Traveling through mountains and rivers, thousands of miles away, it is hard and tiring, but it is not as easy as Zhe Congruan said, accepting the hospitality of Binyi without any pretense, eating, washing, sleeping, and enjoying the corrosion of the colorful world of the Central Plains.
Having stayed in a remote place all year round and accustomed to living a hard life, even if the Central Plains is "poor", the things they truly enjoy are the same. Under Liu Chengyou's instruction, the reception standards for Zhe Congruan were very high.
Of course, among all Jiedu, only Zhe Congruan has this kind of treatment. In other festivals in Tokyo, they all have separate properties. No matter how attentive the reception at the hotel is, how can a closed-door house be as comfortable as it is?
Even if the elderly sleep less and sleep less, by the time Zhe Congruan wakes up, more than two hours have passed by without any effort, and it is already late afternoon.
The wind outside seemed to be stronger again. When I opened the window, it penetrated through the gap and blew on my face like a knife. However, this north wind is nothing to Ruan. The hinterland of Fuzhou is a traditionally bitter cold place, but this difficulty dissipated quickly.
"Where is my girl?" Zhe Congruan asked Zhe Saihua casually.
"The little lady went to visit the winter market!" Ya Jiang replied.
Hearing this, Zhe Congruan seemed to have his own expression of excitement emerging in his mind, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly, then stopped. Although I knew that the accompanying dental care would be arranged, I still couldn't help but ask: "Have the arrangements been made for the accompanying staff?"
"Please rest assured, Commander-in-Chief, there are two family generals to protect you, and a small official has been sent to the post as a guide. The general has given instructions in advance. Depending on the time, he will be back!"
Hearing this, Zhe showed a look of satisfaction on Ruan's face, not only for General Ya's arrangement but also for the court's hospitality.
"I heard that this Xiangfu Posthouse is newly decorated, and the emperor himself chose the name!" Zhe Congruan, accompanied by General Ya, walked around the simple and orderly posthouse and sighed with emotion.
"It seems that the emperor and the imperial court really value our prefecture!" Yajiang said with pride in his tone.
Zhe Congruan moved his muscles and bones. The veteran's body looked really strong, and the crackling sounds made him feel strong. With a breath of turbid breath coming out of his lungs, Zhe followed Ruan and said: "The imperial court is so respectful, we have to give people face, and tell everyone to follow. Tokyo is no better than the countryside. Please restrain yourself and don't cause trouble. Otherwise, don't blame me for engaging in military law!" "
"yes!"
There have always been many people who went to the local vassal towns to stir up trouble and trouble in Tokyo.
"Commander Jie, I would like to see you, the chief minister."
Soon, the humble figure of Guan Cheng appeared, and he learned from his mouth that someone was coming from the palace.
When Wang Pu stood in front of Zhe Congruan, wearing court clothes and a virtuous crown on his head, his decent demeanor and appearance immediately won Zhe Congruan's favor, especially when he learned that Wang Pu was the second in the imperial examination and a close minister of the emperor. Don't underestimate me.
Sometimes, you can feel how the emperor is like from the side by watching the performance of his ministers. As a hero of the times, Wang Pu was full of style and handled himself well in front of Zhe Congruan, which made Liu Chengyou look good.
Zhe Congruan also showed enough kindness to Wang Pu. On the way into the palace, he chatted with him and explored the situation.
Seemingly understanding Zhe Congruan's thoughts, Wang Pu also talked about Zhe Congruan's concerns: "Your Majesty was very happy when the envoys came to the capital this time. When he learned that Lieutenant Zhe was coming to the capital, he made preparations to welcome him early. To be prepared..."
"If it hadn't been for the fact that Lieutenant-General had not had a hard journey, he would have been summoned to the palace for a talk before noon!"
Hearing this, Zhe Cong and Ruan Bai couldn't help but raise their eyebrows. He stroked his beard and said humbly: "How can I be so virtuous and capable that Your Majesty thinks so highly of me?"
In Zhe Congruan's view, the emperor's enthusiasm for him was a bit excessive and slightly unreal. I just don’t know, so what about other Jiedu, but it’s hard for Zhe Congruan to say these words.
Noticing Zhe Congruan's expression, Wang Pu said politely: "Your Majesty said that the Taiwei guarded the frontiers, and his hard work has paid off. He deserves it!"
"Your Majesty is wise." This was probably the first time Zhe Congruan praised Liu Chengyou.
...
Zhe Cong entered the palace to pay his respects. Liu Chengyou was not waiting blankly in the palace. He was meeting with a Taoist priest who was much more famous than Zhe Congruan.
In the Chui Gong Hall, on a wide chair, the Taoist priest sat with a calm face. His robes were ancient, his attitude was natural, and his whole body exuded the smell of dust. Even under Liu Chengyou's gaze, he remained at ease, and his image of a man of enlightenment was extremely full.
Liu Chengyou had been staring at the Taoist priest for a while. Such an observation was a bit rude, but Liu Chengyou couldn't hold back his surprise. This was probably the first time he had been so "lost" in front of outsiders.
If there were no mistakes in the investigation, the Taoist priest in front of him would be almost eighty years old. However, looking at his strong physique, it would feel too inconsistent. The bun and long beard inevitably turn white, but it reflects his full spirit. Even the wrinkles on his face are not old enough to be obvious.
Just letting Liu Chengyou look at him, the Taoist priest was very calm, and there was even a gentle smile in the corner of his eyes.
"The Taoist priest is so easy to find!" Liu Chengyou's gaffe couldn't last long because of his palace. He quickly put away his surprise and said in an emotional tone.
"Please forgive me for keeping Your Majesty waiting." The old Taoist replied without any change in his expression.
This old Taoist is naturally the famous ancestor Chen Tuan. Previously, Liu Chengyou ordered the local officials in Huazhou to invite the old Taoist to come to Tokyo. Unfortunately, several attempts into the mountains yielded no results. Later, Huatong's inspection envoy Wu Qianyu even sent troops into the mountain to search, but of course his efforts were in vain.
Huashan Mountain is vast, narrow and dangerous. It is really difficult to find someone. If it weren't for the fact that a woodcutter who went into the mountains had seen the old Taoist, the local officials would have given up long ago. However, before the heavy snow closed the mountain, Lao Dao took the initiative to show up at the Huazhou government office, and was then regarded as a fairy among mortals by a group of mortals, and was respectfully escorted to Tokyo.
"The Taoist priest has been living in seclusion in Huashan all these years?" Liu Chengyou asked.
The old Taoist nodded, his smile contagious: "Exactly. In my early years, I traveled to Wudang, Emei, Qingcheng and other places."
I muttered in my heart, this veteran can actually run.
"There are so many people who are looking for something too beautiful but can't find it. Could it be that the Taoist priest is really one of the gods?" Liu Chengyou said.
"It's just that the fate has not come yet." The old Taoist could not help but murmur, but it did not make Liu Chengyou feel that kind of disgust and rejection.
In fact, it was just Liu Chengyou's double standard mentality that was at work. In the Renming Hall, Liu Chengyou also saw the monks who taught Buddhism to the Queen Mother, and they were also accomplished monks.
Liu Chengyou obviously had a different view of Taoist Chen Tuan: "The people below are ignorant, disturbing the peace, and hindering the Taoist priest's Qingxiu. I ask the Taoist priest to forgive me."
"It doesn't matter." The old man was as steady as an old dog, and his smile didn't change.
"Since the Taoist Master is willing to show up, it must be fate!" A shrewd expression flashed across Liu Chengyou's face, and his eyes were suddenly full of expectation: "In the opinion of the Taoist Master, do I have a destiny?"
