Hengyang Prefecture, Changning County.
The New Year is approaching, and although we are located in the south of the Yangtze River, the cold wind blowing from the north still makes this place not live up to its usual warmth, and it begins to get colder.
Thin frost covered the grass and trees, and thick white mist filled the mountains and forests. Most of the original green color faded, and the sky was shrouded in large areas of withered yellow.
At this time, the sky was getting dark and it was already dusk.
At the door of the roadside inn, a waiter in gray clothes clasped his hands and looked into the distance from the side porch.
"drive!"
Accompanied by the sound of whip waving, a fast horse galloped from the official road and came quickly from a distance.
Perhaps after galloping for a long time, the knight came to the inn, pulled the reins of his horse, and stopped his galloping pace.
"Give me enough fodder for this horse."
The knight turned over and dismounted, and threw the horse rope directly to the waiter who came with a smile on his face, with a hint of purity in his voice.
"Okay, sir, please come in. I will feed your horse right now." The waiter responded quickly, then helped open the door, invited the knight in, and then led the horse to the back of the inn. Walk to the yard.
Kong Zhuo opened the door and entered the inn.
As soon as he reached the hall, a wave of heat rushed over him, mixed with various smells, and the wind and frost on his temples and clothes instantly disappeared.
The cold wind blew in from outside, and the coldness immediately caused many people in the hall to shiver and look over with dissatisfied eyes.
Seeing this, Kong Zhuo smiled apologetically to everyone, then quickly closed the door, and then sent away these glances.
However, the guests in the hall looked away, and he was used to looking at the guests in front of him.
Several years of experience in the world have made him deeply aware of the importance of being careful in the outside world.
There were seven merchants, two porters, three martial arts men, four scholars, and one soldier who was in the army.
Kong Zhuo couldn't help but look at the last person twice, but he was very vague and quickly took it back, but he felt relieved in his heart.
'Without the strong smell of blood and murderous intent, these people in front of me are not very dangerous and are very safe. ,
After making this judgment based on experience, Kong Zhuo also lowered his guard, then scanned around the hall, found a remote location in the corner, and did it.
The waiter in the hall came over at this time. He asked for some food, and after giving the money, he sat quietly in his seat, drinking the hot tea that was served and waiting.
Perhaps it was because they finally found a place to stay and relax, or maybe it was the habit of many people. In this warm inn, many people started to brag and gossip after drinking two glasses of wine.
"In the past few months, the government has been purchasing various supplies in large quantities, and business has been getting better and better."
"That's what I said, but there is a war right now. The king is going to conquer the southwestern barbarians, so we have purchased various military supplies. When the king is finished fighting, these days will be gone."
"Yes, your Majesty has won every battle, and has never been defeated since his debut. The Miao people, local rebels, and even the Zhou people in the north and the Qiang thieves in the west were all defeated by your Majesty.
In my opinion, the Marquis of Wu'an in the past was nothing more than this.
Those barbarians are all savage and disobedient to the king. I heard that they even wear hair and drink blood. It is estimated that it will not take the king two months to defeat these savages. …
Maybe by the end of the year, it will be time to return the throne. "
"It's not bad that the business can last until the end of the year. I'll go to Xiangyang County in Jiangbei for a run, and I can do business back and forth, so I can make some money."
Several businessmen were whispering there, each telling his own sorrows and joys.
Several scholars nearby couldn't help but talk excitedly after hearing this.
"It will be extremely easy for your Majesty to defeat those southwestern barbarians. I just don't know how much Chu can expand this time and how many prefectures and counties can be established?
If we can capture half a county and one county, hundreds of official positions will be created out of thin air. I will wait for the opportunity. "
“It’s extremely, extremely, there are more than a dozen official vacancies in a county, more than a hundred in a prefecture, and more than a thousand in a county.
In the past few years, Dachu has been peaceful, recuperating, and not engaging in war.
Although there is nothing wrong with enjoying a peaceful and prosperous life, once we stabilize, we will face a lot of competition if we want to take the exams for promotion.
Nowadays, Dongting County only provides more than ten candidates for the election every year, and the other two counties of Xiangyang and Xichuan only have five or six candidates.
There are only more than twenty new candidates in the country every year, but there are more than five or six thousand scholars.
Only one person out of two to three hundred people can pass the exam. The probability of admission is too low.
How hateful.
A few years ago, when Changsha was just founded and Dachu was renamed, we failed to catch up with those Enke.
At that time, only a few or a dozen people could win the exam. Compared with today, it was such a blessing and luck. "
"Don't say that. Your Majesty is wise and powerful, and has repeatedly opened up foreign lands. He is a hero that has not been seen for a hundred years. I think that when Changsha was first founded, it was not even a county. Now, doesn't it also occupy three counties and seventeen mansions?
This time to open up the southwestern barbarians, I think we can conquer at least half of the county. Wouldn't this create hundreds more official vacancies?
I had just moved to Dongting County before, and I didn't have time to participate in the last encore.
But when this happens, there is still a chance.
There are hundreds of official vacancies, hundreds of candidates, and dozens of Jinshi quotas.
With my level of talent, I dare not claim to be a Jinshi, but it should be no problem to be a Juren.
When the time comes, you and I, classmates, can all be officials in that hall. "
"You are right, this time is indeed an opportunity. However, even though there will be many official vacancies this time, after the replacement of officials, the positions given should be those newly established prefectures and counties in the southwest.
I heard that those barbarians are ferocious, believe in evil gods, and cannibalize human flesh. If I go there to serve as an official, I'm afraid it won't be easy to govern those barbarians.
Moreover, the southwest region is full of dangerous mountains, poisonous obstacles, and insects and snakes everywhere. It is far less prosperous than Dongting. I'm waiting for the Northerners to go there, I'm afraid it's going to be very dangerous. "
Several scholars spoke excitedly, their faces flushed as they spoke, and some were worried, as if they were quite worried about this.
And everyone in the hall listened to their words and finally knew that these were the prisoners that the king had kidnapped from the Zhou Kingdom in the north a few years ago.
For these forcibly relocated immigrants, although the original Changsha people did not express it clearly, they felt a little contempt in their hearts, and they had a sense of superiority as a winner.
At this time, I heard them boasting that they could be promoted to official positions, and even began to worry about going to the southwestern Yi region after becoming officials, and I couldn't help but feel contempt for them. …
I saw the martial arts men next to me sneer: "A group of idiots, without weighing their weight or taels, started talking about passing the imperial examination and becoming an official. Moreover, the imperial examination had not even started yet, and they began to worry about what would happen after becoming an official. .
Sure enough, as the old saying goes, a person who is useless is a scholar.
Everyone's ambition is as high as the sky. I really ask you to do things, but everyone complains about suffering.
If you want to be an official, you are still afraid of risks. Do you really think wealth in this world is so easy to gain? "
"That's right, these frail scholars are not as good as me and other martial arts warriors. They fight life and death, lick blood from the edge of the knife, and use their absolute strength and life to fight for wealth."
"A group of people who have been demoted want to win the imperial examination. It's just a fool's errand."
Several Jianghu people looked at the group of scholars and began to ridicule them.
How could those scholars endure this humiliation at such a young age?
Immediately, someone stood up, slapped the table and said, "It's too much to bully others, you guys are so arrogant..."
clang!
Halfway through the words, the scholar saw the man in front of him pick up the knife at his waist and put it on the eucalyptus table. He looked over coldly: "So, you want to spar with me?"
The words containing murderous intent reached his ears, and he looked at the ferocious faces and burly figures of those Jianghu people.
The scholar swallowed his saliva and woke up instantly, knowing that he was surrounded by desperadoes.
After comparing the strength gap between the two sides, his body trembled slightly.
He was both angry and afraid, but he finally put down his hand and sat down tremblingly, lowering his head and not daring to say anything else.
"What a waste."
"Yes, these scholars are just talking, what can they do?"
"Look, when he flashes the knife, this person becomes intimidated. Why does he still want to be an official? He is indeed a fool."
Several martial arts warriors made some strange sarcastic remarks, which made the bookish faces turn red. Finally, seeing that no one dared to stand up anymore, they looked back with satisfaction.
Ignoring these scholars, these martial artists also talked about their own affairs.
"I heard that Master Xin of Bainiao Villa has held a sword discussion conference in the past few days and invited all the tycoons from all over the mansion to participate. What does he have in mind?"
"Who knows? Since the imperial city's Imperial City Division was established, various prefectures and counties have their own captains and commanders, and there are many local envoys and followers. The control of our rivers and lakes has suddenly become hotter.
Coupled with the local commanders and chief arresters, Jianghu activities have become increasingly difficult in the past two years.
Not only were they explicitly prohibited from holding various alliances and conferences, but even basic private fights in the political arena were gradually banned.
This imperial court is really strict. "
"Shh, don't talk nonsense, you're going to die."
Seeing his partner complaining, a Jianghu man next to him quickly covered his mouth, and then looked carefully at the man dressed as a sergeant on the side, with a hint of fear in his eyes.
Fortunately, the sergeant didn't seem to want to pay attention to them. He just drank by himself and didn't react to his companion's rebellious words.
So the man breathed a sigh of relief, and then his temper came back, and he said: "This Bainiao Villa has just moved from the north not long ago, and it hasn't even had a firm footing yet. Now it's in a hurry to hold a sword discussion conference..."
I think he wants to use this conference to show off his martial arts so as to intimidate us locals.
Damn it, I heard that the owner of Bainiao Villa is a first-class master. Apart from the imperial court, there is no one with such strength in our Hengyang Mansion.
Are we going to be bullied by him this time? Are we, the people of Dongting County, going to be bullied by someone from the north? "
Some of the companions nearby were also angry: "Since the imperial court moved those Zhou people from the north here a few years ago, the Jianghu forces of the Zhou Kingdom have also followed. In the past few years, many local Jianghu forces in our Dongting County have been defeated by those The Zhou people were defeated and lost a lot of profits.
Now this Bainiao Villa has been dormant for several years, and finally it can't wait any longer. Is it going to take action against our Hengyang Wulin? "
“The Feihu Gang in Hengyang County, the Lin Family in Anxian County, and the Red Dao Sect are all second-rate sects in the world, and their heads are also second-rate masters.
Although Xin Juetian of Bainiao Villa is a first-rate master, the local masters working together may not be able to beat him.
We still have a chance to keep this family fortune. "
"Having said that, even if we can hold on, we still can't bear the bloodshed. I don't know how many people in Hengyang Wulin will die."
One of the Jianghu people said worriedly.
Although people in the Jianghu are happy with their grudges and grudges, they are free and at ease. But at the same time, there are also many dangers. If you are not careful, you will die in a private vendetta.
Now Bainiao Villa is holding a sword discussion conference, which has disturbed the Hengyang martial arts world. All forces will definitely start a fight for their own interests.
And they are in the middle of it, and they don't know whether they can survive this turmoil alone and survive to the end.
Another Jianghu person next to him also thought of this, and couldn't help but cursed: "These damn Zhou people, damn outsiders. In the past few months, everyone has been uneasy. Not only are they making trouble in other places, but they are also causing trouble in me." The Hengyang Mansion is in trouble, and it turns out they are all northerners, and they are all untrustworthy."
One of the remaining people gritted his teeth and said, "Yes. With the imperial ban, they still dare to hold a conference. It makes them uneasy and kind-hearted. I think their sword discussion is fake and their conspiracy is real. I'm afraid they don't want to imitate the Seven Star Sect in the past. What a big deal!”
After hearing this, the noise in the hall instantly became much quieter.
The Seven Star Sect had been involved in rebellion in the past and had caused quite a stir.
In the end, if it weren't for the King of Chu's wisdom and martial prowess, who decisively led his troops to pacify the situation, who knows how much trouble there would have been.
This person said that Bainiao Villa wanted to imitate the Seven Star Sect, and he was almost pointing at his nose and saying that the other party wanted to rebel.
But think about it, everyone.
In the past few months, there has indeed been a lot of turmoil in the Jianghu area.
Not only did a large number of Zhou sects come from the north, but they also violated the imperial ban and held various alliance conferences in local areas. There are many more private feuds and feuds in the world than in previous years.
Bodies of Jianghu people can often be seen on both sides of the official road.
This place is indeed no more stable than it was in previous years.
Is it possible that the relocated Zhou sects are preparing to rebel?
After all, the king is leading his army to conquer the barbarians, and the country is empty. If there is someone who wants to do something rebellious, there is no better opportunity than this.
Many people can't help but feel worried when they think about this. …
Just when everyone was thinking about their own thoughts, the man dressed as a soldier in the hall finally finished eating the wine and meat. He slapped Kuaizi, stood up and looked at everyone in the hall. He sneered and said: "Whatever you said about Bainiao Villa is nothing." They're just clowns.
But he only dared to come out and cause trouble while the king was leading the army and the queen was the only one in the country to support him.
The abacus was really good, but it underestimated me.
News came from Xiangyang that our Great Chu General Zhou Qing had achieved a breakthrough in Xiantian two months ago and became a first-rate master in the world.
Since then, I, Da Chu, have had three innate masters.
Now the news came back from the front line, and the whole country held a celebration for the general to congratulate him on his innate achievements.
It won't be long before local governments will issue notices and prepare for celebrations.
Although the king is out with his troops.
But I am a big Chu State, with a great general in the north, a queen in the south, these two masters, and more than 100,000 local soldiers. How can those clowns make trouble?
Bainiao Villa, a first-rate master?
Hum!
Do these lawless people really think that no one can control them without the king?
Just wait, wait until the government orders, and thousands of troops will surround him and kill him. No matter who he is, he is a first-rate master and a powerful figure in the world. He will have to hide his hatred under the random arrows. "
When the sergeant said this, his eyes focused on those martial arts men. It was obvious that he was very wary of these people who were also in the martial arts world.
But being stared at by these hostile eyes, the few people in the world did not dare to glare back angrily, and even avoided them a little. They were far less arrogant and wanton than when they looked at the scholars before.
In this troubled time, in this time of great strife, among the warriors in the world, the strongest ones are often not in the arena, but in the court and the army.
Compared with the soldiers in the army who rolled out of the mountains of corpses and seas of blood, the so-called bloody storms in the world were not worth mentioning.
What frightened these Jianghu people even more was the news told by the sergeant.
Zhou Qing, the great general of Chu State, actually broke through the innate world?
This news, like a storm, shocked the hearts of all martial arts practitioners.
Because no one knows better than them, what does an innate master mean in the world?
same.
They also know that the addition of an innate grandmaster to Chu State will bring about changes in the current situation.
Bainiao Villa, as well as other Jianghu sects that have emerged from various places...
Haha, I'm afraid I jumped too early this time.
Compared with an innate master, as the sergeant said, no matter how hard you try, you are just a clown.
This big Chu sky is about to change again.
Everyone in the hall looked at each other and couldn't help but have such thoughts.
After telling the news to the sergeant, he packed up his luggage, paid for the wine, hurried out of the inn, and rode away into the distance under the night.
Kong Zhuo also looked away after watching the scene in front of him.
By this time, the wine and meat had been served, and while he was eating, he couldn't help but feel a surge in his heart.
"General Zhou Qing, I didn't expect Uncle Lu, no, King Chu's eldest disciple, to have reached this stage now. Innate Grandmaster, at this level, I really don't know how elegant he is?"
Kong Zhuo recalled the scene of his meeting with Lu Yuan in the past. The father of the family had praised him many times, that is, the man with immortal roots and immortal bones. Not only did he become an innate master, but even his disciples also entered this realm.
Master and disciple are both innate. Such good stories are really enviable.
In comparison, I have just entered the second tier this year, and I am really far behind.
"Forget it, those people there, especially those I can compare to. Let's go back to Guanzhong as soon as possible and meet the master. I have been away for two years and haven't seen the master for a long time. I wonder how the old man is doing?
And next year’s Tianluo***.
Ten years ago, King Chu followed his master to Ziyun Dao and participated in this Taoist grand gathering.
I heard from Master that King Chu made a lot of gains in this field, and even met Taoist Master Ziyun.
I'm going along this time, wondering if I can get any benefits.
I don't dare to hope for it, but if it can help me break through to the first-class level, then it will be a worthwhile trip. "
Kong Zhuo, who is only in his early twenties, has made rapid progress in strength, and this is when he is in high spirits.
Although he had just broken through to the second level at this time, he was already looking forward to becoming a first-rate person and wanted to be the person who started a lineage of Taoism.
Although the son of the county magistrate at that time did not join his father's official career, nor did he follow his master to practice Taoism, he still had his own ambitions in the martial arts world.
After eating the food and wine, Kong Zhuo, who was aroused by the news just now, also gave up the idea of spending another night and followed the sergeant out of the inn.
He took his horse back from the backyard and headed back to Qingyun Temple facing the vast night and starry night.
