Xiang Xian has been trapped in Shangjun Courtyard for five days. In these five days, he did not have a full meal. If you're lucky, you can grab a steamed bun a day, but if you're not lucky, you'll just go hungry.
In just five days, Xiang Xian's cheeks had collapsed.
On this day, while the scholars were in class, Xiang Xian approached Tietou, who was responsible for cooking, with a somewhat frivolous pace: "Brother, can you give me a bowl first?"
Tietou shook his head resolutely: "I can't. If I give it to you first, it will break the rules. This pot lid must be lifted in front of everyone."
Xiang Xian said sadly: "Even if you gave it to me, no one would know. At worst, just cover it up."
Tietou said: "If you don't have faith, you won't stand."
Xiang Xian was speechless: "Do you want to watch me starve to death?"
Tietou said: "My food is supplied to the scholars of Shangjun Academy. You are not a scholar here. It is very loyal to allow you to come here to grab food. Now you think you have eaten less? This is not pushing the envelope. ?"
Xiang Xian had no choice but to turn around and walk slowly outside the academy. But soon, he was stopped by two craftsmen.
The craftsman was polite but firm: "Brother, you can't come this way."
Xiang Xian asked feebly: "Why?"
The craftsman said plausibly: "There are rules for banishing immortals. Two kinds of people can come to Shangjun's courtyard. One is the craftsmen inside Shangjun's courtyard. The other is the guests from outside. Which one are you?"
Xiang Xian said: "I am a guest."
The craftsman added: "There are three types of guests. First, relatives who have been banished to immortals can come and go freely. Second, those who spend 100,000 yuan to buy a ticket can come in once. Third, there are poor people wearing patched clothes. Brother, Which do you think you are?"
Xiang Xian looked at his clothes: "I am the guard of Wang Laoshi's family. There are no patches on my clothes, but I am indeed a poor man."
The craftsman patted his shoulder: "You are not poor enough. One day you leave Shangjun Courtyard and go to a real backcountry. You will know that the real poor cannot even afford clothes. Patch clothes , which can only be put together during the holidays when the whole family goes into battle together."
The craftsman said for sure, because their small village was so poor before.
Xiang Xian was silent, and then said: "Then, can I leave Shangjun's courtyard?"
The craftsman shook his head: "A few days ago, Banished Immortal ordered someone to call you and Miss Song E here in a hurry. There must be something big going on. He let you go, but Banished Immortal turned around and asked, who will take the blame?"
Xiang Xian said with a bitter face: "Then you tell me, where should I go?"
The craftsman said: "You are not from Shangjun's villa, so you can't stay here for a long time, lest you reveal the secret of Shangjun's villa. You are also the one who was summoned by the banished immortal, so you can't leave casually. Therefore, you can only stay in the academy. ”
"The academy is run by our Shangjun Courtyard, but it is different from Shangjun Courtyard. When you stay there, you don't have to worry about doing anything wrong, and it allows you to learn something. Why not? Don't you? Do you know how much money those rich and powerful children have to spend just to attend a class in the academy?"
Xiang Xian said: "I don't want to take the imperial examination, so what are you doing listening to those things?"
The craftsman chuckled: "Why not take the imperial examination? Listen to a few classes and try your luck. If you pass the exam, you can celebrate. If you fail, there is no loss. Even if you don't want to take the imperial examination, don't you want to gain some knowledge? ?”
Xiang Xian thought for a while and felt that it made sense. But the key question is, will there be enough food to eat there?
Xiang Xian told the craftsmen about this situation, hoping that they could help him. But the craftsman shook his head: "This is the rule of the academy. You have to grab food to eat. I don't dare to break the rules and attract the curse of those scholars."
Finally, the two craftsmen invited Xiang Xian back to the academy.
Xiang Xian had no choice but to sit next to the iron pot, just waiting for the meal to start.
One hour, two hours later, there was a sudden sound of gongs, and those scholars were dismissed from get out of class. Tietou opened the lid of the pot, then quickly left the yard and went to his hut to eat.
But Xiang Xian, who has quick eyes and quick hands, wanted to grab the steamed buns to eat, but found that what was in the pot today was porridge.
Xiang Xian had no tools and could only work in a hurry. Soon, he was crowded aside by the scholars who were carrying dishes and chopsticks like wolves and tigers.
…………
Jing Fu entered Xiang Chao's house with complicated emotions.
He came with an order. Not long ago, Li Xin came to him and ordered him to approach Xiang Chao and ask him about Xiang Yu's whereabouts.
Jing Fu stood at the door and pondered for a while, making some notes, and then ordered the servant behind him to come forward and call the door.
Soon, the door opened and Jing Fu was taken in.
Xiang Chao's mansion was very luxurious because he came to Xianyang with a lot of money, and because Wang Jian had been funding him before entering the Chu land in order to urge the Xiang family to rebel against Qin.
Jing Fu was led by a servant into the backyard. In the backyard, Xiang Chao was kneeling on the ground in mourning clothes, with tears streaming down his face.
Jing Fu was startled and asked, "Could it be that something happened to Brother Xiang Liang?"
Xiang Chao was also startled, then shook his head: "No, there is no news from Chudi yet."
Jing Fu looked at him in confusion: "Then...who in your family has passed away?"
Xiang Chao sighed: "I am commemorating my loyal minister of Chu, Qu Yuan."
Jing Fu was a little confused: "Today doesn't seem to be Qu Yuan's death anniversary, right?"
Xiang Chao said calmly: "The country is dead because of that millet. My heart is heavy. Every time I shed tears, it is the anniversary of Qu Yuan's death."
Jing Fu was a little speechless.
Xiang Chao bowed a few more times and then had his things put away. He took Jing Fu into the house and sat down.
Perhaps because the heavy feeling of paying homage to Qu Yuan had not yet dissipated, Xiang Chao memorized several sections of land. Jing Fu was always beside him, but he didn't take the initiative to mention Xiang Yu, because he knew there was no need to worry, Xiang Chao would mention it himself.
Sure enough, after a while, Xiang Chao sighed and said: "Incompetent people like you and I can only cry bitterly after the country is destroyed. My Yu'er, like me, dares to come to Xianyang City with a sword in hand. People. It’s really different from other people.”
Jing Fu laughed dryly and said, "It's a pity that I didn't get to know General Yu. I always hear Brother Xiang mention General Yu, and I really admire him. It's a pity that I can't talk to him freely. It's a real pity."
Xiang Chao nodded in agreement: "Yes, you are indeed a little unlucky. But I am much luckier. As Yu'er's father, I may leave a mark in the history books in the future."
Jing Fu didn't say anything, thinking: What should I leave behind? Xiang Yu’s father, Xiang Chao? You have no skills and only brag about your son all day long. Is it necessary for history books to record you?
However, Jing Fu didn't say this, he just mentioned Xiang Yu intentionally or unintentionally, and then expressed his hope to meet him.
According to Jing Fu's understanding of Xiang Chao, Xiang Chao should rush to arrange this matter at this time. But it was strange today. Xiang Chao only boasted about how outstanding Xiang Yu was and never mentioned arranging a meeting between the two.
Jing Fu couldn't hold himself back and asked directly: "Brother Xiang, I want to see General Yu. I don't know about this..."
Xiang Chao suddenly let out a long sigh.
Jing Fu felt a little uneasy: Could there have been any changes in this matter?
Sure enough, Xiang Chao said: "Brother Jing, Yu'er is really a genius with both civil and military skills."
Jing Fu laughed dryly and said, "Yes, that's true."
Xiang Chao said: "Originally? I also wanted to arrange for you to meet. However, Yu'er said that he came to Xianyang City to kill Huaiguzi. After killing people, he would return to Chu to restore his country. He was brave enough to kill someone and then drift away, but others may not have such good luck."
Jing Fu asked in confusion: "So..."
Xiang Chao said: "Therefore, the fewer people he sees, the better. Otherwise, after he kills someone, others will be implicated."
Jing Fu laughed dryly: "General Yu is indeed thoughtful."
Xiang Chao looked at Jing Fu sympathetically: "Therefore, I'm afraid you won't be able to see Yu'er this time. But it doesn't matter. With a genius like Yu'er here, I believe that in a few years, this pass will be over. He is Da Chu, and by then, you can naturally see him openly."
Jing Fu could only nod in agreement.
The two chatted for a while, and Jing Fu took the initiative to say: "General Yu wants to kill Huaiguzi, which may not be easy. Huaiguzi is cunning and cautious. In my opinion, he needs to sneak into Shangjun's courtyard to succeed. . Why don't you let me recommend you to send General Yu to Shang Jun's courtyard to work? Jing is willing to take risks for the sake of the revival of Chu."
Xiang Chao shook his head and said with a smile: "Yu'er has already thought about it. Find an opportunity to enter Shang Jun's courtyard from Wang Laoshi in the Immortal Exile Tower. In this way, our people will not be involved. In the future Huaiguzi is dead, and the King of Qin is furious. If he wants to kill him, he must be killed. It has nothing to do with us. We can only watch the fun."
Jing Fu nodded in agreement. He chatted with Xiang Chao for a few more words, but he really couldn't stand his praise of Xiang Yu, so he made an excuse to leave.
After Jing Fu came out, he immediately returned to his home, then disguised himself, went out through the back door, and found Li Xin.
After hearing the news, Li Xin pondered for a moment, and then said to Jing Fu: "So, Xiang Yu is very likely to be in the Immortal Exile Tower?"
Jing Fu whispered: "If you're not in the Exalted Immortal Building, you're at Wang Laoshi's home. From what they want, they want Wang Laoshi to recommend him to Shang Jun's Courtyard."
Li Xin hummed: "Brother Huai needs to make a decision on this matter. Please come with me to the palace."
Jing Fu nodded and bowed in agreement.
A quarter of an hour later, they met Li Shui in the alchemy room.
Li Shui sighed with emotion: "Xiang Yu is such a talent. He sneaked into the Exalted Immortal Tower without saying a word. Now that we know he is in the Exalted Immortal Tower, the rest of the matter will be easy to handle. Just check who has been there recently. Once you enter the Banished Immortal Tower, you will know which one is Xiang Yu."
Li Xin rubbed his hands with some excitement: "Wang Jian hasn't captured Xiang Liang in Chu, so why should we kill Xiang Yu now? It's really wonderful. It's a pity that Xiang Yu is just a pawn under Xiang Liang's command. Even if he is captured, , it’s not a big credit.”
Li Shui smiled: "That's not necessarily the case. This person is a talent after all."
Li Xin asked in confusion: "Really?"
Li Shui said, "Wang Li, you know him well, right? You know a little bit about leading troops to fight."
Li Xin chuckled.
He was not laughing at Wang Li, but at Li Shui.
Wang Li's level is certainly not as good as Wang Bi's, let alone Wang Jian's, but after all, he comes from a noble family and has been a general for several generations, so he is much better than you, the God of War who was deceived and stolen. Now you are saying that this person knows a little bit about leading troops to fight, but why are you so shameless?
Li Shui didn't notice Li Xin's disdainful look, and continued: "Given some time, give Wang Li an army of two to three hundred thousand, which is a regular Qin army. Give Xiang Yu tens of thousands of refugees who have hastily put together rebels. Xiang Yu can lead these rebels." , defeat Wang Li, do you believe it?"
Li Xin's eyes widened: "How is this possible? Even if a stupid pig is the general and leads the 200,000 Qin army, he will not be defeated by the refugees, right?"
Li Shui spread his hands: "However, such an incredible thing is very likely to happen."
Li Xin looked like he couldn't believe it.
Li Shui thought for a while and said: "Find him first. After he is found, don't rush to touch him. Monitor him closely. You can even place some agents around him. How many rebels are there in Xianyang City now? Are there any? We still don’t know the fish that slipped through the net. It’s better to use Xiang Yu to dig out all those people.”
"If Xiang Liang changes in Chu in the future, we can detain Xiang Yu as a hostage at any time."
Li Xin nodded in agreement.
Jing Fu, who was next to him, was a little confused: Why does this method of banishing immortals sound so familiar? Isn't that another me?
…………
Banished Immortal Tower, back alley.
A descendant of the Xiang family lost his temper and said to Xiang Yu: "General Yu, Wang Laoshi has been away for more than ten days. There is no news at all in Shang Jun's Villa. It seems that he did not recommend me at all."
Xiang Yu said: "Wait patiently. Entering Shang Jun's courtyard through Wang Laoshi is the safest way. Don't be impatient and spoil the big thing."
The descendant of the Xiang family whispered: "However, I always feel that the guys at the Banished Immortal Tower are looking at us in a wrong way these days. Could it be that they have seen through our identities?"
Xiang Yu said: "You are too suspicious. We came all the way to Xianyang to escort Song E. Everything is reasonable. How can they see through it?"
The Xiang family member scratched his head and whispered, "However, I am always a little uneasy."
Xiang Yu thought for a while and said, "Let's wait a few more days. If Wang Laoshi really doesn't recommend us, I will take the risk and contact Xiang Xian. Isn't Xiang Xian working as a guard at Wang Laoshi's home? He should be able to get to know some people from Shangjun's Villa. , and asking them to help with recommendations also has some effect.”
The Xiang family members all nodded.
At the same time, in a secret room in the Banished Immortal Tower. Three people were sitting.
Cang Fu, Wang Laoshi’s wife, and the calf.
Cang Fu asked: "Are you sure? Those people in the back alley are the traitor Xiang Yu?"
The calf nodded.
The landlady asked nervously: "What do you mean by banishing the immortal?"
Niu Diao smiled: "The meaning of banishing the immortal is to keep strict guard but not let the other party notice. After thinking about it, it is better to use the trick and lure them into Shangjun's courtyard. When they enter Shangjun's courtyard, they will be like mice. Once out of the cage, every move is under the control of Ban Xian."
"By that time, what they hear and see is what Banxian let them know. Maybe they can dig out some more secrets from him."
