Three gun salutes were fired, and swords and guns were everywhere.
Outside the city, black helmets and armor were lined up, like a group of dark clouds rising from the plains, guarding white blades and horizontal bows, solemnly facing the group of vehicles ahead.
"Welcome—"
The sound of artillery exploded in the sky again.
"The Duke of Yue - Return to Nanjing!"
After saying that, the city also cheered and jumped.
The newly crowned Duke of Yue, Lu Fangxuan and Lu Langqing, were sitting in a bumpy carriage, looking at the curtains blown by the autumn wind. They were holding a half-sheathed sharp knife, which was very white and gleaming. Reflecting his serious face.
He had just paid obeisance to the imperial edict in the capital the day before yesterday. He heard the emperor personally recite the words "Specially promote Lu Fangxuan to be the Duke of Yue and also the counselor of Nanjing Machinery", and received the fine dagger given to him, which is This is the one he's holding now.
The reason why Liu Zhennian was able to let go of the emperor's will was all because of the advice of Yan Wen, who participated in politics. He proposed to the general that he should order "two tigers to fight" in Nanjing, so that the other side could "watch the fire from across the bank" and weaken the power of the two. .
Lu Fangxuan didn't know this, but even if he knew it, he wouldn't tell Wan Heshun about unity and unity...
He felt that this was too hypocritical. He had such skill, it would be better to stab Wan Heshun in the back three times and let the blade be covered with blood.
"Welcome Duke Yue!"
The car suddenly stopped, and an officer in front of him knelt down on one leg and shouted again.
Lu Fangxuan took the knife, opened the curtain, and walked down slowly.
He took a breath of cool air, smoothed his beard, straightened his official uniform, lifted his crown, stepped on the sand, looked around as if no one else was around, and then raised his eyes to look at Ye Yongjia in front of him, but his eyes looked more like He was looking at something, not like he was looking at a person.
Seeing how arrogant he was, Ye Yongjia looked at him with a slightly disdainful expression. He saw that Lu Fangxuan was half a head shorter than him, with a rough, slightly black face, a pair of bee-like eyes, a hooked nose, lips that were almost white, and an inexplicable murderous aura emanating from his whole body.
"Gong Lu Yue, please!" Ye Yongjia saluted and said.
Lu Fangxuan also bowed to him. He didn't think he was a big shot, so he followed everyone away without saying a word.
"Gong Lu Yue, Prince Wanjun is going to the palace for a banquet. Please go immediately and don't live up to his good wishes." An official said to his ear.
"I know. According to custom, newly appointed officials should go to the Confucius Temple to offer sacrifices to the sages. Why..."
"There has been a flood in Qinhuai recently. Although the water level has not risen, it is still likely to change. It is better not to go there now. It is better to save it."
Lu Fangxuan nodded and said, "It's up to you."
They were escorted by officers and soldiers, and there were layers of people outside. Wei Huai and Xia Yuanlong actually appeared among them. Wei Huai stood on a high place and looked at the procession of Lu Fangxuan and others. He couldn't restrain his excitement and sighed excitedly: "He's back!"
Lu Fangxuan followed Ye Yongjia and others to the gate of the palace. When he saw the red door was wide open, a kind and friendly voice came from inside: "My sworn brother! You are here well!"
Lu Fangxuan glanced over there and saw Wan Heshun crossing the threshold with both feet and welcoming him out with a kind smile.
"My brother Wan!" Lu Fangxuan also smiled and stepped forward to grab his wrist, "You are fine too!"
Wan Heshun also shook his hand vigorously, "My health is naturally very good! But I see that my good brother has gone through many vicissitudes of life!"
Lu Fangxuan pinched his arm again and said with a sly smile: "Jingzhou is troubled, and I still miss my sworn brother, so I look older. Don't worry about it!"
Wan Heshun's hand was still squeezing him tightly, but he still smiled kindly on his face and replied: "I'm afraid it's not just for this reason, good brother? The Fang family's dyeing shop's career is also thanks to your support!"
Lu Fangxuan grinned, with two rows of silver-white fangs exposed, like a ferocious lion: "If it weren't for my brother, Nanjing would have fallen into the hands of others!"
"It's too much praise, it's too much praise..." Wan Heshun said with a smile, "Let's not talk anymore, please come to the humble house for a banquet first, and it won't be too late to talk!"
Prince Wanjun turned his back and said, "Prefect Ye, could you please lead the way?"
…
Ye Yongjia led the officials through several doors and walked into the Yanbin Hall from the garden. He waited for his servants to arrange tables, chairs, dishes, etc. No need to elaborate.
It was said that everyone sat down one after another. Lu Fangxuan sat down next to Wan Heshun to show that he had a harmonious relationship with his sworn brother.
"Come on, dear brother, have a drink of your elder brother's wine!" King Wanjun brought the wine, poured a full bowl for Lu Fangxuan enthusiastically, and said with a smile.
"You dare not disobey your sworn brother's orders!" Lu Fangxuan picked up the bowl and shouted: "Done!"
After saying this, he drank it all in one gulp and remained calm.
"Good drinker!" Wan Heshun patted his shoulder and praised.
"Everyone," he said to the officials, "You have all seen how kind Mr. Lu was to you when he was in Nanjing. Today he is back. How about I let him share the military and political power with me and take charge of Nanjing?" "
As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Yongjia and all the officials put down their wine glasses and said in unison: "Having Mr. Lu and Mr. Wan together is a blessing to the people of Nanjing. They are both heroes who serve the country wholeheartedly. Why should we differentiate between them!"
After hearing this, Wan Heshun looked at Lu Fangxuan with a smile on his face: "Brother Xian, it's time for you to say something, right?"
"Of course." Lu Fangxuan stood up slowly and raised his fists to everyone: "Some of you know me, and some don't, but you all uphold a loyal heart for the country and the people. No matter you miss me No matter how kind you are, or whether you sincerely praise me, I will never let you down!"
For a time, there was thunderous applause at the banquet.
"Brother Lu Xian..." Seeing Lu Fangxuan's ambition and boldness, Wan Heshun couldn't help but sigh: "You and I used to be sworn sworn brothers in Nanjing, and you were like this... Time flies, and brother Xian and I are both getting old. However, if one's ambition remains unchanged, it really makes people cry!" He drank a glass of wine and shed tears.
Although these words were flattery, Lu Fangxuan couldn't help but recall his high-spirited time and murmured: "Yes..."
Wan Heshun saw his eyes were sad and blurred, as if he was really moved. He thought he had fallen into a trap, and felt secretly happy in his heart. He told the old story again: "I still remember the time of the late Emperor, when I sent troops to conquer the south and came back defeated. , it was you who concealed the matter for me, so that I could return safely... Although more than twenty years have passed since this incident, I am still grateful for your kindness!"
When Wan Heshun said this, he quickly wiped the corners of his eyes with his sleeves, and then toasted him with a glass of wine.
Lu Fangxuan saw that he repeatedly talked about his old relationship, and knew that Wan Heshun was harboring evil intentions, so he became quite wary, so he only drank in a cursory way.
"Speaking of which, the dyeing shop you run has brought a lot of glory to Nanjing!" Wan Heshun smiled kindly, "But... something seems to have happened recently."
Lu Fangxuan's eyes immediately became alert.
"Brother, it doesn't matter."
