Jibei County, Luzicheng.
In Youyangli of Nancheng, a courtyard with a mixture of old and new houses is the residence of the Xun family of Yingchuan in Luzi City.
Since Xun led the governor of Yuzhou and Xun Song was appointed as the prefect of Yingchuan, the Xun clan of Yingchuan has become the absolute leader in today's industry.
In particular, Sikong Xunfan, who was in charge of Xingtai, could influence most of the Xingtai officials in the entire Luzicheng.
It can be said that for these destitute officials who fled to Jibei County like lost dogs, what Sikong Xunfan said was definitely more appealing than the crown prince.
However, after arriving in Luzicheng, Xunfan resigned from all his duties and responsibilities on the pretext of old illness, leaving only the title of Sikong Xianzun.
In the already cold winter days, even if it is almost noon, there is still no feeling of warmth.
Xunfan, Sikong of the Great Jin Dynasty, was sitting on a warm couch, watching the young sons of the Xun family reciting the assigned lessons in front of him.
No matter whether it is the time of peace, whether it is the bells ringing and the food is eaten, or the time of turmoil, whether it is wandering or wandering, the Yingchuan Xun family has never neglected the studies of the children of the clan.
A child of the Xun family finished reciting an assignment. After Xunfan selected the key points to evaluate, he nodded with great satisfaction, and Qingmao praised it in an understatement.
Just when Xunfan wanted to continue checking the next child's homework, the door was suddenly pushed open, and several people came in.
It was Xun Fan's nephews Xun Kui, Xun Sui and Xun Kai.
Seeing these three people coming together, Xun Fan knew that there must be something important, so he sent the clan members back.
"Is there something important?" Xun Fan asked calmly.
Ever since he took up his post as Sikong and rested at home, Xun Fan had not forgotten anything about the affairs in Xingtai, because all three of them held important positions in Xingtai and the palace, and they would not be able to hide important matters. Xun Fan.
Xun Kui spoke first.
"Sir, an urgent report has just come from Yuzhou. Hua Shijun and dozens of his sons and nephews were forced by the bandit Wang Mi in Yangdi, Sizhou. They all died in the rebel army. Thousands of people in Yangdi Xingtai were killed. Kill them all and loot them all.”
Upon hearing the news, a trace of pain flashed across Xun Fan's face.
When Xun Fan led the Mi County expedition to Taipei and defected to Yanzhou, Hua Hui, who was Taichang at the time, led some other officers and soldiers south to continue to defend Yangzhai, together with Liu Yu of Qingzhou, Wang Jun of Youzhou, Liu Kun of Bingzhou, and Sima of Jiangdong. Rui continued to set up platforms to recruit the exiled Jin people.
"Uncle Hua Jing, he was loyal, upright and courageous. He served the country well and died with honor."
However, Xun Fan's words were rather indifferent.
"I remember that when I parted with Hua Shijun, I already knew that his younger brother Hua Xiu was plotting for Liu Yu, but he refused to come. He must have already planned to die for his country." Xun Kui felt a little regretful. said.
Although Huahui's Yangzhai Xingtai was the weakest among all the Xingtai established after the Yongjia Disaster, it was of great significance that it was destroyed so quickly by Hu Han.
That is, even though Hulu is surrounded by towns from all sides, its strong strength can completely withstand the siege of these forces.
Even in the directions of Guanzhong, Bingzhou, and Henan, Hu and Han's military advantages have snowballed.
"After the nest is overturned, there are no eggs left. The soldiers and people of Sizhou are exhausted, there is no peace for a day, and the people have no food for the moon. Even if Han Bai comes back to life, it will be difficult to survive." Xun Sui also published own opinion.
Xunfan didn't want to continue this topic. After all, he had heard and seen enough tragic things. Now even Hua Hui's death was actually not beyond his expectations at all.
"The three of you came here together, it must not be because of such a thing. Tell me, what else is there?"
The three of them looked at each other, and finally Xun Kui spoke.
"Sir, a lot of strange things have suddenly appeared in this small Luzi City recently."
"What's weird?" Xun Fan said lightly.
"Sir, the day before yesterday, Jiangzhou and Jiangdong sent people at the same time, hoping to make Yaozun Jin the Supreme Emperor and install the Crown Prince on the throne. The general has not responded yet. Isn't it strange?" Xun Kui said carefully? .
Sima Duan, who is now in the hands of Liu Yu, is the crown prince. If he becomes the emperor, Liu Yu, as the founder of the Ba family, will definitely continue to rise.
It was such a good thing that many people thought was a good thing, but Liu Yu was slow to respond.
Xun Fan heard this and said calmly.
"You respect me as the Supreme Emperor, and now the Crown Prince has become the Emperor. Do you really think that Liu Yu's position as the general will become more stable?"
"Now that the barbarians occupy half of the world, if Liu Yu takes over the throne by respecting the crown prince, then no matter what, most people can't say anything. After all, everything is to restore the imperial capital as an important task."
"But if the Crown Prince becomes the Emperor, then if the Emperor is here, why would there be any need for this platform to exist?"
"Besides, the prince is old enough to marry and govern. Once he becomes the emperor, how will Liu Yu handle himself?"
"Emperor, Prince, the difference between one word and one word is already a world of difference."
After Xun Fan said this, all the vague doubts in Xun Kui's heart were cleared.
"Sir, I don't think it may be that simple."
At this time, the youngest Xun Kai said.
"But it doesn't matter." Xun Fan said.
Xun Kai served as Zhongshu Lang in Xingtai, but he saw the most correspondence and official documents.
"In the past two days, there have been many reports from nearby counties. People or troops stationed in various places have discovered all kinds of weird and supernatural things."
When Xun Kui and Xun Sui heard this, they immediately asked in surprise.
"What's the matter?"
"What kind of weirdness?"
Even Sikong Xunfan narrowed his eyes slightly after hearing this.
"Recently, there were fishermen in Jibei County who were fishing in Jishui and got a golden carp that was several feet big. From its belly was a silk scroll with writing on it!" Xun Kai said.
"What word?"
Xun Kui and Xun Sui asked almost in unison.
"The emperor will come from Haibei!" Xun Kai said seriously.
Xun Kui and Xun Sui's expressions changed greatly when they heard this, and they all looked at Sikong Xunfan at the same time.
"Chen She was involved in the old affairs, and today's people follow suit." Xunfan didn't look too surprised, but said in a light and calm tone.
Xun Kui and Xun Sui were silent when they heard what Xun Fan said.
This trick of hiding books in the belly of a fish has been recorded as early as in the Chen She family of Ma Qian, Taishi Company.
As an outstanding member of the Xun family, of course he is very familiar with this clearly documented trick.
However, what surprised Xun Kui and Xun Sui was not the fact that the writing was hidden in the carp's belly, but the profound meaning behind it.
If there was no human effort, how could there be a silk script with writing in the belly of a fish?
So the question becomes, who put this silk book? What is his purpose?
The answer is of course self-evident.
"Not only that, there are also rumors in the county by military soldiers, saying that they met an old man with a white beard and told him that only the sons of the Han family can expel the Hu Yi and revive the Central Plains."
Xun Kai continued.
"Also, I heard from one of my subordinates today that a lot of nursery rhymes have been circulating in Luzicheng for some time, and they are widely spread in the streets and alleys."
"What nursery rhyme?" Xun Kui and Xun Sui asked together.
"The nursery rhyme goes like, 'The horses are quarreling for their troughs and the world is in turmoil, and the golden sword in hand is rising from the east', and there is also 'The golden sword is carved, and it is singing in the golden city'."
After hearing this, Xun Kui and Xun Sui looked at each other.
"Sir, these are all tricks to fool the stupid villagers. I don't know who is like this and dares to make such deceptive prophecies." Xun Kui said with some lack of confidence.
Obviously, he had already guessed the main messenger behind all this, and he knew who he was.
However, when that day comes, those of them who are in the middle of the whirlpool must choose to take sides.
No matter what the choice is, for Xun Kui, it is a gamble with an unpredictable outcome.
Therefore, at this time, Xun Kui could not wait to lie to himself. All this was an illusion encouraged by others.
"Yes, these are extremely stupid rumors. I'm afraid that no one among the hundreds of officials in this industry will believe them. If Liu Yu dares to do something disloyal and rebellious, I will be the first to refuse." Xun Sui He said firmly immediately.
Hearing Xun Sui's affirmative tone, they almost died together. The situation was like a dead end, but Xun Kui next to him was complaining repeatedly in his heart.
He couldn't help but mutter in his heart, "Do you not know how ferocious the Qingzhou soldiers are, or do you think you can kill people with the spit of hundreds of officials? If Liu Yu really wants to do this, why don't you agree?"
Hearing Xun Sui's enthusiastic words, Sikong Xunfan raised his eyelids, glanced at him, and said to himself.
"At noon today, Hua Xiu from the General's Mansion came to pay me a visit."
After the three people heard this, they immediately looked at Xunfan with concern.
Just listen to Xun Fan continue to speak.
"Hua Xiu asked me, the general's achievements are very high. He not only defends the land and resists the enemy, but also supports the prince and protects all the officials. I wonder what the crown prince Jian Zuo will reward the general in the future."
"I just said that when the Hu barbarians are defeated and Luojing is restored in the future, the general should naturally be ranked as the Grand Duke and enjoy the rank and rank of his fellow disciple Guo Zuo."
"However, Hua Xiu said that the general has now opened his own government to act. Even if he really destroys the Hulu in the future, the so-called position of grand master will not be enough to reward him for his contribution."
Hearing what Xun Fan said, Xun Kui and others were a little surprised.
"The position of Grand Duke is already more noble than that of the Three Dukes. It is already the official title of the highest rank in my great promotion. If it is added to the title of Duke of County, the reward will be unrewarded!"
"Yes, if you don't reward your merits, you will indeed be rewarded without reward."
"Then what did father answer?"
After hearing this, Sikong Xunfan stroked his beard and said calmly.
"Of course I'm asking Hua Xiu, if that's the case, what do you think should be done?"
"Hua Xiu said that if he becomes a close official of the emperor in the future, and if Liu Yu has made such a great contribution, since there is no reward, he can only be rewarded in other ways."
"What?" Xun Kui and the others asked again.
"Poison wine, swords and axes." Sikong Xunfan said coldly.
"Ah!?" The three of them were all shocked when they heard this.
"Hua Xiu, why do you say this?" Xun Kui said in surprise.
Among these three people, Xun Kui had the most contact with Hua Xiu, Liu Yu and others. Hua Xiu's words seemed a little unclear to Xun Kui.
At this time, Xun Kai, the youngest, frowned and said carefully.
"In my opinion, the reason why Hua Xiu said this must be that something happened to the Crown Prince, which made him suspicious."
After hearing this, Xun Fan felt a little relieved, but he didn't show it on his face.
"The Crown Prince? In addition to the incomplete left and right guards of the Crown Prince, there are hundreds of officials and officials. How could anything happen?" Xun Kui didn't believe it.
The prince's mansion is full of people, that is, hundreds of people. How can they be the opponent of the Qingzhou armored soldiers who are like wolves and tigers.
"Could it be that he wanted to secretly poison the general?" Xun Sui immediately guessed another way.
"No matter what method, since Hua Xiu said this, he must have discovered the possible changes in the Crown Prince's residence, otherwise the atmosphere in Luzi City would not be so weird in the past two days." Xun Kai said firmly.
"Yes, there seem to be more and more sergeants in Luzi City recently, and everyone is on guard. It turns out that I thought they were going to Jixi to fight against the barbarians." Xunsui said immediately.
"If this is the case, Liu Yu's confidant Dong Ping seems to have led his Qingqi to Xuzhou yesterday. There is no banditry in Xuzhou and no changes in Jiangdong. This is very suspicious."
Xun Kui and the others immediately analyzed the matter from beginning to end.
Sikong Xunfan nodded slightly with relief and said.
"Yes, I think so too."
"Then how did the father reply to him in the end?"
Xunfan raised his head and looked out the window at this time and said slowly.
"The rise and fall of major events will have their own destiny. All I can do is follow the fate and respond to people."
Hearing what Xun Fan said, Xun Kui seemed to be relieved, Xun Sui was frightened and angry, and Xun Kai was thoughtful.
"Sir, Liu Yu has rebelled so far. I have been favored by Jin for generations, and I should work hard for the royal family. How can I do this?"
Xun Sui suddenly left the mat, kowtowed to Xun Fan, and said sadly.
"Besides, now that all the officials are here in Xingtai, if you raise your arms and give a call, there will be a large number of people who respond. I think when that time comes, it will be difficult to disobey the public opinion. Even if Liu Yu has different intentions, what can he do?"
"In this way, we can not only preserve the legacy of the Jin Dynasty and the country, but also maintain the reputation of loyalty and integrity, wouldn't it..."
When Xun Sui said this, he was suddenly planned by Xun Fan.
"Sui, things in the world have changed now, and it is beyond human power." Xunfan said.
"But I, the Xun family, have been favored by Jin in my life, how can I..."
"It's not just Jin En. I, the Xun family of Yingchuan, have also received favor from Han in the past, and I have received favor from Wei in the past. So what?!" Xun Fan suddenly interrupted Xun Sui's words with a stern tone.
Seeing this, Xun Kui and Xun Kai on the side immediately left their mats and knelt down to pray for Xun Fan to appease his anger.
"The Xun clan of Yingchuan must not be defeated in the hands of our generation." Xun Fan sighed and said.
"No matter what happens in Luzi City, we will adapt to it and get better."
"As for the favor of the Jin Dynasty, Hua Xiu has secretly promised me, but Xun Song and others can do it."
ps: I just learned today that during the seven hundred years from the end of the Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, a simple prophecy led to many rebels. If you are interested, you can search for "Prophecy of the Golden Sword" by yourself.
