Chapter 80 The fourth quarter star hangs in the sea

With light vehicles and fast horses, Zhang Yi got out of Hangu Pass and entered Qi State in five or six days. It was May, which was the busiest time for the farm.As soon as you enter the Qi Realm, you can see farmers harvesting the whole field everywhere. Compared with the Wei and Lu countries along the way, the fields are much more prosperous, and the farmers resting on the ridges of the fields also sing soothing songs from time to time.Although the itinerary was in a hurry, Zhang Yi also felt the difference immediately, and was very excited about the results of Su Qin's reform.Although Su Qin's alliance fell apart for a while, lost his foothold in Yan State, and fell into Linzi for a while, but this reform in Qi State is enough to make up for all the shortcomings, so that the world will still look at Su Qin with admiration!Zhang Yi is very pleased that Su Qin can finally have such a destination.After all, it was Su Qin who pioneered the world's vertical and horizontal, without the vertical and horizontal, what is the value of Zhang Yi's Lianheng?Why gain a foothold in Qin State?After all, Zhang Yi admired Su Qin. Although it was a competition, Zhang Yi seemed to win.But from the bottom of his heart, Zhang Yi really thought that: Su Qin was a great writer who opened up the world, and he was just a contingency to follow up; his victory was not so much a matter of ingenuity and strategy, but rather a result of the strength behind him. ——If Su and Qin were in Qin, or if the two were swapped, what would the general situation of the world be like?Looking at the scene of prosperity all the way, Zhang Yi moved her mind. After the Xianyang Dynasty became clear, if the Qin State could not accommodate her, she and Yinghua Feiyun came to Qi State to live in seclusion on the seashore, and spent a lot of time with Su Qin Yanji to enjoy the time of confidant friendship. happy.

Thinking about it, Zhang Yi entered Linzi, but Zhang Yi didn't bother to go up to see Su Qin, so he drove straight to Mengchangjun's mansion.The quickest way to find an alchemist is to ask Mr. Mengchang for help. Zhang Yi can feel at ease only if this important matter is implemented first. As soon as Zhang Yi entered the familiar stone street, Zhang Yi noticed that the atmosphere was abnormal.The usually quiet side street is full of cars and horses, and officials come and go constantly. Two rows of fully armored warriors stretch from the street entrance to the gate of the mansion like nails.Mr. Mengchang has never liked to make publicity, so something extraordinary must have happened in such a situation!Could it be that Qi State is going to use troops against Yan State?When he arrived at the gate of the mansion, the old man was sending a person out from the hall. He recognized Zhang Yi's chariot and horse, so he hurriedly greeted him and said, "The prime minister came by chance, and Mr. Meng Chang is not in the mansion. The prime minister, please wait in the mansion for a while, and the old man will send someone there." Please go back to the mansion, master." Zhang Yi asked: "Has Mr. Mengchang entered the palace?" The old man said in a low voice, "There is an urgent matter in the prime minister's mansion, and my master has been gone for an hour." Zhang Yi then waved his hands and said with a smile: "No, I will go by myself In the prime minister's mansion, I saw two of them at once." The driver of the chariot was Fei Yun, who could understand that, with a turn of the reins, the chariot rattled out of the stone street.

In a short while, at the entrance of Dexiangfu Street, there was still a strict army. There was a long queue of chariots and horses in front of the gate of Xiangfu.Zhang Yi couldn't help laughing, it was nothing more than King Qi came to Su Qin's mansion, the three monarchs and ministers discussed and dispatched troops, even if it was a big event, how could it be such a battle?As soon as I thought about it, I realized that I hadn't received any news from Prince Yingji from Yan in Xianyang, and that Qi was obviously going to secretly use troops against Yan!If this is the case, it is indeed a big event. Since he was met by himself, Qin Guocheng, he naturally had to think of a countermeasure, and he couldn't let Qi State swallow the fat of Yan State alone.

While thinking about it, he arrived at the gate of the Prime Minister's Mansion.Jing Yan, who was holding a long sword, was standing guard at the porch. Seeing Zhang Yi's chariot, she hurriedly strode up to meet him: "Prime Minister, please follow me." Then she took Zhang Yi and his party, and entered through the chariot door next to it.Once entering the courtyard, it was as quiet as a valley, except for the nail-like soldiers, no one moved around! Zhang Yi couldn't help laughing and said, "When was the time when Qi's rules were too big?" Jing Yan, on the other hand, had a solemn expression on her face, she didn't speak, she just hurried away, she was totally different from her usual boldness.Without asking any further questions, Zhang Yi got out of the car and calmly followed Jing Yan to the depths of the courtyard.Qi State is known as the richest country in the world, and it has always had a tradition of generous official salaries. The famous scholars in Jixia Academy are all six-entry mansions, and the official residences of ministers are even more spacious.Although Su Qin's prime minister's mansion is also a six-entry specification, it is two or three times wider than the ordinary six-entry.After several twists and turns, Jing Yan didn't bring Zhang Yi to the Zhengshitang or Su Qin's study, but came to the back garden after twists and turns.

At a glance, the back garden is lush with trees, verdant flowers and plants, and the pool, bamboo forest, rocky grassland is five or six acres in size, and it is extraordinarily quiet.Turning around a rockery piled with boulders, you can see a unique residence in the bamboo forest, with wooden buildings and thatched houses interspersed with each other, exuding a strong atmosphere of mountain dwelling.Between the bamboo and thatched huts, there stood a strangely shaped white boulder alone, with two large dark red characters sunken deep on the stone - Yan Yuan, clearly written by Su Qin. Zhang Yi is the most familiar with Su Qin. Looking along the way, she knew that Yan Ji must have come to Su Qin's side, and the two built this quiet residence in the back garden.Su Qin's dormitory was originally behind the study, very close to the political hall where official business was handled. It was because Yanji liked quietness that this Yanyuan was created.Looking at the weather of Yanyuan, one knows that Su Qin has a comfortable world.All of a sudden, for the first time, Zhang Yi felt a sense of melancholy about his destination.

"Prime Minister, please, I'm going to take care of the gate of the mansion." After Jing Yan finished speaking, she left. Zhang Yi woke up suddenly, but saw maids standing silently under the stone pavilion in front of the hut, and there was a strong smell of herbs from time to time.Zhang Yi's heart sank suddenly, and he called out: "Brother Su, Zhang Yi is here!" and strode into the hut. For a while, the people in the room were stunned, and Zhang Yi was also stunned——on a huge bamboo couch in the room, lay that familiar figure, and a woman in a green long skirt was lying in front of the couch, both Lord Mengchang and King Xuan of Qi were worried. Standing by the couch, two old doctors were discussing something nervously at the desk... Zhang Yi was in a panic, and cried out: "Brother Su!" He threw away the iron stick in his hand, and rushed to the front of the couch!

"Brother Zhang..." Meng Changjun hugged Zhang Yi and helped him to the couch. Su Qin's upper body was naked, and his chest was covered with a thick layer of white cloth. The dark red blood had seeped out, and there was a big blood-stained flower in a trance, which was frightening!Su Qin's face was pale, his eyes were closed tightly, and his breath was like a thread, and he seemed to be struggling on the verge of life and death.After a burst of grief, Zhang Yi covered her face with both hands, clenched her teeth tightly and did not cry out, but tears flowed from her fingers like a spring.

Suddenly, there was a rush of footsteps outside the door, and a Chu language swayed in: "Oh, Mr. Meng Chang, the genius doctor for all injuries has arrived!" When the words fell, Chun Shenjun strode in, followed by a thin and hale white-haired old man. behind.This doctor of Wanshang once healed Zhang Yi Feiyun's injuries from swords and arrows. Zhang Yi naturally knew it, but in this situation, he just nodded hurriedly with Chun Shenjun and the old man Wanshang. Even King Qi Xuan who was next to him also retreated. One side, so as not to inconvenience the etiquette. The old man Wanshang didn't pay any attention to him, he went to the couch and unwrapped the white cloth covering his chest, a knife-edge more than an inch wide appeared in front of everyone's eyes!The old man stared intently for a while, took his pulse for a while, and frowned slightly.

"Old man, is there a cure..." the pale Yan Ji asked softly, and couldn't stop sobbing. Chun Shenjun waved his hand to Yanji, and the old man Wanshang sighed: "This knife wound is not wide, but it is extremely deep, and it has already pierced into the intestines." Chun Shenjun muttered something to the old man in a low voice, no one could understand. In Chu language, the old man said: "In the current situation, the old man can only keep the Prime Minister awake for two or three hours." Before saying a word, Yan Ji collapsed to the ground and passed out.An old doctor hurried over, and a red stone needle pierced into Yanji's Renzhong acupoint.

The old man Wanshang walked to the desk, opened the leather pouch he carried with him, took out a shiny knife and a few ceramic bottles as thick as fingers, poured out several colored millet-like pills, added a little The clear water melted in a small jade cup, and he came to the couch to clean the wound skillfully, and let the unidentifiable color of the potion slowly seep into the depth of the wound, and then wrapped it with a white cloth.Zhang Yi looked carefully, the white cloth was only wrapped in one layer, but no blood seeped out anymore!After cleaning the wound, the old man Wanshang melted a black bean-sized pill with half a cup of water, pried open Su Qin's clenched teeth with a clean bamboo board, and slowly poured the medicine into it.After the continuous work, the old man Wanshang stood in front of the couch, staring at Su Qin without blinking. Seeing a blush appearing on Su Qin's pale face, the old man let out a soft sigh and said: "Drink water only I can have one." Then he went to the desk to tidy up.

At this moment, Su Qin's eyelids were slowly opened, and there was a faint light flickering in the blur!Everyone held their breath, seeing that blurred light gradually stabilized, gradually became clear, and gradually came alive.Finally, Su Qin gently opened his dry lips, and murmured: "It's too hot, tea." Yan Ji quickly took a cup of herbal tea and carefully fed it to Su Qin. After drinking a cup of tea, Su Qin miraculously sat up, and Yan Ji hurriedly supported her from behind in a panic.Su Qin stared at Zhang Yi and smiled in surprise: "Brother Zhang, why are you here? Didn't Qi send troops?" Zhang Yi hurriedly said: "Brother Su, don't get up, lie down and talk." Su Qin said with a smile: "It doesn't matter, I think it's all right." Saying this, he laughed and greeted several people one by one, and actually lifted his feet off the bamboo couch, and Yan Ji quickly supported him to stand up.But Su Qin said with a smile to Yan Ji: "Ma'am, prepare a family feast, today I want to have a big drink with you all!" Chun Shenjun looked at Zhang Yi and Meng Changjun, and saw that neither of them had any intention of stopping, so he tried his best to smile not talking anymore. At this moment, an old servant walked in lightly, and bowed to Su Qin: "Report to the prime minister, the king has something urgent to return to the palace, please rest well, and the king will come to visit again in the evening." Su Qin glanced at the old servant, but there was a burst of excitement Laughing: "The future will be long, so why worry about it? It's hard to find a confidant!" The tone is as sonorous as reciting a poem.Yan Ji avoided Su Qin's eyes, covered her face with her big sleeves, and turned around in a hurry.Meng Changjun thought for a while, and said to Su Qin: "Sister-in-law, it is better to stay here, I will take care of this matter." Without waiting for Su Qin's consent, he immediately chased him out. In about half an hour, the most sumptuous banquet was arranged neatly.Linzi Roasted Chicken, Zhenze Whitebait, Donghu Stewed Lamb, Fengze Elk, all of the world's famous dishes are available, with two tripods, three cups and four plates for each case.There are Lanling Chu wine, Handan Zhao wine, Linzi Qi wine, Xianyang Qin wine, Yanshan old wine, and all the fine wines in the world. There are five wine barrels of different shapes in front of each case.Seeing the maid serving dishes and wine shuttle back and forth like continuous flying clouds, Su Qin couldn't help clapping his hands and laughing: "Brother Zhang, Brother Huang, Mr. Meng Chang asked me to make heavenly drinks today, how happy it is!" Zhang Yi burst into laughter: "Okay! Let's be drunk with Brother Su today!" Chun Shenjun also smiled and said: "Oh, I, Huang Xie, must be drunk to death today!" Before the laughter fell, Meng Changjun came in and said: "Brother Su, my wife and I have made arrangements: Hefu Dafu, congratulations for you! I'll wait until I'm drunk!" "Okay!" Su Qin said with a smile: "My body is so comfortable that I want to float up. If I am not drunk today, when will I wait?" Meng Changjun laughed and said: "Brother Su is happy today, so he pays attention to it. I will be the ceremonial officer, and you all just follow the orders!" After finishing speaking, he cleared his throat and said loudly: "The bell is playing, and the guests and hosts are seated——!" The voice fell At one o'clock, the vigorous big bell rang six times, and the melodious music immediately filled the hall of the thatched cottage, and a harmony sang: "Yo Yo Lu Ming, the apple of the wild food. I have guests, and I play the lute and sheng. I am a good person, Show me how to go around. I have a special wine, with the heart of Yanle guests..." This is the "Deer Song" performed by the feudal lords of the Spring and Autumn Period. Standing on the side of the sleeves, bowed and stretched out his hands, doing an ancient ceremony to invite guests to the table.Zhang Yi, Lord Mengchang and Lord Chunshen also bowed to each other, and bowed to Su Qin side by side, and entered their respective seats with the music. Mr. Mengchang didn't take his seat, but stood in front of the table and said loudly: "Mrs. Sister-in-law is seated—!" Amidst the music, a woman in a long green dress floated leisurely from behind the big wooden screen. She had no jewels, no hairpin rings, and her cloud-like long hair was bound only by a snow-white silk scarf. She was as pure as a commoner fairy, but Suddenly the hall lit up!Chunshen Jun couldn't help laughing and said: "Oh, when my wife came out, the hut was so bright!" Yan Ji smiled brightly, and made an ancient housewife's ceremony to the three of them, then she knelt down beside Su Qin and said with a smile: "Jizi married me, and none of the three elder brothers had a wedding, so I will make up for it together today." Zhang Yi slapped the table and laughed and said, "Sister-in-law's idea, it's really wonderful! Mr. Mengchang, Li can hold on." Mr. Mengchang said with a smile: "With such a good topic, why don't you worry about not being able to have fun today?" Suddenly, he said in a loud voice, "Let's all have a drink, and celebrate Brother Su's wedding, what--!" Holding up the wine baron, Su Qin smiled: "It was said that Yan Ji got married after the country settled down. Now that Yan Ji said so, today is the big wedding! Brother Zhang, Brother Tian, ​​Brother Huang, Yan Ji and I will do it first!" Just touch the bronze jue with Yan Ji, and you'll drink it all in one gulp.The three men of Meng Changjun also raised their titles to face each other, gurgling to drink. "Brother Zhang," Su Qin looked at Zhang Yi and said with a smile, "You and I are no match for Meng Changjun and Chunshen Jun. We are all alone in the world. I really want to know when I can congratulate you?" "Brother Su, don't worry." Zhang Yi said with a smile, "I will get married when I return to Xianyang!" "Okay!" Su Qin smiled quite mysteriously: "But those two young ladies who are always with you?" "Brother Su also knows me!" Zhang Yi laughed loudly. "Oh——" Chunshen Jun exclaimed: "I heard that the two young ladies, one is a princess, and the other is a family elder! Brother Zhang is very happy!" Several people laughed together, and they were worried about Zhang Yi's upcoming marriage. Daxi, who arrived, had a feast together. But Zhang Yi said with a chuckle: "I have seen great achievements in Qi's reform along the way, and I still want to live in seclusion on the seaside, take my two little brothers, and spend all day with my brother, sister-in-law and wife." "Wonderful!" Su Qin was extremely excited, and immediately said: "Brother Zhang, I don't know, but I also want to retire. When Qi is stable, I will return to Yan. After Yan is stabilized, I will live in seclusion with you. Under the bright moon and clear wind, the sea and the sky are broad, and the mountains and rivers and pine forests sing to the wine, accompanied by the piano and chess, and the beauties accompany each other, and let the waves float among the mountains and rivers, but how pleasant it is!" "Okay! I'll wait for senior brother..." Zhang Yi's throat choked up, and he took a big drink, but lowered his head and coughed violently. Meng Changjun sighed deeply: "Brother Su, I won't be a general for long, and I will definitely look for you when the time comes!" "Oh, it's the same for me." Jun Shen said with a wry smile, "Qu Yuan is gone, the King of Chu is unconscious, and I have to find a way out." "How hard it is to see the world." Su Qin's eyes were shining, and he was full of emotion: "Over the past twenty years, the world pattern has changed again. Although the six countries have fallen behind in the vertical and horizontal struggle, it is over. Qin’s dominance is something that I never thought of. The second reform of the six countries has begun. In the future, at least Qin, Qi, and Zhao will stand side by side, and maybe a Yan country will be added. It seems , China’s unification is a long road, and it may take another few decades. There are years in my life, and I can only walk a few steps! Look, Su Qin and Zhang Yi already have gray hair at the temples. Meng Changjun , Lord Chunshen, and Lord Xinling are all in the age of forty. The dead are like husbands! Our generation has already passed away. Is it a heroic deed to waste time and waste time? Brother Zhang, Brother Tian, Brother Huang, the angelica will go back, how can I go back? How can I go back..." There were all kinds of flavors in the speech, and several people were sobbing when they said it, but they all took a big drink.Yan Ji wiped her tears and said with a smile: "It's rare that Ji Zi is so affectionate today, and there is a musician, how about I sing a song for Ji Zi?" The three of them applauded, Mr. Mengchang shouted, and the musicians in the corridor played a long overture, waiting for the singer to have words and accompanying them.Yan Ji stood up, gave Su Qin a bright smile, danced lightly, and sang affectionately. It was a love song of Luoyang Wang Ji's outing, but Ci'er differed from person to person: After singing for a while, the audience praised in unison.Su Qin said with a hearty smile: "Yanji and I have known each other for more than 20 years, and today is the first time to sing a song. I will also come and sing a song!" "Oh, it's good for the husband and wife to follow suit!" Chunshen Jun spoke Chu language, and the word "husband and wife" was blurred, and everyone burst into laughter.But Su Qin stood up in his seat, swung his sleeves, and walked around the beam with a hoarse and thick singing voice: Twilight has come, the candles are bright, and the singing is coming!Su Qin laughed loudly, but the audience was sobbing and silent. Everyone could tell from the sad and desolate singing that Su Qin was not confused. He knew clearly that this was his last moment... How can I be relieved? "Ji Zi..." Yan Ji cried out, rushed over and hugged Su Qin. Zhang Yi bowed deeply to Su Qin: "Brother, although you and I can't be as open-minded as Zhuangzi, we can be regarded as disregarding life and death. If you have something on your mind, tell your brother." Mengchangjun and Chunshenjun also bowed solemnly: "Su Brother, but it’s enough to say it. Nothing in the world can’t trouble me, brother!” Su Qin took Zhang Yi's hand and smiled: "Brother, you and I have done a great job in the world. There are no regrets in this life. What can I say? It's just that the fourth brother Su Li has arrived in Qi State and is studying in Jixia Palace. , Brother Zhang will supervise and teach on my behalf, don’t let him learn from Su Dai.” Zhang Yi bowed solemnly: "Brother, don't worry, Zhang Yi will remember." "Mr. Mengchang," Su Qin turned around and said with a smile, "Yan Ji is always between Yan and Qi. If there is any emergency, please take care of me." Meng Changjun bowed generously: "My wife has made a mistake, and Tian Wen will be destroyed!" Su Qin pulled Chunshenjun again and said, "Chunshenjun, I lost to Brother Zhang in Yingdu, and I am ashamed of Chu State. When I think of Qu Yuan, I can't sleep at night. If Brother Jun can bring Qu Yuan back, it will make Chu State come back again." With the reform, the state of Chu will have a lot to do." Chunshenjun smiled with tears in his eyes: "Oh, brother Su has such an order, Huang Xie can't retire. Anyway, if he works hard to be an official for a few more years, he will save Qu Yuan and the state of Chu." At this moment, a long shout came from outside the house: "King Qi is here——!" Several people were about to step out to meet them, but Su Qin staggered and fell on Yan Ji's body, his complexion suddenly pale as snow, and there was a heavy gasp in his throat!When Yan Ji carried Su Qin onto the bamboo couch, the old man Wanshang hurried over, looked at him and shook his head lightly, Zhang Yi, Yan Ji and the others couldn't help but burst into tears.King Xuan of Qi heard a strange movement, he had already walked in quickly, leaned over to the couch and leaned over to take a look, and cried out, "Prime Minister, why did you leave like this..." "King Qi..." Su Qin opened his eyes again, panting wearily: "He will send troops to Yan State every day, and he must treat the subjects of Yan State well. The people of Yan must avenge their grievances. If they slaughter their subjects, they will do evil for Qi State." ..." King Xuan of Qi nodded frequently: "Understood, this king understands." He leaned closer to Su Qin's ear and asked hurriedly, "Prime Minister, who is the murderer?" "Those who plot to assassinate Su Qin must be those who hate political reform." Su Qin paused every word with difficulty: "King Qi can sin against Su Qin, tear me apart, and attract the murderer. In one fell swoop, he will eradicate the foundation of the restoration, and Su Qin will die in peace... " "Prime Minister!" King Xuan of Qi cried, "I will definitely avenge you..." Su Qin closed his eyes serenely, and there was a slight smile on the corners of his lips that penetrated into his cheeks. His long snow-white hair was scattered on the pillow, and the sharp wrinkles like knife carvings in the usual ravines disappeared in an instant!The calm and stretched face was so young, so bright, with a deep and wise light permeating it! "Great Mr. Su!" The old man Wanshang sighed in admiration and sighed again: "It's like this, I've only seen you in my life!" He bowed deeply to Su Qin and went straight away.People wept silently, stood silently, and silently watched the friend who was talking and laughing vigorously just now but seemed to be asleep at the moment.Finally, Yan Ji walked gently to the couch, kissed Su Qin deeply, then took off her long green dress and covered Su Qin. "The prince's ceremony, the prime minister's burial—!" King Qi Xuan suddenly gritted his teeth and shouted. Jun Mengchang was stunned: "Brother Wang, the prime minister said..." King Qi Xuan said bitterly: "The prime minister's intention is that I am afraid that I will have no evidence to punish the crime, so I want to lure the murderer himself out. The state of Qi is already ashamed of the prime minister, so how can we humiliate the prime minister's body again? Meng Changjun, this king ordered: Immediately send out all the people with supernatural powers under your sect. Soldiers, find out the ins and outs of the assassination, and wipe out the murderer!" "Your servant obeys the king's order!" Meng Changjun cheered up: "I will not ask you within three days, but Tian Wen will ask!" King Xuan of Qi left.The four of Lord Mengchang discussed for a while, and both Zhang Yi and Lord Chunshen agreed with King Qi Xuan's approach. Yan Ji also thought that King Qi Xuan did not violate Su Qin's original intention, but only advocated setting up a spiritual sacrifice first, and then formally mourning after eradicating the murderer. All three agreed.After the discussion, Zhang Yi urged Mr. Mengchang to deploy the investigation, saying that it was the top priority.As soon as Meng Changjun left, Zhang Yi and Chunshenjun split up: Chunshenjun immediately became the head of the prime minister's mansion, Jing Yan assisted, and set up a grand mourning hall according to the princely ceremony; Zhang Yi and Yanji invited a great wizard to Su Qinjing. Putting on clothes and praying for the mortuary, I was busy until the afternoon of the next day, when the coffin entered the mourning hall, and everything was generally considered safe.Zhang Yichun and Shen Jun insisted on staying with Yan Ji to guard Su Qin's spirit for three days.Mr. Mengchang was busy for a while, and after making arrangements, he also came to guard Su Qin's spirit. Summer morgue is the most troublesome and taboo season in funerals.The summer is hot, and the corpse is easy to rot, but the date of mortuary stipulated by the funeral ceremony is fixed. The higher the official rank, the longer the mortuary.As expensive as a prince, even though there is a lot of icy heat in the underground and surrounding areas of the coffin, it is often difficult to achieve what one wishes.Hence the folk proverb "Don't die in June".Su Qin was assassinated suddenly, but it was a hot summer day, so it was extremely difficult to morgue.But it's so strange!Entering the mourning hall from the coffin, the weather suddenly turned cold, the blue sky and bright moon, the sea breeze was strong, and the coolness permeated the air, which seemed to be bleak in autumn!King Xuan of Qi had already ordered that all the ice stored in the royal ice cellar be transported to the prime minister's mansion, and the palace stop using ice!But only two trucks were transported, and they were never shipped again, because even the ice on these two trucks had not been melted. The people of Qi originally had the reputation of being "generous and broad-minded, full of wisdom and love to discuss", and Linzi city can be regarded as a place where the world's tongues flow. With this abnormal celestial phenomenon, it is natural that there are a lot of discussions.So, there was a lot of gratitude to Su Qin, a lot of curses on the murderer, and the usual curse on the grounds that someone "died in June" was nowhere to be seen!There is even a nursery rhyme spread all over the alley. The nursery rhyme sings: That night, Zhang Yi was sitting opposite Mr. Chunshen in the corridor of the mourning hall, but Mr. Mengchang came in a hurry, so he sang this nursery rhyme to them first, and asked them to decipher it.Mr. Chunshen shook his head in confusion and said, "Oh, nursery rhymes have always been written in the heavens. Who can tell them?" Zhang Yi pondered and chanted for a while, then smiled and said, "It's probably not bad. Mr. Meng Chang must have found out the murderer." " Chun Shenjun was surprised and said: "Oh, brother Zhang is a god, how did you guess it?" Zhang Yi said with a smile: "Nursery rhymes have never been waves without wind. They must be secret figures who know the truth and throw them to the world. This is a riddle. In this nursery rhyme, the first two sentences hide Su Qin’s name, praising Brother Su’s great virtues, but the last two sentences say that the murderer will be punished in July, and he has the surname of Ma Pang.” Meng Changjun was surprised for a moment. He stuttered: "Ah, ah, Brother Zhang, people say that there are many kinds of ghosts, and it is true, you are as bright as lightning!" Chun Shenjun became anxious: "Oh, ah, you said it. Which thief is the murderer?" Jun Mengchang smiled and said, "Don't worry, please come to Mrs. Sister-in-law, and I will tell you together." Yan Ji's voice came from behind the curtain of the mourning hall: "Meng Changjun just said, I'm listening." Meng Changjun gasped for a while, and patiently narrated a bizarre story: After the beginning of spring, the new law had gained a firm foothold in Qi State, and the people applauded it. Even the people of Yannan, who had been competing with Qi State for fishing and hunting waters for a long time, fled to Qi State to settle down.Taking into account the Yan-Qi covenant, Su Qin personally took the county magistrates of the three counties in the north of Qi to appease the refugees of Yan State and advised them to return to Yan State.But the refugees complained a lot about the "New Deal" of Yan State, and they refused to go back no matter what.In desperation, Su Qin had no choice but to order the three counties in northern Qi to absorb all the refugees from the Yan Kingdom, and allow them to live in villages in the barren areas.Thanks to the fact that Yan State was busy with internal strife, the two countries were not entangled.When Su Qin returned to Linzi from the north of Qi, he wrote to King Xuan of Qi, asking for an edict: Allow the refugees who settled in Qi to "serve the people as one body, and be rewarded for meritorious deeds".Although this kind of decree has been implemented in Qin State for more than 40 years, in Qi State and Yan State, it is still a shocking "making cheap to expensive" law. As soon as this method came out, there was a big uproar between the ruling and opposition parties!A famous scholar in Jixia once said: "The mountains and rivers of the state of Qi are high, and the people of Qi are greedy and brave." The children of farmers, fishers and hunters can't even do it, let alone refugees who are as low as prisoners of war!However, the people of the country also know the benefits of Qin's new law from the rumors and personal experience year after year. Nothing major happened, and the new law was promulgated. But at this juncture, something amazing happened! In the evening of that day, Mr. Mengchang was listening to the scouts reporting the situation of the Yan Kingdom, when suddenly he heard Feng Huan, the chief steward, yelling sharply in the courtyard: "My lord is not good! The prime minister has been assassinated!" Before he finished speaking, Feng Huan rushed in, Pull up Meng Changjun and leave.When the two walked quickly to the entrance of the alley, they found that Su Qin was lying down at the entrance of the dark alley, with blood under his body, and the faces of the few doormen who came to guard him were so frightened that their faces were ashen.Mr. Mengchang yelled at the doormen: "Quick! Search around!" He immediately picked up the unconscious Su Qin and returned to the mansion. He invited the palace doctor to have a look. He said that he was not good at knife wounds and could only relieve pain.Jun Mengchang ordered Feng Huan to find Cang Tie immediately, and hurried to the state of Chu, asking Chunshen Jun to find a doctor for all injuries!The wound was roughly bandaged here, and the bleeding stopped, so Mr. Meng Chang took Yan Ji over.Seeing that she was in a hurry, Yan Ji immediately carried Su Qin back to the mansion carefully.Mr. Mengchang escorted him to the mansion. Seeing that Su Qin was still unconscious, he hurriedly gave Yan Ji a few words and hurried back. The diners reported that they searched more than ten streets and alleys in the surrounding area, but there was no trace of the suspected murderer! Jun Mengchang's face flushed with anxiety, and he slapped the desk and said angrily: "Check it out! Check it out for me! Who is so holy? How dare you assassinate the prime minister in front of Tian Wen's gate! If you can't find out, I, Tian Wen, will accompany Su Qin to die!" Meng Changjun has always been kind to him. The diners are like sages, and this time they were really angry. The diners were all startled, but they all admired Mr. Mengchang even more, and swore in unison: "I will never be a soldier!" It is really shameless to face the world if a distinguished guest is assassinated outside the door and cannot kill the real culprit!What's more, Mr. Mengchang's family is famous for "there are many strange men with extraordinary abilities". If you can't find out the evil and eliminate the evil, it will be a shame that can never be wiped out!Hundreds of guests from the door shared the same heart and reason, and they did not allow Mr. Mengchang to intervene, so they spread a net to the cities and villages of Qi State. When King Xuan of Qi ordered Mengchang Jun beside Su Qin's corpse, the real murderer had actually been caught. No one thought that this time it was actually those few thieves who made great contributions.That good thief, whose real name was Tao Da, was called "Dao Da" by a group of merchants, which means he never steals small things.Being a guest of Lord Mengchang, Tao Dashi also wanted to do some serious things, but it was not of much use, and he couldn't be changed even if he was thin and short.As time passed, he regained his clothes of ordinary people and a wine gourd. He was staggering drunk all day long, and wanted to try his skills with everyone he met.At dusk that day, Tao Dahu hummed and wanted to go back to the guest courtyard. As soon as he entered the stone-paved street, he saw an old man in black and white hair leisurely following behind a cart.Tao Tao has sharp eyes and is a habitual thief, so she inadvertently saw a foreign object stuck in the old man's leather boots!Even so, Tao Da didn't care at all, always thought the old man was the secret guard of the high-ranking officials, so he hummed and followed behind.When they reached the entrance of the alley, the old man behind the car suddenly yelled in pain and fell to the ground.The car in front stopped when it heard the sound, and a man with a high crown jumped out of the car and walked towards the old man.Tao Da still didn't care about it, the guard was injured and sick, and the master took care of him, which couldn't be more normal, so he turned directly to the gatekeeper's courtyard. But at this moment, Tao Da caught a glimpse of a bright light!Then the old man supported the man with the high crown.Tao Da's mind was quick, and he knew that something was wrong. He floated over like the wind, and took something from the old man like lightning.Almost at the same time, the old man also suddenly disappeared!Tao yelled: "Hurry up and save someone!" and chased after him. Two hours later, when Mr. Meng Chang was furious, Tao Da came back with his body covered in dirt and his face dirty.Although he failed to catch up with the murderer, Tao Da stole a short sword in the murderer's leather boots.Mr. Meng Chang asked the imperial physician to have a look. The dagger was just one foot long, non-toxic but extremely sharp, and it fit Su Qin's rib wound, but there was no blood. "Tao Da is incompetent! That old thing has two daggers, this one is useless, and the other one is in his hands." Tao Da scolded himself and said: That old thing disappeared when he left the north gate of Linzi. He searched in a radius of more than ten li, but found no suspicious hiding place.Jun Mengchang thought for a while and suddenly came to his senses, and said, "Tian Qiyuan! Niushan! Keep an eye on this lair!" After a while of tense and careful preparations, more than a hundred diners rushed to Tian Qiyuan in an endless stream, and Feng Huan personally took charge of the response in a secret valley.Lord Mengchang went to Su Qin's mansion in a hurry, for fear that Su Qin would die suddenly.Busy until last night, Feng Huan reported urgently in secret: The hideout of the real murderer has been besieged, do you want a dead body or a living person?Meng Changjun immediately ordered: "Everyone must live!" As expected, the murderer was in Niushan. Unexpectedly, the murderer turned out to be a young and honest medicine farmer! During the interrogation, the murderer was quite strange, his dark face was flushed red, he looked embarrassed and ashamed, but he gritted his teeth and refused to speak.With a flash in his heart, Jun Mengchang approached Yao Nong and said with a cordial smile: "It can be seen that you are a sword fighter and a talent who has made meritorious service for the country. Let me tell you clearly, King Qi has already condemned Su Qin. Meritorious. As long as you tell who you were instigated by, I will write to the King of Qi and ask for credit for you." Yao Nong's younger generation smiled innocently and said, "I don't care if you are meritorious or guilty, as long as you don't hurt Grandpa, I will say it. "Mengchangjun immediately said: "Qi's new law, there is no crime of implicating the clansmen. I will keep your grandfather safe." The younger generation said: "Who are you? But I believe you?" It must be done, promise is worth money, don't you believe it?" The young man hurriedly bowed: "Meng Changjun, but I know that he is the leader of the chivalrous class." Mengchang Jun laughed loudly: "Since you recognize me as the leader of the class, then you say, who wants to do it?" Did you kill?" Yao Nong's descendant said: "The one who wants me to kill is the elder of the Gongsun family." Jun Mengchang said: "Do you know who you killed?" The young man said: "I know, it is an old enemy of the family." Jun Mengchang asked again : "Someone saw that the murderer was a white-haired old man. You are so young, you can't take credit for it." The young man smiled honestly: "Unlock my shackles, and you will know." After the shackles were released, Yao Nong turned his back for a moment, and when he turned his head, a thin, dark old man with white hair was standing in the hall!Tao Da screamed loudly: "That's right! It's him! It's him!" Yao Nong's younger generation laughed and said, "Who wouldn't do Niu Yam and Yao Nong? I'm usually nervous, so what's the surprise?" Without saying a word, Meng Changjun immediately took Yao Nong's offspring, ordered three thousand knights, and flew to Tianqiyuan on a flying horse.The guards who monitored Tian Qiyuan and Niushan reported: Tiancheng Village has a radius of 30 miles, more than 100 households of Niushan medicine farmers have been closed, and no one has stepped out of the surveillance circle.However, when Mr. Mengchang stepped into the village, he was stunned by the scene! Sitting in front of the Guqin under the stone pavilion in the courtyard, Chenghou Zouji was sitting. His lips were entangled with a piece of hookweed, a dark red blood oozes from the corner of his mouth, his white hair turned green, and his ruddy face turned bright blue!Zou Ji, who had been known as the most beautiful man in Qi for decades, died like a ghost!Standing behind this ghost is a real white-haired old man, lean and hale, nailed under the pavilion but with a flat smile on his face.Seeing Mr. Mengchang coming in front of him, he said with a faint smile: "My old man, Gongsun Yue, I am responsible for all the crimes, and nothing can be difficult for Chenghou's corpse." Mr. Mengchang sneered and said, "Gongsun Yue, you old fox has today?" Gongsun Yue said indifferently: "After all, Marquis Cheng is a luthier, and he has strategy but no courage. If the old man's strategy is followed, Tian Wen and Su Qin will be the prisoners." Back in Linzi, Feng Huan told Meng Changjun the story and conspiracy of Gongsun Yue and Zouji in detail. This Gongsun Yue, who has followed Zouji for more than thirty years, is Zouji's only confidant.三十多年中，公孙阅为驺忌承办了几乎所有不能公诸于人的机密大事：谋取丞相、整倒田忌、争得侯爵、扩大封地，驺忌崛起的每一步，都有公孙阅扎实细致的谋划功勋。奇怪的是，公孙阅从来不求出人头地，只是心安理得的为驺忌效力。驺忌深知公孙阅虑事周密，才思过人，几次想杀掉公孙阅灭口，但是一个偶然的发现，却使驺忌打消了这个念头。 一日，一个女弟子给驺忌拿来了一本书，说是在公孙阅枕下翻到的。驺忌打开发黄的羊皮纸，竟是一本无名册籍。翻看内文，却尽是各种权术计谋与治人秘术，竟开列了一百余条，各自还有简短解说，末了两行大字是：“修习机谋之术，可借机心之主，与主共始终，此术可大成。”驺忌一阵沉吟，反复揣摩，便对这个女弟子秘密部署了一番。 驺忌曾是名动天下的琴师，国中多有少年才俊争相拜师修习。可驺忌从来不收仕宦子弟做学生，只收得寥寥几个女弟子，还都是王室搜罗来的少女乐手。这几个女弟子对老师奉若神明，个个忠诚驯顺得猫儿一般。后来，有三个女弟子竟争先恐后的献身于驺忌，做了奴隶一般的侍妾。偏是这个叫做琴渊的最聪慧美丽的少女弟子，驺忌却从来没有动过手脚。女弟子百般娇媚委身，驺忌都稳如泰山。就在琴渊十六岁的时候，驺忌派给她一个差使：侍奉家老公孙阅。琴渊聪慧绝顶，自然晓得老师心意，便留心公孙阅的一切隐秘，这才有了那本神秘册籍的发现。 从此，琴渊便真心实意的侍奉公孙阅了，而且让公孙阅实实在在的觉得这个少女爱上了他，以他为活着的希望。时间一长，少女就劝公孙阅带她远走高飞，独自立业，何须与人为仆？公孙阅却说：“我跟丞相修习，若得独立，大功便成流水了。”少女问修习什么？公孙阅答说，仕宦之学，将来光大门庭。后来，少女与公孙阅更是亲昵，便劝他直接投效齐王，做个上大夫，岂不比做仆人风光万倍？公孙阅很不高兴的说：“做仆也自有乐趣，只要丞相在世，我便不会走。你若不耐，公孙阅绝不相强。” 从此，驺忌打消了相机除掉公孙阅的念头，亲自主婚，将琴渊嫁给了公孙阅。新婚后三日，琴渊却哭着来找老师，说公孙阅是个只会胡乱折腾的阉人！驺忌大是惊讶，第一次感到了公孙阅的神秘莫测，也顿时对公孙阅的一切怪诞与异于常人的做法恍然大悟。琴渊依旧是公孙阅的夫人，从此却也成了老师卧榻的美丽尤物，虽然常常带着满身的伤痕。公孙阅却浑然不觉，只要他有兴趣折磨她时她不反抗，他便什么也不知道。 就这样，驺忌与公孙阅成了永远的狼狈。 苏秦变法开始后，驺忌谋划的贵族反扑竟然一败涂地。驺忌本来想就此罢手，可公孙阅告诉他：成侯在贵族背后的密谋，虽然没有被齐王发现，却被孟尝君盯上了！孟尝君心狠手辣，正在筹划以门客假扮盗贼，血洗天成庄！驺忌正在郁闷难消，听得此说便杀心顿起，将一张古琴愤然摔在了地上：“杀！杀光他们！”公孙阅原本便只要驺忌一句话，以利他调遣各方力量，如今得话，便立即应命：“成侯放心，十日之后，公孙阅便教田文暴尸街头。”驺忌却冷冷笑道：“你说杀田文？”公孙阅一点头，却听驺忌阴声道：“大错也！生死之仇，只有苏秦。若无苏秦，岂有老夫今日？岂有齐国乱象？先杀苏秦！孟尝君嘛，老夫慢慢消遣他了。”驺忌主意既定，公孙阅便从去年冬天开始密谋实施，立即秘密进入了牛山。 牛山药农，是驺忌请求保留的封户。这些药农有一百多户，世代采药治药，人称“东海药山老世家”。这些药农终年盘旋在大山之中，且多是独自行走，不怕小伤小病，就怕猛兽侵袭。一个好药农，便必须同时是一个搏击高手。千百年流传下来，牛山药农的搏击术便渐渐的引人注目了。海滨齐人多渔猎生计，也多是单干行径，打斗争夺便是家常便饭，练习单打独斗的技击之术便在齐东蔚然成风。所谓技击，便是搏击的各种技法，从各种兵器到各种拳脚，无不讲究技法。齐东技击最有名的，便首推这牛山药农。公孙阅深谋远虑，自然不会放过如此一个技击高手云集的封地，当初驺忌自请只要牛山百余户，便是公孙阅的主意。 未雨绸缪，公孙阅早已经对各户药农了如指掌，不费力气便找到了一家只有爷孙二人的药农。 这家药农不同寻常，没有姓氏，人只呼为“活药家”，祖祖辈辈做的却是“采活药”生计。所谓“活药”，便是猛虎、豹子、狗熊、野猪、羚羊、麝、野牛、野马、大蟒、毒蛇等等一应活物身上的可用药材。“活药”以活取最佳，尤其是巫师方士一类鬼神之士，往往还要亲眼看着“活药”从活物身上取下，方得成药。要做这种生计，没有一身过人的本领，便无异于自投猛兽之口。世世代代下来，这“活药家”便锤炼出了一套独门技击术，称之为手刃十六法！这“手刃”包括甚多，短刀、短剑、匕首、袖箭、菜刀、石子，举凡各种不显山露水的物事，皆可成夺命之利刃！寻常武士纵是手持丈二长矛，也难抵活药家掌中一尺之剑。公孙阅曾亲眼看见，活药孙儿只一刀便将一只斑斓猛虎当场刺死！这后生更有一手绝技，刺杀猛兽分寸拿捏之准，竟是叫几时死便几时死，绝无差错。 活药爷爷八十有六，依然是健步如飞，走险山如履平地。孙儿二十出头，厚重木讷，黝黑精瘦，却是一身人所不知的惊世功夫。公孙阅早已经对这活药家下足了功夫，除隶籍、减赋税、许妻室、以领主之名常常适时送来各种照拂，爷爷感激得常常念叨：“家老但有用人处，我这孙儿便是你的了。”公孙阅自然是从来不提任何请求，竟使这活药家爷孙大有恩无可报的一种忧愁。 公孙阅一来，便是眼中含泪，说是他的仇人到临淄做了大官，正在四处追杀他，他来告别活药爷孙，便要远遁山林去了。爷爷一听大急：“有仇必报！家老却要逃遁，不长仇人气焰么？”公孙阅哽咽道：“我如何不想报仇，只是手无缚鸡之力，如何报得大仇？”爷爷慷慨高声道：“孙儿过来！自今日起，俺便将你交给了家老，不能给家老报仇，就不是俺的孙子！”后生本来就听得冲动，爷爷有命，更是激昂，便憋出了一句话来：“家老，只要让俺识得人面！” 公孙阅便将后生秘密安置到临淄城中，委派可靠仆人领着后生守侯在孟尝君门前，终于死死认准了这个高冠人物。动手前一日，后生问公孙阅：“要弄咋个死法？”公孙阅说：“三个时辰死吧，我等良善，也不要他受太多折磨了。”事后回来，后生却红着脸说，他没杀过人，又受到一个飞盗的搅闹，刀下可能重了些，此人可能活不到三个时辰。公孙阅连说没事儿，便要与后生饮酒庆功。后生端起酒一闻，黑脸却嘿嘿笑了，硬是说爷爷久等不放心，竟连夜进了牛山。公孙阅没有敢拦挡，竟眼睁睁看着后生去了。 冯驩说，当门客武士六十余人围住了那座山屋，准备做最惨烈的搏斗时，活药爷爷却拉着孙儿出来了。老人对冯驩说：“俺老夫有眼无珠。孙子交给你了。”说完便径自进了那洞窟一般的石门，活药孙子便低着头跟他们走了。 按照公孙阅的谋划：刺杀苏秦的同时，驺忌当立即逃往燕国，借子之兵力杀回齐国重新掌权！可驺忌自以为是，却说齐王早想罢黜苏秦，绝不会追查此事，何须徒然丢失了根基？女弟子们也纷纷讥讽公孙阅“阉人无胆”，气得公孙阅连呼“成侯无识！成侯误事！” ... 孟尝君说完，张仪与春申君竟是唏嘘良久，相对默然。 忽然，燕姬的声音却从灵堂帷幕后传了出来：“孟尝君，我等倒是忘记了一件大事呢。”孟尝君诧异道：“你快说，忘记了何事？”只听燕姬道：“张兄原不知季子出事，匆匆赶来齐国，定是有紧急大事找你，也该当问问了。”孟尝君恍然，连忙向张仪一拱笑道：“田文糊涂，向张兄谢罪。张兄快说，要我如何？”张仪不禁笑道：“燕姬果然不凡，便知我是找你来了。”春申君笑道：“噢呀，你见齐王见苏兄都不说事，不是找孟尝君却是找谁了？”张仪点头道：“也是。事情不大，孟尝君在旬日之内，给我寻觅两个方士出来便了。” “方士？”孟尝君惊讶得仿佛不认识张仪一般：“张兄也信了这鬼神驱邪术？” “此中原由，一言难尽。”张仪笑道：“你只找来便是，也许过得几年，也有故事给你听。” 孟尝君道：“方士之事，多有传闻，我也从未见过。此等人行踪无定，我却要早早安顿呢。” 说罢便匆匆走了。春申君笑道：“噢呀，孟尝君真义士了！若无这个万宝囊，张兄却到哪里去找方士了？”张仪也是感慨万端，却只是长长的叹息了一声。