Chapter 6 Chapter 5 The Golden Ring
Duan Gong frowned, and turned his head - the sun was rising, and in the strong sunlight, the tall city wall of Yangjubaa was also blurred, only the top of the city was shining with golden light, it was Luo Juzi, the defender of the city The reflection of the tudor sheath.There is another murderer who killed Tuotuo, the truth is unknown, what will happen to Dali after he leaves?Looking ahead again, the future is long, what kind of encounter will be waiting for him?
That night, many people in Wuhua Building did not sleep well, and the building leader Zheng Jing who stayed in the building was one of them.Before dawn, he had already woken up with a start, wiped his face in a hurry, and came out of the building, just in time to meet Luo Guanzhong, who just lived in Nanyuan No. 1 Courtyard last night, walking among the camellias.He had a good impression of this gentle-looking and well-spoken scholar, and got the benefit of his companion Shen Fu, so he stepped up and asked, "What's bothering Mr. Luo? Do you think there is something negligent here?" Luo Guanzhong was busy Said: "Where, the building manager's warm hospitality shows his hospitality. I just thought about the murder of Zen Master Wuyi and sighed a lot, so I came out for a walk."
He and Shen Fu were able to live in Wuwei Temple because of their lack of support. Unexpectedly, accidents happened one after another in the temple. Yu Yi was stationed in the South Chan Room to closely monitor the residents. However, it was inconvenient for the two of them to stay in the temple, so they bid farewell to the abbot and moved out.The Shen family has shops in Yangjuba, Longshouguan, and Longweiguan, and the servants who followed Shen Fu to the south this time live in the silk shop in Yangjuba city.The two wanted to move back to the shop, but when Duan Gong learned about it, he specially asked Yu Yi to send them to Wuhua Building. Wuhua Building's reputation spread far and wide in the southwest. As the two of them, they never lived in Wuhua Building. Qualifications, I am overjoyed to get this good opportunity.
Zheng Jing didn't know that Luo Guanzhong and Wuyi were old acquaintances, and he didn't know all kinds of reasons, but he felt that Wuyi killed a single monk regardless of his status as the first monk, and said: "This is how to know people, know their faces, but not their hearts." After saying a few words, Zheng Jing hurried to the kitchen.Since Shi Zong mentioned yesterday that two pairs of peacock guts disappeared, he paid special attention to the food and tea, for fear of making mistakes.
After checking the kitchen in detail, the sky was already bright, and he patrolled around the lake again, and kept meeting Luo Juzi who was patrolling back and forth with a sheath in his hand, which comforted his nervous mood a little.Walking along the way, the south and north courtyards are very quiet, probably everyone has not gotten up yet.Then he went to the Wuhua Building again, worked tirelessly, and inspected one by one from the ground floor to the fifth floor. Seeing nothing unusual, he went to the gate tower again.
Just as he was about to step down from his seat, suddenly a Lou Ding came rushing over and shouted: "Lord Master! Lou Master!" Zheng Jing's heart tightened immediately when he heard the exasperated tone.Seeing that Lou Ding rushed to his eyes, he panted and said: "Lord, it's not good, two Mongolian warriors in Nanyuan No. 2 courtyard were killed in the middle of the night. Yuan asked what happened, and Luo Juzi stopped him, and he was making a fuss." Zheng Jing stomped his feet resentfully, and said: "I knew that these people lived here together, and there must be some big trouble. " He had been busy all morning, sweating profusely, wiped his forehead, collected himself, and confessed, "Hurry up and report to the manager's mansion." Seeing Lou Ding flying down the steps, he went to Nanyuan rush to.
As soon as I approached the No. 1 courtyard, I heard raging noises, some scolding and some persuading.When I got closer, I saw a large group of people huddling around the gate of No. 1 Courtyard—the Mongolians were all excited, pressing their hands on the handle of their knives, and they were confronting the heavily armed Luo Juzi, while Ma Wenming held them back and persuaded them.Probably because the noise was too loud, Luo Guanzhong and Shen Fu also flocked out of the door to wait and see.
Zheng Jing hurriedly squeezed over, and said repeatedly: "I have something to say, I have something to say, what happened?" The general Zhang Xijiao was temporarily summoned to the general manager's mansion last night to discuss matters. Luo Juzi was leaderless. When they arrived, someone stepped forward and said, "Master, you came just in time. These Mongols said that the Beiyuan red scarf envoy sneaked over and killed the two of them in the middle of the night, and they were going to find them to fight for their lives." He Zhong said: "Killing for life is justified. Zheng Jing hurriedly said: "How can you be sure that the murderer is the red scarf emissary who lives in Beiyuan?" .It must be that they were angry with Ling Yun and assassinated their leader, and wanted to retaliate with an eye for an eye." Zheng Jingdao: "Well, what your lord said is reasonable."
The Mongols saw that Zheng Jing was obviously partial to their own side, so they couldn't help agreeing for a while, and said: "Since the building leader thinks so, please order these guards to step aside, let's find the red scarf rebels to fight for life and death." Zheng Jing said: "No Busy. The lower officials have already sent people to guard the gate of the Red Scarf Messenger’s courtyard, they can’t escape. Please take me to see the deceased first to express our condolences.”
He has served as the building manager for nearly twenty years, and he has welcomed and sent countless people, and his smooth and sophisticated skills are unmatched.Sure enough, the Mongolian was very grateful for what he heard, stopped making noise and led him to a room in the east wing of the No. 2 courtyard.But on the two beds facing north and south in the room, there was a Mongolian lying on his back in his clothes, and his exposed face, hands, and feet were all black and green and dry.
When Zheng Jing saw that the death of these two people seemed to be acquainted, he knew it in his heart, and hurriedly said: "These two officials were not killed by outsiders, but were sucked to death by blood-sucking spirits. I think everyone has heard that Wuhua Building was built. On that day, the king of Nanzhao put 500 slaves to death in the square in front of the building. Occasionally there will be blood-sucking spirits here, and they will come out to suck blood in the middle of the night." Saying this in his mouth, he was also quite confused in his heart, and secretly said: "Usually it is here When the weather is hot in summer, blood-sucking spirits will occasionally appear in Nanyuan. It’s only spring now, so why are there so many blood-sucking spirits?”
Zheng Jing brought out the blood-sucking essence, which is tantamount to proving the innocence of the red scarf envoy. How could a group of Mongolians believe such a bizarre statement?Most of them sneered and said: "Vampire? This is the first time I've heard of it. Building chief, human life is at stake, please stop talking nonsense. If you don't want us to seek revenge from the red scarf rebels, then we will go to the manager The government asks Xinju for an explanation." Zheng Jing said: "Wait a minute." He ran over and lifted up the shirt of a deceased person, and said, "Please come and see carefully." Most of them stepped forward and said mockingly: " Does the building chief want to make up some more..." Suddenly he was stunned on the spot - the warrior's body was shriveled, and it was covered with dense red dots, which looked like extremely tiny needle holes.
Zheng Jingdao: "He died of being sucked dry of blood from his whole body by the blood-sucking spirit. These small holes on his body are the clear evidence of blood-sucking." Another corpse was opened, and the situation was the same.Everyone checked carefully and found that they had no other wounds except for the knife wounds they had suffered in the fight with Ah Rong and his party.Half-believing and half-doubting, Da Du asked, "Even if there is a blood-sucking essence, why did it only suck the blood of the two of us?"
This question also puzzled Zheng Jing. Of course, he could not say that the blood-sucking incidents in previous summers did happen in Nanyuan, otherwise the Mongols would be even more recalcitrant, thinking that he deliberately arranged this way, and only said: "Probably just a coincidence." Turning his head and glanced at everyone present, Luo Guanzhong and Shen Fushi from No. 1 Courtyard had just met, the Mongols from No. 2 Courtyard, and the Muslims from No. 3 Courtyard were all gathered here, except A Gai from No. 4 Courtyard. Princess.I was startled in my heart, and thought to myself: "Oh, could it be that the princess was poisoned by blood-sucking spirits? If the princess died in Wuhua Building, I will definitely not be able to keep my head anymore." He hurriedly asked: "Why don't you see Her Royal Highness?"
Most of them guessed his intentions and said coldly: "Don't worry, the building chief, the princess is safe and still resting." A Gai had not slept for two consecutive nights, and finally couldn't hold on until early morning, and fell into a deep sleep.After most of them found out that the two warriors were dead, they rushed to tell Ah Gai that Ah Gai was probably sleepy, so he didn't listen, and only responded twice through the window.
When Zheng Jing heard about it, he felt relieved.He Zhongdao: "Building Chief, please take us to the general manager's mansion. I would like to ask you, Xinju, why the blood-sucking essence in Wuhua Building only sucked the blood of our two Mongolian warriors. Is there someone pretending to be a blood-sucking man on purpose?" A mischief?" Zheng Jing hurriedly said: "My lord, please be careful. I have sent someone to deliver the letter to the general manager's mansion, and someone will come to take care of it later. Please stay calm and wait in the lobby first."
Everyone came out of the wing room and sat down in the main hall. Zheng Jing ordered Lou Ding to bring some snacks and fruits for breakfast.He Zhongdao: "Don't bother the building manager, we don't dare to eat the food in Wuhua Building again. If we don't keep it well, there is something wrong in it. It poisoned all of us to death, but there is not even a single person to appeal for grievances." Zheng Jing was busy. Said: "My lord is too serious."
He knew that the matter had come to this point, so it was difficult to hide it, so he had to explain that the blood-sucking essence and blood-sucking incident had been going on for more than 60 years. Shen Fu lived in the No. 1 courtyard most frequently, and it was speculated that it was the closest to the big prison, so when summer came, Nanyuan would ban people from living in it, and all the prisoners in the big prison would be transferred to other places.He also said, "Your Majesty has absolutely no lies. If you don't believe me, you can go to the big yamen to check the files in person. The blood-sucking essence incident is a big mystery in my Dali. There are two big cabinets piled up with files over the years."
Dadu said: "As the building director said, blood-sucking spirits shouldn't appear in spring. Even if they did, why are the two Han people in No. 1 courtyard safe and sound, and only two of us in No. 2 courtyard were sucked blood?" Zheng Jing wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said in a dazed voice, "This... the lower officials don't know either."
He Zhong sneered and said, "I'm afraid the building manager can't justify the idea that the blood-sucking spirit sucks blood. Let's go, everyone go to the north together to see if the red scarf emissary was also sucked by the blood-sucking spirit." The Mongolian agreed abruptly, gearing up, Flood out.Zheng Jing wanted to stop him, but was pushed aside.Ma Wenming hurriedly shouted: "Wait a minute..."
He took a closer look at the corpses of the two Mongolian warriors, and they were indeed dead. What was especially strange was that there was no trace of blood in the wing room. If they were really killed by someone, how could they not leave any traces?He talked about what he observed, and most of them said: "So, the young master also thinks that a vampire sucks blood and kills people?" Ma Wenming said: "This is the first time I have heard of the story of a vampire sucking blood. But after reading two The death of a samurai really does not look like manpower."
Just as he was talking, he heard noisy footsteps outside. Shi Zong led several Yuyis to rush in, and asked solemnly: "What happened?" The blood of Mongolian officials."
Shi Zong only heard Lou Ding's report that two Mongolian warriors had been killed in the middle of the night, fearing that the Mongols would fight with the red scarf envoy, he hurried over, when he heard Zheng Jing say that it was blood-sucking spirits who sucked blood and killed them, he couldn't help being stunned, and said in his heart: " It's cold spring now, where did the blood-sucking essence come from?" He was shrewd by nature, thought it was Zheng Jing's nonsense, and didn't expose it, he just asked: "Where is the man?"
Zheng Jing hurriedly led Shi Zong to the East Wing, Shi Zong couldn't help being stunned when he saw it, the deceased was indeed killed by sucking blood, but the blood-sucking scene in spring was only in Wuhua Building, and it was the first time it happened.Looking back, he asked, "Is there anything unusual in the big prison last night?" Zheng Jing said, "I don't know."
When Shi Zong came out of the hospital, he called Yu Yi, and ordered him in a low voice to go to the prison quickly to see if any prisoners were sucked to death by blood-sucking spirits last night.He Zhong didn't believe in the theory of blood-sucking spirits at all, seeing that Shi Zong was acting mysteriously, he came out with a sneer and said, "There is no such thing as blood-sucking spirits in the world, it was clearly the work of those red scarf rebels, Chief Yuyi intended to protect the murderer, Could it be that there is something hidden in it?" Shi Zongdao: "The truth is not clear, why should my lord rush to identify the murderer? My lord said that it was the red scarf envoy who did it, but if the red turban envoy said back that you Mongols deliberately killed your companions, it would be easy to provoke him." Disputes, what should we do?"
The Mongols suddenly made a loud noise, shouting: "What is this talking about? How could we kill our own people? You Dali clearly want to protect the rebels." He said coldly: "Everyone go back to your room to rest first, and when the truth comes out, I will give you an explanation. If you don't listen to the persuasion, you must go to the red scarf messenger to take revenge. Don't blame me for being ruthless." He ordered, "Go Call Lou Ding who is in charge of each courtyard and Luo Juzi who inspected last night."
After a detailed investigation, I learned that the Mongols wanted to deal with Ling Yun last night, but Princess Agai let him go, and was blocked by Da Du when he came out. After some disputes, Ling Yun was reluctantly let go. The courtyard rested, and the dinner was also brought to the courtyard by Lou Ding. Luo Juzi, who was in charge of the surrounding security, heard nothing unusual again.Apart from the occasional noise in the No. 2 courtyard where Arong's entourage lived, the No. 3 courtyard where Zou Xing and others lived was extremely quiet.
Shi Zong thought: "It turns out that the Mongols drove Ling Yun away last night, presumably because they were eager to draw a clear line with him. Although he has injuries, he is still a strong enemy. Xin Ju can clearly execute him, why bother to say a few words for Zou Xing Let him go if you beg for mercy?" Immediately asked, "Do you know where Ling Yun went after leaving Wuhua Building?" Zheng Jingdao: "Is it the young official who was escorted by Chief Shi Xiuyu? The next official saw that he was injured. , send someone to take him to the Zhongfang Inn." Shi Zong nodded, and ordered: "Send someone to the inn to bring him here." Zheng Jing didn't know why, so he replied: "Yes."
However, Yu Yi, who Shi Zong sent to the big prison to investigate, rushed in the door, sweating all over her head, and shouted: "President Yu Yi is very good at things, last night in the big prison, a prisoner was indeed sucked to death by a blood-sucking spirit. These two Mongolian warriors are the same." After taking a breath, he added, "The one who died was a repeat criminal, and the jailer just doesn't know what to do." Shi Zong asked, "Who is the dead?" Yu Yi said, "Yes Yang Qing." Hearing this, Shi Zong couldn't help frowning.
At this moment, the Mongols and Muslims were still gathering in the hall, observing Shi Zong's actions in the courtyard carefully, and suddenly heard that another person was also sucked to death, they couldn't help being extremely surprised, they rushed out together, without making any noise, just waiting to hear what happened.Shi Zong looked around at the crowd and said: "Since you don't believe that blood-sucking is accurate, please go to the prison with me and have a look." Ma Wenming said: "I would like to see the details."
A large group of people hurried to the prison.That Yang Qing was locked in the Beishou dungeon, and now he has been lifted up, with his body lying on the prison entrance.Although his body was severely whipped and tortured as soon as he looked at it, he was the same as the two Mongolian warriors, with small red spots all over his body, and his whole body was black and blue with dry skin.Dadu waited for others to see this, and then gradually began to believe that there really were vampires in the world.
The jailer was always crying, and Xinju specifically confessed that the key criminal who was to be tortured died suddenly under his rule. If he was investigated, he would inevitably be charged with ineffective guards, and he might be exiled to another country.Seeing this, Shi Zong sensed his intentions, and said: "The jailer doesn't have to be like this, it's not your fault that Yang Qing was killed by the blood-sucking essence."
The jailer didn't know that a Mongolian warrior was also sucked to death in Wuhua Building, so he said, "Don't you find it strange?" Shi Zong asked, "What's so strange?" Everyone present, including prisoners, guards, and jailers, could not escape, so why is Yang Qing the only one who suffered this time?" Pointing to the opposite prison, "Zen Master Wuyi is locked here, and this prison is facing the prison where Yang Qing was imprisoned. Dungeon. Why was Yang Qing killed, but Zen Master Wuyi remained unscathed?" After a pause, he continued, "If it is said that Zen Master has the protection of the Buddha in the sky, but the head of Arong is locked in the next two rooms, why is he not killed by the vampire?" Blood-sucking?" He Zhong slapped his thigh, and said: "That's right! I said earlier that there are no blood-sucking spirits in this world, but now you can't justify your own explanation, right?" He looked sideways at Shi Zong with a very proud expression.
Shi Zong also felt that this incident of blood-sucking essence was extremely weird. The time, place, and objects were all different from those in the past. After pondering for a moment, he walked to the prison where he was imprisoned without support, and saw him sitting cross-legged in a corner with his eyes slightly closed.Shi Zong shouted: "Zen Master!" Wuyi slowly opened his eyes.Shi Zong asked, "Have Zen Master heard any strange movements last night?" Wuyi said, "There is a rustling sound." Shi Zong said, "Swishling sound? What is that sound?" Wuyi said: "It's like a swarm of rats crawling across the roof beams."
He Zhong rushed forward and asked, "Didn't the Chan Master hear the screams?" Wu Yi said, "There are indeed screams, but they are the screams of someone being tortured during the day."
Everyone was feeling disappointed when they suddenly heard a woman's crisp voice saying: "Let me see." Shi Zong recognized Jia Luo's voice, turned his head, and saw her pushing away the crowd and walking towards the corpse.Another Lou Ding came forward and said in a low voice: "The villain was ordered to find Ling Yun, but he met Jia Luo first, and said that Ling Yun had left the inn early in the morning and went out of the city."
It turned out that Sengnu Duan was put under house arrest by his father in the manager's mansion, and he was not allowed to go out. He was still thinking about Agai, who had met once, and it happened that Jia Luo and Gao Qian came to the mansion to accompany her, so she asked Jia Luo to send some belongings to Zhongfang Inn overnight. Agay.Although Jia Luo had met Ah Gai in person, he didn't know her name, so he came to the inn immediately, but Ah Gai had already moved to Wuhua Building, and then learned from the innkeeper that Ah Gai was Princess Liang.Just as he was about to transfer to Wuhua Building, he met Ling Yun who was injured and returned to the inn. He was pleasantly surprised and left Agai aside. Regardless of Ling Yun's cold words, he stayed in the inn chattering for a long time, and did not leave until midnight. go.After returning to the general manager's mansion, Jia Luo immediately informed Duan Sengnu that Xinju had released the assassin. Duan Sengnu was also very happy, and hated that he couldn't go out to see Ling Yun.The two girls stayed up all night with their own concerns. Early in the morning, Jia Luo took medicine and rushed to the Zhongfang Inn, but unexpectedly learned that Ling Yun had left.She was lost for a long time before she realized that maybe he went to Wuhua Building to find Princess Agai, so she came to Wuhua Building, just in time when Lou Ding came to look for Ling Yun, and then she learned that something serious happened in Wuhua Building.The story of Dali's blood-sucking spirit has been widely circulated, but few people have seen what exactly happened and what a person looks like after being sucked dry by a blood-sucking spirit.Jia Luo became curious for a moment, and hurriedly followed Lou Ding to watch the fun.
Shi Zong knew that Jia Luo had always wanted to protect Ling Yun, and her words were not very trustworthy, so he was about to ask her to come over and ask, when he suddenly heard Jia Luo ask, "Who is this person?" The jailer said, "It's Yang Qing." " Jia Luo said: "Yang Qing? I can't recognize him at all." The jailer said: "He was sucked dry by the blood-sucking spirit." Jia Luo laughed loudly: "So this is the story of the blood-sucking spirit you talked about." ? Haha, he was not sucked to death by some vampire."
Mongols and Hui people don't know her identity and background, seeing her as a young girl, acting unscrupulously, and her appearance is very different from that of Central Plains people, they can't help but look at her curiously.He Zhong was even more overjoyed, and praised repeatedly: "The little lady is very knowledgeable, she really hits the nail on the head." Jia Luo laughed and said, "What knowledge can I have, it's just that you people are too stupid." He Zhong hit a big nail , embarrassing.
Shi Zong rushed over and reprimanded: "Jia Luo, don't talk nonsense." Jia Luo said: "How can I be talking nonsense? Master Shi Zongyu, look at the small holes on the corpse, which are the marks of tick bites. He was bitten by ticks. Ticks suck blood from their bodies and die, yet you still say it’s blood-sucking essence, it’s really funny.”
Everyone looked at each other for a long time before Ma Wenming asked: "Please tell me, my lady, how did you know that these small holes are the marks bitten by ticks? Also, what are ticks?" Jia Luo didn't know that he was dignified. The provincial envoy, seeing that he was about the same age as himself, asked very sincerely and was quite happy, and said with a smile: "Ticks are small brown spiders that live by sucking blood. I am a doctor in the Hall of Medicine Masters, of course I know This is it. Once a patient was poisoned by a strange poison, and the master used ticks to suck out the poisonous blood from his whole body, and poured clean blood into him, thus detoxifying him.”
The Hall of Pharmacists shook the world, and as soon as she became famous, everyone was convinced, there was no longer any doubt, they could only sigh endlessly.
The jailer hurriedly asked: "But why is Yang Qing the only person in the big prison who was sucked by ticks?" Jia Luo said: "I don't know about that. But it's spring now, and ticks are in a period of reproduction. They are still larvae, so they shouldn’t be that harmful.” The jailer said: “So, the blood-sucking blood-sucking cases that happened in the past summer were all caused by ticks?” Jia Luo said: “I’m not sure, I haven’t seen any. There have been blood-sucking cases before, but this person must have been killed by ticks."
Ma Wenming said: "I still have a question, I want to ask the little lady for advice." Jia Luo smiled and said: "Young master, you are welcome, please tell me if you have something to say." Ma Wenming said: "I was thinking... this person was whipped before There are wounds. The two samurai who were blood-sucked in the No. 2 courtyard were also injured when they fought with Arong the day before yesterday..."
Shi Zong immediately understood, and asked, "Jia Luo, could the bloody smell on these people have attracted the ticks?" Jia Luo said lazily, "Well, it's possible." Do people also die from being sucked blood by ticks?" Shi Zongdao: "Is 'possible' possible or impossible?" Jia Luo said: "I'm just talking nonsense, Shi Zongyu, please don't take it seriously." Shi Zong said Only then did he realize that she still held grudges for what he had just reprimanded her, and he was choked up in public for a moment, and the rest of them all laughed secretly.
Jia Luo walked over, patted Ma Wenming on the shoulder carelessly, and said with a smile, "You are very knowledgeable. Tick larvae don't have a good nose, and they can't smell human beings. It is indeed the smell of blood that attracts them."
Shi Zong winked at the jailer, and Shi Zong hurriedly asked: "Then how do we find these ticks?" Jia Luo said: "The ticks are afraid of light and only come out at night. Since the blood-sucking incident only happened in the big prison and five Hua Lou, I guess the female tick should be around here. You might as well put some animal blood outside to lure the larvae out, then follow the vines to find the female tick, and scald it to death in boiling water, so as to avoid future troubles forever." The jailer was overjoyed and said : "Thank you, little lady, for your advice."
The strange case of the vampire was inadvertently revealed to Jia Luo, which was really unexpected.Although the Mongolians reluctantly accepted the fact that their companions were sucked to death by ticks, although they didn’t say much on the surface, they were still upset inside. Why did the ticks suck blood during the Spring Festival this year?Haven't prisoners been tortured in spring in previous years?Why did only Mongolian warriors and Yang Qing, who had a relationship with the Mongolians, die?These questions also puzzled Shi Zong, jailers and others.
When everyone returned to Wuhua Building, Shi Zong was very thoughtful, fearing that there would be another accident, he ordered the building manager Zheng Jing to temporarily move all the residents in Nanyuan to Beiyuan, and then make further calculations after finding the source of the ticks tonight.When Zheng Jing heard that the blood-sucking spirit who had been extremely mysterious for sixty years turned out to be a tick, he was so surprised that he opened his mouth wide and couldn't close it for a long time.
Jia Luo smiled and said: "Building Chief, you have to work hard again. You have to wash the Nanyuan with boiling water and scald the beams and pillars." Zheng Jing was stunned and couldn't answer, Jia Luo ignored it and went to the No.Ma Wenming hurried to catch up and said, "I'll go with my lady." Jia Luo said, "Okay. But you'd better stop calling me lady, little lady or something. It sounds strange. My name is Jia Luo. What's your name?" Ma Wenming said, "My name is Ma Wenming." Jia Luo said, "Well, your surname is Ma, so you must be Huihui, no wonder you look different from those Mongolians." Ma Wenming smiled and said: " What are the Hui people like? What about the Mongols?"
They were talking and laughing as they entered the courtyard, just as A Gai came out.Ma Wenming bowed and said: "See Your Highness Princess. Princess, this is..." Agai said: "I met you in Wuwei Temple. Your name is Jia Luo, and you saved Ling Yun's life." Jia Luo said: "Yes The princess still remembers me." Stretching out his head to look around, he asked, "Isn't Lingyun here?" Agai said, "He's gone." Jia Luo said, "Gone? Where did he go?" Agai said Said: "I don't know, maybe I went back to my hometown in the Central Plains." When Jia Luo heard about it, he couldn't help showing a disappointed look.A Gai was startled, and thought: "Why is she so sad? Is it because she can't see Ling Yun?"
But seeing the leaders of Dadu rushing in, he said: "Princess, there are ticks sucking blood here, please move quickly, princess." Agai didn't know what ticks were, so he didn't ask much, just said: "Wang Fu, Xiao Marquis, I want to go to the general manager's mansion to see the general manager Duan Gong, you should go with me too."
When Jia Luo heard this, he said in surprise: "You are the young master? Could it be that you are the envoy sent by the province?" Ma Wenming said: "Exactly."
Most of them saw Ah Gai dressed in a splendid attire with a calm look, and they didn't know what she had in mind, so they asked, "Princess is going to see Duan Gong, but do you want to persuade him to send troops to rescue the King?" Ah Gai nodded.Dadu said: "Princess, I'm afraid this matter is inappropriate. Now the city is full of wind and rain, saying that Duan Gong is going to marry Ming Yuzhen's righteous daughter Ming Yue, and make a good agreement between the two parties with a white-headed alliance. Proof." Ma Wenming also said: "Princess, you are the princess of this dynasty, you can't be like this..." He wanted to say "low-key", but felt that it was inappropriate, and couldn't think of a suitable word for a while, so he changed his words: "It's better to let me Dadu Wang Fu and I will go to the general manager's mansion first."
A Gai hadn't answered yet, but Jia Luo exclaimed in surprise: "You said that Xinju is going to marry Ming Yuzhen's adoptive daughter? Ah, how is this possible?" Ma Wenming asked, "How is it impossible?" Jia Luo said: " Impossible is impossible." Suddenly remembered something, and said, "Ah, I have to go back and ask Bao Ji." He twisted and ran out of the yard.
But A Gai had already made up his mind, and said resolutely: "I have something important to see Director Duan Gong, I have made up my mind, you two don't need to persuade me anymore." He went out first.Dadu and Ma Wenming looked at each other, not knowing why the always weak princess became so decisive. Of course, everyone couldn't let her go to the governor's mansion alone, and hurriedly followed.
The thing is that Yuanjia Road is narrow. When they came out of Wuhua Building, the group met Ah Rong, the leader of Jianchang.Due to the tick blood-sucking incident, the prison guards were cleaning the prison with boiling water according to Jia Luo's instructions, and all the prisoners were temporarily transferred. As for the two special prisoners, A Rong and Gao Lang, they were also released after consulting Shi Zong.
Ah Rong already knew the identity of Agai's princess, and when he saw her at this moment, he greeted her and embraced her, as if she had the air of a princess.Although he was extremely brave, he also knew that offending Liang Wang's daughter and Duan Gong's daughter would cause endless troubles, and he wanted to go forward to make amends, but when he saw a group of Mongols glaring at each other, Agai didn't even look him straight. Then pass by.
As soon as he arrived at the gate tower, he saw a rider galloping towards him. The rider on the horse was Ling Yun.Everyone was shocked, Ah Gai didn't expect to see him again, and was stunned for a while.Dadu took a step forward and shouted: "The princess spares you, why don't you leave?" Ling Yun didn't get off his horse, just looked at A Gai and said, "Princess, I just got the news that Zhongqing fell into the red scarf three days ago. hands."
Everyone was surprised, and asked in unison: "What?" He Zhong even said: "Zhongqing is surrounded by water on three sides, and has been operating for a hundred years. It is dangerous and strong, and has a heavy army. How could it be so easy to fall?" Where did you get the news?" Ling Yun said: "There is no need to ask more about this Wang Fu, the news is absolutely true. Princess, the king, concubine, and son have already retreated to Chuxiong, you must remember not to return to Zhongqing." Then he turned around The horse's head, galloping like lightning, flew away without looking back.
The family members of all the people present were in Zhongqing City, suddenly they heard that Zhongqing had fallen, they hated the Mongols with red scarves, they were determined to brandish their butcher knives, thinking about the safety of their families, they couldn't help feeling anxious.He Zhongdao: "Wang Fu, look..." Most of them sneered and said: "Don't panic, everyone, Ling Yun has ulterior motives, and the news may not be true." Ma Wenming sighed: "I'm afraid it is true."
He Zhong said: "How does the young master know?" Ma Wenming said: "After the red scarf envoy moved into the Wuhua Building yesterday, Duan Gong specially arranged for the general Zhang Xijiao to sit in the town to prevent accidents. However, at night, someone suddenly Zhang Xijiao called him away, but he hasn't returned yet. Even after the so-called blood-sucking essence incident, only Chief Yuyi came instead of the general. Duan Gong probably knew the news of Zhongqing's fall last night, so he summoned the general overnight Let's discuss the matter." Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay, their hearts were up and down, and they were uneasy.
A Gai suddenly said: "Let's go directly to ask Duan Gong." Her face was full of calmness and calmness, without any trace of sadness, she thought about it all night, and she had a countermeasure in her mind, now she just needs to implement it.
Agai and his party came to the general manager's mansion in a hurry, and most of them reported their intentions, saying that the princess wanted to see Xinju for something important, and Luo Juzi hurried in to report.After waiting for a while, Shi Xiu came out with Yu Yi, and said apologetically, "Xinju is still discussing matters with the generals in the meeting hall, I'm afraid Princess Lao will have to wait for a long time." A Gai was very calm, said: "Not busy. " Shi Xiu asked all his followers to stay outside the mansion, and only led Agai, Dadu, and Ma Wenming in.
Most of them couldn't hold back their anxiety and asked: "Excuse me, Chief Yuyi, is Zhongqing really lost?" Shi Xiudao: "I am only Yuyi, who is responsible for protecting Xinju and the general manager's mansion. I don't know anything about military and state affairs, so please ask yourself Go ask Xinju."
Passing through the double building, the big yamen, bypassing a screen wall, passing through a winding corridor, and arriving at an elegant hall, Shi Xiu invited everyone to sit down and ordered them to serve tea. Stand by yourself to accompany.After waiting for more than half an hour, Yuyi finally came to report: "Xinju invites the princess to the meeting hall." Upon hearing this, Shi Xiu led Agai and others to the hall.
But I saw that the hall was densely covered with feathers, Duan Gong sat in the west hall, his face was tired, he had been discussing for a whole night, and he was somewhat tired.Seeing Ah Gai and others coming in, she directly asked: "What is the princess's business?" Ah Gai said: "Xinju, if you don't give up, I am willing to marry you." She raised her head proudly, "I am the descendant of Genghis Khan. My ancestors are Tuo Lei, Kublai Khan, and the dignified Princess of the Yuan Dynasty. Could it be that I am not as good as the righteous daughter of the rebel Ming Yuzhen?"
Everything in the meeting hall came to a standstill, so quiet that one could even hear a needle drop on the ground.Everyone was dumbfounded and looked at Agai in amazement, including Duan Gong herself—not because she promised to marry her in public, but Dali is popular in free love and private life. , she is a majestic Princess of the Yuan Dynasty, who openly threw herself out as a bargaining chip for alliance. From ancient times to the present, she is probably the only one.
Little did she know that A Gai was naive and didn't understand human affairs. She heard people talking about Duan Gong's intention to marry Ming Yuzhen's righteous daughter Ming Yue, and thought he was just a womanizer, so she came up with the simplest idea - since Ming Yuzhen wholeheartedly wins over Duan Gong, and does not hesitate to use her daughter's lifelong happiness as a bargaining chip, so she can also sacrifice herself in order to save Zhongqing, father and brother.
After a long while, Dadu asked: "Princess, what are you talking about?" Agai said, "I am determined to marry Xinju as my wife." Dadu stammered, "Princess, you...you... "He wanted to say "Are you crazy", but he couldn't say it.Princess Agai's status is so noble, no matter how powerful Duan Gong is, in the eyes of the imperial court, she is nothing more than a local chieftain who dominates the region, how can she condescend to her dignity and take the initiative to commit herself to marrying?What's more, Duan Gong already has a regular wife, she is a dignified princess, and she will eventually become a concubine.If the king of Liang knew about it, he would definitely be furious. He would rather die in a bloody battle than agree to betroth his beloved daughter to the governor of Dali.
From Dali's point of view, it meant something else entirely—Agai's words and deeds were naturally naive, but judging by her expression, she was extremely calm, and she must have thought it through.Marriage of a princess is no small matter. Since ancient times, countless frontier tribal chiefs and leaders have been vying to ask the Central Plains court for intermarriage, and they all regard the marriage of a Central Plains princess as an extraordinary honor.When Tubo was strong, Zanpu Songtsan Gampo failed to marry the princess of the Central Plains. After many years of fighting, Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty agreed to marry Princess Wencheng, the daughter of the clan. Dressed in court clothes, meeting each other as a son-in-law, and imitating the style of the Tang Dynasty, a city wall and palace were specially built for Princess Wencheng. This is the famous Potala Palace.For thousands of years, no tribal leader in Yunnan has been able to marry the princess of the Central Plains.In the past, Nanzhao Wang Longshun bowed his knees and worked hard, but he barely got the imperial edict of the Tang Dynasty to marry the princess, but he never saw the princess marry, and finally died in depression in a lie.Agai does have the capital to be proud. She is the grandson of Kublai Khan VI, the founding emperor of the Yuan Dynasty. She is a real golden branch and jade leaf. If she really married Duan Gong, it would be a rare honor. Status goes a long way.
General Duan Zhen couldn't believe it, and asked: "Does the princess really want to marry us Xinju?" In his tone, it was not a question of whether Duan Gong wanted to marry, but a question of whether A Gai would marry or not.A Gai took off the gold ring on his left thumb and said, "I am willing to drink gold with Dali to form an alliance..."
Most of them knew that the golden ring was a symbol of being born in the golden family, and it was extremely noble in the eyes of the Mongols, so they hurriedly shouted: "Princess, you can't..."
But I heard Agai holding up the golden ring high, and said in a loud voice: "I will not bet on Luhua Tiemuer. I am sincerely willing to marry Duan Gong, the manager of Dali, and never regret it; King Liang and Dali swore to form an alliance and never go to war. See; if you break this oath, you must teach me... I...um..." She wanted to make a heavy oath that was more powerful than a sword piercing her heart, but she couldn't think of what was suitable for a while, and suddenly remembered that she heard Lou Ding mention it when she was washing in the morning.过什么吸血精吸血，当即道，“定教我阿盖被吸血精吸血而死。”
众人听她众目睽睽下义正词严地发誓，却说出了吸血精吸血的话来，不禁有些莞尔。段功等人一直在议事，尚不知道吸血精疑案已破。只有大都道：“公主，没有什么吸血精，吸干人血的是壁虱。”阿盖不及问壁虱是什么东西，道：“嗯，那就让我被壁虱吸血而死。”
饮金为盟是国之重盟，阿盖誓言一出，众人便一齐朝段功望去。段功犹自呆在当场，他掌管大理已经十九年，军国大事均是一语立决，眼前却是平生从所未遇的最棘手之事。昨夜之前，他已经决定保持中立，不与梁王或者明玉珍任何一方结盟。他也听到一些传闻，说是街头巷尾都在议论他将要娶明玉珍义女明玥公主，明玉珍派使者来大理本是机密大事，尤其是明玉珍亲笔书信许嫁明玥公主一事，只有极少数心腹之人知道，现今却传得满城风雨，自是刻意有人兴风作浪。他本无意亲近红巾，也不愿意去理会。但过了昨夜，情势已经大起变化——明玉珍率红巾军在三日前攻下了中庆，梁王率残部退往楚雄，已经极度接近大理与梁王的界关罗那关，倘若明玉珍乘胜追击梁王，大理东部边境将会直接面临红巾的压力。为以防万一，段功已经派大将军张希矫及将军铁万户连夜率兵赶去罗那关增援。不仅如此，他还知道明玉珍除了亲率军队攻打中庆外，另有两路军队，一路指向建昌，一路直指北胜州。建昌是阿荣领地，北胜州则是大理北部咽喉之地，可见明玉珍早有打算，派邹兴与大理结盟不过是拖延时间之举，他们也早料到大理依旧心向元朝，一旦宣称结盟失败，便师出有名，两路偏锋径直进攻大理。梁王已败，大理失去东部屏障，明玉珍再自东向西，就会形成夹击之势，大理境内将烽烟四起。而更为不妙的是，占据湖南、湖北、江西、福建等地的陈友谅也正调兵遣将，召集以能征善战著称的“黑旋风”皁旗军，有意南下与明玉珍联兵，一起攻打云南。当此情形，大理即使想保持中立姿态，只怕也是一厢情愿的想法。他与将军们商议一夜，决意先调集精兵赶往东部边境，再伺机而动。不料当此紧要关头，阿盖突然求见，饮金为盟，声称要嫁与他为妻。他当然知道她并非真心爱慕他，不过是想以联姻为手段，让他出兵营救梁王。不过这却是个极好的契机——目下大理文武官员没有一人赞成发兵襄助梁王，这自然是因为历年积怨极深，尽管梁王派了使者前来求救，大理众人仍是愤愤难平。但实际情况是，与梁王联兵恰恰是大理摆脱即将来临的危机的最好出路，不然战火定将燃进大理，只有联军梁王，主动出击，击败明玉珍主力，收复中庆，才能保一方晏然无事。只不过大理众将放不下仇恨，又担心梁王一旦获救，将来喘过气来，过河拆桥，再与大理开仗，岂不成为千古笑话？但若有阿盖居中盟誓，她是梁王之女，身上又携有梁王金印，当可说服军中将士，岂不闻适才大将军段真话中语气，已有将信将疑的惊喜。只是，他真该就此接受阿盖的下嫁么？这确实是个他想都没有想过的意外问题。
毕竟众所注目，段功无法长久保持沉默，只好开口道：“公主，饮金为盟非同小可……”阿盖道：“我知道。”飞快地掏出那把小小的弯刀，众人惊呼声中，已经一刀割破左手手指，将血一滴一滴注在金指环上，道：“信苴，请你命人取酒来与我盟誓。”她也不问段功是否愿意娶她，只将弯刀倒转，斜搭在腹部，竟似一旦遭到拒绝，便要自刺当场。
段功吓了一跳，忙道：“公主，快些放下刀子。”阿盖摇了摇头，往厅中走了两步，以离得大都远些，免他阻拦，又重复道：“请信苴命人去取酒来与我盟誓。”神色凛然，态度极是坚决。段功心头一震，暗道：“原以为她是个不识人间烟火的娇弱女子，没成想她为了救父亲，竟会有如此大的勇气。”
段真上前一步，低声道：“信苴，这是个大好机会。”段功便道：“好，我答应了。来人，去取酒来。”顿了顿，又道，“公主，请你放下刀子，别割伤了自己。”阿盖见有羽仪飞奔出去，便依言将弯刀垂下。大都明知已不可劝转，还是上前道：“公主，请三思。”阿盖却是不听。
厅中这场变故发生得极快，大多人依旧尚未会过意来。羽仪拿进来两只玉杯，斟满酒。段功走下堂来，站到阿盖身旁。阿盖将手指的血依次滴入两只玉杯中，又用弯刀割下金指环上的金屑入杯。段功一挥手，施秀取过乌钢剑，从旁拔出奉上。段功执剑在手，低声道：“公主，其实你不必嫁我，我也不想强人所难，你只需代表梁王与我大理誓言结盟即可。”阿盖缓缓转起头，惨笑道：“誓言既出，覆水难收。这就请信苴滴血吧。”
段功自忖若不应承，她难以挽回颜面，必然要血溅当场，如此，大理与梁王势成死敌不说，梁王还会上奏朝廷，诬告大理暗结红巾谋反，从此大理兵结祸连，永无宁日，当下不再犹豫，用剑将手指割破，滴血入杯中。二人随即端起玉杯，一饮而尽。
阿盖将金指环交到段功手中，道：“这是我的信物，也请信苴送一件随身物事给我。”段功一时想不出身上有什么可送之物，便道：“这乌钢剑是我随身佩剑，就此送给公主，作为信物。”阿盖道：“好。”取了佩剑，昂然道：“阿盖这就告辞了。”段功问道：“公主要去哪里？”阿盖道：“我要即刻赶去楚雄与我父兄会合。信苴，请你记得方才的誓言，你的未婚妻子在楚雄日夜盼你发兵前来相救。”竟不再流连，转身决然而去。
只在临出厅门的那一刹那，她突然停下脚步，回过头来，苍白憔悴的面容恰似早春二月的溪流，冰清玉洁而又涌动着脉脉忧伤。尤其那清如泉水的眼睛里，饱含着了悲苦期待的目光，仿佛烙印一般烙在了段功心里，尤其被灼伤瞬间所留下的痛，令他永远无法忘怀。
戏剧性的一幕随着阿盖戏剧性的离去又戏剧性地结束了。良久，段功才转头问道：“渊海，我这般做对吗？”杨智道：“信苴为了大理百姓，用心良苦。”到底还是一道长大的伙伴，了解他的心思，段功叹了口气，命道：“去带明玉珍使者来这里。”又道，“将阿荣也一并带过来。”
段真问道：“信苴打算派哪位将军领兵去救梁王？”段功道：“我想亲自去。”段真吃了一惊，道：“信苴身系大理百姓安危，不可轻易涉险，不如由我去。”段功道：“我意已决，大将军你留守阳苴咩。”段真还待再劝，段功挥手止住他，疲倦地道：“我先回寝宫一趟。大将军，请你去安排调军一事，此时正是春耕农忙时节，不宜劳民征集乡兵，我带五千罗苴子出发即可。”
昔日南诏与唐朝开战，均是全境征兵，出动军队人数在十万以上，最多一次达二十万人。大理受总管直接统辖的常备军大约只有三万人，分布在龙首关、龙尾关、阳苴咩等雄关要城，若有战事发生，这些军队须得就地驻守，不可轻易出动，而两支素来用作机动军队的张希矫部及铁万户部已经在昨夜赶去增援罗那关，再要出征，必须临时征召民间精壮男子，即所谓乡兵，称为寸白军。段功只调驻守阳苴咩的罗苴子，实是大大有违用兵之道，要知道，阳苴咩可是大理的心脏。段真道：“信苴亲自出征，五千罗苴子是否太少？”
杨智却是知道段功爱惜百姓，不愿损耗民力，当即道：“信苴大概是认为兵贵精不在多，何况我大理自立国起，四百余年从未与中原汉人交锋，外人不知我方虚实，有着大大的优势。”段功点点头：“渊海说的正是我心中所想，去办吧。”段真只得应道：“遵令。”
段功又道：“渊海，我先回寝宫一趟。等明玉珍使者与阿荣到了总管府，立即派人来叫我。”杨智道：“遵令。”
段功回去寝宫，不是要趁隙休息，而是要向高兰解释与阿盖饮金盟誓一事。他若不及早告知夫人来龙去脉及自己的真实心意，等到传闻沸反盈天时，怕是到她耳中又是另一种全然不同的说法了。
高兰正在书房中观赏一幅画，段功见她神色专注，一时顿住脚步。自昨日从品兰亭拂袖而去，他心中总有些疙瘩难解，乍然再见到夫人，感觉很是异样，她在他眼中完全陌生了起来。高兰见到段功进来，很是意外，忙招手道：“郎君，快些来看。”
段功依言走过去，却见案桌上摆着一幅水墨兰花图，数片简约清淡的兰叶中，一朵刚劲挺拔的兰花写意舒展，神意淡泊，墨妙无前，逸气儒雅，极有韵神。右上角题有“纯是君子，绝无小人。空山之中，以天为春”的字样。段功一见便爱其品格不凡，问道：“这画夫人是哪里得来的？”
高兰不便明说是杨庆妻子刚送来为她丈夫请托求情的礼物，只笑道：“郎君先别问我从哪里得来，只说这幅画如何。”段功道：“好画，好画。”高兰道：“自然是好画，这是南宋人郑所南所画《墨兰图》，其人工于画兰，却从不画土，寓意其故土中原大地为蒙古人所夺。”段功赞道：“好一个有气节的君子。”凝思那《墨兰图》片刻，忽作肃色，转头道：“我有话要对夫人说。”高兰笑道：“我也正有话要对郎君说。”段功道：“好，夫人请先说。”
高兰道：“昨日我到大狱看了高浪，僧奴已经知道错了，你就饶了他吧，他也是为了保护僧奴，才会与阿荣大打出手。”段功尚不知道大狱闹吸血精，阿荣和高浪已经被施宗下令释放，心想既然要放阿荣尽快回建昌抵挡红巾，高浪也不宜再予关押，当即点头道：“好。”
高兰却并不高兴，叹了口气，露出心事重重的样子来。段功道：“夫人不必再为僧奴与阿荣的婚事烦心，如今风云突变，红巾正派兵向建昌进发，阿荣须得尽快赶回去，儿女之事，怕是要暂且放在一边了。”高兰大出意外，问道：“昨晚郎君一夜未回寝宫，为的就是这事么？”段功点了点头，道：“红巾另派了一支人马进军北胜州，因军情紧急，连夜召集将军议事，直到刚刚才结束。抱歉让夫人牵挂。”高兰闻言心花怒放，红巾攻打大理，表明他们根本没有诚意与大理结盟，所谓明玥公主许嫁大理总管的谣言也不攻自破，忙喜滋滋地道：“郎君可别这么说，都老夫老妻了。况且郎君是在为军国大事日夜操劳，我这做妻子的，本来就该多体谅些。”段功听她这般说，到嘴边的话又溜了回去。
高兰又假装不经意地道：“昨日我去大狱，看到狱卒在拷打杨庆，很有些意外，他可是犯了什么过错？郎君也知道，他妻子原是府中侍女，论起来也是故人。”段功猜她有要为杨庆求情之意，不觉有些奇怪，他虽然从来不违背她的意思，但她也从来不干预政事，不知道这次为何要为杨庆出头，当即咳嗽了声，道：“杨庆……”
忽听得有人疾步朝书房奔来，高兰笑道：“是僧奴来了。”段功皱眉道：“都这么大了，怎么还是这么毛躁？”高兰道：“再毛躁也是自己身上掉下的肉。”又叮嘱道，“这回你们父女可要好好说说话。”
不料段僧奴人未到，声音便已经传了进来，道：“阿姆，你听说了么？阿爹要娶梁王的女儿，蒙古公主，适才已经盟过誓了。”风风火火地闯进书房来，一见到父亲正在房内，当场呆住。
高兰更是双目圆睁，失态地瞪视着段功。她的惊奇、愤怒令她瞬间老了十岁，露出老妪的困窘来。段功忙道：“我正要跟夫人说这事，我绝无意娶阿盖公主，与她盟誓，只是为了说服将士与梁王联兵抵挡红巾，将战火阻拦在大理境外。”高兰两耳嗡嗡作响，完全听不进一个字，她不懂战争，也丝毫不关心梁王、红巾，只知道自己倾心相爱的丈夫要娶另外一个女人。
又听见段僧奴讪讪问道：“阿爹是说那蒙古公主叫阿盖么？”她一直被软禁府中，这才知道她在五华楼前从阿荣手下救下的阿盖，就是梁王之女。难不成这个曾与她姊妹相称、一齐饮雪的温柔女子，将要成为她的庶母？见父亲不答，又一眼瞧见他左手小指上戴着一枚金指环，正是阿盖之物，不由得又气又恼，抗声问道，“阿爹，你应该知道阿盖的年纪比女儿大不了两岁吧？”
段功一时急怒交加，喝道：“我与你母亲正在商议事情，你跑进来插什么嘴？”他从来没有发过这么大火，段僧奴吓了一跳，愣得一愣，赌气转身跑出书房。段功道：“夫人……”却听见门外有羽仪禀道：“信苴，段真大将军请你速去议事厅，有急事。”段功不及再向高兰解释，叹了口气，离开了书房。
重回议事厅，却只见到阿荣一人等在堂前，不见明玉珍使者邹兴等人。施秀上前禀道：“属下派人去五华楼找明玉珍使者，发现邹兴几人已经不在。据楼丁说，他们在大伙儿都赶去大狱查看吸血精时离开，说是要四处逛逛，但再也没有回来。属下派人问过巡城的罗苴子，得知他们已经离开五华楼后便迅速出了北城门，骑马往龙首关去了。若是派人快马赶去龙首关通知守卫阻拦，怕是已经来不及。”
段真道：“邹兴等人作为实在令人失望。”杨智道：“怕是他们已经知道明玉珍占据中庆，而红巾在北边针对北胜州、建昌的两路进攻即将开始，所以才不告而别。”段功点头道：“我猜邹兴几个要赶去北胜州方向，与那一路的红巾会合。”段真冷笑道：“北胜州是我大理边防重镇，知府高斌祥向来注重练兵，建有小吉都兵寨，其部属训练有素、骁勇善战，又有象队，可不是红巾那群散兵游勇轻易能够对付。”段功道：“尽管如此，还是要多加提防。来人，立即传书北胜知府高斌祥，命他迅疾发兵赶往金沙江北防御红巾，尽量不要让刀兵在我大理境内对垒。”当即有羽仪轰然答应。
段功又叫过阿荣，告知红巾正三路进攻云南，其中一路正是建昌。阿荣本以为段功要为昨日五华楼之事狠狠训斥自己，正有讪讪之意，忽听得红巾胆敢趁他不在时偷袭部落，登时大怒，拍胸道：“岳丈，你不必为此烦心，我这就赶回建昌，不将红巾杀得一个不剩，决不再来大理见你。”
段功倒不十分为建昌担心，虽说头人来了大理，群龙无首，但部落男女均彪悍雄健，红巾人数虽多，却大多是挟裹参军的贫民，未经任何军事训练，难以匹敌建昌骁勇善战之辈，岂不见前晚阿荣与大都打架，受伤的只是蒙古人。见阿荣信誓旦旦，便道：“也好，你尽快赶回去。切记红巾诡计多端，只有当他们来犯时，你才可出击，一旦对方败逃，绝不要冒险追击。”阿荣哪里听得进去，随意应道：“知道了，小婿这就告辞。”
等阿荣出去，段真又上来禀告行军调度一事，预计最快也要三日后才能出发。段功已经得知明玉珍占领中庆后，自己率步兵留守，另派弟弟明胜率军向楚雄进发，预备乘胜追击，将梁王一举歼灭，红巾日下气势极盛，怕是沿途梁王军队难以抵挡，明胜轻骑前锋最快四日便可抵达楚雄，因而嫌三日准备太迟，便交代先带三千罗苴子，但明日午时之前大军一定要出发。
自大理立国，从未有段氏亲自率军出征者，此刻大理国虽不复存在，然大理总管辖区广达大半个云南，段功亲自出征非同寻常，尚有无数事情要忙着交代。
这一夜，大理虽然平静依旧，但却有了小小的涟漪——南北城门灯火通明，一队队骑兵鱼贯进出，多少带来了战争的气息。大理总管要娶梁王公主的事也传遍了全城，虽然有识者叹服段功远见与气度，但大多平庸之人不明真相，难免议论段功是中了梁王的美人计。
一直忙到深夜，段真、杨智等人辞去，段功才略感到疲倦，却不愿意就此回寝宫休息，明日就要出征，要考虑的事情实在太多，他不想再为娶阿盖一事却受妻子、女儿的冷言冷语。等到击败红巾后，他向梁王说明，婚姻之约是阿盖救父心切、情急之下信口而出，不必当真，梁王也不会愿意将爱女许嫁给一个已有妻室的中年男人，当然乐得取消婚约，到时既与梁王修好，又不必耽误阿盖的青春，他独自率军回到大理，所有人自会明了他心意。
正思忖间，忽见儿子段宝端着一只玉碗走了进来，不由得精神一振，笑道：“阿宝，你来得正好，阿爹有事要嘱咐你。”段宝将手中玉碗奉上，道：“阿爹先喝了汤。”段功接过来，汤还是热的，一口喝下，身子顿感一阵暖意，既有精神上的，又有生理上的。段功问道：“是阿姆让你送来的么？”段宝道：“是。”
段功将碗放下，正色道：“阿宝，阿爹明日便要领军出征，你是我独生爱子，早有坦绰名号，若是阿爹这次不能回来，便由你继承大理总管之位。”段宝道：“阿爹何出此言？阿爹保家卫国，自有佛祖庇护。孩儿日夜盼阿爹得胜归来，不作它想。”段功叹道：“战场上的生死，可是谁也说不清。”他知道儿子年纪虽幼，却是沉稳多思，对其远比对女儿放心，道，“阿爹不在时，你要多照顾阿姆、阿姊，军政大事自有段真大将军帮你，无须担忧。”段宝道：“是。”段功道：“你下去吧，阿爹还有事。明日你再到议事厅来，正式开始处理政事。”段宝道：“是。”
段功又叫过施宗、施秀，交代总管府中事宜。施秀忙道：“我们兄弟商量过了，信苴这次出征路途遥远，远离家乡，不知道何时才能返回大理，我们想带些羽仪，跟在信苴身边。虽说信苴有罗苴子保护，然而总是我们这些人跟随信苴日久，更得力些。”施宗道：“这，也是夫人的意思。”
大理总管在内部极少使用印信，传令多靠心腹羽仪直接宣达，段功早养成习惯，确实对羽仪有所依赖，沉吟片刻，道：“也好，就按你们说的办。”施宗、施秀大喜，连声应了，自出去选拔精干人手。
议事厅中沉寂下来，愈发显得空旷。段功凝视着案头那只玉碗，叹了口气，起身往寝宫而去。来到卧房外，却见侍女迎上前来，告道：“夫人去了宝姬住处，不在这里。”
段功正欲去女儿住处，侍女又道：“夫人有话，若是信苴回来，不必等她，她今晚歇在宝姬那里了。”
段功知道夫人心中气恼，不欲与自己相见，然而他明日就要出征，总得有道别之语。当下又往段僧奴住处而来，却见小楼上一片漆黑，无丝毫光亮