Shenzong frowned on his fair cheeks, closed the secret fold with a snap, and threw it out heavily. Zhang Jing, the eunuch in charge of the ceremony, shivered all over and did not dare to breathe. Shenzong's eyes flashed and he said, "How dare you hand me such a memorial?" Zhang Jing stretched out his sleeves and wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "Your Majesty, please calm down and I will admit my sin."
Shenzong stood up and walked to him and said, "Do you know your sin? Where did your crime come from?" Zhang Jing said, "I shouldn't have made Long Yan angry by going to this memorial." Shenzong sneered and said, "Really? I’m here to ask you how many counties in the south of the Yangtze River were flooded and hundreds of people died. In your memorial, it was written that the culprit was Xiao Yunfan, who colluded with gangsters to cause trouble. Is that true?”
Zhang Jing heard the meaning behind Shenzong's words and knew that he intended to be partial. Swallowing his saliva, he said: "This, this is the information reported by my subordinates. Most of them just listened to it and believed it. I am also guilty of negligence. I beg you to be severely punished by your Majesty."
Shenzong looked into the distance with his hands behind his hands and said: "That's all, you continue." Zhang Jing said slowly: "The culprit of the flood is Xiao Yunfan. It was the news released by those Jianghu sects. Most of them are jealous of the Emperor's treatment of the rivers and lakes. Xiao Yunfan was so favored that he fabricated rumors to slander him. How could the Holy One be deceived by these people's rumors? The servant also believed that there might be some hidden meaning in this matter, so he asked the Holy One to order the servant to handle the matter personally, and to return Xiao Daxia's favor. justice."
Shenzong nodded, and the anger in his chest calmed down slightly. He believed in his heart that Xiao Yunfan was an upright man and would never do anything detrimental to the Ming Dynasty or the people. That night, the two of them talked by candlelight, which greatly comforted their lives. He recognized each other as his confidant. Come to think of it, he doesn't have a true friend in this deep palace compound, but Xiao Yunfan is a rare friend.
Naturally, he would not listen to anyone's words that slandered his friends. He also wanted his men to investigate the matter thoroughly, and Zhang Jing's words naturally suited his purpose. Shenzong said: "Okay, you can find out the truth for me, so that you can offset your guilt." Zhang Jing cupped his hands and said: "Yes, I will do it now." After saying that, he slowly exited the hall.
The candle shadows flickered in the empty hall, and Shenzong sighed: "Xiao Yunfan, don't let me down."
In a forest, Xiao Yunfan was in mid-air, holding a scabbard in his hand, using his lifelong skill "Blue Sea and Blue Sky Sword". Every move he made was filled with superior internal strength, and sword energy flew out, causing sand and rocks to fly in the woods, leaves falling and trees shaking. Even though he was pouring all his anger into this swordsmanship at this moment, every sword strike was at its peak. But the fire of ignorant karma in my heart is getting stronger and stronger.
He didn't understand why those so-called righteous people were so cruel and pushed themselves into the abyss. The dark woods in front of me made a whining sound in the evening wind, as if mocking.
The faces of Master Zhang Tianshi, Monk Zhishan, Yan Chongxiao, Jiang Hanyue, and Huo Zhongyuan seemed to appear around him, with sarcasm in their eyes and sneers on their faces. The laughter was sharp and harsh, like an invisible whip lashing his body.
He threw the scabbard into the air and laughed like crazy. After laughing, his heart felt sour and he finally couldn't help crying. He fell to his knees and fell forward. He beat the ground with his fists until his arms were sore and weak.
From the moment he left Ziyu Mountain and went to Xuannv Palace to steal the bones, he was involved in the turmoil of the world. Bashan, Shennong Valley, Xuannv Palace, Prince Shu's Mansion, Huizhou... Although the journey along the way was extremely difficult and the enemies he encountered were extremely vicious, he had never been as disheartened as he was today.
It seemed as if the blood he had shed and the injuries he had suffered were entirely his own fault, and the so-called chivalry turned out to be just a dream. He sacrificed everything for the so-called peace of the martial arts world, but in the end he was framed.
He did not fall to the enemy's conspiracy, but to the cold arrows fired from behind by his own people. He felt more and more worthless, and the chivalrous flag held high in the sky fell to the dirt in an instant.
He felt that he had been fooled, and by the person he admired the most. This feeling was like a sharp knife thrust into his heart. It would be fine if the knife was inserted by someone else, but this knife came from the person he respected the most.
He thought: "Xiao Yunfan, Xiao Yunfan, you are the stupidest and stupidest person in the world. In vain, you have always been conceited and smart, but you have been played like a puppet by others. Now the righteous path is spurned and the evil path is despised. Caught between these two paths, what should we do? How to choose?"
I don't know how long it took, but he was in a daze and felt his body drifting. In front of you is a large waterfall hanging from a mountain wall, and standing in front of the deep pool below the waterfall is an elder wearing a blue robe. The elder's face was pale and his eyes were shining brightly. A long sword was stuck sideways behind his back, and the golden sword spikes fluttered in the wind. When Xiao Yunfan saw him, his heart was shocked and he said happily: "Master, how is your old man?"
This old man was Xie Tianya, the old man from Tianxing. He looked at Xiao Yunfan and said slowly: "Good boy, my teacher is fine. I see that you are not in good spirits." Xiao Yunfan felt sad when he saw his teacher, and tears fell from his eyes.
Xie Tianya frowned and said, "What kind of behavior is it for a man to cry?" Xiao Yunfan stretched out his sleeves and wiped the tears from his cheeks, and said, "Master, my disciple is now desperate. Caught between good and evil, he is really in a dilemma."
Xie Tianya scolded sternly: "You bastard, where has your past heroic spirit gone? Now that your limbs are intact and your head is still there, you can't bear this kind of suffering? Which of the great heroes of ancient and modern times has no grievances or pain? ?33
You can't afford the hardships that others can endure? Can't you bear the suffering of others? The righteous path cannot tolerate you, the evil path cannot tolerate you, but this world cannot tolerate you? A man acts with a clear conscience. If someone calls at your door, just call them back. The worst case scenario is death. Others have wronged you, but you won’t stand up for yourself? If you can't speak clearly, can you still not do things clearly?
Others slander, others abuse, let them go, you do what you think is right. I thought you would make some progress after so many years of traveling in the world, but now it seems that you are not as good as before, which really disappoints me! "As he said that, Xie Tianya flicked his sleeves and flew away.
Xiao Yunfan shouted: "Master, Master, I know I was wrong." A flower appeared in front of his eyes, and he came to a garden. In front of a stone table, Shenzong was wearing a bright yellow dragon robe and a golden crown. He saw Xiao Yunfan and said, "Why don't you recognize me?" Xiao Yunfan said, "You, why are you here?" Shenzong said, "I'm not here, where should I be?" Xiao Yunfan smiled and said, "You are the emperor, you should be here. The palace is the right place.”
Shenzong raised his glass, took a sip and said, "I am the lord of the world, and the world belongs to me. I could go anywhere, but I can only stay in the palace." After saying this, there was a hint of sadness on his brows.
Xiao Yunfan sat down on the stone bench opposite him and said slowly: "You are the emperor, what's wrong with staying in the palace? When you come to eat, you open your mouth, when you come to wear clothes, many people envy you."
Shenzong said: "The emperor's position has always been difficult to occupy. Others only see my beauty, but they don't know how painful it is to sit in that chair." Xiao Yunfan smiled and said: "How could it be? In addition to worshiping your ancestors, everyone in the world is right. How can you suffer if you surrender?"
Shenzong shook his head and said: "Zifeiyu, how can you understand the joy of fish? How can you understand the suffering of fish, if you are not a fish?" Xiao Yunfan touched his nose and said: "Xiao is a rough man, I don't quite understand what the emperor said. "
There was a sad look in Shenzong's eyes, and he said: "No one in this world is without worries. You have your worries in the world, and I have my own worries in the temple."
Xiao Yunfan said with a sad face: "You are right, everyone has their own troubles. Now I am not tolerated by both good and evil. Everyone wants to kill me and then be quick. Although the world is big, there is no place for me. Unknown Emperor What are you worrying about?"
Shenzong raised his head and said: "My trouble is that my ancestors handed the country of Ming Dynasty into my hands, how can I keep it? Last year there was chaos in Shuzhong, this year there was a plague in the south of the Yangtze River, and now there are floods. The people of this world are longing for me. The emperor can protect them in peace, but I can't do anything. This official and that official under my command usually say that they sacrifice their lives for the country and help the country. If you really want to say that it is difficult for you when it comes to doing things, how can I, the emperor, not be difficult?"
Xiao Yunfan thought about it, but as Shenzong said, when a disaster comes from heaven, the blame would often be placed on the emperor, saying that he did not cultivate virtue. Xiao Yunfan saw a few white hairs growing out of Shenzong's temples, and thought to himself: "He is much younger than me, but the burden of this world is heavier. I should share more of it for him."
Shenzong said: "Let's not talk about this anymore. Some people say that this flood is man-made, and you are the culprit. I don't believe it. Don't let me down." When he said that, there was a cold light in his eyes. Xiao Yunfan looked at his cold eyes and smiled bitterly: "Since the emperor trusts me, why bother to ask more questions?" Shenzong's face softened and nodded: "Yes, you are right. You are my good friend, I shouldn't doubt you. , but I have grown up in this deep palace compound since I was a child, and I have seen too many conspiracies, betrayals, bloodshed and death.
I often feel cold and lonely. Even if the summer sun shines on me, I still feel cold. You are the funniest person I have ever met and someone I admire greatly. For you, I hope I’m not wrong, but I’m afraid I’m wrong. Can you understand this feeling? The world of Ming Dynasty belongs to me and everyone in the world. I hope you can share the worries of my friend and the rest of the world. "
Xiao Yunfan picked up the wine on the table and drank it all in one gulp, sighing: "But now that I am crossing the river with the Clay Bodhisattva, I can't even save myself. How can I share the worries of your good friend and the world?" Shenzong had clear eyes. Ru Shui, he smiled and said: "You are the Jade Lion, Xiao Yunfan. I believe in you, and you should also believe in yourself."
Xiao Yunfan smiled bitterly and said: "It's rare that you believe me." The emperor's words made his heart heat up. This feeling was no less than that of a person walking at night seeing stars in the darkness. The moon is bright in the sky, and the ground is covered with a layer of silver frost. The wind blew by, sending wisps of fragrance to his nose, making him feel indescribably comfortable.
Shenzong raised the jug and poured a glass for Xiao Yunfan, and said with a smile: "You are so proud that you actually asked me to pour you some wine." Xiao Yunfan said with a smile: "That's because you have something to ask me for. If I want to ask you for something, Not to mention pouring wine, even kowtow is voluntary."
Shenzong laughed and said: "Then you might as well beg me. I really want to see Xiao Yunfan's appearance when he begs for help." Xiao Yunfan drank the wine in the glass and said: "I think it's unnecessary." Shenzong asked curiously: "Why?"
Xiao Yunfan said: "It feels uncomfortable to beg for help, and usually begging for help is a last resort. I understand this feeling, so I don't want to beg." Shenzong said lightly: "Then I want to kill you, will you ask me to spare you?"
Xiao Yunfan burst out laughing. He looked at Shenzong and said, "Since you recognize me as your friend, why did you kill me? I didn't steal your throne, I didn't steal your wife, and I didn't take your money. Not to mention the way you walked. Unlike me, we each go our own way. It doesn’t make sense for you to kill me.”
Shenzong said: "The emperor doesn't need a reason to kill people." Xiao Yunfan said: "Then you'd better kill me, because the life I'm living now is worse than death." Shenzong said with a smile: "Then I'd better not kill you. It seems more interesting to see your sad face?" Xiao Yunfan sighed: "Interesting? Do you know that worry can kill people, and people like me shouldn't worry."
