Seeing that Lord Xinling directly pointed out the matter of going out to the city to visit Zeng Ji, Mr. Zhongyue no longer concealed it and said directly: "Zeng's visit and your visit are all confidential. Please don't let it out."
All the Lu brothers said: "Here you go!"
Mr. Zhongyue said: "I have prepared two carts of food, ten thousand coins, and ten jars of wine, and I am working with Mr. Lu and others. I have not been able to get the gift of courtesy and virtue."
Zhang He said: "It is a great gift for you to come and bow to me. The things outside your body are not what Zeng is happy about, nor are they suitable for them, and they are afraid of being leaked."
Lord Xinling said: "Sir, I know that Brother Zeng is good at swords. I have a sword that is quite valuable. I would like to give it to you as a gift."
Zhang He said: "Brother Zeng's sword is still with me. I will go and get it."
Lord Xinling and Zhang Ye both stood up and left to get their swords. Mr. Zhongyue took the opportunity to explain to the Lu brothers what to pay attention to after entering the car dealership. The two listened attentively and nodded repeatedly.
After a while, Lord Xinling first, and then Zhang Ye, brought their swords. But before Mr. Zhong Yue finished speaking, they didn't say anything. They sat down quietly and listened to Mr. Zhong Yue's arrangements. They even asked Mr. Zhong Yue to explain some places that were unclear.
After Mr. Zhongyue finished speaking, Lord Xinling asked, "Who is escorting the car?"
Mr. Zhongyue said: "I am an old disciple, and I am afraid that others will know me. So I have chosen six smart ones from among the new gentlemen from Daliang to accompany me. They are all in coarse clothes and short brown clothes. Your Majesty and the gentlemen will take two equal parts, each with his own belt." Postmaster. Choose a team of soldiers to accompany you in the middle camp."
Lord Xinling said: "Sir, everything is done well." Then he placed the sword in his hand on the table and said to Zhang He, "This is the sword I carry." When Zhang He looked at it, the wood of the sword room was fragrant, and it did not need to be painted, so it was naturally bright; Pulling out the sword, it was golden, with a cold light shining on the edge; flicking his fingers, the sword made a clear and long sound. Zhang He then took out Zeng Ji's sword from his arms: it was a black piece of black iron, with a round handle at the bottom and no grid, and a triangular blade with a sharp edge.
Lord Xinling picked up the iron sword, looked at it for a long time, and said: "The sharpness of this sword is clearly revealed, and it has no impact and calmness. I'm afraid it won't be long before it hits him."
Zhang He said: "The sword of the emperor is auspicious, blessed and powerful, and it is the sword of a true nobleman."
Mr. Zhongyue said: "Zeng's rangers are everywhere, how can it be used as a sword of fortune and honor? I think I can give it to the real soldiers in the treasury."
Lord Xinling thought for a while, picked up the sword in his hand, walked out of the back hall, went to the front of the back house, and said: "Wuji, a man from Wei, would like to see Captain Huayang!" When he was young, the door of the house opened, and Captain Huayang showed a big belly, carrying The two boys hurriedly ran out and saw Lord Xinling standing alone with a sword. The boys quickly stayed by the door and stepped forward to greet him.
Lord Xinling said: "The general is alone in the battle, carrying only one sword. I would like to ask the elite sword in the palace to protect him. He will return after the battle. I am afraid that he will not believe it, so I would like to use this sword to confront him."
When Lieutenant Huayang heard about this, he hurriedly said: "It's just an iron sword, how can you dare to challenge your sword?"
He turned to the boy and said, "Take the heaviest sword on the shelf and give it to your Majesty!" The boy ran in and came out soon, holding a long wooden sword in his hand. Captain Huayang took it, gave it to Lord Xinling with both hands, and said: "I have selected a number of swords in the treasury and placed them in the inner house, in case something happens sooner or later, so that I can defend myself. This sword is long and made of iron, but it is the best for the battlefield. Lord, upper body I am willing to take this sword with me to show my heart. I dare not give you a vulgar thing, but I would like to offer my ears!" Lord Xinling took the sword and found it was very heavy. He took it out and looked at it. It was indeed a piece of Wu Shen Chen. Made of black iron, the edge is forged and ground. Although it has a cold shine, it is slightly rough.
When Lord Xinling saw this sword, he felt a little disappointed: a sword of this quality seemed to be more difficult to reflect his own way of treating talents. However, it was not easy to say much about the gift given by Captain Huayang. He simply said: "I am honored to receive the gift. If there are good swordsmen on the left and right, I dare to enter the arsenal and choose a few swords."
Wei Huayang said: "Although the shape of the sword is clumsy, it is skillful in use. You will know it when you are in battle. It is up to you to choose the sword for your arsenal. The ministers are uneasy and cannot accompany each other." The two said goodbye to each other.
Lord Xinling took the long sword and returned to the hall. He placed the sword in front of the banquet and said to Zhang He, "Sir, what do you think of this sword?"
Zhang He took the sword and looked at it, saying: "This is a sword. It has a broad back and a straight spine. It is an honest and good sword."
Lord Xinling placed his own sword in front of the table and asked, "These are two swords. What should I give to Zeng?"
Zhang He didn't know how to answer for a moment, but Mr. Zhongyue said in relief: "Mr. Lu has traveled far and wide and has seen many swords, so he must have some high opinions."
Lu Bo didn't refuse. He first raised Lord Xinling's sword, drew it out and took a closer look, and said, "This is a sword. The golden light shines brightly in the sun. The edge is restrained. It is the sword of the king." He raised the long sword again and drew it out. After looking at it carefully, he said: "This is a sword. The workmanship lies in its use. It is straight but not broken, sharp but not brittle. It is the sword of a general." Finally, he took Zeng Ji's three-edged sword from Zhang He's hand and said "This is a sword. It is hidden deep and cannot be exposed. The lower part reaches the upper part. It is the sword of the chivalrous man." Finally, he concluded: "These are three swords. They are all fine, but the person is different."
When Lord Xinling heard this, he sighed with emotion: "If he is not this person, how can he have a sword? This is what I don't understand."
Zhang He said: "The emperor gave you the sword not necessarily for its use, but to respect the virtuous. The minister returned his sword, and the emperor gave it two swords as a gift. This shows the respect for each other, so what else can it be like!"
Lord Xinling said: "When you are in the formation, everything should be kept simple. Brother Zeng, don't be surprised."
Zhang He said: "This person is loyal and righteous, and he must feel the sincerity of the emperor. How can it be strange?"
At this time, someone reported at the foot of the stairs that the carriage was ready. Mr. Zhongyue responded, and everyone in the hall stood up. Lord Xinling said: "Mr. Zhang wears the general's sword. When he sees it, he will untie the sword and give it to him to show his sincerity."
Zhang He said: "Thank you, Your Majesty!" Sure enough, he happily hung the long sword on his waist, kept the three-edged sword in his arms, and straightened his clothes slightly. Mr. Xinling took the lead and walked out of the hall, followed by the four gentlemen, who all walked out of the house.
Two leather chariots and three chariots were waiting outside the mansion gate. There was a charioteer beside each of the two leather chariots, and one of them was actually Mr. Xiahou. In his free time, Mr. Xiahou always dressed up and cut grass and fed food himself. Once he accompanied Lord Xinling to greet him, he would be fully ligated and look very majestic. The six drivers beside the three carriages were all followers who had just come from the confinement with Mr. Liang Wei. They were still dressed as beggars when they left Daliang. Although they had special skills, their appearance did not reveal anything. A group of soldiers, one man at ten paces, lined up on both sides of the avenue until the west gate, so the avenue was deserted. Uncle Zu also came forward to greet Lord Xinling and others.
Lord Xinling first saluted and said goodbye to Mr. Zhongyue, and then followed Zhang Noi towards Mr. Xiahou's car, while the Lu brothers headed towards another car. After greeting Yushou, everyone got on the carriage, Yushou started the carriage, and Lord Xinling said goodbye to Mr. Zhongyue. A motorcade went straight out of the west gate. Uncle Zou followed the convoy, and the soldiers standing on both sides gathered up the team in turn and followed the convoy until they exited the west gate.
In order to adapt to the speed of the ox-cart, the two-carriage carriage only moved slowly, even though it was riding horses.
Huayang City has no moat, but there is an open space of fifty steps outside the city wall to facilitate defense by the defenders. Outside the empty space is Lu's Car Shop, which is built facing the south. Although it is not difficult to be a wealthy family, the exquisite courtyard walls still show the wealth of the owner. Although there were no pedestrians on the road, the soldiers quickly set up a warning around the vehicle. Then two horse-drawn carriages and three ox-carts drove slowly to the door of the carriage house. Lu Bojie led a group of shopkeepers and mediocre people from car dealerships, opened the middle door wide, and welcomed them out of the door.
The Lu brothers got out of the car first, and Lu Bo said: "General, please help the carriages!"
Lu Bojie bowed down and said, "A humble man dare not serve as a general!"
Lu Bo said: "Sir, I will exempt you from it, but I will give it to you."
Lu Bojie stood up and said, "I would like to ask the general to sit high, and the humble concubines to serve wine!" He stepped aside. Lord Xinling and three others got out of the car, and several car dealers came over to take over the carriage and horses. Mr. Xiahou did not follow him to the stables this time, but went straight into the mansion gate with Lord Xinling and Zhang Ye. Several other shopkeepers and mediocre people came to pick up the carriage, and also let six doormen dressed as coachmen into the door. Lu Bojie and the Lu brothers stayed outside the door and began to distribute money and food; Lu Buwei, who was hiding in the dark, quietly bowed his head and moved Lord Xinling and others to a quiet courtyard. The six coachmen quietly disappeared into the surroundings, making no sound. Lu Buwei opened the door, walked in first, bowed inwards, and then went out and bowed outwards. Lord Xinling and the other three people bowed and entered.
After entering the door, they saw a group of people walking straight towards them. The leader was Zeng Ji, with a wretched figure, disheveled clothes, fluffy hair, and shit at the corners of his eyes. Following behind them were Uncle Tang and Uncle Cao. Lord Xinling stepped forward, bowing and standing sideways. Zhang He said: "Master Xinling of Wei would like to pay his respects to Brother Zeng!"
Zeng Ji prostrated himself on the ground and said, "I have always heard the name of Lord Xinling, and now I am lucky to see him!"
Lord Xinling also prostrated himself on the ground and said, "I heard that Mr. Zhang was so fascinated that he wanted to see the scene at that time. He couldn't help himself. Unexpectedly, he saw his true appearance, and he was overjoyed!"
Uncle Tang said: "The two of us have great righteousness, and we regret meeting each other late. I would like to be less polite and talk over a drink."
The two stood up, helped each other up, and walked hand in hand, with everyone following behind. Lu Buwei had already taken out water urns, jujube plums and other items from the hall and placed them beside the steps. Everyone was eating and drinking and sitting in a circle - only Mr. Xiahou and Zhang Noi were sitting behind Lord Xinling.
Sitting down, each drank a round of sake. Lord Xinling took off his sword from his waist, held it in both hands, and said: "I heard about Mr.'s trip alone, and I admired him very much. Now that I heard that Mr. Huayang came to Huayang in person, I couldn't be happier. Victory. There is nothing special in the army. This sword is worn by a solitary person, and it can also be used to entertain the eyes. I hope you, sir, will not take it lightly."
Zeng Ji declined and said: "How dare a lowly person take advantage of the king's gift?"
Zhang He said: "The sword is always worn by your Majesty. I gave it to Brother Zeng as a token of my gratitude. Please don't say goodbye, brother!" He took out Zeng Ji's three-edged sword from his arms and offered it with both hands, saying: "Brother Zeng's sword. I dare not have it, so I will give it back!"
Zeng Ji took back his own sword from Zhang Ye's hand, rubbed it with his hands for a long time, and said: "Brother Zhang's sincerity and your Majesty's wishes are all taken with your heart."
Zhang He then took off the long sword from his waist, held it up with both hands, and said: "Brother Zeng has the only sword in the world. The sword of the king speaks to his heart, and the sword of my younger brother is the Han sword selected from the arsenal. I wish to protect him."
