The crooked word says: "
All demons are wreaking havoc, how can they be compared to the ferocious beasts in the world? If you don't believe it, look at the civil and military officials of the entire dynasty, who are not bandits in uniform? Eagles and dogs serve as minions, and tyranny supports the rear. The sky is dark and the earth is dark, I can't do anything to harm the world; I lower my eyebrows to please my eyes, and I kowtow to cause bleeding. They frighten you and torture you to extract confessions, and exhaust you to the point of running around all day long. We all know that a villain cannot stay when he succeeds, but this filthy person is from the top. "
The drunken brew enters the throat, and the spicy and sweet air circulates through the six organs and five internal organs, making the whole body comfortable, relaxed and light.
Ye Ling looked at Yue Zhufeng and Ming Xuyu and asked, "You two are gentlemen of Liang Shang. Although you are not honest, you have never taken risks. Why do you want to go deep into the tiger's den this time?"
Yue Zhufeng and Ming Xuyu looked at each other, seeming to have trust in Ye Ling, and said, "Have you followed Wei Xunhuan to that valley?"
Ye Ling nodded in disbelief and said in a deep voice: "It's an incredible thing."
"Wei Xunhuan let you in on purpose," Ming Xuyu said, "otherwise, with your current level of cultivation, you wouldn't be able to shake the formation at all."
Ye Ling raised his head again. He could also guess what happened, but he didn't say much. It was Wei Xunhuan who released him.
Yue Zhufeng said: "Actually, we are helpless. Someone forced us to investigate the emperor of the Daqian Dynasty, Baili Longteng."
"Oh?" Ye Ling raised an eyebrow: "I wonder if I can tell you this clearly?"
Yue Zhufeng nodded and said: "Actually, several immortal sects captured our masters and forced us to investigate Baili Longteng's collusion with demons and evil sects in cultivation. Otherwise, masters will lose their lives." No guarantee!"
Ming Xuyu sighed: "But now, it has been found out that there is something wrong."
"So, what are those Immortal Sects going to do?" Ye Ling asked.
Yue Zhufeng shook his head: "I don't know why Baili Longteng is acting like this, and we have no idea what the major sects are planning."
Ming Xuyu laughed at himself: "I'm just a chess piece at the mercy of others. I just hope that I won't be eliminated prematurely."
Ye Ling remained silent, but he suddenly realized whether the incident in the Demon Realm had something to do with Baili Longteng...
…
Luzhou was located in the southeast of the Daqian Dynasty. It was originally the largest state in the dynasty, with a population of more than hundreds of millions.
It is a pity that "disasters occurred one after another", the government imposed excessive taxes, the people were displaced, and even ten houses were empty, and the countryside was deserted.
On the official road, Song Zheng and Ji Changfeng were riding slowly. On both sides were victims of the disaster. They were as skinny as firewood and their eyes were hollow. They didn't know whether they were humans or ghosts.
Looking around, all I can see is: "Thousands of miles of bare ground are full of hungry people, and there are only dead trees but no grass. Eagles and doves carry children in their arms, and no one chases them away. Insects and snakes pile up bones to build holes and nests. There are endless tombs as far as the eye can see, and there is no ashes in front of the monument to check the wind." If you die, you should laugh and die early, but the living will still suffer and starve tomorrow."
Ji Changfeng said indignantly: "This is how they treat the people. Is this what the officials of Luzhou did?"
Song Zheng didn't answer, but held the reins tightly in his hands. He had imagined the scene in Luzhou countless times before coming, but he didn't expect that he was still frightened at this moment.
Although he brought food to relieve the victims, it seems that it is just a drop in the bucket.
Song Zheng and Ji Changfeng left the official road and went to a small town on the edge. All the people in the town had fled, and what was left was just piles of bones rolling around in the wind.
A dozen wild dogs were wandering among the alleys. When they saw the two of them, they barked and approached, but they were immediately frightened by Ji Changfeng's sword energy and fled away.
Song Zheng turned over and dismounted, sat on a stone, and sighed: "It seems that the disaster relief funds issued by the court several times have not been used for the victims."
Ji Changfeng said bitterly: "These corrupt officials, how dare they?"
As he was talking, he heard the sound of bells in the distance, and someone chanted in the wind: "Walking east and west, rushing north and south, everything is the same. Everyone knows that destiny is like a mist, but in reality, the internal principles are self-connected. Although you are poor, you must do everything you need to do. "After you stay away from right and wrong, you will prosper. People who don't believe come to ask for divination, and they can enlighten you astray in the palm of your hand."
After listening to the words, the man came in front of him. He was a blind fortune teller dressed in white. He was waving a fan and had a bell hanging on the flag in his hand. He heard his voice before he saw him.
The blind fortune teller seemed to notice that there was someone in front of him. He leaned his head over and took a closer look. Then he smiled and said, "You two seem to be in trouble. Why don't you let me make a fortune for you and ask you about good or bad luck? No money if it doesn't work." .”
Ji Changfeng only found it funny and said: "Fortune teller, fortunes here are like straw and everyone is starving, but you come here to look for business. Are you blind and mistaken?"
Hearing this, the blind fortune teller smiled and shook his head and said: "Those who are destined to meet each other will eventually meet, even if they are far apart in the sky and the sea of people is vast. Although this place is desolate, we are destined to meet each other naturally."
Song Zheng said: "Old sir, we are just passing by here. We have important things to attend to, so we shouldn't stay for a long time. If we are destined, we'd better meet you another day!"
Ji Changfeng also said: "We left in a hurry and didn't bring any money with us. Let's meet again in the future!"
But the blind fortune teller shook his head and said: "I will deduce the future for you two. I am not in a hurry to collect the money. If the calculation is accurate, I will take it when we meet again in the future. If the calculation is not accurate, it is all a joke. Although you two are on official business, I’m busy, but there should always be time for a sentence or two.”
When Ji Changfeng heard this, his expression suddenly darkened, and he pressed his finger on the mouth of the scabbard: "How do you know that we have official duties?"
The blind fortune teller smiled and said: "Have you two forgotten my identity? If you don't have this ability, how can you dare to come and recommend yourself?"
Song Zheng waved his hand to signal Ji Changfeng not to be impulsive. He was also a little curious and said, "In that case, old sir, what do you think when the two of us come to Luzhou this time?"
The blind fortune teller stood still, kept calculating with his fingers, and muttered words: "The body cannot help itself, and the heart is unwilling; it is long and bumpy, and the mountains are dangerous; the sea of suffering is boundless, but there is only one shore when you turn around; if you are stubborn and stubborn, it is difficult to protect yourself."
Ji Changfeng immediately became angry: "How can you, a fortune teller, say such unfavorable things?"
Song Zheng quickly held him down and asked: "Since the old gentleman said that our trip is not going well and our lives are in danger, is there any way to solve it?"
The blind fortune teller shook his head, walked forward, and said as he walked: "
Don't blame God, don't blame people, people are always naive when things happen.
There is nothing much going on in Qing Ping, but there are always idle people looking for trouble. "
As he spoke, the blind fortune teller walked away and disappeared, but the sound of the bell could still be heard in his ears.
Ji Changfeng looked at the direction in which the blind fortune teller left and said angrily: "It's just a money scammer who found the wrong place. When he saw that we were not the masters who were deceived, he started to play tricks."
Song Zheng didn't say much. He thought carefully about the blind fortune teller's words. He seemed to have something in mind, but he didn't say it out loud. He just said to himself: "I hope he is just a liar!"
Without any delay, the two of them got on their horses, went to the Luzhou Administrative Office, and left for Fengtian City.
The victims outside Shuntian City had been driven elsewhere by the soldiers. Zhou Mu Liangyuan led officials of all sizes at Hunshui Bridge five miles away, waiting to greet Song Zheng.
Liang Yuan looks like a middle-aged man, wearing an official uniform, with a green beard, and an elegant temperament. He has also traveled around major academies and became a disciple of a saint.
Not long after, I heard the gong clearing the way and the neighing of horses. Ji Changfeng was in front, leading a group of soldiers to carry Song Zheng to this place.
Song Zheng had already changed into the official residence, got off the sedan chair, and met with the officials.
Liang Yuan smiled and cupped his hands: "Sir Song, please lead some officials from Fengtian City and Luzhou to welcome the imperial envoy!"
Song Zheng also returned the courtesy and said: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Liang. We'd better go into the city first. Please lead the way!"
"Master Song, please!"
The group entered the city. Ji Changfeng paid special attention to the outside of the city, but found no victims, which was very strange.
They were even more confused when they entered the city. The streets in the city were constantly coming and going, just like any other prosperous place. In fact, it was completely different from what they saw when they came.
But when Ji Changfeng looked around, he found that the city was full of white-headed and pale-faced old men. He didn't even meet a middle-aged man along the way, and he couldn't help but wonder.
When they arrived at the government office of the state government, Song Zheng and Liang Yuan were sitting at the front seats, one on the left and the other on the right. Ji Changfeng stood beside Song Zheng with his sword in hand, and the officials below were seated according to their rank.
Song Zheng glanced at Liang Yuan, then stood up and said: "I heard that the disaster in Luzhou was serious and the people were displaced. The emperor was worried and sent his subordinates to come for relief."
But as soon as these words came out, an official below said: "Sir Song, although there is a disaster in Luzhou, it is not serious. As you can see when you enter the city, the people live in peace and order, and there is no need for the emperor to worry about it."
Ji Changfeng was about to speak, but was stopped by Song Zheng's eyes, so he had to give up.
Song Zheng saw Liang Yuan drinking tea and said nothing, and he himself also fell into deep thought.
In fact, the disaster in Luzhou was spread among the people in other prefectures, and officials in other prefectures reported it. The imperial court has not received any memorial about the disaster in Luzhou, which is very puzzling.
Therefore, Song Zheng and Ji Changfeng quietly left the ceremonial guard before entering Luzhou. They went to investigate alone, and then they saw a shocking scene.
Liang Yuan smiled and said: "Sir, the court has not been able to judge clearly the situation in Luzhou, and it is because of the negligence of the subordinate officials. I will inform the court and tell the truth clearly, and please ask Mr. Song to present it to the Holy Master in person."
Song Zheng smiled and said nothing. He didn't expect that Liang Yuan would drive him away so soon, and said: "Don't worry, since there are no major disasters in Luzhou, there are still some minor ones. This time I brought the instructions issued by the imperial court. Disaster relief food funds need to be distributed to the victims.”
"The imperial court is so kind, I would like to express my gratitude to you on behalf of the people of Luzhou," Liang Yuan cupped his hands and said, "But small matters such as distributing grain will be left to the subordinates of this official, so I won't bother Mr. Song."
Mr. Song's thoughts moved, and he nodded and said: "That's fine, in that case, I have to trouble Mr. Liang and all your lords. I am tired from the journey and need to rest."
"We have prepared it for Lord Song a long time ago. Come here! Send Lord Song to the hotel to rest!"
…
As night fell, in the study room of Liang Mansion, the old housekeeper handed a letter to Liang Yuan and said, "Master, this is the letter just sent from Beijing."
Liang Yuan opened it and nodded silently, already thinking about it.
The old housekeeper asked: "Master, will Song Zheng listen to your words and return to Taiyue City obediently?"
"He'd better be obedient," Liang Yuan sneered and said, "Otherwise, I can't guarantee that he can leave Luzhou alive!"
