In the evening, Zhongnan Mountain is shrouded in clouds and mist, the green and black mountains are undulating and winding, the rain is falling, and the vegetation is fresh.
The rainwater gathered and merged into the stream, making the usually gurgling water gradually become turbulent. It poured down from the waterfall between the cliffs and poured into the pool at the bottom of the mountain. It surged with force, and there was a faint roaring sound.
Not far from the water pool is the jingshe on the back hill of Dayun Temple. The open windows let in cool water, but the atmosphere inside is full of depression and despair.
Changsun Wuji knelt down and sat in the middle, with a chubby white face in astonishment. Several age spots appeared on his face without knowing when, and the gray hair on his temples made him look older. At the bottom, there is Yuwen Shiji who has just returned from the Youhou Guard Camp. His clothes are soaked and he has not had time to change. His face is tired, his face is green and his lips are white.
Linghu Defen and Dugu Lan were sitting on the other side, opposite Yu Wenshiji. At this moment, both of them had their eyes wide open, their faces full of disbelief.
The silent atmosphere lasted for half a stick of incense before Linghu Defen broke the silence with a trembling voice. He first said to Yuwen Shiji: "How is it possible?"
Without waiting for Yu Wenshi to reply, he turned to Changsun Wuji and swallowed before asking: "What did you rely on when you summoned all the families to join forces in the first place?"
These people have gone through two dynasties, ups and downs in the officialdom, and each controls a family. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are outstanding people in the world. Many times, there are some things that need not be said clearly. For example, Changsun Wuji secretly joined the Liaodong Army. Sneaking back to Chang'an, he planned the mutiny. Everyone has already agreed that since Changsun Wuji dared to do this, it must be that His Majesty Li Er had an accident and could not return to Chang'an - otherwise, who would lend everyone the courage of a black bear? Do you dare to raise troops under the rule of His Majesty Li Er and defeat Jinxiu Guanzhong until everything is desolate and the walls collapse and the houses collapse?
This kind of thing cannot be asked clearly in front of Changsun Wuji, and there is no need to ask. This is a tacit understanding between them.
However, now everyone has launched a mutiny. Not only has it failed to destroy the East Palace and depose the prince, but even the foundation has been riddled with holes. The whole family is just one step away from being destroyed. They have no choice but to hide in Dayun Temple and wait for the situation to turn around. ...And you told me that His Majesty Li Er is back again?
Changsun Wuji drooped his eyelids and remained silent, his whole person exuding a dead silence of "all thoughts are empty"...
Yu Wenshiji wiped his face with a handkerchief, ignoring his messy hair, and said quickly: "Now is not the time to blame anyone. Since His Majesty is back, we must quickly discuss countermeasures. Previously, the prince wanted to fight against Shandong and The plan of Jiangnan and Jiangnan to return to the court is no longer feasible, what should we do?"
As soon as he finished speaking, Dugu Lan exploded.
"boom!"
He slammed the tea cup in his hand to the ground, his beard was trembling, and he said sternly: "Fart! What do you mean by complaining? I have long thought that this matter cannot be done, and wanted to stay out of it, but one by two you forced me to get involved. Now that we are not only at the end of our rope, but also facing death, why can't I complain?"
Yu Wenshi opened his mouth, but had nothing to say.
When the incident occurred, Dugu Lan acted extremely coldly and was not enthusiastic about the matter. He even wanted to stay out of the matter for a while. However, for such a Guanlong Zhongzhong, with a high title, status and prestige, it would be difficult for him to just watch with cold eyes. Gathering all the power of Guan Longmen Vale, he tried his best to bring him in.
There seems to be nothing wrong with people complaining now...
Linghu Defen on the side also sighed, rubbed his face vigorously, and almost cried in his voice: "Your Majesty has always been generous, but what we have done this time has touched His Majesty's bottom line. Now that His Majesty is back, he will treat us badly. Using thunderous means, for the sake of past friendship, I may not be able to wipe out three tribes at once, but at least I have to distribute them to the frontiers... The Linghu family has lost its foundation in my hands and has been reduced to dust. How can I meet my ancestors? Zong?"
This is the most difficult punishment for a wealthy family to accept, and it is only slightly lighter than the annihilation of three clans. Once they are sent to the frontier, it means that the Tang Dynasty will never hire the children of the clan. Two generations later, the wealth accumulated by the once famous family for more than a hundred years will be completely dissipated and lost to everyone...
These words stung the hearts of the people present. Silence returned to the monastery. The sound of water outside the windows and the pattering of rain were heard, but everyone felt as if there was a big stone pressing down on their hearts, making them unable to breathe.
For a long time, Changsun Wuji, who had been silent for a long time, swung his knees and said in a hoarse voice: "It's my fault. It's over now. I have no words to complain or hate you. But don't worry, I will definitely give it to you." An explanation.”
Dugu Lan was frightened in his heart, and his tone was inevitably sharp, and he said angrily: "Explain? My Dugu family has been a proud family and has been prosperous for generations. Now it is about to be destroyed. How can you explain it?"
He couldn't understand why Changsun Wuji dared to launch a mutiny without confirming the circumstances of His Majesty's death.
Did the matter get out of his control, causing the plan to go awry? Or was this old thief simply in cahoots with His Majesty and dragging all the relevant Longmen officials into the water in this way, which fulfilled His Majesty's desire to save things easily? Is it your majesty’s national policy to weaken the clan?
If it's the former, you can only admit that you are unlucky. After all, everything depends on people and God, so who can be sure that all his plans will be realized?
But if it is the latter, then as long as there is one bloodline left in the Dugu family, they will fight to the death with the Changsun family...
Changsun Wuji had a haggard face and no energy at all. Facing Dugulan's aggressive approach, he waved his hand casually and said calmly: "No need to say more, please step aside first and let me think about it."
Yu Wenshi and a few others looked at each other, got up helplessly, exited the monastery, and came to a Zen room not far away. They dismissed the servants and sat on the ground, looking at each other in silence.
After a long time, Yu Wenshiji let out a long sigh, his face full of sadness and unbearable...
…
In the monastery, Changsun Wuji was sitting alone on the floor, having not moved for a long time, as if he were making clay clay.
The drizzle was gurgling outside the window, dark clouds covered the sky and the earth, and the defense line inside the room gradually became dim.
I don't know how much time passed, but Changsun Wuji moved slowly. He sat on the floor and waited until his numb legs recovered. Then he turned around and took out the flint from the wooden box on the side of the coffee table to light the candlestick. The big flame was covered by the candlestick. The cool air blowing in from the window swayed and flickered, reflecting Changsun Wuji's pale face.
After another long while, he pushed the tea set aside on the coffee table, took out the pen, ink, paper and inkstone, laid out the rice paper, put down the paperweight, poured a little tea into the inkstone, then held the ink stick in one hand and held his sleeve with the other, carefully of grinding.
The whole process was meticulous and filled with a lifeless charm...
After grinding the ink, I picked up the brush and placed it on the rice paper. Suddenly my thoughts froze and I didn't know how to write. The ink accumulated on the tip of the pen dripped, staining the white rice paper black.
After replacing a piece of rice paper, Changsun Wuji picked up the pen again, and this time he wrote it with one stroke.
Put down the pen, dry the ink stains, fold the rice paper, put it into an envelope, take out a piece of fire paint and bake it with a candle flame, seal the envelope, and take out his own seal from his pocket to stamp it.
After doing all this, Changsun Wuji sat down behind the coffee table as if exhausted. After a while, he stood up and took out a porcelain bottle from a box on the wall. He went to the coffee table and opened the stopper of the porcelain bottle, poured some white powder into the teapot, and threw the porcelain bottle away. On the side, I poured myself a cup of tea.
He sat meditatively in the monastery, with the candlelight shining in his eyes. He seemed to be unwilling and relieved. The muscles on his face twitched and spasmed for a long time, and finally turned into calm...
Picking up the tea cup, he drank it in one gulp.
The only way out for a hero is to die.
If he doesn't die, His Majesty Li Er will never let him go with his character. Instead of implicating the entire Changsun family in annihilating three tribes and exterminating all blood heirs, why not take the initiative and give His Majesty Li Er an explanation, which may help him Let His Majesty Li Er remember Queen Wende and his many years of contribution and bypass the eldest grandson's family.
Even if His Majesty really takes action against the Guanlong clan, the other families will not be able to escape severe punishment. Since this incident started on their own, each family will inevitably feel resentful and hostile towards the eldest son's family after suffering heavy losses. Without others taking action, Guan Long will not be able to escape severe punishment. The Long family could tear the Changsun family into pieces and swallow them whole...
Those three people should have made it clear just now that if you die, everyone will live, so they will naturally take care of the eldest grandson's family; if you don't die, everyone will die, and the eldest grandson's family will be everyone's enemy.
Once he dies, he will thank the world and give everyone an explanation.
…
In another Zen room, three people sat facing each other without saying a word.
The lamp wick made a slight explosion, awakening the three of them from their daze. Linghu Defen's lips twitched and he said slowly: "It should be... almost done, right?"
Dugu Lan responded in silence, got up and walked out.
Yu Wenshiji and Linghu Deben looked at each other and stood up, but their legs were numb from sitting for a long time and they almost fell down on the candlestick. Fortunately, Linghu Deben pulled him behind him...
Outside the door of the monastery, the three people stood there, their expressions changing and their steps hesitating. It seemed that there was something terrifying behind the door, which made the three Guanlong bosses hesitate to move forward, not daring to face it.
After all, Yu Wenshi took a step forward, opened the door and walked in.
The candle flame flickered, flickering on and off. Changsun Wuji was curled up on the mat, with a ferocious face and bleeding from his mouth and nose. Yu Wenshi and his hunched waist stepped forward step by step, and tremblingly stretched out his hand to test Changsun Wuji's nose. He tried breathing and touched the blood vessels in his neck, but everything was still.
"Auxiliary machine..."
Yu Wenshiji cried out sadly, knelt down and paused with his head on the ground, choked and unable to speak.
He and Changsun Wuji have worked hand in hand to control the Guanlong clan for twenty years. They are both comrades-in-arms who work closely together, and also scheming opponents. However, no matter how the relationship changes, the friendship between each other can never be erased.
But today, he was the one who forced Changsun Wuji to death.
The big rock weighing on his head was finally overturned, and no one could stop him from becoming the leader of Guanlong. However, there was no joy in his heart, only the sadness of a rabbit dying and the guilt of forcing his old friend to death.
(End of chapter)
