Chapter 25 Chapter 24 A Thousand Miles Away

Chapter 24, A Thousand Miles and a Way Away After a few days of hasty marching, King Yong and other Yong troops joined forces, and King Yong's hundreds of thousands of troops retreated step by step to the territory of Dayong. So the next march is calm and comfortable. As a prisoner, I don’t have to live with other prisoners because I get preferential treatment. King Yong ordered to prepare a separate camp for me and Xiao Shunzi. Although it is a marching camp, it is very comfortable and exquisite. , The ground is covered with thick tapestry, and the gaps around the tent are tightly wrapped with fur, so that the cold autumn wind will not blow in.There is a large bed in one corner of the tent, which is enough for two people to sleep peacefully. On the other side of the tent is a square pine table with two chairs on both sides. The exquisite and practical copper stove now has a pot of boiling water on it, making the whole tent warm.

Xiao Shunzi heard the water boiled, and skillfully made a cup of hot tea for me.I stretched and sat up. Several accidents over the years have caused me to be infected with the root cause of the disease. Although I persist in practicing Qigong for health preservation, the old disease will still recur from time to time. In addition, it is difficult for doctors to heal themselves, so I have always been sick these few years. Although it is an excuse to recuperate, my health is really not very good.Xiao Shunzi helped me to sit up, and complained: "Young master is always unwilling to take a good rest. This time I went to Dayong all the way, I'm afraid that you will fall ill again."

I sighed and said: "Is there any way to do this? You know how my illness came about. Most of it is a heart disease. In fact, I am much better now. It's just that this march reminds me of the attack on Shu back then. It's a pity that Prince De I have already returned to the west with the crane. Now that I am in the Dayong military camp, I can't help but feel sad when I think of the past. Sigh." At this time, a loud laugh came from outside the tent and said: "I heard that Mr. Jiang is unwell, and I am here to visit you." With the laughter, Yong Wang Li Zhi walked in. He was dressed in the clothes of a prince, and he followed behind. Two counselors and three people came into the tent, I was reluctant to get out of bed, but Li Zhi had already walked over, held me down and said, "Sir, you don't have to get up, I heard that you are sick, and Zhi is busy with military affairs, so I took time to visit. It's really rude." After that, he sat on the edge of my bed and looked at my face worriedly.

I saw that the two Confucian scholars had already sat down, leaned forward and said, "Suiyun's old illness has relapsed and he can't get out of bed. Please forgive me. I have heard for a long time that His Royal Highness King Yong is full of talented people. I don't know how to call you two." An old, handsome, middle-aged Confucian scholar in his fifties got up and said, "Beihai Guanxiu has met Mr. Jiang, and his literary talent is well-known all over the world. Guan has read his poems and proses, and his teeth and cheeks are fragrant. I can't bear to pass the scroll." what."

Another slender-browed, long-eyed Confucian scholar in white shirt with an elegant demeanor also smiled and said: "That day, Mr. forced the king of Shu to death with a song, and I still think about it to this day, and gave birth to Dong Zhi later." I said lightly: "I have heard for a long time that the counselors under King Yong's account, Beihai Guanxiu is good at rectifying food and soldiers, Luoyang Dong Zhi is good at marching and deploying troops, and there is Yingchuan Gou Lian who is good at sending envoys to the four directions. These three are called the Three Heroes together." , I saw it today and it really deserves its reputation, but it's a pity that I only saw two of the three heroes, which really made Suiyun sigh for the poor family."

Dong Zhi said with a smile: "Brother Gou is not in the army now, so we can't see each other. He also respects you very much. On that day, you accompanied the old Prince De to the Dayong Army. The three of us happened to be not in the army, and we left in a hurry. , and there is no chance to have a detailed discussion, and now that the master is also under the command of His Highness, I think we can talk about wine in the future." I looked at Li Zhi, smiled slightly, and didn't refute Dong Zhi's words, so as not to make him look ugly, but just said lightly: "Although Sui Yun is sick, he is still in good spirits. If Brother Dong has any questions, feel free to come." Ask Suiyun, Suiyun dare not say enough."

After talking for a while, they saw that I was tired, so they left and left. Li Zhi repeatedly told me to have a good rest, saying that a carriage had been arranged for me to go with me, and he also asked Xiao Shunzi to take good care of me, and if he needed anything, he could ask Guan Xiu for help. When they left, I leaned on the bed and said with a smile: "King Yong's counselors are very sincere, but I think that Gou Lian is a bit narrow-minded, otherwise why didn't His Highness King Yong bring him along? ?" Xiao Shunzi said with a smile: "Young Master is smart now, that Gou Lian is also in the camp, but he has a bad temper, so King Yong didn't invite him to come, so as not to offend Young Master immediately."

King Yong and two counselors walked out of the camp and sighed: "I thought he was just excused for his illness, but unexpectedly he was really sick. Alas, he is not in good health, and I forced him to travel far. No wonder he has always been very indifferent to this king. ." Dong Zhi said in relief: "Your Highness, don't worry. I see that this person is ill, but he is in good spirits. I think he is not angry because His Highness took him with him. Although I can't see through this person's intentions, I said he obeyed His Highness. He didn't refute it face to face, which shows that this person is not invincible."

Li Zhi smiled bitterly and said, "Jiang Zhe is very easy-going, even if I force him to have an official position, he may not refuse it, but if he wants to serve him sincerely, it will be difficult. Back then, Prince De Zhao Jue valued him a lot. , but he was a little bit reluctant, so he refused to serve in the army anymore, Prince De is still the uncle of Nanchu, he is so perfunctory, I am afraid that he will also perfunctory me." Guan Xiu said: "Your Highness, don't worry. Although this person's heart is as cold as ice, he still has a passion for it. Otherwise, he wouldn't come forward to remonstrate directly. As long as His Highness treats each other sincerely, he will definitely gain his loyalty. I heard that he and Prince De's estrangement is mostly because of Prince De's staff Rong Yuan, but I'm worried about Gou Lian's temperament, this person is hard to convince, he always has to provoke him a few times, I'm afraid he will annoy Jiang Suiyun."

Dong Zhidao: "Brother Guan is overthinking. I think that if Gou Lian goes, I'm afraid there will be unexpected results. Although Jiang Zhe is gentle on the outside, he is unruly in his heart. He has a similar temperament to Brother Gou. I can't see it." There will be bad consequences." While the three of them were discussing repeatedly here, Gou Lian, whom they were worried about, had already arrived at my tent. Gou Lian was the most arrogant person. Caring for him very much, Gou Lian felt uncomfortable. This time Li Zhi took Guan Xiu and Dong Zhi to visit the doctor but did not bring himself, Gou Lian felt uncomfortable for a while. With his intelligence, he naturally knew Li Zhi and the others. He was worried that he would offend Jiang Zhe, which made him even more unwilling, so he came to my tent not long after Li Zhi and the others left. I am still a "captive" of the Yong army, although Li Zhi ordered no one to disturb me , but Gou Lian's status in the army is very high, so the sergeant guarding me didn't stop him, and let him walk into my tent calmly.

As soon as I saw this young man with a hooked nose, I guessed his identity. Seeing him standing in front of me without manners and looking at me for a long time, I waved my hand to stop Xiao Shunzi's anger. Gou Lian Gou Yongquan like a knife?" Gou Lian was slightly taken aback, and said: "Unexpectedly, Jiang Suiyun, who killed the king of Shu, also recognized me as a small person. I am so honored. I don't know that in the past, the king of Shu satirized that once he became a subject, he would sink his waist and wear away his temples." 'Did the number one scholar know about today's events long ago? I saw that Xiongtai described him as haggard and sick, and he should be regarded as "sinking waist and pan temples away"." I said lightly: "I have heard for a long time that Brother Yongquan was the staff member of Zhang Chen, the general of Xuzhou. Zhang Chen did not follow Zhengshuo and led his troops to separate the area. Brother Yongquan was very honored and favored under his account at that time. Later, His Royal Highness King Yong attacked him. Zhang Chen, your Excellency was ordered to go to Yongying as an envoy, but he was impressed by His Royal Highness's majesty. After returning home, he persuaded General Zhang to abandon his armor and surrender. In the future, Your Excellency will serve as an envoy for His Royal Highness King Yong, fulfilling your mission, but I don't know if it was because you sent Zhang Chen for Zhang Chen in the first place. So, instead of being humiliated by being said to surrender, so that you can hang your beam and stab your ass in the future, so that you can achieve something later?" Gou Lian's face turned red. Although his persuasion of Zhang Chen's surrender was a good story, he always felt that instead of persuading King Yong to retreat, he became a lobbyist for King Yong to persuade him to surrender. People have exposed it straight to the point.He said embarrassingly: "His Royal Highness King Yong's dragon and phoenix posture is elegant and noble. How can words be swayed? It's not surprising that he returns home with a feather. Moreover, he can make up for the merits of holding General Zhang in the fire and water. Your Excellency, since you know Dayong is orthodox, why not Feng Zhengshuo." I laughed and said, "Brother Yongquan, what you said is wrong. I said that General Zhang didn't honor Zhengshuo because the unification of the Central Plains was just around the corner, and the people's hearts were attached. General Zhang relied on the power of the army and didn't know the current affairs. Although Southern Chu is a small country, it has been established for a long time, especially above Dayong. Suiyun was once the number one scholar in Southern Chu, a first-class Jinshi, and served in the Imperial Academy for many years. Yong, Suiyun knows a lot of shame, the old master is still there, how can he follow his power to serve the new master." Gou Lian rolled his eyes and said: "Since your Excellency is determined to serve Southern Chu, now that the Lord of Southern Chu is in our camp, and Zhao Jia has bowed his knees to serve me Dayong, why are you so stubborn, not to mention that I heard that the virtuous ministers choose the Lord and choose the Lord?" The matter, Zhao Jia is fatuous and forced to death the virtuous king, but my lord, His Royal Highness King Yong, is as open-minded as he is, respectful to the virtuous and corporal, and acts decisively and resolutely. The reputation of benevolence, righteousness and virtuousness is spread all over the world. " I smiled coldly and said: "Although the virtuous ministers choose the master, I have never heard of a virtuous minister who served the new master because the old master was still alive. In the past, Yu Rang served Zhi Bo after the death of the Zhongxing clan, and the Zhongxing clan was just an ordinary person. Waiting for it, Yu Rang never abandoned him, not to mention that what Sui Yun used to follow was not Zhao Jia alone, but the royal family of Southern Chu. If you are rich, you will immediately vote for the new owner." Gou Lian said with a straight face: "Although your words are golden and jade, but you have been reprimanded a long time ago, why are you so infatuated." I said lightly: "In the past, Bigan broke his heart, his aspirations did not change, Qu Yuan was demoted, he heard about the affairs of King Huai of Chu, especially since Shen Jiang, Sui Yun is not an idiot, he dare not follow the example of the sages, but he is ignorant of the glory, and he takes refuge in the new master. Seeking wealth, I dare not do it." When Gou Lian heard this, he could only bow down and say: "Sir, you are of high character, and I admire you, but Your Highness has the appearance of a king. It would be a pity if you miss it, but Mr. Yongquan is ill and in the army, and Yongquan dare not be strong. It's thousands of miles away, can Yongquan come to bother you and listen to the teachings." I smiled and said: "Brother Yongquan is famous all over the world, Suiyun should ask for more advice. It's lonely on the way. If you have time, you might as well come to talk at the candle night. It's just that although Suiyun has read a lot, he doesn't know much about piano, chess, calligraphy and painting." Yes, I heard that you are quite famous here, so please give me your advice." When Li Zhi learned that Gou Lian came to see me privately, he was very worried at first, and immediately sent someone to persuade him, but when the person came, he saw that Gou Lian and I had a very happy conversation. I will not refuse to let the staff under the tent come to accompany me, and I will discuss it in detail for many days. I can't help but admire the staff under King Yong's tent. As soon as we talk, he can talk endlessly, and Gou Lian is knowledgeable and talented, and I get along best with him, but he has a competitive personality and always likes to argue with me. Talking with these people every day makes me feel good. Coupled with Xiao Shunzi's careful care, my illness gradually recovered on the way. I have a good impression of them, and they have great admiration for me. Guan Xiu is good at military affairs, money and rations, and is the boss of King Yong's confidant, but as soon as he talked with this young man, he found that no matter what he said, he immediately understood it, and occasionally said a sentence or two, but it was also to the point. Later, Jiang Zhe inadvertently said that he had handled paperwork under Prince De's account, which made Guan Xiu understand why this Hanlin scholar knew so much about these trivial matters. He originally thought that Jiang Zhe had been in Prince De's shogunate, but he was just a military counselor. That's all. Dong Zhi was good at the art of war, but when he debated with Jiang Zhe, he found that Jiang Zhe knew everything about the ancient and modern battle formations, except for the part that he didn't know very well. , the young man said with a smile that he had read military books in the Zhenyuan Hou Lu Mansion, and later compiled military books and war strategies in the Imperial Academy.Dong Zhi originally thought that Jiang Zhe was just talking about war on paper, so he tried to practice the art of war with him. Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhe used his troops like a horse and a horse without a trace, and he always raised strange peaks from the most incredible places. top cents.After Dong Zhi was convinced, he couldn't help being victorious, so he debated with him about the weapons of war. Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhe was able to say everything. Later, although Jiang Zhe was mostly silent, if he occasionally said something, Dong Zhi wanted to After half a day, I went to study and improve the equipment the next day. Gou Lian admired Jiang Zhe the most. He used to be conceited to be erudite. Unexpectedly, Jiang Zhe participated in the establishment of the Chongwen Palace in Southern Chu. He had read more than tens of millions of books. As for the skill of tongue debate, although Jiang Zhe doesn't use it very often, when Gou Lian is complacent and unable to extricate himself, Jiang Zhe often convinces him with a single sentence. What the three of them admire most in private is that although Jiang Zhe is so talented, he is calm and natural. When talking with him, it is like spring breeze and rain. They only feel that he is talented but not aggressive. It was a cold sweat.Later, the three of them became more and more eager to win, but Jiang Zhe often retreated gently, making the three people's enthusiasm turn into spring breeze, and it took a long time to realize that Jiang Zhe had not challenged. Although the journey of thousands of miles is far away, it will eventually come to an end. When they are about to arrive in Yongdu, the three of them join hands to ask Li Zhi again, asking him to take Jiang Zhe under his command.Gou Lian was the most fierce, and said: "It would be a pity if Your Highness can't take this person under his command. This person's talent is several times better than ours. If we become an enemy, I'm afraid I will lose my bones." Li Zhi said with a bitter face: "Gentlemen, how can I not know the importance of this person, but every time I go to persuade him, this person keeps silent, leaving me helpless." Guan Xiu said: "Your Highness, don't worry, this person respects His Highness and has no hostility towards us, so he should not refuse to come here. When we return to Beijing this time, we will send this person to Prince Yong's Mansion for house arrest, and slowly persuade him. There is always a way, not to mention Shi Ziyou's generosity and benevolence, he will definitely be able to enlighten him." Li Zhi sighed, "That's all. If Shi Ziyou can't convince him anymore, my lord, my lord, alas, how can I be willing to do so." Guan Xiu and the three of them looked at each other, knowing that Li Zhi was planning to kill. "The rain is gurgling outside the curtain, and the spring is fading. Luo Qun can't bear the cold at five o'clock. In the dream, I don't know that I am a guest, and I am greedy for joy. Don't lean on a railing alone. There are infinite mountains and rivers. It is easy to see other times and difficult. world." I stood in front of the window with my clothes on. This is the post house. Tomorrow is the day when I arrive in Yongdu. Turn around.Xiao Shunzi walked up to me, and said in a low voice: "My lord, these days, you have subdued Li Zhi's counselors, but you have always refused to favor Li Zhi, if Li Zhi wanted to kill, what should you do? " "Xiao Shunzi, you don't understand. In the past, I was just going with the situation. It didn't matter who I was an official with. Even in front of Prince De, I was just perfunctory. But His Highness King Yong's heart is like a mirror. If I vote for him, if I can't Confidentially, His Royal Highness King Yong will not be satisfied, and he will not be able to solve his crisis. If I want to do my best, then I have to see King Yong's tolerance. I deliberately forced him to kill me. If he is willing to let go in the end, I just think of him as the Holy Lord of the Ming Dynasty. If he finally moves to kill, then he is just an overlord and hero. Instead of worrying about him killing heroes in the future, I should try his mind today. If he can finally let go Me, then I believe that in the future, the monarch and his ministers can start well and end well, if he--, I just pretend to die and get away." Xiao Shunzi said with an anxious look on his face: "Young Master, His Royal Highness King Yong is extremely powerful, if he wants to kill you, how can he escape? Although my martial arts are good, I can't guarantee that I can rescue you." I smiled lightly and said: "I think His Royal Highness King Yong will not kill me with real swords and guns in order not to hurt the hearts of famous people in the world. Poison is the best way. I have prepared a precious poison. After I swallowed it, I was as stiff as death, it is difficult to steal a person, but is it not easy to steal a corpse? After I escaped, I hid in Yongdu, and when I had an opportunity, I took the opportunity to avenge the murder of my wife. When the time comes, Xiao Shunzi, wouldn't it be great for you and me to roam the world and hide our names? People often say that they read thousands of books and travel thousands of miles, but I am looking forward to it?" Xiao Shunzi said reassuringly, "Then I'd like to expect King Yong to kill the young master, so as not to involve the young master to give him painstaking effort." I smiled slightly, wanting me to work hard, but not everyone is qualified. To be honest, I am afraid that no one can pass my temptation. If it is not used, it must be killed. It is the indescribable thoughts of those wise monarchs. It's a pity that King Yong is really a person I admire, I thought with some regret.