Chapter 16 The Sixteenth Chapter of Desperate Love and the Pearl Meets Danger
When school was over, it was just before the end of the day, and Kangxi and his party still returned by the same way.Zhang Wanqiang had been waiting in Shenwumen for a long time.Wei Dongting watched them enter the palace, so he felt relieved and rode away.
The sky was so overcast that it was as stuffy as in a steamer.The hideous and terrifying black clouds from the west were still rolling over layer by layer, and the entire street was gloomy.Wei Dongting lived in an alley east of Hufang Bridge.A very ordinary two-entry courtyard house, except for two servants, a dozen servants and an old door, there is no one else.He seldom interacted with people in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and when he returned to the quiet courtyard, he felt bored, so he took off his outer long clothes and practiced kung fu.
His martial arts was originally learned from the famous hero Shao'an in Fengtian.Although this Peng Shao'an is a master, he is actually not very old, he is the closed disciple of Taoist Ye Yun, the tenth generation master of Wudang, and he is already famous in Hubei and Henan in his early twenties.After teaching for three years, Peng Shaoan wanted to travel back to the south, and the master and apprentice broke up.Due to the hot weather.After practicing Xingyiquan, Wei Dongting's clothes were soaked in sweat, he was about to take a bath when he saw the old man come in and replied: "Master Ming is here, I don't know where he fought with someone, his head is broken and his face is swollen, please see me Where is the master?"
Wei Dongting rushed out the second door in three steps and two steps, Mingzhu had already entered the courtyard in front, her clothes were torn in several places, her elbows were exposed, her face was scratched in several places, the situation was very embarrassing.I haven't seen him for more than a month. It turned out that the elegant Jinshi master is so promising, Wei Dongting couldn't help laughing, "Puchi" laughed and said: "Biaotai, what's wrong with you, a new nobleman?"
While joking, he saw an old man standing behind Mingzhu, his braids were gray, his robe was tucked into a cowhide belt, and black lake silk bloomers were put on his leather boots. He stood with piercing eyes, even It is mighty.Suddenly, Wei Dongting's eyes lit up, and he didn't care to see him, he stepped forward and grabbed the old man's hand and said, "Master Shi, you made it hard for me to find it! Where is this all along? Where is Jianmei?"
"My dear brother!" Mingzhu waved his hands beside him and said, "Let's go into the house and talk!" Wei Dongting understood, and said to the old man, "Go to Yulouchun and get a jar of good wine. Our relatives haven't seen each other for many years, and we are doing well today. Lele." The old man agreed to go.
The three of them went into the West Wing and sat down, Mingzhu sighed, and said with a wry smile: "My brother, I almost lost my life today! It's not the old hero who rescued me, it's over!"
It turned out that Mingzhu had been staying at Cuigu's place in Jiaxinglou for more than ten days. She went out to visit customers this morning and wanted to go back to Yueming's store to have a look.At this time, it was past noon, and as soon as he walked to the door of the store, He Guizhu greeted him with a smile on his face, and said courteously, "You are old, there is a private seat inside, please come inside!"
He Guizhu pretended to be a stranger and let Mingzhu in, but it made Mingzhu fall into a fog.Just as she was wondering, Mingzhu suddenly saw a few dubious people sitting in the front shop eating wine, they looked like people from the yamen, squinting at this side.He knew something was wrong, and said in his mouth: "Don't be idle." He wanted to slip away.
Unexpectedly, as soon as he turned around, he collided with a person, looked up, and saw a few burly men, blocking the way, the leader was a square, fair-faced man, his triangular eyes twitched uncontrollably, his hands were stuck on his waist, he sneered and said: " Master Ming, you are very smart, and Boss He is also very clever, isn’t that Mr. Wu also so capable?” A man next to him said with a smile: “It’s still Master Sanmo’s eyes that almost let this kid slip away! Seeing that Mingzhu had been arrested, several people in the store also got up and surrounded them with smiles.Namo grabbed Mingzhu's chest and asked, "Say! Where has Wu Ciyou been these few days?"
At this moment, Mingzhu became worried, and replied with a slap in the neck: "Who are you? I have a reputation!"
"Fame?" Namo laughed loudly, "Aren't you just a fellow Jinshi? You are still having a fucking dream, and Ao Zhongtang will have you kicked out!" A few spectators around heard that they had taken a Jinshi The master stretched his neck and watched in a daze. Hearing what Nemo said was interesting, he laughed along with him.
Suddenly an old man squeezed out of the crowd, grabbed Namo's wrist, and said darkly, "Let go!" Namo struggled twice, as if he had been cast to death by iron. flushed.Shocked and angry, he shouted, "Old bastard, none of your business!"
Mingzhu's notes are very good, and at a glance, he recognized the old man as Shi Longbiao, a martial artist from Xiheyan. With an idea, he broke away, pointed at Namo and shouted: "Master Shi, this is a group of strong people, please save me!"
Needless to say, Shi Longbiao also knew Namo. When he ransacked Sukesaha's house, it was the gate guarded by Namo, and Shi Longbiao had to sneak out by mixing with his family.Seeing Nemo here today, it is because the enemy is so jealous when they meet each other.At the moment, he ignored Mingzhu and only asked Namo: "Why do you bully your beloved? What are you doing?"
"Speaking out scares your bones!" Namo straightened his chest and said, "I'm a fourth-rank guard with a sword in the imperial court. Now I've been ordered by Jun to arrest someone, but you're the only one who asks!"
Shi Longbiao smiled coldly, stretched out his hand and said, "Certificate!"
Namo squinted at Shi Longbiao, pulled out a bundle of papers from his pocket and said, "Open your dog eyes and see!"
Shi Longbiao took it and glanced at it, clapped his hands together, tore it in two with a "pop", and said flatly: "Fake!"
"You, you!" Namo was furious, and a black tiger pounced on Shi Longbiao.Shi Longbiao didn't panic, he swung Namo aside with his left arm, and slapped him on the back of his heart with his right palm, saying: "Boy! Let's learn for a few years before fighting!"
Namo rushed a foot away before standing still, and shouted with a whistle: "Everyone!"
A dozen plainclothes soldiers who came with Nemo rushed towards Shi Longbiao after hearing the order.Shi Longbiao "lazily tied the clothes" and snatched the first three people down; grabbed the pearl with one hand, and swayed the other hand casually to grab the road.The two of them entered the city and got mixed up in the crowd until now. Seeing that the sun was falling, Mingzhu dragged Shi Longbiao to Wei Dongting.
Hearing what Mingzhu said, Wei Dongting was speechless for a while.Seeing his hesitation, Shi Longbiao smiled and said: "Nephew, I know that your place is not a safe place either. We will leave as soon as it gets dark." Just as he was talking, the old man had returned from buying wine, and put a cloth on the table. After a few snacks, I retreated.Wei Dongting smiled while pouring the wine: "What did the old man say? I've been waiting for you and looking for you for more than five years. How did you come here these past few years? Why didn't you come to see me?"
"Speaking of which, it's bitter!" Shi Longbiao sighed, and fell into deep memories, "When we met at Xiheyan, you went to look for the car. After a while, Murima's horse team rolled over and searched the forest. When Jianmei saw that the situation was not good, she urged me to run away... Her face was pale with shock, until now, whenever I have a dream, she flickers in front of my eyes...
"Jianmei said to me: 'If you don't run away, neither of them will be able to escape. Maybe I can slowly try to escape after you leave!' Then she climbed up the tree, shaking the leaves of the poplar tree and rattling.
"I was so anxious that I was sweating all over, and there was really nothing I could do. Hearing the horse team getting closer and closer, I went straight to the northwest direction in a heartbeat, and when I was half a mile out of the bushes, I heard people behind me yelling at the horses, shouting: 'Take it. Stop, on the tree!'" I was about to get up and run again, when I saw all the ambush soldiers in front of me standing up and running towards Jianmei, that's when I realized that this forest was surrounded by groups.At this time, single-handedly, no matter how high the martial arts are, it is still useful.I didn't dare to delay for a moment, so I ran out of the riverside along the grass in Shawo, and I heard someone shouting from behind: "The old guy is over there, hurry up!" '" At that time, I didn't care about the bitter spring water, so I jumped into the river and swam across the other bank. As soon as I climbed the embankment, I heard the sound of horseshoes, and I chased around the bridge. It’s early spring, and the crops haven’t risen yet. If you take a look, you can see a mile away. At this time, there is no way to enter the sky, and there is no way to enter the earth...”
Speaking of this, Shi Longbiao heaved a sigh of relief, picked up a large glass of wine and drank it without looking at it, and then said: "I was in a panic without time, and vaguely heard the sound of gongs in the west. At that time, my clothes were soaked, and I was really uncomfortable." Like a human being, I thought that this must be a passing official, and instead of letting Murima catch it, it would be better to ask the official for help, so I ran straight to the west..."
"Who is that?" Mingzhu asked worriedly, sweating on her head.
"Suksaha Zhongtang," Shi Longbiao replied, his words were filled with emotion, "When he saw me running dripping and kneeling in front of the sedan chair, he asked me who I was and why I was in such a mess. I just said I was a performer. There are bad guys chasing after me—before I can say anything, the cavalry arrives. The leader goes up to greet Mr. Su, saying that he is catching a thief, and asks Mr. Su for me. Mr. Su asks that he is from Murima, and he is stern and refuses to let go , Take me back to the mansion.
"That afternoon, Mr. Su interrogated me in the back court. After asking the reason, he pondered for a while, and then said: 'You have martial arts, so let me stay here and teach my children. When there is a chance, I will find you a family background. .' From then on, I stayed in the Su Mansion as a coach."
"What about Jianmei?" Wei Dongting asked eagerly, "Did you see her later?"
"No." Shi Longbiao clapped his palms and sighed, "Su Zhongtang said that Ao Zhongtang was always looking for things about him, and advised me not to go out, and I couldn't bear to implicate him. Later, I quietly disguised myself a few times, and after inquiring, Jianmei seemed to have entered Ao's mansion. Hou's family is like a sea, so I don't know the details...I know about you here, but I didn't come to look for you because I wondered why one more person was bothering me. I didn't want Su's mansion to suffer a catastrophe, and almost killed the entire family. I took His youngest son, Changshou, ran away. ——No matter what, I will always be worthy of him."
Hearing Shi Longbiao's voice, Wei Dongting seemed to be full of meaning, wanted to ask him the purpose of coming to Beijing, but shook his head and did not open his mouth.Mingzhu couldn't help asking: "Where is Mr. Su family now?"
"I hid him in the country." Shi Longbiao stopped talking when he said this, and Wei Dongting couldn't ask any more questions, so he just sat down and ate wine.After a long time, Wei Dongting cheered up and said: "Old man Shi escaped from a catastrophe and saved brother Mingzhu. Today's gathering is really rare, let's talk about the happy ones!"
Having said that, he had something on his mind after all, and it was difficult to arouse interest.Shi Longbiao thought he was tired, so he said: "You are tired too, rest early today!" Wei Dongting smiled and said, "I'm not tired, I was thinking about one thing, how did Oboi know that Mr. Wu is still in Beijing? They sent someone to arrest him again."
Shi Longbiao didn't know the whole story, so naturally he couldn't answer, Mingzhu lowered his head and pondered for a while: "Oh, cousin, Aobai copied Su Zhongtang's house and copied the papers of eldest brother, can you not be suspicious?"
With a word of reminder, Wei Dongting also suddenly realized, and suddenly thought of He Guizhu, his heart tightened again, his face was gloomy, and he was about to get up to deal with this matter, when the old man came in and said: "Master, Eunuch Zhang is here outside." Wei Dongting hastily He said, "You two sit down and drink, and I'll come as soon as I go." Then he left the west chamber and came to the vestibule.
Zhang Wanqiang and Wei Dongting are familiar with each other informally.When Wei Dongting came in, he saw him sitting and drinking tea, so he smiled and said, "There are two friends behind, and the wine is good, why don't you sit and get drunk together!" Zhang Wanqiang laughed and said, "I don't have much time today. , Let’s bother another day.”
Wei Dongting sat down and said with a smile: "Visiting in the middle of the night, there must be something important!" Zhang Wanqiang saw that the old man had gone to the back, so he got up, stood facing south and facing north, and said softly: "By secret order—" Although the words were light, Wei Dongting was like an electric shock Thunder, he hastily got up and stepped forward, he was about to kneel down when he lifted his robe.
Zhang Wanqiang said: "Long live there is a decree to listen to the announcement without ceremonies-a secret decree: Wei Santing, the sixth-rank bodyguard in front of the imperial court, enters the palace immediately, and sees you in the Wenhua Palace, hereby!"
Wei Dongting was very surprised: "There has never been such an example! Besides, the palace gate is locked at this moment, don't you just make fun of me?"
"This is indeed abnormal." Zhang Wanqiang said sternly: "Who dares to make fun of this! There is no need to worry too much about entering the palace, let's go." Wei Dongting hurried to the backyard to take care of Shi and Ming. With a waist knife, he ordered the old man to take care of the guests and eat wine, and then he followed Zhang Wanqiang and rode straight to the Forbidden City.
The night was late, the sky was as black as ink, the thunder rolled from far to near, the lightning danced in the gaps in the clouds, and the cool wind swept across, rolling up the floating dust from the ground and hitting people's faces. Blowing away Wei Dongting's hot body.After the wind and thunder, there was silence again, but from time to time there was a desolate and long cry from the security office in the alley, which added to the mystery of the dark night.
A palace slave and a young imperial bodyguard rode side by side on horseback without making a sound.Zhang Wanqiang glanced sideways at Wei Dongting from time to time in the night, but it was so blurry that he could only see an outline. Occasionally, he flashed across the sky, and the universe was bright and bright, only to see Wei Dongting's expressionless face staring straight ahead like a stone carving. The stone carving sank again into a darker obscurity.Zhang Wanqiang couldn't help thinking to himself: "This man is very powerful. Compared with the iron beggar, he is more rigid than vulgar. No wonder Xiong Cilu and Suo'etu praised him in every possible way. This calm demeanor is the appearance of a nobleman!"
In fact, Wei Dongting is not what Zhang Wanqiang thought at this time, he is thinking wildly: "This interview is chosen at this time, it can be seen that it is not a trivial matter, it must be related to Oboi. What can I do as a little guard? At this moment, where is He Guizhu?" Well, he knows Wansui’s whereabouts very well. If something happens to him, can he be relied on? Should he be changed to another place, or should he be killed to silence him?... If Jianmei knew about this, what would he think. He doesn’t know what to do now— - Cough, why did I think of this place!"
As he was walking, he suddenly heard someone shouting in front of him, "Who is it? You are not allowed to ride a sedan chair or ride a horse unless there is a special decree here!" Suddenly, Wei Dongting realized that he had arrived at Wufeng Tower.At this time, the sky had begun to sprinkle raindrops sparingly, hitting the green brick floor in front of the Forbidden City with intermittent rustling sounds.
The two got off their horses, and the man came over with several people carrying lanterns. It turned out to be a middle-aged servant.Seeing that it was Zhang Wanqiang, he hurriedly apologized with a smile and said, "Eunuch Zhang, Liu Gui greets you. It's so late, where are you going?" Zhang Wanqiang took out the golden arrow from his bosom and waved it under the lamp, and said proudly: "Long live special decree, to see Wei Dongting " Liu Gui understood, led the two of them to the right door without saying a word, and let them in.
Unexpectedly, when they arrived at Jingyun Gate, the two were stopped by a group of guards who patrolled the night: "Hey! What are you doing? The gate of the palace has been locked, and no one else is allowed to enter the palace, no matter they are allowed or not!"
When Zhang Wanqiang looked up, a few glass lamps were clearly shining, and the leader was the second-class guards Murima and Namo, standing in the rain in oil coats, blocking the way.Zhang Wanqiang hurriedly stepped forward and said with an apologetic smile: "The emperor was reading the memorial in the Wenhua Palace, and sent the guards of Wei Dongting to the various ministries to fetch the urgent memorial. It was raining and delayed for a while..." As he said, he took out another roll from his bosom Dangled under the lamp.
"False words!" Before the words were finished, Nemo shouted: "I am working in the Wenhua Palace, why didn't I listen to the decree?" Zhang Wanqiang hurriedly said: "The emperor's order in the Yangxin Palace before dinner, how dare it be false! " Murima said arrogantly: "No one is allowed to pass through the Qianqing Gate if he has not received a clearance card. Tell him to come back tomorrow!"
Zhang Wanqiang was feeling embarrassed, and Wei Dongting said coldly: "The emperor summoned me, of course you don't need to know." Murima turned around and said: "A small sixth-rank guard blocked your drive, tomorrow I will Plead guilty to the emperor."
"You can't be blamed!" Wei Dongting sneered: "He raised his voice and shouted: "Which of you dare to resist the order?Eunuch Zhang, let's go in! " After finishing speaking, he pulled Zhang Wanqiang and wanted to force his way in.
Murima yelled: "Who dares!" With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen guards dispersed with a roar, and stood in a fan shape and approached the two of them.Wei Dongting also "gifted" and drew out his waist knife, and set up a posture to meet the enemy.A burst of heavy rain fell, and a flash of lightning shone on the imminent formation.
While riding a tiger, someone suddenly shouted from Jing Yunmen: "Zhang Wanqiang, what's the matter with you, the emperor told you to pass on Wei Dongting, what are you dawdling about?"
Everyone listened, but when they looked back, it was Sun Dianchen running out of the rain, panting, he didn't seem to see the swords drawn by both sides, he pushed aside the crowd and pulled Wei Dongting and went in.Murima was furious, and scolded Namo: "Stupid thing, hurry up and serve the emperor!" Namo agreed with a "Zha—" and disappeared into the rainy night.
The thunder in the sky was frightening, and the lightning sometimes looked like a twig, and sometimes it was like a golden snake flying through the sky, rushing out from behind the clouds, illuminating the gloomy Forbidden City in a pale white.The accumulated water on the blue brick floor was bubbled up by the raindrops.The sound of rushing rain and the sound of thunderbolt from time to time are intertwined, as if nothing exists in the universe.
The main entrance of the Wenhua Hall was half open, and the candlelight was shining inside, but there were not many attendants, only two rows of guards stood motionless in the rain.Wei Dongting stepped onto Danchi, took off his oil coat, shook the water, took off his waist knife and put them on the corridor, then knelt down and reported loudly: "Wei Dongting, the sixth-rank imperial guard, has an audience with the Holy Majesty!" Kangxi sternly ordered: "Come in!" Wei Dongting stepped into the hall, kneeled three times and kowtowed nine times to Kangxi according to the etiquette required for an audience, and then raised his head.
Kangxi sat upright to accept the ceremony with a solemn expression on his face.Xiong Cilu and Suo'etu knelt aside, also silently listening to Emperor Kangxi's edict.
Kangxi didn't speak yet, stood up slowly and walked back and forth between the three of them, and looked at Wei Dongting who was prostrate on the ground by candlelight. Dripping on the ground, occasionally a bright light shines on the body, just like a toad made of iron.
"Wei Dongting, how do I treat you?"
Hearing this, Wei Dongting firmly shook his head three times and replied: "This slave was born as a lowly slave, and has been favored by the imperial court for several generations. "
"I have something embarrassing," Kangxi breathed out and asked again: "Are you willing to risk your life to do an errand for me?"
"May! The servant shall be loyal in life, and shall be faithful in death!"
"Okay!" Kangxi exchanged glances with Suo'etu and said: "I know you very well. Suo'etu and Xiong Cilu will also protect you with their lives." Wei Dongting looked at the expressionless Xiong He and Suo kowtowed and replied: "This is the wrong love of the emperor, and the wrong recommendation of the two adults. As long as I have a breath, I will do my best to serve the Holy One!"
Kangxi looked back at Suo'etu and Xiong Cilu, and they kowtowed in return.Kangxi then turned around and took off his sword, and said solemnly: "The precious sword is given to the warrior, I hope you will live up to my heart!"
Wei Dongting answered with a sob: "Thank you!" Hot tears streamed down his cheeks, bursts of soreness gushed out of his chest, and he couldn't speak a word.
He stretched out his trembling hands, wanting to receive the precious sword bestowed by the emperor, but unexpectedly Kangxi leaned over and took him up, and personally put the sword on his waist, asking, "You are a sixth-rank officer," Wei Dongting asked. Just as he was about to reply, Kangxi returned to his original seat and said loudly: "Remember! Wei Dongting's guards have made meritorious service. They were promoted to be the third-class guards with swords in front of the imperial court. They are forbidden to enter and leave the palace with the imperial court. The sword armor is incomprehensible!"
Xiong Cilu and Suo'etu were so moved that tears came out of their eyes, and they prostrated themselves on the ground and said: "Long live!" A eunuch had already presented the third-class bodyguard uniform, Sehualing Dingdai, and awarded it on the spot.
Kangxi also felt that his eyes were a little wet, turned his head away, got up and stepped out of the hall, looked up at the unfathomable sky in the gurgling rain, he thought to himself: the anger and roar of the heavens are to annoy me, the "son of heaven", for being unworthy What about punishing the crimes of powerful ministers and evil officials?Complicated state affairs appeared in front of him: the mob in Qingzhou took a lot of effort to calm down in the Seventh Rebellion; Taiwan refused to surrender; Jiangnan elders stiffened their necks one by one and determined not to eat the millet of the Qing Dynasty... These problems have been weighing on his heart for several years and he has no way to dispel them.The washing of the heavy rain gradually calmed him down: "Although Wu Ciyou and Xiong Cilu did not learn the same way, they both expressed my thoughts; if the troubles in the heart and belly are not cured, the elbow and armpit diseases are bound to be dangerous. Even if you seek to be a husband, you will not get it."
A gust of wind blew, Kangxi shivered uncontrollably, subconsciously stroked his shoulders, and suddenly felt someone behind him put on a windbreaker, and when he looked back, it was Oboi's servant Namo!Startled, he asked, "What are you doing here?"
Namo hurriedly took a step back, slapped a thousand children on the rainy ground and said, "It's raining boss, master is standing outside, be careful of catching a cold!" A flash of lightning suddenly flashed, Kangxi could see it clearly, and Namo replied with his hand on his waist knife, feeling in his heart Trembling suddenly, he hurriedly said: "You step back, I will enter the palace." When he looked back, Wei Dongting was standing behind him.Namonuo Nuokui backed away.Kangxi walked into the hall, took out the gold watch in his pocket and looked at it, it was already the beginning of Wuweihai.The scene just now made him terrified and disturbed, but his face didn't show it. Seeing several people still kneeling, he waved his hands and said: "Wei Dongting, I have entrusted you with the mission, you can go to Suo'etu's mansion to make a plan. , the palace is not a good place," after finishing speaking, he delivered an order and drove back to the palace.Wei Dongting was about to escort him, when Kangxi said loudly: "Sun Dianchen, you take a sentry guard to serve me. You guys go!"
A bolt of lightning flashed quickly, illuminating the inside and outside of the hall like daylight, and almost at the same time, there was a thunderclap.After the thunder and lightning, everything returned to its original state.Then there was the heavy rain, pouring down, beating the silent Forbidden Palace.