Chapter 20 Chapter Twenty

After Huo Guang left, Liu Xun began to reduce the influence of the Huo family, and went to Huo Chengjun less and less, until finally he disappeared in Jiaofang Palace. In the second year after Huo Guang's death, Liu Xun launched a thunderous offensive after preparing everything, and began to investigate the cause of Xu Pingjun's death in detail. The doctor Shan Yan confessed that he conspired with the Huo family to poison Queen Xu.Huo Yu, Huo Shan, and Huo Yun were forced to try to fight back, but when they failed, they were thrown into prison by Liu Xun for treason, and the rest of the Huo clan were also convicted and executed.Huo Chengjun was deprived of his post and relegated to the cold palace.Back then, the Huo family was so powerful and had followers all over the government and the public. In a blink of an eye, only Huo Chengjun was left.

Liu Xun's confidant was finally eradicated. With the downfall of the Huo family and the return of the imperial power, two new power groups surfaced. One is the "Black Army" trained by Liu Xun himself. They have mastered the Imperial Army, the Yulin Battalion, and even the army.On the surface, the army in black and the eunuch are Liu Xun's right-hand men, and they should work together as one, but He Xiaoqi always feels that the men in black look at him strangely, and he can't help but think of that The men in black who were buried alive by him often broke out in a cold sweat in the summer.

Meng Jue knew Liu Xun's next move very well, Liu Xun knew he knew it clearly, and he also knew that Liu Xun knew him well, and both of them understood that the two of them had reached this point in this game of chess. They want to be poor and show their daggers, but the two people are still the king is a wise king, and the minister is a virtuous minister, acting politely. Not long after Huo Guang died of illness, Meng Jue asked Liu Xun to resign from his official position. Liu Xun accepted the memorial, but did not answer him.On the second day, the "army in black" personally trained by Liu Xun began to seize pawnshops in various parts of the city, searching and arresting people.He Xiaoqi would be able to collect all the crimes he was convicted of. Now that he is familiar with the codes of the Great Han Dynasty, he is very handy with these things. The charges one by one can be described as high-sounding and convincing.On the third day, Meng Jue asked Liu Xun for his resignation letter.

After that, one of the shops in Chang'an City will close or close down in a few days. Every time Liu Xun received He Xiaoqi's secret report, he was always not very happy or angry, but every time He Xiaoqi played it, he was disappointed. The emperor already knew about these closed shops. Show weakness to the emperor, or mock the emperor?How did Meng Jue know that he had found these shops? When the shops on He Xiaoqi's list were almost closed, one day, Meng Jue finished teaching Liu Xi and said to him with a smile, "I have taught His Highness all the things I have been able to teach you over the years."

After hearing this, Liu Shi slowly curled his hands together, and asked calmly, "Is the Tai Tuo leaving too?" Meng Jue didn't answer, just smiled and said: "Your father and emperor have different personalities and political views. Don't contradict him face to face in the future. Although he treats you differently from other princes, the most fickle thing in the world is the human heart." Liu Shi pursed his lips and said stubbornly, "I'm not afraid of him!" Meng Jue didn't say any more, got up to leave, Liu Xi stood up and wanted to see him off, Meng Jue said: "I want to go alone, you don't have to see him off."

Although Liu Xi is the crown prince, he has followed Meng Jue since he was a child, and has seen him far more than his father. He has admiration, respect, trust, and fear of him.Hearing his refusal, he could only stop and stand at the door, looking at Meng Jue's back reluctantly. After Meng Jue's figure disappeared, he was about to turn around and enter the house, but found Meng Jue's favorite jade jade left on the ground, so he quickly picked it up and went after Meng Jue. When Meng Jue was about to reach the front hall, he saw Liu Xun in a casual robe, standing with his hands behind his back, watching the river and enjoying the scenery, which just blocked his way.

Meng Jue went over to salute, "Your Majesty." Liu Xun raised his hand to ask him to get up, but he didn't say a word, and Meng Jue also stood still with a smile. A palace lady passed by and saw them rushing up to salute, with their sleeves fluttering lightly, there was a faint fragrance.Liu Xun was in a daze for a moment, and asked, "The low light lotus in Linchi is open?" Cheng'er lowered her head and replied: "Yes! The flowers have bloomed just right these few days, and the empress dowager rewarded the servants with two lotus plants." Liu Xun remained silent, and after a while, he waved his hand to let Cheng'er back down.

Not far away, the sound of the Cang River was surging. Liu Xun said to Meng Jue: "I have been alone all these years, why are you alone?" Meng Jue smiled and said, "The emperor has beauties in the harem and a son, how can he be considered a lonely family?" Liu Xun asked blankly, "What do you think of King Guangling?" Meng Jue said lightly: "A mediocre person is nothing to worry about." Liu Xun nodded, it was exactly what he thought, keeping this kind of person is good and nothing bad. But Meng Jue asked immediately, "I remember that he likes to domesticate Jie dogs. Do you still keep them now?"

Liu Xun frowned slightly, and stared deeply at Meng Jue, but Meng Jue smiled lightly, as if he hadn't said anything. After a while, Liu Xun asked calmly: "After all, you and I have met each other once. Is there anything else you want to do but haven't done? I can do it for you." Meng Jue smiled: "I've always liked to do things myself." Liu Xun also laughed: "Then you go!" Meng Jue bowed slightly to leave, but instead of walking on the right path, he walked quickly towards the Cang River. Just as Liu Xun wanted to call him back, Meng Jue strode forward and asked, "Do you still remember?" The ice surface of the Cang River many years ago? That bloody battle between you and me!"

Liu Xun was stunned for a moment, then said: "Remember! Mr. Ping asked me countless times later how we saved her and Yun Ge." "When you went to find Liu Fuling, you also killed many guards, right?" Liu Xun smiled, "Never less than yours!" ... He Xiaoqi, who was hiding in the dark, saw that something unexpected happened to the reservation plan, hesitated and didn't know what to do, and wanted to send someone to ask the emperor for instructions, but seeing that Meng Jue was still calm and chatting happily until now , his anger reached its peak, Brother Heizi and his shattered corpses hovered in front of his eyes, and the dripping blood rushed straight to his forehead.

After years of forbearance, I finally waited for this day, and I can't wait any longer!With Meng Jue's ability, even the emperor was not sure that he would be able to kill him outside the palace. He Xiaoqi nodded to the archers lurking all around, and took the lead to draw the bow and arrow in his hand to the full, then shot the arrow full of his deep-rooted hatred towards Meng Jue's back. Hearing the sound of the arrows, Meng Jue turned around abruptly, retreating towards the Cang River, and blocked the arrows with his palm, but there were no shortage of sharp arrows, avoiding the first round. A dozen arrows pierced his chest, and in an instant, his chest was filled with feathered arrows, blood staining his robe. Liu Xun stood with his hands behind his back, standing in the distance, looking at him indifferently, and he also looked at Liu Xun. In the silence, their eyes were still clashing, silently dropping the last piece of the game. There was no joy in Liu Xun's eyes, and he just stated a fact indifferently, "We finally finished the game that we hadn't finished playing, and I won." There was no sadness in Meng Jue's eyes, only a slight sarcasm, "Really?" Under the indifferent ridicule, it was three points tired, three points bored, and four points indifference.His body was staggering, and he couldn't stand still anymore. The pain made his eyes blurred. Liu Xun's figure faded away, and a man in green came towards him with a smile.There was a slight smile on his lips suddenly, and he looked at the high and vast blue sky.Aside from the turmoil of the world of mortals, at the end of the long white clouds, has she forgotten everything and found her tranquility? Did she really forget all about me? Is her illness better? If you can't seek it in this life, then you can only cultivate the next life... His body fell backwards, with the surging river behind him, his body fell into the water, and he was swept away without even splashing the water. He Xiaoqi ordered softly, and the eunuch hiding in the dark quickly disappeared without leaving a trace.A group of guards arrived at this time, and Liu Xun ordered: "Block the river and search for the assassin's body." Zhang Anshi and Zhang He arrived panting, and they didn't know whether it was sweat or tears on Zhang He's face. Just as he was about to speak, Zhang Anshi held him down and dragged him to his knees. Zhang Anshi said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Cang River flows directly into the Wei River, and the Wei River connects to the Yellow River. Chang'an's waterways are complex, but Zhang He is very familiar with them. Why don't you let Zhang He lead someone to search for them?" Liu Xun's trust in Zhang He was different from ordinary people. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Zhang Aiqing, you lead the troops to do this. Don't say anything about this matter, only report to me." Zhang He was stunned for a moment, then came to his senses, and hurriedly kowtowed to accept the order.After getting up, he wiped his sweat and led the soldiers along the Cang River. Only then did Zhang Anshi kowtow again to plead guilty to Liu Xun, "I heard that the remnants of the Huo family attacked the emperor, and I'm guilty of waiting for the escort to arrive late!" Liu Xun didn't speak for a while, Zhang Anshi looked up secretly, and found that Liu Xun's eyes were staring at the side.Zhang Anshi turned his lowered head slightly, and saw Prince Liu Xi standing in the carved railing and jade building not far away. There seemed to be tears in his eyes. When he saw the emperor, he never went forward to salute. Without lowering his head, he stared at Liu Xun without hesitation.After a while, he suddenly turned around and ran away quickly. Zhang Anshi didn't dare to look any further, and knelt down respectfully with his forehead on the ground. After a while, Zhang Anshi saw Liu Xun's robe fluttering and moving away, and a cold voice came from a high place, "You all go down." Liu Xun walked to the front hall and outside the hall, but he was in a daze when he saw the empty hall. What am I doing here?The ministers have already dispersed! Randomly changed the direction and saw the palace of the Xuanshi Palace, and remembered that it was also an empty palace, with only piles of memorials waiting for him, but now he was indescribably tired and just wanted to find a comfortable place Take a good rest. He changed the direction again, walked a few steps, and found that he had been to the Jiaofang Temple thousands of times, although it was already an empty hall, he still felt disgusted, turned around and left. Liu Xun looked left and right, but he didn't know where to go.Weiyang Palace, Weiyang Palace!What about Changle Weiyang?With so many palaces, he couldn't even find a palace where he could rest peacefully for a while. Unknowingly, he walked out of Weiyang Palace. The streets are bustling with people coming and going, the shops are booming, people have money in their pockets, and everyone seems to be smiling.On the field ridge, there are farmers returning home with their lotus hoe, and a shepherd boy returning from herding cattle. The simple flute made of poplar bark is playing out of tune joy. Seeing Liu Xun, the shepherd boy carelessly freed up a hand to point the way. Liu Xun stepped aside and signaled him to make way, and Liu Xun really stepped aside, letting the shepherd boy and the herd go first.Under the curling smoke, in front of the thatched hut with the bamboo fence, the woman was feeding the chickens the last meal, while looking up at the end of the road from time to time to check if her husband had arrived. Seeing Liu Xun staring at her in a daze, she wanted to be annoyed. He scolded him, but found that his eyes seemed to be looking at him, but in fact his eyes were full of blankness. The woman thought it was a wanderer who was homesick, so she just turned around and hurried into the house. Liu Xun walked through the houses, and finally stood in front of two adjacent courtyards.When the stove in Bie's house was full of fire and the aroma of vegetables was savory, the two courtyards were deserted, the tiles were cold and the walls were cold. Liu Xun fiddled with it casually, and the lock opened accordingly. He walked to the kitchen, touched the cold stove, went to the main room, picked up a few bamboos scattered on the ground and put them away. When he saw the spider web in the corner, he Go to the kitchen to get a broom and sweep away the cobwebs.As he worked, he even finished sweeping the roof beams, the window panels, the window panels, and the floor. Then he simply fetched a bucket of well water and took a rag to clean the inside and outside of the house.Although I haven't done it for many years, I don't feel it's unfamiliar, and everything is very natural. It seems that he helped his wife do these things yesterday and the day before yesterday. The inside and outside of the house became bright and clean, but he was still not satisfied. Seeing the old boxes and cages in the back room, he opened them all and wanted to tidy them up. Most of the boxes were empty, except for an old box. A few old clothes. He vaguely remembered that when Liu Fuling rewarded the Hou Mansion, he asked Ping Jun to prepare to move. She unpacked all the bundled things and put them back in the original place. When it came to the clothes, Ping Jun refused to throw them away. He flipped through the few things in the box and threw them back into the box, not allowing her to take them with her. "These clothes have big patches and heavy small patches. No one will want them even if you give them to the girl who sweeps the floor of the Hou Mansion. What are you taking them with? Are you wearing them, or are you wearing them for me?" Ping Jun couldn't speak, and she still refused to let go of the old clothes without patches, so he could only sigh "a poor and frightened person" and let her go. ... Liu Xun casually picked up an old dress and took a closer look. It was an old jacket made for him by Jun Ping. The cuffs were covered with patches. , and the two sleeves, as far as he can distinguish, there are three or four embroidery methods.After spending all her time, she insisted on drawing the most delicate picture with inferior silk thread, and trimmed the patch as if it had been specially cut. Liu Xun's fingers stroked the embroidery on the cuff little by little, and finally he suddenly put the jacket on his body, closed his eyes, and sat quietly. He Xiaoqi could still hear the movement in the yard outside the yard before, although he thought the sound was weird, but after being by Liu Xun's side for many years, he has learned to talk less and be less curious.Later, he couldn't hear any more sound. He waited patiently for a long time. It was getting dark, but there was still no movement in the house. He couldn't help but feel worried, boldly stepped into the yard, and was surprised when he saw it. After seeing Liu Xun Daxia wearing a jacket from the window, he was so bluffed that he couldn't even speak. Liu Xun opened his eyes, glanced lightly, and He Xiaoqi immediately knelt down softly on the ground, "Emperor... Your Majesty, God... it's getting late." Liu Xun stood up quietly, and carefully folded the jacket on his body. He Xiaoqi wanted to take it, but Liu Xun held it in his hand with great care. As he walked out, he ordered: "Lock the house." Okay, send someone to look at it, and... the house next to it." "Yes! Do you want to send someone to clean it regularly?" After a moment of silence, two words rang out, "No." He Xiaoqi looked at the bright and clean room, realized something, and quietly locked the courtyard door. Liu Xun didn't go back to the palace, but was still wandering in the countryside, seeing the fields full of greenery, the fruit trees and pergolas flourishing, and the lights in every house were warm, he seemed to be slightly happy, but it was only fleeting. The sun has completely set, and the moon has just risen, like a girl's curved eyebrows, hanging on the top of Dongshan Mountain, with a shy charm.The insects in the field seemed to have made an appointment, playing their own instruments one after another, singing in harmony with each other.The fireflies also lit up small lanterns and flew around. A few fireflies flew past Liu Xun, passing Liu Xun's eyes, and he continued walking without paying attention.As he was walking, he suddenly stopped, turned around and looked back.He Xiaoqi immediately bowed to obey the orders, but Liu Xun didn't pay attention to him at all, he just looked around the hillside, suddenly, he walked quickly to a hillside, hurriedly looking for something among the bushes between the hillsides. He Xiaoqi said cautiously: "Whatever the emperor wants to find, I can help you find it together." Liu Xun listened but did not hear, still carefully inspecting tree by tree.Then, he stood in front of a tree, stroking a scar on the tree with his fingers.He took off the dagger at his waist and cut in along the scar, and a thing wrapped in tung oil cloth fell to the ground. Liu Xun knelt down and picked up the cloth roll, but did not open it immediately.He sat on the hillside, silently looking into the distance. Fireflies flicker and extinguish in the weeds, sometimes approaching and sometimes far away.Liu Xun casually pulled up a piece of grass from the ground, thinking that if this grass was used to fight weeds, it would be a victorious general, and if Jun Ping used it, Yun Ge would definitely get drunk.He suddenly felt that the night was too quiet and deserted, so he flicked the grass out with his fingertips. After the grass flew out for a while, it fell to the ground lonely. He robbed and robbed. After sitting for a long time, he put the roll of tung oil cloth on his lap, opened the roll, and the thin silk handkerchiefs were quietly lying on his lap. He opened a silk handkerchief, there was no word on it, he laughed, this should be his own. Who will be next? He froze after opening the silk handkerchief.There is no word on the white silk handkerchief, and it is also blank.After a moment, he shook his head and threw it aside.There are two blanks, and it is not clear which one belongs to Meng Jue and which one belongs to him. On the third silk handkerchief, there is a drawing of a lazy man with a half-smile on his lips, blinking at the person looking at the silk handkerchief, as if saying: "Wish is the deepest secret in a person's heart, how can it be possible?" Write it down for you to take a peek?" There are only a few strokes, but they are vivid, vividly depicting the expression of a person teasing others. Unnecessary!Liu Xun snorted coldly, and threw the silk handkerchief aside. Looking at the remaining two silk handkerchiefs quietly, he did not move for a while.Through the silk handkerchief, you can vaguely see the beautiful ink marks, he gently opened a corner, and a line of beautiful characters, with Yun Ge, came across time and space. A woman in green clothes is sitting on the hillside, smiling, groups of fireflies flickering on her palms and sleeves, making her look like a mountain elf.She held one lightly, and made a wish on it carefully, "I made a wish to fly together..." She let go of her palm lightly, and the fireflies flew out. She looked up at it flying higher and higher. Liu Xun gradually approached her, trying to hear her wish clearly, but suddenly, he stopped, staring at the warmth between her brows, and didn't want to disturb her anymore!He sighed deeply, closed Yun Ge's silk handkerchief, gently put it aside, looked down at the last silk handkerchief in his hand, only felt his heart beating faster, his body stiffened, unable to move at all. The girl with a red nose from the cold came timidly from a distance, her figure gradually grew taller, less shy and more aggressive, and she no longer dodged when she saw them, but raised her head and passed proudly, the two braids Xiaohonghua flicked and flicked with the dangling pole of "Chi You Chi You", but she was so strong and aggressive, hiding a heart of inferiority and shyness. He smiled and shook his head. She thought she was smart, but she was actually stupid and stupid. She didn't understand anything. How could she be so stupid?Her stupid indulgence surpassed his stupidity! Who is more stupid among us? God gave fate, let him and her know each other when they were young, this fate was generous enough to be extravagant, living next to each other, getting along day and night, not seeing each other when looking up.But he thinks she is like a wild vegetable in white water, under the ordinary fireworks, she is ordinary to boring, inconspicuous to contemptible, deep in his heart, what he faintly yearns for is the elegance and splendor that can match the carved railings and jade in his dream, and because it is out of reach, he becomes more and more beautiful. Longing, he always thought that the elegance and splendor that he couldn't get would make him never forget, but he didn't know that the ordinary warmth of the fireworks in the world had already been unforgettable. As long as he stretches out his hand lightly, he can easily catch the "fate" given by God and turn it into the "share" of this life.But he was busy chasing among the carved railings and jade bricks, and was too afraid that if he didn't pay attention, he would fall into the dull world of fireworks again, so he didn't have the energy and didn't want to turn around and reach out. Who is that stupid? Mr. Ping, it seems that I am more stupid. Can you hear these words?Maybe, you don't want to listen to it at all, and you don't care anymore.He laughed so hard that he couldn't even stand upright, holding the silk handkerchief tightly in his hand, his face pressed against the old cotton jacket, a few drops of water faintly blurred on the embroidery of the cotton jacket. "Fireflies, light up the lanterns, fly to the west, fly to the east, and fly to my sister Bo Luoyi. Fireflies, playing lanterns, flying high, flying low, so that my brother can ride a big horse. Riding a big horse, carrying my sister, visiting the East Street and West Market, buying some rouge for my sister. ..." A little girl came out from the grass humming a song, and behind her a boy was catching fireflies.The little girl suddenly saw Liu Xun sitting on the ground, she was startled, and her singing stopped, but the little boy just glanced at Liu Xun carelessly, and continued to chase the fireflies. The little girl looked at Liu Xun curiously, and saw that he wanted to open the silk handkerchief, but closed it slowly.She poked her head, leaned close to Liu Xun and asked, "Uncle, what's on it?" Liu Xun looked at the red flowers on her braid, and said softly, "It's a person's wish." "Is it your relative? Why don't you read it? If you watch it, you can help her realize her wish. She must be very happy." The little girl became excited. Liu Xun didn't speak, but carefully put the silk handkerchief into his arms.He has nothing to look forward to for the rest of his life, only the things on this silk handkerchief are unknown, he needs to leave some expectations for himself, it seems that there is no end between her and him, it is still going on, there are still unknowns and expectations hope. Seeing that Liu Xun ignored her, the little girl pursed her lips sullenly. Seeing her appearance, Liu Xun felt a gentle touch in his heart, and said softly, "I have done many things wrong, and she is already angry." "Ah? Do you regret it?" Liu Xun nodded. The little girl sighed sympathetically, propped her chin and said, "Because I stole the candy, my mother was angry with me, but I don't regret it! Because I knew that my mother would be angry if she found out that I was disobedient, but the candy It's really delicious, I just want to eat it! So even if I do it again, I will still steal it." The little girl asked with big eyes blinking, "What about you? If you do it again, will you not do those wrong things? " Liu Xun froze in astonishment. "Hey! I want to ask you a question! If I do it again..." The boy in the distance shouted impatiently: "Wild girl, are you still going to catch fireflies? Begging me to come, but you are lazy, I'm going home!" The little girl didn't care about Liu Xun anymore, and hurriedly ran after the boy, and the two figures quickly disappeared into the grass. The sky was full of stars, the ground was twinkling with fireflies, and the evening breeze was cool. Liu Xun stood up silently and walked down the mountain.Behind him, four white silk handkerchiefs were scattered on the green grass. A gust of wind rolled up the silk handkerchiefs from the grass. Fell into the pitch black night, can no longer be found. Today's him, in the ends of the earth, can find everything, but only the lost past can no longer be found.