On the eve of the Shangyuan Festival at the beginning of the 28th year of Kaiyuan of the Tang Dynasty, Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, was as lively as ever. Whether it was Zhuque Street or every square, lanterns were decorated one after another, and the lanterns used for the Shangyuan Festival night were arranged, making it look like a peaceful and prosperous age. .
Pingkangfang Taibai Restaurant, at the moment there are only a few tables on the usually crowded first floor. It doesn't look festive at all. Both the shopkeeper and the waiter are trembling at the counter, with nervous expressions on their faces. . You know, this is the Taibai Restaurant in Pingkangfang. Among the many restaurants and tea shops in Chang'an, it is a relatively high-end consumption place. Regardless of its good location next to Dongshi, its proprietor is something that most people would not dare to mess with. The presence. However, at this moment, the usually arrogant shopkeeper and waiters were like shriveled eggplants, completely lacking energy.
The reason came from their proprietor, Xian Wang Li Jin, who had just been named Xian Wang. Half a month ago, Li Jin, who was the governor of Yizhou at the time, presented a seven-color crystal glazed lamp to Emperor Xuanzong when he went to the palace to report on his duties. It is said that Emperor Xuanzong, who had been unable to sleep for several days, could sleep every night after using this glazed lamp. By noon the next day, the court meetings for several days had to be postponed. Emperor Xuanzong was so pleased that he ordered Li to be transferred to Chang'an and granted the title of King of Xixian. Firstly, he was originally the legitimate son of the emperor and was a member of the imperial family. Secondly, he had been serving in the local government for several years, so it was time for him to return. Enjoy the peace and happiness in Beijing.
This was a good thing to say, but it also gave Li Jin an unusual headache. Originally, he was a member of Prince Li Heng's party. With his financial resources in Yizhou, he managed to support several large expenses of the prince's party members. He also helped the prince to do many shameful things. But after so many years, the prince had no intention of mentioning him. He himself knew the reason for this. When he was still in Yizhou, he could still have considerable income. However, once he returned to Beijing, they would lose this important source of income. How could the prince let him return? Beijing. So whenever he returned to Beijing to report on his work, the prince always gave him a slap in the face.
But this time he really couldn't wait any longer. His daughter, Princess Xiping, was already 10 to 10 years old. She had already reached the age to get married, and the threshold of the Yizhou house was almost broken by the marriage proposals. But how could he like ordinary people in those places? Even the third son of Jiannan Jiedushi Zhang Yu Jianqiong was acceptable, but he still wanted to find a better in-laws for his daughter. Naturally, relatives of the emperor were the best choice. suitable. Seeing the New Year approaching, he finally made a decision that changed his life. After explaining his duties to Emperor Xuanzong, he secretly met Quan Qing in Zhongshu Province through the introduction of Left Prime Minister Chen Xilie. Li Linfu, the right prime minister of the world, explained to him his decision to abandon the prince and join the Nationalist Party. At the same time, he was willing to use all his family property to help the Nationalist Party in the court.
Who wouldn’t be greedy for all the property of Yizhou Governor and Xianwang Li Jin? Not to mention that he has been rooted in Jiannan for many years, his income from several restaurants in Chang'an and Jiangnan is enough to satisfy countless ministers.
However, compared with his assets, Li Linfu's, they were nothing to mention. What he wants is not Li Jin's assets, but his beautiful daughter, Princess Xiping. It is said that she has an extremely beautiful appearance and is good at piano and chess. There are countless children in Jiannan who would not want to fall under his pomegranate skirt, but no one can catch her eye. I had previously heard from Chen Xilie that Prince Li Heng had always wanted his eldest son, Prince Guangping Li Chu, to marry the Princess of Xiping. However, Li Chu had been unwilling to obey because of his sweetheart. In addition, Li Jin's idea of returning to Beijing had been rejected. Li Heng suppressed it, so he never let it go. But his second son Li Yuan has always admired Princess Xiping and has spoken to him several times about this matter.
In this case, he might as well do a favor and bring it up during the court one day. Li Jin, the king of Xixian, has been an official in Jiannan for many years. He longs to return to Chang'an day and night where the ancestors' mourning hall is enshrined. In addition, he is The official has been politically clean for many years, and the people of Yizhou all applaud him. He has passed the entrance examination every year in the official assessment, so he can be transferred back to the capital to serve.
At that time, Emperor Xuanzong's insomnia was cured by the glass lamp, and he was in a good mood. He was in need of Li Jin's favor. Considering that Li Jin, as the legitimate son of Emperor Rang, has been in the place for so many years, I really feel sorry for my eldest brother. Therefore, the decision was approved very quickly. However, there was no vacancy suitable for his status in the capital, so he was granted the title of King Yongping and ordered to return to the capital immediately. Li Daofu, the former governor of Yi, took over the post of governor.
After this order, all the prince's followers were in an uproar and were inexplicably frightened. A major financial source suddenly defected to the Xiangguo Party, which tilted the already unbalanced balance a few points towards Li Linfu. In addition, they were all familiar with Prince Li Heng's temper and knew that he would never let Li Jin go.
Li Jin naturally knew that the prince would not let him go, so after returning to the capital, he had been hiding in the Yankangfang house and living in seclusion, fearing that he would be killed by an assassin accidentally. But he didn't expect that the prince didn't do anything to him, and everything went by peacefully for ten days, which made his nervous heart gradually relax. Who would have thought that something shocking happened in Dongshi two days ago.
Two days ago, the Taibai Restaurant, where he made a lot of money, suddenly started to be haunted. At night, some people saw ghosts wandering around the restaurant downstairs. The old man who was working at night was frightened and went crazy that night. Two people who went to check it out. The man's whereabouts have never been seen since. As a result, no one dared to come to the restaurant for several days, but he couldn't tell the pain. It was haunted. It was clearly the prince who hired someone to deal with him. Although he knew what was going on, he was helpless. Although his title and official position were high, he was nothing in a place like Chang'an. It happened that he had some friendship with Jingzhao Yin Lu Song, so he asked him to solve the matter. Unexpectedly, Lu Song did not dare to offend the prince and pushed the matter to Cui Guangyuan, the magistrate of Wannian County. Cui Guangyuan could only send himself His police officers were stationed at Taibai Restaurant.
The guests on the first floor mentioned earlier were exactly these policemen in plainclothes.
At the table near the door, there was only one young man. Although his appearance was somewhat heroic, he did not have the noble temperament of a relative of the emperor. Although he was somewhat handsome, he did not have the sword-shaped eyebrows of a prodigal. Xingmu, wearing a simple cloth, seems to be an ordinary person. Others can't see it, but there is a sharp dagger hidden in his clothes. This is not because he is a ranger on the streets of Chang'an, but a weapon used to defeat the enemy.
The table on his table is really simple, with a pot of tea, a plate of peanuts, and a plate of tofu mixed with green onions.
Although he was dissatisfied, he could not have an attack. I can only sigh secretly that the shopkeeper of this restaurant is so stingy. He makes a lot of money every day, and his brothers help him with things, but he fools us.
As the sun was about to set, a middle-aged man who had just walked in attracted his attention. The man, also dressed in simple clothes, looked around, and finally his eyes rested on him. He walked straight over to his table and sat across from him.
"Sanlang, it's getting late. I'm here to change my shift and keep an eye on you. You can go back and rest first."
The young man known as Sanlang shook his head and said: "Uncle Jiu, although it is almost time to change the shift, but think about it, they have all left and you are the only one here. If there is any bad guy, What should I do if I show up?"
"Hahaha, Sanlang is joking." Uncle Jiu took a sip of tea and laughed loudly: "Not to mention it's broad daylight, in such a prosperous area of East City, which villain dares to show up in the daytime? Who doesn't know that you are the number one swordsman in Chang'an? What's Ye Sanlang's ability? Otherwise, why do you think Li Er, Zhang Wang and the others would dare to leave? You alone are worth ten of them."
"this……"
Uncle Jiu waved his hand to stop him and said: "You have been squatting for a day, it's time to go back and rest. Regardless of my age, Uncle Jiu, I am still more than enough to subdue a few haunted villains. You can go back without worries."
Ye Sanlang nodded.
"Forget it, Uncle Jiu, I'll go back first, and I'll come and take a look at the third watch." After saying that, Ye Sanlang stood up and walked out of Taibai Restaurant.
The sun in the west has already set halfway, and only a slight afterglow shines on Chang'an City. There are obviously fewer pedestrians on the street. But if in a few days, on the Lantern Festival night, the roof here will not be overturned. Several shops in the East Market also closed early. It seems that the bosses have long been impatient with the ladies at home, and only a few larger shops still have waiters working around the clock.
As I was walking, I heard someone yelling in front of me.
"You stinking beggar! I told you that your calculations are not accurate at all, but you still dare to say that my house has a strong negative energy?! Isn't this a curse on me! If you don't get out, I will really beat you to death!"
"Uncle, please do it. In order to do things for your house, I have used up all the mana I have, and I really have no money to eat. Please do it."
what happened? He muttered to himself, then took a detour and came to a house.
I saw an old man with a goatee in an old Taoist uniform half-sitting on the ground, covered in ashes, with ritual belongings scattered around him. A middle-aged man in bright clothes was roaring at him. Presumably this person came to the house to defraud money and failed, but was kicked out instead.
Ye Sanlang wanted to walk away directly, but a sudden curiosity made him step forward. It was his decision that changed everything about him and made him embark on another path.
"Official, I wonder what caused the conflict between you and this Taoist priest?"
"What does this have to do with you?" The middle-aged man glared angrily.
The other party's arrogant attitude made him a little annoyed, so he reached out and took out a small wooden sign and waved it in front of the person. "I'm here to arrest Ye Sanlang from Wannian County. If anything happens to you, feel free to tell me." He looked at the Taoist next to him and said:
"The same goes for this Taoist priest. If the other party treats you badly, you can still tell me."
Upon hearing his identity and name, the middle-aged man's expression suddenly changed, but soon returned to normal, but this subtle move was captured by him.
"Are you the number one swordsman in Chang'an, Ye Jia Sanlang?! I have heard of your name a long time ago. With you here, this old man will not dare to pester me anymore."
However, the man didn't seem to notice the conversation between the two. From the beginning to the end, he kept staring at Ye Sanlang's face. When the man finished what he just said, his face suddenly became inexplicable surprise.
"The appearance of destroying the sky! You, you actually have the appearance of destroying the sky!"
Only then did he notice the Taoist and became curious, "Taoist, what did you just say about the appearance of destroying the sky?"
After the moment of surprise, the old Taoist returned to his normal expression. He packed up his belongings and stood up.
"Official, although you are very rude, what I said before was indeed inappropriate, so I won't charge you any fees." After saying that, he looked at Ye Sanlang, then turned and left.
"As long as you understand!" The man glared at him, then turned back and smiled at Ye Sanlang, "It must be Captain Ye who is here. He knew he was bored, so he ran away. I have to thank Captain Ye for this." "After that, he took out half of the money and handed it to Ye Sanlang. "Take these 500 Wenye as my piece of my heart, and take them with you to have some wine and food."
Ye Sanlang nodded, accepted the half of the money, and said to him: "I really don't deserve the word "capture". I am just a small official under the county magistrate. I will have to trouble you neighbors to support me in the future. .Then, Saburo took his leave."
Looking back, he walked towards Yongle Square, where his home was located.
When he disappeared at the corner of the street, the man from before suddenly appeared, staring closely at the direction he was walking, and murmured: "The number one swordsman in Chang'an, Ye Sanlang, my dear, this person , this person actually has the appearance of destroying the sky, if he is brought under my Xunlongmen, why worry that my Xunlongmen cannot flourish." After saying this, his eyes suddenly lit up. "Looking at the direction he came from, could it be Taibai Restaurant?" Thinking of the rumors circulating on the street recently about Yongping King Li Jin and Prince Li Heng falling out, he suddenly had some ideas in his mind. ;
