Seventy-six Chapters: Moving Flowers and Trees
This is a post station in Hangzhou Prefecture. It was once a secret military station for the imperial court. It was later abandoned and converted into a post station, called Dilong Post. For many years, the imperial court has been responsible for the war against Japanese invaders along the coast, and all confidential matters have been passed down from now on. Because the people coming and going were either secret emissaries of the Jinyi Guards or secret emissaries from the military ahead, it was very hidden.
Such a secret inn was bustling with activity during this year's Lantern Festival.
After receiving an official document a few days ago, the general in charge of the post sent someone to take the official document to Hangzhou. The next day, soldiers brought several large carts of wine, meat, rice and food, which filled two large cellars. .
Zhao San'er has been guarding here for three years, and he has never seen such a battle: among the escorted officials, there were actually monks and Taoists. Naturally, he did not dare to take a closer look, but he couldn't help but pay attention. After counting, when they reached more than 150 people, they got confused.
A group of prisoners were in charge of a tall man with a beard and a handsome middle-aged man. After the two entered the inn, they counted them four or five times, and found out that there were really seventy-two people, all shackled on their bodies, and their clothes were covered in blood and scabs.
One of the leaders was a very inconspicuous person, and the other had a bright golden sword on his back, which was very conspicuous.
Zhao San'er was arranged to wait at the door again. Seeing that the two leaders were extremely polite to a group of monks and Taoists, he became even more confused.
General Zhangyi ran back and forth to prepare the arrangements in person. Zhao San'er cursed in his heart: "Look at this villain's face, he may not be so meticulous in serving your own father!" But he still envied him for being able to keep up with his servants. It was an opportunity to talk, and I secretly thought that maybe after today, this kid would really be promoted.
Suddenly, an errand flew in and ran straight into the hall. Several people appeared out of nowhere outside the wall, but were scared away by an official who said, "One of our own!"
Fang went in and shouted with a loud voice, "Sir Song, it's a happy event! General Qi Jiguang is here to report it."
The noise in the room suddenly stopped. The leader picked up the paperwork, smashed the table after looking at it, and then laughed loudly.
The leader with the golden sword stretched out his hand to snatch the document and looked at it for a long time.
A big black man shouted: "What on earth is going on?"
The leader stopped laughing and chuckled again: "Mu Jian, Taoist Tan, Li Feiyun and Chu Jianghan went deep into the tiger's den to use themselves as bait, leading the bandits into Qi Jiguang's ambush circle, and joined Zhang in Ningde The stepmother and my wife defeated the bandit army and killed or dismissed nearly 30,000 bandits. I am going to Ming Dynasty to be in trouble!" There was a cry in his words as he spoke.
The big black man who asked the question yelled, and then shouted: "Hahaha... Even my second brother is here. It seems that none of our brothers have been left behind this time! Great... great!"
Everyone was whispering at first, and then even the monks and Taoist priests couldn't hold back their joy and started chatting and laughing.
The leader was none other than Song Zhong, whose face was already glowing red. He raised the sea bowl to offer a bowl to Master Juetong.
Song Zhong was so happy that he passed the official document to everyone to read carefully. Yao Dao said hurriedly: "I'm afraid it's inconvenient for monks to see this official document!"
Song Zhongdao: "If it hadn't been for the help of all the immortal masters and living Buddhas, would An De have succeeded this time? They are all the true gods who protect our Ming Dynasty. Where can I not see the mere documents?" Yao Dao smiled and took the documents and read them carefully. , and passed it on to others.
Shi Xiang was so happy that he actually wanted to take Shen Yuhai, who was still injured, to drink. The judge stopped him from drinking, and then smiled and found someone else to drink with.
There was a commotion in the hall, which made Jin Daoda feel uncomfortable. He advised Song Zhong from time to time: "Master Song, now all the criminals are detained here. Since the matter is serious, it is best for us to drink less to avoid mistakes. It's a big deal." Song Zhong smiled and replied: "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter. It's the Lantern Festival, and good news has come. This trip is finally completed. It's really a double happiness. How about you?"
When the wine was full, Yao Daoxu stood up and said: "Master Song, all gentlemen, this time my brothers and I were ordered to go down the mountain, and now we have succeeded. After you have pressed the prisoners onto the canal, we will go back to the mountain to report to the master. I have returned to my mission. Firstly, there are many of us, and secondly, the canal is clear and unimpeded. You gentlemen have great powers, so I hope everything will be fine."
My friend Chong Ning, a Taoist priest of Wudang Chong generation, also said: "This trip has been completed. When you board the boat and leave from the canal, we and the other Taoist priests will also go back to the mountain."
After hearing this, Song Zhong and Jin Dao changed their expressions. After a long time, Song Zhongfang said: "You are all masters in the mountains and have attained the Tao of True Immortals. It is said that this trip has been successful. If you want to return to the Immortal Mountain to practice, Xiaguan Yuan does not dare to stop you. However, You all came here on the order of the emperor, and if you go back like this, if the Holy Master asks about it after returning to the capital, how should the subordinates respond?" The Taoist priests were speechless for a while after hearing this.
Jin Dao also said: "You have traveled thousands of miles and sacrificed your lives, and your achievements will last for thousands of generations. Just go back like this. It is like a grace from the Holy One. If there is any praise from the court, how can the two of you respond? The world doesn't know that you are indifferent to fame and fortune. You can only say Mr. Song and I, along with all the other shameless servants, actually only coveted the merits of ten days..." After saying this, he laughed.
Song Zhong laughed loudly after hearing this, and Chong Ning, Yao Daoxu and others also laughed.
Song Zhong laughed and said, "Masters, please be patient for a moment. I'll wait until my subordinates ask the Holy Master for his orders overnight, and then we can make further calculations."
The Taoist priests from Wudang and Quanzhen no longer dared to mention it, so they resumed eating and drinking for a while.
At the third watch, Chen Zhang, who was in charge of patrolling outside, suddenly ran in. Fu Er muttered a few words to Song Zhong and Jin Dao, then ran out again, their expressions changing slightly.
After a while, Lu Yunhan, who was in charge of inspection, also ran in, muttered a few words, and ducked out.
Song Zhong and Jin Dao's expressions became calm again. Song Zhong whispered: "So fast?" Jin Dao nodded and said: "We have detained so many prisoners, so naturally it can be faster than the 600-mile express."
Before everyone was aware of the conversation between the two, Song Zhong stood up and said loudly: "Everyone, everyone, the emperor has sent an edict to deliver the imperial edict. Please follow me to greet him outside the courtyard!"
Shi Xiangshang was drinking from the sea, then he was pulled out by Xiao Fan Li and Shen San, and knelt at the end.
When footsteps sounded, Shi Xiang was used to laziness. He wanted to get up to take a look, but was pulled down by Xiao Fan Li and Shen Yu and fell to the ground.
But I heard Song Zhong loudly say: "I am waiting to welcome the angel!" A very thin and high voice shouted: "Master Song, please excuse me!" Shi Xiang tried to stand up again, but was pulled back by the little Fan Li woman.
The voice said again: "In this wilderness, you have just experienced swordsmanship. I think we should keep all etiquette simple! We are here to convey the emperor's oral instructions!"
Song Zhong took the lead in kowtowing and said: "I respectfully send you greetings to the Holy One!" Shi Xiang was nagging and cursing in his heart, and shouted in a low voice: "The Holy One has spoken: Wudang and Quanzhen Masters, all Shaolin Holy Monks, as well as the Jin Yiwei, Liu Brothers of the Gate, you have worked hard this time! I already know the news of your victory! I am waiting for you in Beijing and want to come back in large numbers! Bring those rebel leaders alive to me..."
Before he could finish speaking, Shi Xiang muttered: "It would be easier to kill him on the spot, why not take him back alive to do..." Shen San and Judge Chou on the other side broke out in a cold sweat. Judge Chou was afraid that his words would cause trouble. Come on, reach out and touch Shi Xiang’s mute point.
Thanks to the few of them kneeling at the end, the one who delivered the message didn't hear it. He had already been embraced into the hall by Song Zhong and Jin Dao. There were also Jin Yiwei and several people from the six gates who were also surrounding them. The emperor sent in.
After a while of courtesy, everyone took their seats. Song Zhong ordered the banquet to be held again. After an hour of bustling, the banquet started.
As soon as the banquet started, all the monks couldn't help but become cautious when they saw the emperor's emissary, and they lost all their excitement. Even Shi Xiang felt that the banquet was instantly boring.
Song Zhong, Jin Dao and other officials had been in a welcoming situation for a long time, and soon eight of the emperor's officials were drunk.
Song Zhong was already very drunk and sighed: "Eunuch Qian has lived in Beijing for a long time. It's really hard to come all the way this time!" The man surnamed Qian replied: "Our family is not as good as yours, but long live the master." I am an errand boy with my predecessor, and I am highly regarded by Wansui. I can't say it's hard work just to have such an opportunity to serve!"
Jin Dao smiled apologetically and said: "Yes. Eunuch Qian has been with the Holy Frame for a long time, which is a blessing he has received from the past. This time he came with the emperor's order, which shows how much he is valued by the Holy One. In the future, lower officials and others will still have to rely on Eunuch Qian to take care of him. ah."
Song Zhong waved his hand, and two big men outside the door brought in two mahogany boxes and placed them behind Eunuch Qian. Song Zhong raised the wine and said with a smile: "We are rough people, and we don't mince words in doing things in our lives. Here are some small things that the officials and others got from overseas. My father-in-law and others have worked hard all the way. Let's buy some clothes with the brothers in the future!"
The face of the man surnamed Qian changed, and he raised his voice and said, "What are you two adults doing? Are you making fun of our poor family?"
Jin Dao apologized and said with a smile: "My father-in-law, don't say that! It's a long way to the capital. If the officials and others have any doubts, they have to ask my father-in-law for advice!"
The man surnamed Qian glanced at the monks, Xiao Fan Li and others, grinned, and said: "Aren't you deliberately trying to expose a few of us in front of so many worldly masters?"
Jin Dao smiled and added more wine, while Song Zhong raised his glass and waved his hand, and several strong men carried the box down.
Seeing his anger, Shi Xiang snorted and said loudly: "There are so many prisoners who have to be escorted all the way to Beijing. In our opinion, they should be killed one by one and executed on the spot!"
Xiao Fan Li broke into a cold sweat again and hurriedly drank.
Jin Dao smiled and said: "The official is confused about something right now, and I have to ask my father-in-law for advice!"
The man surnamed Qian glared at Shi Xiang, snorted, and then turned to Jin Dao and replied: "Isn't the god arresting our family amusement? You are so smart, can you still ask our family?" Jin Dao He smiled and said, "Please, father-in-law, give us some pointers!"
Eunuch Qian smiled and said: "Since you are so interested, we will tell you in front of everyone! It will save people from saying that we took advantage of it and did nothing." Jin Dao hurriedly clasped his fists and said: "Your Majesty, I am all ears. !”
Qian Gonggong said: "These rebel thieves have made such a big noise, why don't you teach us to deal with it? Long live the Lord wants you to bring these thieves to the capital alive, just to show the world, no matter what kind of monster you are , as long as the Lord Long Live orders, he will be completely subdued!"
Song Zhong looked at the Taoist priests and said: "The immortal masters of Wudang and Quanzhen at that time also said that they would return to the Immortal Mountain to continue their practice. Now the Holy Master wants all the immortal masters and living Buddhas to come to Beijing together. Now they can't leave, right?" After saying that, he laughed a few more times.
Eunuch Qian replied: "Our Long Live Lord is a god from heaven who has descended to earth. He can not only use thunder to kill evil spirits, but also send rain and dew. Our family really doesn't know how to reply to what Mr. Song said. But with so many people committing crimes, there are many After all, it is safer to be escorted by an expert." Song Zhong nodded with a smile and took a drink.
Eunuch Qian said again: "The capital is thousands of miles away. Sir, do you know why the sage asked us to pass on the oral message alone?" Song Zhong said with a smile, "Of course the sage relies on my father-in-law." Eunuch Qian shook his head.
Jin Dao said: "Please tell me." Eunuch Qian raised his drink and smiled but did not answer. Everyone had doubts and it was no longer easy to ask questions.
Qian Gonggong said: "Our family has been in the palace for a long time. It is rare to have such a Lantern Festival. Come and come, everyone has a drink." Song Zhong and others hurriedly raised wine to accompany them, but when the east was white, they withdrew the banquet. .
Everyone did not rest, so Song Zhong passed the order and asked the Jin Yiwei men to explore the way and clear the obstacles. He also ordered the brothers who were keeping watch to have breakfast and then set off in a hurry.
The few who came with Eunuch Qian to convey the order couldn't bear it anymore and went to the barracks to take a rest.
Chen Zhang and others were ready to report to Song Zhong and Jin Dao. The two were about to go in to urge the emperor's messengers to set off when they suddenly saw Lu Yunhan running in with a panicked expression. He whispered a few words to the two of them and then ducked out again. outside.
Master Juetong's expression suddenly changed. Everyone was surprised, but none of them had seen the change in Master Juetong's expression.
Song Zhong cupped his fists and said, "Let's rest for a day before setting off! Please invite Master Juetong, Old Hero Shen, Taoist Chongning, and Taoist Yao to come to the back hall and discuss the security arrangements along the way. "After saying that, he turned around and greeted Chen Zhang and walked out.
Master Juetong and the other four people also ducked out and followed, leaving Jin Dao stamping his feet and saying: "These eunuchs are really annoying. There seems to be a deeper meaning in the metaphor. I will go and study it in detail later." After saying this, he held his fists in front of everyone. He said: "Fellow Taoist priests and masters, please rest for one more day. It won't be too late for us to set off tomorrow." After saying this, Chen Qi asked everyone to go and rest, and added: "Everyone, this is a secret place. It's better not to walk around randomly, otherwise these eunuchs will bite you randomly."
Everyone went back to the barracks to rest, and Jin Dao turned around and went straight to the back mountain.
This was the place where the army gathered food when the previous dynasty was stationing troops. It was built against the mountain and was very thorough. At sunset last night, everyone escorted the imperial prisoners here and then detained the human traffickers here.
All the White Lotus Sect rebels, men, women, old and young, disabled or not, were all put on the Jin Yiwei's famous demon-binding chains and held here. Outside, there were masters deployed by Jin Yiwei to ambush overtly and covertly. Further outside, there were masters from six sects ambushing around. During this period, two top masters, Jinzhang Chen Zhang and Lu Yunhan, patrolled back and forth all night long. They were like a dragnet and an iron wall.
The golden sword went straight to the innermost place, only to see one person fall to the ground and fainted. Song Zhong, Master Juetong and others all looked sad.
Jin Dao asked: "Brother Lu, Mr. Chen, what is going on?" Lu Yunhan looked extremely ugly and sighed: "This morning after the handover between my younger brother Fang and Third Brother Chen, I came here to inspect, but found that there were two Brother Jin Yiwei's acupuncture points had been tapped. I was shocked and went to check the prisoner, only to find that Xue Zongchang, the leader of the five guardians of the Demon Cult, had been replaced by this person, and he himself had escaped..."
Jin Dao took a closer look and found that the person lying unconscious on the ground was indeed not Xue Zongchang.
Song Zhong said: "Master Wang has been in charge of the six sects for many years and has investigated numerous major cases. Can you see any clues?"
Jin Dao sighed and said, "We have to investigate carefully before we know." Then he called the two Jinyi guards who had been tapped on the acupuncture points last night and asked them carefully.
The two men knelt down and replied: "Last night, the two of us were ordered to lie down due west. We had nothing to do all night. At about dawn, we felt a pain in our backs, and lost consciousness. We were revived by Mr. Lu. , just now I found out that someone tapped the acupuncture points." After saying this, he said that he was worthless and kowtowed like pounding garlic.
Jin Dao ignored the two men and asked Chen Zhang: "Master Chen, how are these two people's martial arts?" Chen Zhang replied: "One of these two people is called He Quan and the other is Lu Si. They are both first-rate in the Jinyi Guards. Otherwise, Mr. Song and Xia Guan would not have chosen them to carry out such a big task."
After hearing this, Jin Dao shouted at the two of them, and struck at them with both palms. Everyone was not expecting it, but when they saw the two of them, they stepped back in shock and avoided the inevitable place. They both faced the danger and struck back with the golden sword.
At the meeting point, He Quan, Lu Si and others took three steps back and knelt down in shock.
Jin Dao also swayed and barely stood firm. I saw him muttered: "Who is the master who did this? It's unbelievable, unbelievable!" Everyone knew that he was thinking and did not dare to interrupt without permission.
After a long time, Jin Dao said to everyone: "You have also seen that He Quan and Lu Si still have such power with their palms under their hands. They are obviously masters among masters. So who are they who can be so relaxed?" Where are the acupuncture points that live in the two of you?"
Everyone was silent, the golden knife pointed at the unconscious man on the ground and asked: "Do you know who this person is?" Lu Yunhan replied: "I have already tried other people, and this person is the newly appointed Bai Hu of the Demon Sect. The deputy hall master’s name is Jiang Feng.” Jin Dao asked suspiciously, “But the one who broke open the acupuncture points and escaped?” Everyone nodded in agreement.
Jin Daofu asked Master Juetong: "Master Juetong, you have often fought with this man, how is his martial arts?" Master Juetong replied: "In the opinion of the old monk, this man's martial arts is extremely high, only inferior to Donor Lu is half ready." Everyone was even more horrified when they heard this.
Jin Dao leaned over to check, but saw that Jiang Feng had disheveled hair and was dying. His martial arts skills had obviously been abolished.
Master Juetong said slowly: "His martial arts was destroyed by someone using extremely advanced inner strength. As for the technique of which sect, the old monk really can't tell." Jin Dao was deeply touched after hearing this. Taking a breath of cold air, you must know that Master Juetong is the most proficient in martial arts here. He can't see it. I'm afraid that not many people in the world can see it. He said to Chen Zhang: "Master Chen, please tell me The third brother came and said that a prisoner was seriously injured and fainted, so he asked him to come and have a look." Chen Zhang took the order and left.
Jin Dao muttered again: "It's strange, how could Xue Zongchang escape with the demon-binding lock on his body." After saying this, he stretched out his hand to look at the demon-binding lock on the ground.
Song Zhongyan said: "As far as I know, Xue Zongchang was a traitor to the Kunlun Sect in his early years. Later, he learned a swordsmanship and was known as an invincible sword. Later, he learned the unique Han Tao Palm from nowhere, and his martial arts were even more impressive. At the top, there are many masters in the White Lotus Sect, and only he can compare with the leader Shang Jiutian." Lu Yunhan also said: "Even so, Shang Jiutian has not been able to break free of the demon-binding chain for more than ten years, how did Xue Zongchang break free? "
Everyone looked gloomy and shook their heads in silence.
The golden knife examined it carefully for a long time, and suddenly said: "Yes! This demon-binding lock can be broken if it is struck with a sharp blade!"
Song Zhong was shocked and asked: "How is this possible?" Lu Yunhan also said: "I have looked carefully at this time. There are no scars on this chain, so how can it be that it has been chopped with a sharp blade?"
The golden knife threw half of the chain to the ground and said: "This demon-binding lock is made of meteorite iron from the sky. Not to mention relying on internal strength to tear it apart, even ordinary swords and axes can't do anything. But if you encounter an internal strength It is not difficult for a swordsman with superb swordsmanship and an equally strong sword to cut it. Back then, my fifth brother was in Wangxiang Pavilion, and a few days ago, my eighth brother was in Shaolin Temple. Didn't I use my sword to cut it? Have you ever broken it?"
Song Zhong's face darkened, he drew out the sword hanging from his waist, picked up half of the demon-binding lock on the ground, and struck it with all his strength. There was a flash of sparks, and with a crisp sound, the half of the demon-binding lock broke into two pieces. Lu Yunhan shook his head and said: "Even if it is like this, it will inevitably make a noise!"
Master Juetong heard the words and sang a Buddha's name and said, "I'm brave enough to borrow the donor's sword for use." Song Zhong held it in both hands. Master Juetong took the sword, leaned over, picked up half of the Demon Binding Chain, and wrapped it around his left wrist. He raised the sword with his right hand and made a deep sound. The blade slowly passed across the iron chain without making any sound. Then he dropped the sword to the ground, stretched out his right hand to grab one end of the chain, and pulled hard. There was a soft "bang" sound, and then The demon-binding lock was actually torn off.
Predict what will happen next, let’s see the breakdown next time.
