought I had a trick, but I actually sent Tian Dunyin to my door.Zheng Zhao went to the appointment of King Anle today. He must have wanted to confirm what I was going to do. I didn’t know that he would also attend the banquet. He might ask King Anle to help me cover up my lateness, so he could read King Anle’s Find out your mind.But he made a mistake, thinking that I was ordered by Marquis Wen, and that all the steps must be properly arranged. In fact, I just did it temporarily. Marquis Wen didn't know it at all. No one else knew except myself. Escaping sound is not what those people who don't know the mechanism can imagine. It's because of some mistakes that they have worked hard to no avail.If they really discovered my hidden Tiandunyin, then they must think that Marquis Wen knew all about what they planned, and then the apparent alliance between the Empire and the Republican Army would definitely break down immediately. At this moment, I suddenly realized that I almost broke something big.Now Marquis Wen and He Congjing are guessing at each other's thoughts, using each other and fearing each other. There is only a layer of tulle between the two to maintain a superficial cooperation.I almost tore through this layer of tulle, and now that the alliance is broken, Marquis Wen must not dare to send troops to expedition to Fuxi Valley, and the Republican Army will not dare to rush to send troops first, so it is a good opportunity to attack the snake man's lair and eliminate the snake man will also be missed. There are some things that both parties are well aware of, but when no one finds out, it's fine.Once broken, the consequences would be disastrous. This is exactly what is happening now. Feng Qi said: "If they arrive first, it will be broken. General Chu, you go, I brought Fei Yu." Although Fei Yu's feet are fast, if he gallops at full speed on the street, it would be self-evident, but now there is no other way, I said: "Quick, pull it out quickly." When they arrived at Prince Anle's Mansion, Chen Chaohang, the steward of the palace, greeted him, and said with a big salute: "General Chu, you are here, the prince was still talking about you just now." I kicked off the saddle and said, "Mr. Zheng Zhao is here?" Chen Chaohang led me and Feng Qi's horse, and said, "Mr. Zheng hasn't arrived yet, General Chu, please come in." Zheng Zhao didn't come?I secretly breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that I had escaped again, and I didn't have to hide it from Zheng Zhao without a headache.I said, "Where is your Highness?" Chen Chaohang hadn't answered yet, but the little prince said loudly: "General Chu!" I turned my head and saw the little prince coming from one side.Today, he is wearing a robe that looks like a war robe, which makes him look even more handsome and handsome.Seeing him, I seemed to see the appearance of the princess again, and my eye sockets became moist again. The little prince didn't notice my strangeness, so he came up to me with a smile and said, "General Chu, I'm in a hurry. Mrs. Zheng is also coming today. I heard that Mrs. Zheng is a hero among women, and she is very good at spears. Are you and me?" She compares?" Although I felt a little uncomfortable, I was still amused by the little prince.I said: "Today is not the time. Mrs. Zheng's name is Duan Baiwei, and she is the daughter of Duan Hairuo, a famous general of the Republic. I know her." The little prince was taken aback, and said, "Ah, General Chu, you know everyone." I smiled wryly.If the little prince knew that Bai Wei had been my concubine when he was in Gaojiu City, he would be even more surprised.I said: "Your Highness, quickly take me to greet the prince." When I entered the hall, I knelt down to ask An Le Wang to greet me. When I stood up, I saw that there was pain and pity in his eyes when he looked at me.Over the past few years, An Le Wang has grown fatter and aged a lot. As soon as I sat down, King An Le suddenly said, "General Chu, how is your flute study going?" As soon as he mentioned flute art, I couldn't help but feel another pain in my heart.The princess gave me an iron flute before he was alive, and asked me to learn some flute skills. He said that both civil and military princes are famous flute players. If I can play the flute, it will be of great help to my career. After blowing it twice, it was thrown aside, and the iron flute was also put away and never taken out.But when King An Le asked me, I naturally couldn't say that, I lowered my head and said, "Returning to the lord, the general wanted to study many times, but every time he saw the iron flute, he couldn't make a song." King An Le sighed and said nothing more.He naturally felt that what I said was that when he saw the iron flute, he would think of the princess, and his heart ached, so he stopped asking.Looking at his appearance, I feel a little sorry.Although King Anle is incompetent, he is still a kind old man. I can't bear to use some tricks on him. The little prince obviously saw that we couldn't continue, so he interjected, "My lord, General Chu is busy with military affairs right now. He has no time to play the flute. But his wood carvings are very famous now, and all the generals in the army can get them." General Chu's reward is an honor." King An Le smiled and said: "I can hear it too, the horses of the eight counties in the imperial capital, the wood carvings of General Chu are in the front." The so-called "eight county horses in the imperial capital" is also a word of mouth in Haoshi. It is said that there are eight talented county horses. I am ranked second, and Pu Anli is the first.The other six county horses are the quick sons-in-law of various royal houses, and they are all famous for their poems, books, piano, chess and paintings. Putting me alongside them is nothing more than the common people's imagination of these noble children.I said: "That's just a nonsense of others. Wood carving is a small skill, and the general will use it to pass the time." King An Le nodded, and suddenly asked, "Have you finished carving that portrait yet?" I have been using a piece of agarwood to carve her appearance, but in my mind, her appearance is becoming more and more blurred day by day, almost indistinguishable, and I have been unable to carve it.When King Anle saw this wood carving, he thought I was carving a princess, that's why he asked this question.I pondered for a while, and said: "My lord, there is no need to carve a portrait, as long as you don't have it in your heart, it is enough." This is also a slippery talk, but King An Le didn't ask any more.At this moment, Chen Chaohang walked to the door and said, "My lord, Mr. Zheng is here." Zheng Zhao is here!I couldn't help but smile slightly.Zheng Zhao wanted to catch my flaws, but God also helped me and let me come first. Hearing Chen Chaohang's words, Anle Wang stood up.When I came in, he never got up to greet me, but he was so solemn to Zheng Zhao, which I never expected.Just as Zheng Zhao and Bai Wei stepped through the door, An Le said kingly: "Mr. Zheng Xian and his wife are here, and the little Wang is full of glory." Zheng Zhao bowed and saluted, and said, "My lord, I encountered some obstacles on the road to Wansheng, so I came late." I thought Zheng Zhao would be surprised to see that I arrived first, but he just glanced at me and said meaningfully : "General Chu arrived first." An Le Wang said: "General Chu has been here for a while. What happened to Mr. Zheng on the way?" Zheng Zhaodao: "It's not a big deal, but I was stopped for a long time by some people who claim to respect the king, and I heard some great truths." He spoke contemptuously.I don't have a good opinion of that group of respected kings, but I feel quite the same.Zheng Zhao suddenly turned his head and said to me: "General Chu, brother Chu took care of my wife a lot back then, and I haven't thanked you yet." When he said these words suddenly, I was startled, only to realize that Bai Wei was looking at me.Her face was a little flushed, her lips were trembling slightly, and she was speechless.I suddenly realized that Zheng Zhao must be jealous again.Zheng Zhao possessed thaumaturgy, but he couldn't detect love. It seems that Xue Wen also used Tiandunyin to eavesdrop on his wife's words, which is not so ridiculous.I bowed and said, "Brother Zheng, Mrs. Zheng, long time no see." Bai Wei's face suddenly became calm as usual, and she saluted, "General Chu, long time no see." Maybe I'm overthinking, I always feel that her voice is trembling.What is she thinking?When I sat down, I glanced at her again, but Bai Wei seemed to be avoiding my gaze deliberately, but Zheng Zhao stared at me with burning eyes, which made me feel like a thorn in my back, which was very uncomfortable. After eating and drinking for a while, King Anle suddenly said, "Mr. Zheng is going back to Wuyang City this time, when will he come back again?" Zheng Zhao wants to go back too?I was about to have a glass of wine when I couldn't help but stop.Zheng Zhao is the person in charge of the Republican Army's General Affairs Office. If even he has to go back, it means that the Republican Army has given up hope for the alliance with the Empire. This alliance will break down at any time, and this also shows that they already know the location of Fuxi Valley Yet? I couldn't help looking at Zheng Zhao, Zheng Zhao was also looking at me, our eyes met, Zheng Zhao suddenly grinned, and said: "General Chu is probably going to travel far too? I'm afraid it will be a few years before I am born. to return." There was something provocative in his words.I knew what he meant, so I sneered and said, "Then I wish Mr. Zheng good health and come back again." Bai Wei's face turned pale all of a sudden.Zheng Zhao's words imply the idea of ​​seizing the imperial capital, and my answer to him is not in good faith, Bai Wei can naturally hear it.King Anle chuckled and said: "Mr. Zheng has really worked hard in the imperial capital for the past two years, and it is much less than the last time I saw it. Mr. Zheng, go back and live well and take care of yourself." Zheng Zhao has the ability to read minds, and he speaks nonsense when he sees people, and he speaks nonsense when he sees ghosts. Naturally, he is very popular, and King Anle seems to have a good opinion of him.Zheng Zhao's hostility towards me is getting deeper and deeper, and now he is about to become an enemy. I suddenly feel a killing intent in my heart, and my hand unconsciously touches the waist knife.But before touching it, I felt two scorching gazes coming directly at me. That was Bai Wei's gaze.I couldn't tell what was in the eyes she looked at me, it seemed to be begging, and also sad.Looking at her gaze, my heart suddenly softened, and the thought of killing Zheng Zhao was instantly dispelled. Although Zheng Zhao can't read my mind now, he has already figured out my character.With Bai Wei by his side, I can't do anything to him no matter what.I said: "Yes, Mr. Zheng is working too hard, so let's rest for a while." Zheng Zhao smiled suddenly, and said, "So is General Chu. Fortunately, the two countries are now united, and victory is just around the corner. When the world is at peace, Wan Sheng will come to bother the prince for a glass of wine again." I really don't like this table of wine.Fortunately, this was also an informal family dinner for King An Le, and it was a farewell party for Zheng Zhao. It didn't take long. When sending Zheng Zhao and his wife away, Bai Wei glanced at me again, but still didn't speak.King Anle respected Zheng Zhao really much, and even wanted to send him out. She finally left.I followed behind An Le Wang, looking at her back, feeling lost in my heart.Killing Zheng Zhao will definitely cause the alliance to break up, and now Marquis Wen will definitely not agree. The alliance between the Empire and the Republican Army is Zheng Zhao's amulet.Now that the alliance is coming to an end, people like Zheng Zhao naturally understand their situation, and of course they have to prepare to leave. To my disappointment, Bai Wei still followed Zheng Zhao.Zheng Zhao didn't control her, but she never came to see me in the imperial capital, which shows that in her mind, Zheng Zhao is still much more important than me.What I am worried about now is whether Zheng Zhao will succeed in leaving. In Wenhou's mind, if people like Zheng Zhao can't be used for themselves, they can't stay in this world. "General Chu, don't you seem to be too familiar with Mr. Zheng?" The little prince suddenly whispered next to me.I turned my head, smiled dryly, and said, "I've known him for a long time, but he's from the Republican Army, and he was a little unhappy before." The little prince breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "He is full of praise for you, and he specifically asked you to accompany him." I smiled wryly.Zheng Zhao asked me to accompany him because he wanted to confirm whether I was eavesdropping on his secrets.But I couldn't help but move in my heart. He was full of praise for me in front of King Anle, since he had read King Anle's mind, and he just did what he liked, which meant that King Anle had already treated me like a family member.My heart suddenly felt sour, and I looked at the old man's back.To me, he is just an incompetent prince of the empire, and when the princess died, he was angry at the ineffectiveness of the two family doctors and cut them off.I hate this kind of behavior of disregarding human life the most. Although I never dared to disrespect on the surface, I never really thought highly of him behind the scenes.Until now, I feel ashamed in my heart, and I am a little sorry for this old man. After all, he is the princess' father. Zheng Zhao was about to get in the car at this time.He was paying respects to King An Le and saying polite words. When the little prince and I walked over, Zheng Zhao raised his head and said with a smile on his face, "General Chu, we will see each other again today. General Chu, please take care of yourself." I looked at him, and suddenly said: "I'm afraid, I will meet Mr. Zheng again in Gaojiu City soon." The little prince was taken aback, and interjected, "General Chu, is it true?" I looked at Zheng Zhao and said, "Mr. Zheng should know." When I say this, it actually means that I don't want to hide it from him like Marquis Wen, and on the other hand, it also means that their actions can't be hidden from me either.Zheng Zhao obviously didn't expect me to say it so blatantly, and he said a little embarrassedly: "It should be. My lord, I will send you off for thousands of miles, and there will be a farewell. Wansheng bids farewell." An Le Wang said: "Mr. Zheng is leaving now? Even if I can't send you a thousand miles, I will send you another." King An Le is not a corporal who treats Zheng Zhao so courteously, which really surprised me.He had called his own car and drove with Zheng Zhao, probably wanting to chat for a while on the way to send him back.When they went out, the little prince sighed and said, "Father really thinks highly of Mr. Zheng, even his appearance has changed." There was a sudden movement in my heart, what the little prince's words touched the bottom of my heart.I said, "Didn't your lord do this before?" "Father has always looked down on these scribes." The little prince smacked his lips, "General Chu, he doesn't think much of you. Only when Teacher Kona left before, did the father send her to the gate." I still vaguely remember that Mrs. Na Kena used to be the teacher of the princess, and she was probably a woman who made King Anle very upset.Anle Wang himself is nothing special, but he seems to be able to respect talented people.It's just that I always felt that there was something wrong with what the little prince said, so I said casually, "What's wrong with that?" The little prince said: "Father used to chatter for a long time when he went out, but this time he left without saying a word. Ha, General Chu, let's compete with each other." The little prince said it unintentionally, but my heart suddenly felt like a needle was pricked, and I suddenly remembered something.Zheng Zhao doesn't dare to cast spells on me now, but he is still able to treat King Anle and the little prince. King Anle's behavior is very different from usual, and it is very likely that he was hit by his mind-boosting technique.It’s just that Zheng Zhao’s mind-stealing technique has obviously advanced to another level. Before he fell into his mind-stimulating technique, he looked like a walking corpse, which was quite different, but now King Anle’s speech and behavior are not so different from usual, so I never thought of it. The little prince probably saw that my expression was different, and asked in surprise, "General Chu, what's wrong?" I asked, "Will Zheng Zhao want to kidnap the prince?" The little prince laughed out loud, and said, "What's the use of him kidnapping the father. Besides, Chen Chaohang followed with his family soldiers. If he really wants to kidnap, I don't know who will kidnap whom." The little prince didn't know Zheng Zhao's ability, but what he said was also reasonable.Although King Anle is the head of the clan, he has never interfered with the power of the military and government. It is useless for Zheng Zhao to kidnap him.I pondered for a while, and said, "Did Zheng Zhao have many contacts with the prince before?" The little prince said: "It's not too much, it's just that the father appreciates him very much. But in the past, at most, he was sent out of the study. This time he left in such a hurry that he returned to Wuyang City overnight, so the father sent him to the gate of the city. " There was a thunder in my mind, and I cried out: "He went back overnight?" The little prince said: "Yes. So you don't know?" I always thought that Mr. Zheng Zhao would not go back until a few days later, otherwise he would not have come to the banquet today.Only now did he understand that all of this was Zheng Zhao's trick to get him.He came to the banquet of King Anle on purpose, and this kind of news is naturally in the ears of Marquis Wen, and Marquis Wen probably has the same thoughts as me.Even though Marquis Wen was prepared, if Zheng Zhao pulled King Anle, unless Marquis Wen could ask the emperor to stand in his way, no one would dare to stop him.Zheng Zhao's plan to get away was meticulous, and the real purpose of calling me was not just to prove that I was suspicious of them, as I thought before, but more importantly, to tie me down and prevent me from telling Marquis Wen.In the entire imperial capital, the only thing Zheng Zhao couldn't read was my thoughts.As long as I ensure that I am not ordered by Marquis Wen to kill him, then no matter who comes to Zheng Zhao's disadvantage, he will know in advance.And in Zheng Zhao's thinking, if Marquis Wen wants to stop him, he will definitely send me, a person he can't read, to tie up my hands and feet, which is enough to ensure that Marquis Wen will not attack him. Although Zheng Zhao is smart, this strategy kills two birds with one stone. I don't believe he could have come up with it. It's more likely that Nanwu son came up with it.At the beginning, Ding Henry praised Mr. Nanwu as a dragon and phoenix among men, and I was very unconvinced, but now I have to admire him. I smiled and said, "I don't know. Since he is leaving, I have to go to the south gate to see him off. Your Highness, you can rest at home. No matter what Zheng Zhao has in mind, as long as I'm here, so I won't let him succeed easily." The little prince shook his head and said: "General Chu, you think too much." He always obeyed my advice and promised me, but what I said was so unbelievable that he couldn't believe it.I called Feng Qi who was resting on the side, and was about to leave when the little prince suddenly said: "General Chu, you told Mr. Zheng that you will meet in Gaojiu City soon, so is our army going to go on an expedition again?" I jumped on the horse and said, "Maybe. Your Highness, practice your spear well. In a few days, a young warrior from Diren will also come to the army." The little prince's eyes lit up all of a sudden, and he said, "Di Ren? Is his marksmanship good?" I said casually: "Very good." Turning my head to Feng Qi, I said, "Brother Feng, hurry up and catch up with the prince's men." Feng Qi didn't say anything, and went out with me.Now the sky has darkened, but before the forbidden night, there are already fewer people on the street. Zheng Zhao and King Anle's team didn't go very far. We only chased for a while, and we saw a vast expanse in front of us. people.I said: "Brother Feng, don't come close." I urged my horse, and I ran after him, shouting: "My lord! My lord!" 那队伍后面有个人闻声转过头来，一见我，叫道：“楚将军！你怎么也来了？” 那正是陈超航。我道：“我也来送送郑先生。” 此时前面的车也闻声停了下来，最前一辆的车帘撩开了，安乐王探出头来，道：“楚休红么？” 见到安乐王的样子，我的心才算定了下来，但也证实了我的猜测。郑昭并不是要绑架安乐王，只是想让安乐王送他出城。 我在车前下马跪下，道：“王爷，末将也来为郑先生送行。” 安乐王微微一笑，道：“难得你有心。上车来吧。” 安乐王推开车门，我跨了上去，安乐王对面正是郑昭坐着。我上来时，他眼中有些闪烁不定，准是我追上来让他大吃一惊。只是他读不出我的心思，多半不知道我早就已在文侯跟前失宠了。我心中暗笑，拱了拱手道：“郑先生。” 郑昭眼里闪过一丝惊惧，勉强笑了笑道：“多谢楚将军厚爱。”我这般突如其来地追上来，纵然他智珠在握，也会担心我是不是受文侯临时之命紧急捉拿他回去。我道：“郑先生原来要连夜赶回五羊城，小将先前不知，尚有与郑兄盘桓数日之心，未曾想草草别过，实是不敬之至。” 郑昭这时倒平静下来，道：“在下在帝都颇招人忌，自不敢招摇，何况拙荆归乡心切，还望楚将军见谅。” 他突然说起白薇，我心头又是一痛。他这样说，多半是认定我奉文侯之命不顾一切来对付他了，想让我看在白薇面上放过他一马。只是他对安乐王使了摄心术，让我大为愤怒。我笑了笑道：“郑兄学究天人，小将仰慕之极，实想再请教数日。” 郑昭的脸一下白了。在他听来，我说的这话已经是承认要对付他了。他低头不语，安乐王在一边忽然道：“郑先生，楚休红也是一片好意，不知是否可以再留数日？” 安乐王这样一说，我已明白郑昭并没有对他用摄心术了。看来郑昭确实是大得安乐王欢心，以至于肯送到城门口。想通这一点，我对郑昭的愤怒一下子便消失了。郑昭咬了咬牙，抬起头道：“既蒙楚将军错爱，晚生不敢贸然相别。只是拙荆急着回乡，只好让她先走了。” 听他愿意留下来，只是要让白薇走，我心中更是一软，道：“郑兄伉俪情深，令人称羡。小将不敢如此不通情理，令郑兄受拆鸾之苦。” 郑昭长舒一口气，长长一躬身，道：“多谢楚兄。” 此时已经到了城门口了。门官高声喝道：“是什么人？城门已闭……”话未说完，陈超航已然喝道：“我家安乐王爷出城送客，快快开门！” 陈超航这人有点狗仗人势，这两句喝得中气十足，比那门官更有威势。果然那门官的声音一下哑了，过了一阵，只听外面有个人道：“末将康宗佐不知王爷大驾光临，死罪死罪。” 帝都的王公国戚向来都是无法无天的，加上帝君兄弟多，即位后帝都更是多出一大批王爷。这些王爷别的用没有，就会发威。这些王爷在天保年间作为皇子，不少受封为一字王，如今帝君即位，他们的一字王保不住，成了二字王。王号里的字加多了，却更不值钱，加上文侯的新政大大减少他们的俸禄，这些王爷的脾气大多不好，前不久刚出了一件事，帝君的四弟静海王，以前的信王，因为在一个酒楼里跟人呕气，就叫了一帮家人把那酒楼砸了个精光，在金吾卫过来弹压时，静海王还大打出手，将金吾卫也打伤。这事闹得民怨很大，文侯要对静海王治罪，帝君则因为这个弟弟与他关系不错，只让他闭门思过，夺禄一年，轻轻放过了。事后帝君下诏让这些兄弟注意言行，不得再做出格的事。说来好笑，我名义上是安乐王府郡马，帝君对王亲国戚下的诏书居然也给我下了一份，我才得知这事，但在民间那些王爷名声已坏，人人见了都怕，这个康宗佐大概已被吓惨了，抱了个多一事不如少一事的心。 看来，南宫闻礼现在改革吏制是自下而上，实在有点本末倒置。吏制清平，决不是汰去冗员，提拔能吏就能树立起来的。上行下效，如果上面尽是一些无耻之徒，那有什么资格要求下面的官吏清廉正直？ 我不禁看了看郑昭，心里突然间极其悲哀。不论共和军是不是说的一套做的一套，那些“以人为尚”、“以民为本”有没有成为事实，至少共和军还做一些表面文章，而帝国却连这种表面文章都没有，制造出来的只有尊王团一类的愚民。 郑昭这时倒没有注意我，只是向安乐王行了一礼，道：“王爷，晚生此去，不知何时复返。王爷大恩，晚生他日有缘再见王爷之时方能图报。” 他向安乐王行了一礼，忽然转过头，道：“楚兄，在下也将告辞，多谢楚兄相送之情。” 现在到底该不该让他走？我心里又有些犹豫。让他回去自是放虎归山，但他一直在努力弥合帝国与共和军之间的裂缝，两方的盟约也是他全力支持才得以订立。何况他的本事虽然神奇，在战阵上却毫无用处，对战事根本没有影响，如果文侯想杀了他，只不过是因为在这个人面前他不能保留自己的秘密吧。现在帝国与共和军的同盟即将破裂，错并不在他们这一方，我就算拿下他，无非是讨得文侯的欢心，别的一点好处都没有。 我叹了口气，小声道：“郑兄，我再送你最后几步。” 下了车，我与他都上了马。向前走了一程，郑昭微微一笑，道：“楚兄，多谢成全。” 我不再和他打机锋了，将手按在刀上，小声道：“郑兄，你这般一走，是不是帝国与共和军又要势不两立了？” 郑昭怔了怔，忽然叹道：“楚兄，我再假装不知，那是看不起你了。”他抬起头，看着我，低低道：“共和军与帝国的战争，已是迫在眉睫。” 我苦笑了一下，道：“难道没有挽救的余地么？” 郑昭微微一笑，道：“你也该知道，文侯大人随时都会对我们下手。这同盟原本就是互相利用的，楚兄聪明人，难道真信有同舟共济，坦荡无私之事么？” 他见我又要说什么，笑了笑道：“郑某定下这条脱身之计，虽然自信瞒得过文侯大人，只怕瞒不过楚兄你。但楚兄看来也不曾想到，在下以身为饵，丁将军他们早已出城了。文侯之网虽密，但未撒之前，犹是沧海一片。” 我又苦笑了一下，道：“确实。我该向文侯大人进言，说丁亨利才是该留下来的，你对战事没什么影响。” 郑昭的脸上更是笑得高深莫测，摇了摇头道：“楚兄若是这等人物，我早就束手就擒了。只是楚兄真是这等人物，恐怕楚兄自己早已身首异处。” 他的话虽然很有点玄妙，但我已明白他话中的意思。在五羊城丁亨利送我回来，就算我看破了郑昭的脱身之计，现在仍然无法去对付丁亨利。而我如果真是这等不择手段的人物，恐怕文侯就是第一个容不得我的人了。 我道：“郑兄，你想过没有，也许帝国与共和军仍有修好的余地。” 郑昭想了想，道：“恐怕没有了。”他长长叹了口气，又道：“苍生苦难，不知伊于胡底。” “也许有的。”我想说，这时身后忽然响起了白薇的声音：“楚休红！” I turn my head.白薇也骑在一匹马上，看来她与郑昭准备轻身而退。她一脸惊愕，眼中却不知是什么神情。我的心头又是一痛，在马上行了一礼，道：“郑夫人，一路走好。” 白薇想说什么，终还是没有说。看着他两人的身影渐渐消失在暮色中，我不禁长叹了一声。 郑昭还是对安乐王用了摄心术。在他下车时，我突然提出要下车送他，照理安乐王肯定要说两句的，但安乐王一声不吭，显然就是中了摄心术了。可是当初想到他对安乐王施摄心术时的愤怒已经荡然无存，耳边回响的总是他最后一句话：“苍生苦难，不知伊于胡底。”