Chapter 8 Chapter Eight: The State Banquet of the Great Zhou Dynasty

Both sides of Guanfeng Square were full of horse-drawn carriages, and the horse-drawn carriages for the meeting were still on the way.All flying cavalry guards are dispatched, with distinctive armor, riding on patrol and maintaining order.Hundreds of torches were ignited around the square and on the city wall, and the flames were blazing brightly.On both sides of the gate of the main hall, colorful lighthouses are built. Each tower has thousands of colored lights and is as high as three feet. In the light, it is really beautiful.In the middle of the square, far away from the main hall, a fireworks firecracker tower is set up, at least five to six feet high. One can imagine the power of the fire after being ignited.

Longying, a country boy, let his demonic nature reach the sky, never thought that a banquet could have such a big battle, he was timid for a moment, he was hesitating whether to retreat and return to the safe and comfortable Gan Tangyuan, the excuse was that there were so many people, It won't be an eyesore if I am missing myself. Anyway, the work has not been completed in a day.Suddenly felt something, looked back. A man who looked like a jade tree facing the wind, tall and upright, full of bookishness came to him, grabbed his arm, and sighed: "I didn't expect to be mistaken, the method of planting demons is really extraordinary."

It is the long-lost Feng Guoting, Wu Zhao's swordsman in front of the imperial court, and the most outstanding celebrity among the Beimen scholars. Longying was escorted into the square by him, and smiled wryly, "Where are you going?" The square is full of guests who have not yet entered the palace, chatting and laughing in groups of three or four, the atmosphere is lively, when seeing two people coming, they either greet them with a smile, or beckon them to come over, Feng Guoting can't stop returning the greeting, but they keep walking , led the Dragon Eagle across the square, walked to a quieter corner near the city wall, and let him go.

Feng Guoting stared at him for a long time, shook his head and sighed: "There are still such romantic people as Brother Long in the world, it's unexpected." Although Long Ying was uncomfortable with his sharp eyes, but from the moment he met him, he had a good impression of him, and he was really happy in his heart, and said: "This is exactly what my little brother said in his heart when he first met Mr. Feng. .” Feng Guoting said: "Brother Long, you are welcome." Long Ying said: "I also want to thank Mr. Feng for saving my little brother's life."

Feng Guoting said happily: "Brother Long doesn't regard Guoting as killing his master's enemy, Guoting is very relieved." Long Ying snorted and said: "My little brother hates people who are hypocritical and self-serving. Old Du has bad intentions towards my little brother from the beginning. In fact, he never let me call him master, only Mr. Du." He asked casually: "Since there are Beimen bachelors, of course there are things like Beimen Academy. Where are they?" Feng Guoting said: "Brother Long misunderstood, the so-called North Gate refers to the Xuanwu Gate, the main back gate of Miyagi. The Holy Majesty enlisted a group of people in the name of compiling, and Guoting was one of them. He authorized us to go through Xuanwu Gate. In and out of the ban, to provide advice to the Holy One, so they are called Beimen Bachelor, and there is no such facility as an official office."

He added: "Just now I deliberately grabbed Brother Long's arm, but no matter how much Ren Guoting probed, he still couldn't detect the depth of Brother Long. It was a very scary feeling. Fortunately, Brother Long was not an enemy of the court." Long Ying suddenly realized that the Beimen Scholars were the think tank team trained by Wu Zhao, and they were an important tool in her hands. Said: "Young Master Feng is quite clear about the situation of my younger brother." Feng Guoting said: "Guoting arrived in Beijing this afternoon, and was summoned immediately by the Holy Majesty. It took half an hour to report, but it took the whole hour to talk about you. I went to the Holy Majesty to point out that Guoting absolutely trusts Brother Long. I really can't believe my words." Ears. How can I trust the Evil Emperor of the Demon Sect? It’s only now that I’ve seen Brother Long, and I’m so impressed by the Holy Majesty’s eyes.”

Longying Daqi said: "What can I talk about?" Feng Guoting said sincerely, "It starts with the secret mission of the court." Thinking of all the taboos in the palace, Long Ying hurriedly said: "This matter is confidential, you better not reveal it, my lord." Feng Guoting said: "How can Guoting be so careless? Apart from the Holy One, you are the only person who is qualified to participate in this matter. It is also necessary to let Brother Long know, because Guoting urgently needs a helper like Brother Long. Others just get in the way." Long Ying said embarrassingly: "Praise the son so much that the younger brother blush! As long as it is about the son, the younger brother will go through fire and water, and he will die."

Feng Guoting winked at him, and said with a smile, "Isn't it the Holy Majesty's business?" This person's demeanor is as good as Wan Renyu's, but he is more free and easy, making Long Ying get along with him like a spring breeze. With a wry smile, "Can I not answer this?" Feng Guoting looked in the direction of the main hall and said: "While there is still some time, let Guoting make a concise report to Brother Long. After leaving Brother Long's valley that day, he went to Dajiang instead of returning to Beijing, and traveled west along the river from Yangzhou , to enter Shu through the Three Gorges, in order to follow the secret orders of the Holy Spirit to investigate the reality of the Dajiang Lian."

Long Ying asked in surprise: "What is Da Jiang Lian? If the Holy Majesty is not happy, how can they survive if he gives an order?" Feng Guoting said: "I also had this idea at first, but the more I know, the more I feel that Dajianglian is not simple, and it almost died. Otherwise, why bother Brother Long?" Long Ying said with great interest: "I would like to hear the details! There is someone in the world who almost took the life of the young master." Feng Guoting said: "Dajianglian has a history of more than a hundred years. It was a loose organization at the beginning, and it took over a hundred gangs of all sizes operating in the Yangtze River area. But in the past ten years, it has begun to deteriorate. It has changed from a guild-like organization to It has become a big gang with a tight structure and is waiting for the hegemony. The momentum gradually surpasses the Zhuhua Gang. In addition, the Bamboo Flower Gang suffered huge losses in the battle of Yangzhou and its vitality was greatly damaged. Da Jianglian has the potential to replace it. Very restrained, suppressing forces in the Yangtze River Basin. The most brilliant thing is that the gangs under the banner still retain their respective names and structures. People don’t know which gang is the main one, which gang is the deputy, and who is in charge. If you want to sweep the Dajiang Federation, I am afraid that more than 100,000 people have been killed, but they still cannot be completely wiped out."

Long Ying was speechless: "There are so many people?" Feng Guoting said: "Brother Long should now understand why the Holy Majesty attaches importance to this matter. Da Jiang Lian is suspicious. Its intentions are too numerous to list. First of all, it is to buy people's hearts on a large scale. However, under the surface of doing good deeds, many assassinations were involved, including the leaders of local gangs and court officials. If the court investigation is correct, it is also involved in human trafficking, usury, receiving stolen goods, etc. It’s a business that makes a lot of money but everyone hates it. Damn it! I’m sure they have a secret base not far from overseas, and the person responsible for it is likely to be an outsider who intends to split up China and facilitate a large-scale invasion by foreigners.”

Long Ying's heart was itching, and hearing Feng Guoting, such a gentle and elegant swordsman, couldn't help but swear, and suddenly felt that the distance between the two sides was greatly shortened.Sighed: "Such an opponent is hard to find in the world. His grandma's, when will we go and pick his mother's Da Jianglian?" Feng Guoting smiled and said: "Tell Brother Long one more thing, and I will leave the rest for tomorrow. Before returning to Beijing, I went to Hainan Island to observe the entry and exit of ships and their course. Suddenly, I was attacked. Everyone covered their faces, and their martial arts were tyrannical." , I tried my best to injure several of them, and escaped from Hainan Island. The process was so thrilling that I dare not underestimate the other party. Ha! The so-called words are not speculative, but the conversation with Brother Long became more interesting. What a pity the time There are not many, you must enter the hall before the arrival of the Holy Majesty and the guest of honor, otherwise you will have to grope for the seats." Long Ying said happily: "Young Master Feng is such an interesting person, it will be a joy to be able to fight side by side with Young Master." Feng Guoting responded, "Each to each other!" They walked side by side towards the hall. ※※※ The two of them were still a hundred steps away from ascending the jade steps of the palace, when a horse-drawn carriage sped up, it should be the last guest before Sheng Jia arrived. The car drove past and reached the jade steps. Long Ying saw that the carriage was gorgeous, but it had the Tai Chi logo, which was quite incongruous, and asked in surprise, "Whose car?" Feng Guoting said: "Of course it is the car of Min Xuanqing, the most famous female crown in Luoyang, nicknamed 'Heavenly Lady'. Look!" Among the dozen or so people who were still gathered at the bottom of the jade steps, seven or eight of them got into the carriage. It seemed that this woman was very popular with ministers and ministers. Feng Guoting leaned into Long Ying's ear and said, "Every time Min Xuanqing discusses Taoism in her Sanqing Temple, there are always no seats left, but ninety percent of them are drunkards who don't want to drink. Don't think that the Taoist sect has strict rules and regulations, and you can make friends like Min Xuanqing. It’s vast, it’s a must-see when you come and go from a wealthy family, you’ll be there when you’re drunk, you’ll play and laugh, you’ll be able to do everything, and there’s a lot of wit in it, you’ll know it once you’ve tried it.” Long Ying couldn't help thinking of the concept of women that Junchen had mentioned.But of course Min Xuanqing had another status, and he was recognized by the courtiers and scholars, otherwise it would be impossible for him to be invited to the state banquet. Min Xuanqing stepped out of the carriage and went up to the palace surrounded by everyone. Due to the obstruction of his sight, he couldn't see clearly. He only vaguely saw her in a crown dress, with a very beautiful figure, and she walked gracefully. No wonder Feng Guoting talked about her with relish. road. The two walked up the stone steps side by side, and most of the guests had already entered the hall. Suddenly, there was a bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang bang. Feng Guoting said: "The holy driver has just arrived at the gate of the main hall!" ※※※ The appearance of Guanfeng Hall is magnificent, but it is only when you enter the hall that you will know its true scale. So far, the biggest mansion Long Ying has seen is the Yi Mansion Hall where he competed with Hengkong Muye last night, but compared to the Guanfeng Hall, it is insignificant. There are 16 huge wooden pillars supporting the beams of the hall decorated with painted clouds and dragons. There are 24 windows on each side. Seats are set at the state banquet according to the ancient etiquette. The guard of honor bands are placed on both sides of the gate of the hall, and the front and rear rows of seats are divided into left and right, with two people in each seat, more than 200 seats.Long Ying stepped into the hall, feeling as if he had entered the kingdom of giants by mistake, Feng Guoting patted him on the shoulder, apologised, and went to find a seat on his own without any need for the eunuchs to lead the way. Long Ying secretly scolded Feng Guoting for not being loyal enough, and someone sang loudly: "Mr. Long Yinglong, the state guest of the Great Zhou, is here!" Long Ying was taken aback, and almost turned around to run away, the fat father-in-law's voice rang in his ears, saying: "Only those who are first-rank officials or above, or who have been crowned kings and dukes, are eligible to be sung." The hall suddenly fell silent, high officials and minor officials, beauties and celebrities all cast their eyes on him, making him a target of public criticism, and he was so embarrassed that he called for help. The fat father-in-law giggled and said: "There is always a first time for everything. If you get used to it, you will soon lose your sense. Come! It is the honor of the Holy One to let the father-in-law lead you to the table in person. My God! Take heart, you How do you meet people now, don't forget who you are." Long Ying remembered that among the people who watched him was the "Goddess" Min Xuanqing, if he looked like a wimp, he would still be joking and teasing with drinking if he had a chance to meet in the future.With a sudden determination, the upper body of the demon seed suddenly became invincible, just like the aura that killed Xue Huaiyi in front of tens of thousands of people that night. The fat father-in-law gasped and said, "It's too hot!" Longying changed his face to a smile, and became calm, kind and natural. Fat Eunuch said: "Follow me!" Move ahead. Longying followed behind him calmly, naturally showing the demeanor of a generation of evil emperors, looking left and right, smiling back at everyone's gaze, while walking towards the other end of the hall with only two seats.Seeing that the fat father-in-law led Longying to the table, everyone felt that he was a special person, something extraordinary. The seats on both sides of the chairman have not been occupied yet, and they should be reserved for the royal family and guests of honor. Fat Eunuch stopped, and when Longying came beside him, he continued to move, and said, "You are the chief on the left." Longying was taken aback and almost lost his demon heart. Fat Eunuch said: "This is Hengkong Muye's request, if you want to ask, just ask him." Long Ying saw that the chairmen sitting closest to the left seat were Di Renjie and another high-ranking official, who were six seats away from his seat, so he thought to his mother that he, the state guest of honor, was being praised too highly. Di Renjie winked at him and told him to go over and talk. The fat father-in-law raised his eyebrows and said, "Go! Remember that it is the first seat in the front row. Don't take the wrong seat. I have to go to meet the Holy Majesty." In this environment, seeing acquaintances is like seeing relatives, Long Ying moved to Di Renjie's seat and sat down, and Di Renjie introduced him to several high-ranking officials in the vicinity as usual. Everything is confused. Di Renjie came close to his ear and whispered: "Brother Long, do you blame the old man?" Longying was searching for Min Xuanqing, and said, "Why do you blame the old man?" Di Renjie said: "The old man really wronged you, so you have no interest in Ouxian." Longying couldn't find Min Xuanqing's beautiful figure, came back to his senses, and hurriedly said: "Of course not, my younger brother not only likes to see Miss Ouxian, but also finds it very fun to fight with her. But since Mr. Guo has this concern, Of course, the boy understands. I also thought that it would be bad luck for Miss Ouxian to come to see the boy sooner or later, and it would not be considered a breach of promise for her to come to me, so I really didn't blame the old man." Di Renjie smiled wryly and said: "It's really you. Brother Long has only been a god for three days, and the events he has done are sensational, and the gods seem to be reversed by you. For a person like you, how could no one have heard of you before?" name?" Long Ying put his heart to one side, and said: "Elder Guo is so smart, how could he not guess why I came to God's capital and work in the imperial study every day? As for the fact that no one has ever heard of the boy's name, it's all because of Long Ying. It's new." Di Renjie stared at him with sparkling eyes and said in a deep voice, "As Ren Yu guessed, you are that guy named Xiao Pu." Long Ying said: "The boy is the living Dao Xin's great method of planting demons, which was originally used by Du Ao as a furnace. The boy is a Dao Xin, and he will plant demons and seize demons, and put me to death. Did you know that Lu Zhuanfeng returned, In the end, he cultivated Dafa for me." Di Renjie's expression remained unchanged and he said, "Why are you suddenly willing to tell the whole story?" Long Ying said calmly: "Master Zhang Jianzhi said that the old man is willing to keep secrets for me. What's more, my only way out now is to restore Li Xian and ascend the throne. That kid can get out of the current predicament. Problem solved.” Di Renjie pondered for a moment, nodded and said: "I will definitely keep the secret for you. Sigh! The restoration of Zhongzong is not optimistic, because the Holy Admiral will announce it within a day or two. Wu Chengsi is the first offering, Wu Sansi is the final offering, and Prince Li Dan can only stand aside." He said again: "So you are the new generation of evil emperor, the last disciple of the Demon Sect. Alas! And you are the most powerful master of the Demon Sect after Shi Zhixuan. Now I really have a headache for you." Long Ying smiled and said: "The boy is just taking advantage of the evil emperor. As for the final offering of the sub-offering, the elders don't have to worry about it. According to my opinion, the Holy Majesty throws stones to ask the way, aiming to test your reaction. Because the Holy Majesty knows better than anyone else. Once Wu Cheng Si that bastard becomes the Crown Prince, the world will be torn apart, and there will never be another possibility." Di Renjie cheered up and said, "Is there any basis for your statement?" Long Ying said: "Of course there is evidence. This is the reason why Feng Guo traveled outside the court, but since the boy promised Mr. Feng, it is inconvenient to disclose it." Di Renjie said dissatisfied: "It's started a new round of concealment tricks." Long Ying said with a smile: "Everything is fine, can you go and play with Miss Ouxian now, kid?" Di Renjie smiled wryly, "It seems that I should forbid you to come and go. Right?" The two looked at each other and couldn't help laughing, causing everyone in the front and back to look sideways. Longying said in a low voice: "Don't worry, Mr. Guo, I still have a lot of other confidential information. Please trust me, Mr. Guo, I'm on your side." At this time, the drums and music are loud, and the bells and drums are ringing together. The audience knelt down to greet them. Long Ying didn't want to be too intrusive, so he hurried back to his seat and knelt in the seat, thinking that Hengkong Muye would be easy to introduce, and forced himself to sit at the top of the chief seat, not to mention which bastard would be sitting next to him. Grandma's lack of friend morality. Couldn't help but peek around secretly.