Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty
It's raining.
Sanchuan has been known for its gloomy and mild climate since ancient times, and the rugged plank roads in the southern part of the mountain and the lush and straight Berlin are the hiding places for the rain.After the Awakening of Insects, there are often filaments floating here.All the way to the post road, all the way to get wet.Since ancient times, it has been said that the road to Shu is difficult, and Sanchuan's entry into Qin's mans shoes is broken.Walking through the Cuiyun corridor for three hundred miles, passing through the attic of the sword that strangles the throat - walking on this ancient road, it is too easy to give people associations and sighs.The same is true of merchants, soldiers and civilians who come and go, not to mention those intellectuals who have thought about the world in ancient and modern times!
This road is the road where King Qin Hui sent Zhang Yi and Sima to attack Shu by mistake, and the road where the towering ancient trees of Afang Palace were plundered; here is the solemn and stirring sound of Wuding breaking the mountain, and the desolation of "Afang came out, Shushan Wu"... ...This road is the road of Zhuge Kongming, the prime minister of the Shu Han Dynasty, for the Northern Expedition, and the road of Ming Emperor Li Longji's fortune in the rush of Shu; here is the grief and indignation of dying before leaving the army, and the sorrow of the old capital no longer, and the ancient post still surviving ...
"Master." A young man dressed like a domestic servant walked towards him in a hurry, stopped in front of a tea stand on the side of the road, and stood respectfully in front of the person called Master.There was a sedan chair in front of the tea stand, and two bearers were sitting on the ground, catching cold with the bamboo hats on their heads.Sitting on a single stool beside him was a middle-aged man, dressed in casual attire, apparently in his early thirties, with small but piercing eyes, and a slight mustache on his lips that looked mature and stable.Although it has been a long journey for several days, the hair on the head is not messy at all, and the light blue robe is surprisingly clean and tidy, only the mud on the long soft boots seems to still have the dust and hardships of the journey . "I went to the front of Lizhou City to inquire, and sure enough, as the woodcutter said, there was a mutiny in Xingyuan half a month ago, and more than half of the plank road along the way to Chang'an was burned. It just so happens that several prefectures and counties here have changed governors, and now When I took office in the garrison, most of the roads were blocked along the way..." The servant said while counting on his fingers.
"Wait, what are you talking about, Xingyuan mutiny?" The man's brows gradually furrowed.
"Oh, I heard that it was a subordinate rebellion. The emperor was lucky to Xingyuan, and now the city of Chang'an is full of chaos."
"Is the emperor not in Chang'an?" Hearing this, the man was suddenly preoccupied, and it took him a long time to say to the servant, "Oh, you drink your saliva first... I think so, let's stay in the city of Xianzhou first, and then inquire about the situation in Chang'an , don’t be in a hurry to hurry.”
This middle-aged man, named Zhou Xiang, was originally an official of the imperial court in Longzhou. After passing the exam, he was returning to Chang'an to report on his duties.When he learned of the accident in Chang'an by accident, he couldn't help feeling tense. Since he didn't know the details, he thought about staying in Lizhou first before making further plans.
Lizhou, located at the intersection of Qin and Shu in the hinterland of the southwest, on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, is an ancient state city with a history of more than 3,000 years since the Tang Dynasty.As early as the Xia Dynasty, it was governed by the state of Yin, and the state of Ju was governed by the state of Ju at that time. At that time, the state of Ju was famous all over the world for its "three-legged confrontation" with Ba and Shu in Sanchuan.In the ninth year of Gengyuan (316 BC), King Huiwen of Qin, Qin Tunju, defeated Shu, and destroyed Ba. Jiameng County was established here, and the Western Wei Dynasty was renamed Lizhou, and then Lizhou.As a barrier to the north of Sanchuan, it has always been a place where traffic flows and troops are stationed. Of course, there are also bustling marketplaces and markets.
Zhou Xiang paid two bearers to sleep in a quiet ancient cypress inn in the southern city of Zhoucheng. While inquiring about the changes in the imperial court, he wandered around this ancient state full of historical accumulation and literature.I have been busy with numerous business affairs for the past year, and now I finally have a pretty good opportunity to clear my mind in this situation.Thinking of the early death of his parents and the dilapidated and unbearable past of his hometown Yingchuan, Zhou Xiang became more aware of the prosperity of Chengdu in Western Shu, and the scenery of the valley in the south of the mountain gradually became his nostalgia.Thinking of this, he couldn't help sighing: the scene of the Jiangnan in the southwestern corner seemed unable to save the decline of the empire after all, and his childhood ambitions could not find an opportunity to display after all.
Time flies, and a month has passed in a flash.In the early morning of this day, the sun rose in the east, warming the state city that had been shrouded in haze for a long time.Zhou Xiang also became kind and harmonious amidst the warmth, and called his servants out of Dongcheng.
After noon, the master and servant returned to the east of the city. Seeing a tea stall outside the city, the servant suggested going to have a rest.When they arrived at the tea stand, a young guy warmly greeted them to sit down and made tea.Zhou Xiang ordered some snacks again, and called the young man to the front by the way: "Man, I heard that the governor of Lizhou City has been replaced?"
"Oh, this," the man smiled, "yes, I heard that it is a general next to the emperor, surnamed Wang, and it is said that he used to be the head of the Zhongwu Army. Hey, whoever is in charge of him, this tea Ah, we all sell them, don’t we?”
"Six, hurry up and greet the guests, stop gossiping!" An old man sitting behind the tea stall, who seemed to be the owner of the stall, couldn't help yelling at the young man when he saw the young man talking unrestrainedly.
The little guy slapped his mouth: "Master, you drink tea! I was talking nonsense just now, so pretend you didn't hear me." After saying that, he left with the kettle in his hand.
Zhou Xiang couldn't help chewing on this bit of news, and vaguely heard the old man's muttering words: "The world is not peaceful, and the governor has not yet taken office, so how do you know what our future will be like..." Zhou Xiang was secretly puzzled Said: "Wang Jian of Wuyang is the only one in the capital of the Zhongwu Army surnamed Wang, and he should have been with the emperor after he went to Chengdu to protect the driver and made meritorious service. Could it be that he took office in Lizhou? This man can be regarded as a hero in troubled times. He governs the army and treats the people They all have a good reputation. Just in terms of merit and deeds, at least he should be a rich state and county governor, or he should stay in the Shence Army, how could he be sent to Lizhou?" After thinking about it, "If this is really the case , can support and protect him, but also fulfill my great wish of helping the times and saving the world."
"Man, a big bowl of tea!" A heroic voice accompanied eight or nine well-dressed people into the pergola and sat down.
"Okay! Here comes the tea!" The young man rushed over diligently, "What do you guys need to make yourself better?"
"Don't you say that I forgot to be hungry, what's so refreshing?" The four people who walked in front happened to sit down at a table.It was a mighty general who was speaking, and there was a young man under the age of 20 in the chief seat, and beside him were two young men in their early twenties, the young man on the left was gentle but heroic, and he did not open his mouth when he came in. He didn't speak, but his eyes were alert; the one on the right, with a slender body, also had a quiet face, but he was dressed in a suit of armor. When he looked carefully, his features were handsome, and he looked like a Confucian general.
"Master, there are steamed stuffed buns, snacks, freshly boiled corn, and refreshing shochu..." The man said just now: "That's all for wine, hurry up and get ten cages of steamed stuffed buns," he said to the young man on the left, " Your father has already told you not to drink a drop of alcohol when you are out of the house."
Zhou Xiang glanced at several people again, and found that these people were all equipped with swords, and there were a few people at the table behind them who were all in armor, as if they were subordinate servants. These four people seemed to be the sons of officials or eunuchs with status. soldiers.Gradually, Zhou Xiang noticed that the burly general who was talking in the middle was clearly somewhat familiar.But seeing this man's ox heart hair bun high, his face is rosy and plump but covered with dust, and his thick eyebrows reveal a kind of heroism and wisdom.Suddenly, Zhou Xiang saw a scar on his left cheek, and couldn't help feeling tense, thinking: "Could it be him?" He looked over and over again, feeling more and more sure.
At this time, the general also noticed Zhou Xiang's actions.Seeing this, Zhou Xiang got up and came to the man's table, cupped his fists and saluted: "This general is reckless, but if you dare to ask, is it General Wei?" Returning the salute: "This is Wei Hongfu, dare to ask Mr...."
"Oh!" Zhou Xiang was so excited, he grabbed the man's arm, "You asshole, do you remember your old friend Zhou Xiang from Chang'an?"
"Zhou Xiang?" Wei Hongfu was taken aback, suddenly realized, and said pleasantly, "You are Boya? Oh, my fault! Why didn't I recognize you?"
Zhou Xiang said: "When we parted, you and I were teenagers. After more than ten years, why did you and I meet here? If it weren't for the scar on your face, how would I dare to recognize you?" After finishing speaking, he laughed loudly.
At this time, the man brought up the buns, Wei Hongfu greeted the soldiers at the table behind him to eat first, and said with emotion: "Yes, it has been twelve years! I never thought you and I would meet again!"
Besides, this Wei Hongfu was originally from Xuzhou. His ancestors were officials in the court. Later, his family fell into poverty. In the generation of Wei Hongfu and his father, he could barely make a living by teaching in the school, but Wei Hongfu himself, besides reading military books and war strategies, he loved dancing Gun sticks.Just fourteen years ago, Zhou Xiang was a visiting scholar at the Wei Family Academy, talking about the past and the present with Wei Hongfu, and talking about those famous heroes who have lived through the ages, and the two couldn't help but hit it off.From then on, they will be classmates in the morning and share the same bed in the evening.Two years later, Zhou Xiang was a candidate in high school, so he bid farewell to Wei Hongfu and went to Chang'an.Unexpectedly, this winter, Wang Xianzhi and Huang Chao revolted, and Wei Hongfu joined the imperial army. Over the years, he passed through many generals, and finally became a member of the Zhongwu Army.During the Zhonghe period, he went to Sichuan with Wang Jian. Because he went to Chengdu and accompanied Xingyuan twice to escort him, he has become a capable general under Wang Jian's account.However, Zhou Xiang has been unable to develop since he became an official, living under the former prime minister Wang Duo's door to do some official work.At the same time, during the Zhonghe period, he followed Wang Duo to escort him to Chengdu. Later, he was sent to the remote Longzhou to join the army as a Sicang only because he was squeezed out by his colleagues.Now the two of them never thought that they would meet again outside Lizhou City.
As he said that, Wei Hongfu happily recommended to the two people around him: "This is my old friend and classmate, so is Zhou Xiang, and Zhou Boya is a great talent for governing the country!" The son of the newly-appointed governor of Lizhou." The young man stood up and saluted, "That's true of the sect."
The person on the left reported his family name: "I am Xia Jiang Zhi." The heroic general in armor on the right also clasped his fists at Zhou Xiang and saluted: "I am Xia Tian."
Wei Hongfu added: "Jiang Zichen is young and promising, bold and careful, and has won the appreciation of my lord. Tian Deyi, like me, has fought north and south for many years and has made outstanding military achievements!"
After tasting tea for a while, Zong Fan and others left first; Wei Hongfu insisted on sending Zhou Xiang back to the passenger station in person, so he stayed.Zhou Xiang sent his servants back to clean up first, and then he walked alone with his old friends.Seeing that there was no one else around, Zhou Xiang asked, "So, the governor Wang has already reached Li Prefecture?"
"Not yet." Wei Hongfu said, "It was only because General Zhang Zao went to Wanzhou, and the prince insisted on sending me and four people to chase him, so he came to Lizhou ahead of time. The prince will be ready to take up the post in about seven days."
Seeing that there was no one around, Zhou Xiang lowered his voice and said urgently: "Brother came back on his way, I must know about the changes in the court. I am going to Chang'an to deliver the delivery. It is a long way away. I am afraid of changes in the court. Please don't hide the truth from me. !"
Wei Hongfu looked around the open space, and then whispered: "To be honest, it's all because of the dispute over the salt pond in the river. Tian Lingzi sent troops to seize the salt pond. Wang Chongrong in the river asked for soldiers from Shatuo, so Li Keyong immediately mobilized troops Going south; Tian Lingzi ordered the prince to lead the Shence Army to take the emperor into Shu, but the prince had no choice but to escort him all the way south. Who would have thought that Zhu Mei and others who were originally attached to Tian Lingzi turned against the Shatuo people for some reason? On the contrary, he charged southward, while the Ming Dynasty eliminated the eunuchs and the emperor of the Qing Dynasty; he secretly burned the plank road, trying to kill the emperor and disrupt the world! Fortunately, the prince and Jin Gong gave up their lives to escort the emperor to Xingyuan safely. In the end, Tian Lingzi finally lost power, and the prince did indeed Because no one in the court was sent far away to Lizhou..."
Zhou Xiang was so shocked that he was speechless for a long time. Although he also thought that there would be a war, he didn't expect these Jiedu envoys to rebel to such an extent. He couldn't help sighing: "The misfortune of the emperor, the Tang Dynasty is in danger!" After a while, Zhou Xiang said again: "Now I am a down-and-out scholar, a forgotten official, walking alone. If I go to Chang'an here, I am afraid that I will not survive to see my little one again. Brother, please save me! "After that, he lifted his robe and knelt down in front of Wei Hongfu.Wei Hongfu panicked at this moment, and quickly helped Zhou Xiang up: "Why is Boya like this? You and I used to study at the same class and sleep in the same bed. How could you be hungry when I have a mouthful of food? As for your talent, you are the emperor. You can get the servant of the minister, and the military marquis can rule the governor Situ. If you stay in Lizhou, you will be reused in the future!"
Zhou Xiang got up and said, "I don't seek an empty official position, I only want to be able to display the past and the present. If my brother is willing to help, even staying under the prince's command and being a tip is a hundred times better than I am now drifting ups and downs."
"Why didn't I turn this corner, and use Boya Fei's twists and turns to beat me around. Don't worry about this matter. When the prince takes office, I will definitely recommend it in person." After finishing speaking, the two brothers joined hands Leaving Zhoucheng.
The second year of Guangqi (886 A.D.) was a year of confusion.This year, the mountains and rivers were even more broken, and the separatism of the feudal towns also intensified.Li Xuan's originally young body has become old and weak after the second escape.After countless fights and mutinies, Chang'an has completely lost its former vitality.The people are terrified every day, wondering when the Celestial Dynasty will be able to restore the peace and tranquility of the past.After Zhu Quanzhong occupied Bianzhou and Huazhou in the first year of Guangqi, he had begun to gradually expand his power. While annexing small state cities, he was preparing for a vicious battle with Hedong that might break out at any time.The prosperous Jianghuai is also suffering in the chaos.After the failure of the Huangchao uprising, Gao Pian occupied the eight states of Huainan; Qin Zongquan conquered Ruzhou this year after he proclaimed himself emperor.Bashu Sanchuan is also showing a situation of separatism.Chen Jingxuan was still in Chengdu, leading Xichuan Jiedu envoy, and killed Dongchuan Jiedu envoy Gao Renhou in March of this year; Gu Yanlang, who worked with Wang Jiantong in the Shence Army, went to Dongchuan Jiedu envoy at the end of the year; The military and political commander in charge of the Shannan area is Yang Shouliang, the adopted son of the former Zhongwu Supervisor Yang Fuguang.Lizhou, where Wang Jian is located, is an important traffic town within the jurisdiction of Shannan.
It's almost the end of the new year, and seeing it, a year of confusion is about to pass.Although the war is still chaotic, on New Year's Eve, the people of Lizhou still hang a few lanterns at the door of their houses, and in the atmosphere of joy created by their efforts, they make a meal of dumplings, hoping that the coming year will be peaceful and peaceful. A good harvest.
In the afternoon, Wang Jian returned to the mansion after finishing his routine business.The servant girl hurried over to serve and change the official uniform, and another servant girl held up a tray and brought a cup of scented tea in a tureen.Several things during the day made the governor who was born as a military general quite displeased, and he frowned when he returned home.While thinking about how to reply to this letter, he brought the tea bowl to his mouth.
Hearing a "pop", Wang Jian knocked the tray to the ground, and the tea bowl fell into pieces. He angrily shouted at the servant girl, "Bastard! Is there any warm water for making tea? Get off!" Both servant girls were frightened Not daring to make a sound, he knelt down on the ground and sobbed.
"Why are you crying, I'm not dead yet!"
"Okay, master, don't make such a big fuss and hurt your body." Mrs. Zhou wore a gorgeous brocade jacket and walked around in front of the screen. The warm afternoon sun outside the window poured into the hall, and painted her shadow on the painting. The magpie presses on the screen of the branches.Although the years have taken away the youth of this peasant girl, the years of suffering and the upheaval of fighting with the army have added to this woman's calm character, which has a dignified and steady nobility.
Only then did Wang Jian let out a long breath.Although I have had two concubines in the past two years, every time I am in front of Mrs. Zhou, I can always feel a sense of peace that I can't find in ordinary times. It seems that I can recall the tranquility of Wuyang's rural life, and the anger in my heart has disappeared for seven days. point.
"You two go down." His voice was calmer than before.
The two little servant girls raised their panicked eyes, and when they saw the madam nodding at them happily, they backed away quietly.
Madam sat on a chair beside her, turned sideways and said, "It's New Year's Eve, what's bothering you?"
"Hey, Jiedu envoy Yang Shouliang sent someone to send a message, asking me to go to Xingyuan to pay a visit to him."
The madam smiled and said, "We wives don't understand the intrigue between the courtiers and state officials. But he is your immediate boss, and you should send a gift card to those who celebrate the Chinese New Year."
"It's already been delivered," Wang Jian said with a bitter face, "You think he wants gold and silver from me, that's a trivial matter. This Yang Shouliang had some scruples about me in the early years. When he was still working under Lu Yanhong, He tried to get rid of me several times. Now that Eunuch Yang has replaced Tian Junrong in the imperial court, this man is also surnamed Yang, but he doesn't pay attention to me. Guangyuan also asked me to leave for a while. I endured it for a while. Unexpectedly, he called me over and over again. Last time I refused because of my poor health, and this time I posted another post. This Hongmen banquet is hard to kill me!"
The lady said: "Since you know it's a Hongmen banquet, of course you shouldn't take such a risk. As for how to deal with it, talk to your counselors and secretaries, maybe you will have a good idea."
"Can I still know about this? But Guangyuan and Shitai are not around, and I don't even have anyone to discuss with. Mr. Zheng is full of knowledge, but he is not very good at these kinds of rivalries in the officialdom. The rest of the group only knows A soldier with a good gun." Speaking of this, Wang Jian sighed, "If I had a little Zhuge by my side, I wouldn't be in such distress."