The world has been quite uneasy recently. Na'an, the imperial capital of Shangqi, which has not had a curfew for many years, also implemented a curfew the day before yesterday. The Goulan tile houses, which are usually open all night, were also closed early to avoid being patrolled by night guards. After seeing it, he was sent to the government for a good beating.
For many years in the Qi Dynasty, everything has been peaceful and prosperous. Although it is a bit exaggerated to say that the houses are not closed at night and the streets are not picked up, but in any case, the people in the imperial city have always lived in peace, and the people's customs are civilized. There are rare scenes of people robbing homes or not observing etiquette. It has to be said that Emperor Qi Although he was young and established, he was still a wise king who supported the country and protected the people, so he made Na'an extremely prosperous.
But now, Na'an is very different from usual days. Except for the soldiers who lighted lamps in twos and twos to watch the night, there are no common people on the long street. Except for the dim wine flags slowly turning in the wind in the night, and a few birds squatting on the branches. Apart from the cry, it seemed extremely silent.
"If you ask me, take a rest as soon as possible. As soon as the curfew was issued, the people were very obedient. Every house closed the door very early and went to their beds to sleep. Who would be in trouble in such a critical period? , On the contrary, it has made all our brothers suffer, and it is very upsetting."
Outside the government gate, two officials were holding lanterns and casually checking house to house. One of them was really sleepy and impatient. He couldn't help complaining, but was quickly scolded by another person next to him, "What are you talking about? How many heads do you have to lose? You dare to question the superiors' plans. It's better to keep your mouth shut and patrol."
The official was still not angry and curled his lips and said, "Most of the residents on Panlong Street are rich and noble people. They cherish their lives the most. How can there be ears between walls? I would say you are too timid. Why don't you dare to say a few words? It's not just you." I and even the people are probably a bit resentful, but they dare to be angry but dare not speak out. How can we be betrayed?"
"It's interesting." The two of them exchanged words with each other, but they didn't pay attention to the person on the long street not far away, carrying an old lantern, waving it step by step, walking slowly. After hearing that the two people were arguing, they couldn't stand it. He opened his mouth and smiled.
The two of them choked on their words for a moment, and the one who had always had a grudge drew his sword out of its sheath first, frowned and asked, "Who goes out to cause trouble during the curfew? You really are not afraid of being beaten with forty or fifty sticks, and the skin and flesh will be bruised. How brave."
The visitor chuckled softly, not panicking at all, "I can certainly bear this beating of a stick, but let's talk about it first. If we delay this important matter, I'm afraid you two will give birth to dozens more heads in the future. If it’s not enough, you must think about it.”
The lantern flickered, but the two officials were a little stunned for a moment. The one in front did not even bother to put away the knife, but he bowed and fell down. He was totally lacking in energy and energy, and hurriedly shouted, "You have no intention of rushing into Prime Minister Xun. It's really... The sky is gloomy, I don’t know that it’s my lord who is personally patrolling, and I really deserve to be punished, so please don’t blame me.”
The old man waved his hand and said calmly, "There is no need to be so scared. Since you are loyal to your duties, there is no reason to be punished. I am getting older, and my hearing is not as sharp as before. Although it was quiet at night, the two of them just spoke, but they said one sentence I didn’t hear it clearly, so let’s just pretend that I haven’t heard it and you two haven’t said it before, so let’s just leave it at that.”
The two officials didn't dare to stand up, and they had to apologize for a long time before they dared to stand up and answer, "Xun Xiang went out at night, probably because of something urgent. If your lord is willing, I and I will help lead the way to the palace. It’s easy to behave.”
"You're quite smart," Xun Wenqu nodded, "Please lead the way."
In the palace dormitory, there was a man wearing yellow clothes with golden threads. He was frowning and looking at the secret report in his hand. His eyes, which were still sleepy just now, were no longer sleepy at this moment. He was even looking at the ordinary piece of paper. When he wrote the secret message, his face was solemn.
After a long while, the man looked away from the letter paper and looked at the old ice piled neatly not far away, with traces of white smoke coming out in the summer night, and sighed longly.
"The summer is coming, and the autumn is troubled. It has only been stable for a period of time, and then changes again, which is quite annoying."
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Xun came for a night visit. I wonder if your Majesty would like to see him." The man behind the screen walked up to the front servant and bowed down to the man from a distance.
Emperor Qi thought for a moment and said, "Just invite me quickly."
Xun Wenqu stepped across the three white jade bridges, and in the moonlight, he saw what seemed to be thousands of fish scales flashing in the palace. His expression changed from his original calmness to a slightly gloomy one, but he did not say much and just followed the eunuchs in front of him. Walking step by step, he stepped into the sleeping hall and bowed down gently.
"The humble minister bows to see the saint."
Emperor Qi waved his hand, "Xun Xiang is too polite. We are the only two people here, so don't worry about red tape." Then he asked on his own, "If you enter the palace late at night, Xun Xiang may also go to the east." Letter, what do you think?"
The old man replied calmly, "Of course the soldiers will come to block it, and the water will come to cover it up."
"If other countries' armies are approaching, they will certainly have the means to defeat the enemy. The power of Qi State has never been weaker than others, so of course I don't care." Qi Huang rubbed his brows, "But now it is not the army approaching the city, but the north. The evil monster that has been dormant in Yan Daze for many years seems to have escaped, and it is almost impossible to defeat it with ordinary manpower. There are many in the Qixian family, but those who are really willing to take action for this matter are probably less than one in ten, so there is nothing they can do."
After hearing this, the old man nodded, "It is indeed as the Holy One said. Most of the immortal families in the world are born to care for themselves. This is why the number of monks guarding the border in Beiyanze has not decreased over the years. Although the one who guards Beiyanze now has an extremely high level. , but now that the monsters are becoming more and more rampant, it is inevitable that they are stretched thin. However, the old minister feels that if the immortal family does not come out, it naturally has not tasted the benefits. If it is promised with a heavy profit, it can probably succeed. "
"But when I come to unite a country, am I going to entrust the whole country to those immortal families?" The man was slightly angry, and suddenly pinched the blood-stained secret letter in his palm. A shame."
But the old man's face remained calm. He took out a jade slip from his arms, put it on the table in front of Emperor Qi, and pushed it gently, "Compared with ordinary people, the monsters and immortals just have more magical powers and spells, and the ability to soar into the clouds and mist. If you use tools, Even a few fish that escaped from Beiyanze can make waves. Your Majesty must not forget that when the five religions gathered together, one of them had the most ghost craftsmen and was very good at making machines and equipment. , the world calls it Kuimen, and descendants are still to the west of Shangqi."
The man's eyebrows suddenly stood up, "Xun Xiang, it's best not to discuss this matter unreasonably. My father specifically mentioned it to everyone before he came to the throne. Kuimen is a trickster, and the world will be in chaos. If this matter really causes the world to be shocked, please come together." It’s dangerous.”
"South of Bei Yanze, we have recently advanced to Qi." Xun Wenqu looked at the man, his eyes not retreating at all, "There are hundreds of civilians and soldiers dead in the east. If things continue like this, there will be chaos in Shang Qi. By that time, will it be difficult for the Holy One to succeed? How many letters do you need to repair, and how many other countries are invited to send troops to help?"
"If you advance, there may not be chaos, but if you retreat, you will be eaten up by monsters and become waterless fish meat. The Holy Spirit understands the reason and should consider it clearly. I, the humble minister, retire."
It wasn't until long after the old man left that the candlelight inside the door calmed down, and the man in the yellow robe still looked gloomy and uncertain.
"Sage, Xun Wenqu's words are very disrespectful. In the past, His Majesty was still young and was controlled by an old minister from the second dynasty, which was barely reasonable. But now that the emperor is sage, and the civil and military skills are not given to the late emperor, how can he be allowed to do so again? Let him be so presumptuous."
A servant in brocade clothes walked out beside the man. He was nearly eight feet tall, but when he spoke, he spoke softly.
After a long time, the man grabbed the jade slip on the table and said hoarsely, "How can eunuchs discuss state affairs? Regardless of whether what Prime Minister Xun said is reasonable or not, it is not something you can talk about. Go and be flogged for a hundred and two hundred dollars. I will spare my life." You made a mistake."
The waiter bowed and left without any hesitation.
"I wanted to cool the cup, but the moon and stars were in chaos." The man walked, caressing the jade slip, and looked towards the end of the sky alone.
