At the foot of Jingshi Mountain.
Bai Yan accompanied Queen Mother Zhao, but most of the time, Queen Mother Zhao and Mao Jiao were chatting, and Bai Yan would occasionally chime in.
By the time Ying Zheng and the Ying clan descended from the mountain, it was already sunset.
Mao Jiao went to see Ying Zheng.
Bai Yan escorted Queen Mother Zhao Ji back to the carriage. After Ying Zheng and others in the distance returned to the carriage, he led the cavalry and continued to escort Ying Zheng to Luoyang.
Entering Luoyang City, the sky has turned completely dark.
Thousands of Qin soldiers, holding long swords and torches, formed a long queue in the cold wind and dark night.
Luoyang was the ancient capital of the Zhou royal family. It has an extremely long history and plays an extremely important role in the hearts of literati and scholars all over the world.
Apart from humanities and history, Luoyang is also known as one of the five most prosperous capitals in the world, like Taoyi and Linzi.
Under the city gate.
Bai Yan rode a war horse in the long queue, looking directly at the surroundings under the reflection of the fire, and slowly drove towards the city.
Looking at the capital city shrouded in darkness before him, Bai Yan couldn't imagine how powerful Lu Buwei's financial resources were when Luoyang was Lu Buwei's fiefdom.
A rare thing to live in.
As a merchant, Lu Buwei used his entire net worth of 1,600 gold to transform himself into the most powerful Prime Minister of Qin, and also took over Luoyang, the world-famous capital, as his fiefdom.
It would be a lie to say that I don’t admire you.
These deeds are not only unprecedented, but even in later generations, no other person can be found.
No matter how much the world secretly mocks Lu Buwei for being a merchant, there is one thing that cannot be refuted.
Lu Buwei is not only Lu Sheng's idol, but also the dream of countless people in the world. Apart from his background, Lu Buwei has accomplished things that countless people dare not even think of.
"General, that is Luoyang City Guard Ran Wu!"
A cavalry soldier came to Bai Yan holding a torch and opened his mouth to report.
Bai Yan followed the cavalry officer's gaze and nodded.
After a while.
Bai Yan rode his war horse and came to a group of officials wearing Qin official uniforms, got off his horse and dismounted.
"Last General Ran Wu, pay homage to General Bai Yan!"
Before Bai Yan could say anything, a tall, bearded man in his thirties stepped forward and saluted Bai Yan.
This official is Ran Wu.
Seeing this, Bai Yan returned the salute and looked calmly at the Qin officials behind Ran Wu who were preparing the salutes for him.
"Bai Yan!"
After Bai Yan simply returned the gift, he looked at Ran Wu: "I will trouble General Ran Wu to guard Luoyang tonight!"
Bai Yan said softly.
Because he, the cavalry, and even the Xianyang garrison all had to repair and recuperate in preparation for the journey ahead.
As for the late-night guards, except for the Xianyang garrison who came to Luoyang in advance, they had to rely on Luoyang City Guard Ran Wu to lead patrols.
"This is the order of my humble duty, so why bother?"
Ran Wu said to Bai Yan.
After finishing speaking, Ran Wu looked at Bai Yan calmly and met Bai Yan's eyes.
"General Bai Yan has been running all the way. I have ordered my subordinates to settle down the general's residence. The general can go to the residence to rest later."
Ran Wu said.
Bai Yan looked at Ran Wu and raised his hand to salute Ran Wu to express his gratitude.
Ran Wu also raised his hand in return.
After the two of them finished saluting, Bai Yan turned around and took the horse rope from his confidant, stepped on the stirrup, got on his horse, and then led his confidants and the cavalry army towards Luoyang Palace.
late at night.
In front of the palace gate in Luoyang, as the former capital of the Zhou royal family, although the Luoyang Palace is old and not as good as the Xianyang Palace, its scale cannot be underestimated.
Bai Yan and Ying Kan chatted for a few words and then said goodbye to each other.
Bai Yan did not receive orders for matters such as security and review in the palace, so naturally he would not participate. Instead, as in the past, Ying Kan would lead the inspection.
Bai Yan and his cavalry were more responsible for peripheral matters, such as sudden ambushes and dealing with some rebel forces.
"General!"
A man wearing official clothes came to Bai Yan and bowed his hands in greetings.
Bai Yan glanced at the man and confirmed that he was a confidant sent by Ran Wu, and nodded slightly.
"You will take the carriage with you later. After I take off my armor, I will go see Master Shang Qingmao first."
Bai Yan ordered softly.
Bai Yan is not in a hurry about Ran Wu's arrangements at the moment, although it is late at night and Ran Wu is worried that thieves will take the opportunity to cause trouble, so he has ordered people to guard the streets and no one is allowed to watch.
But it's better to be later.
After all, no one can guarantee whether there will be spies of the nobles watching under the dark night.
Even some Qin officials can be won over, let alone some low-level Qin officials.
So when he was wary of the nobles, Bai Yan asked the man to disguise himself as a groom and wait outside Mao Jiao's mansion in the dead of night.
"promise!"
When the man heard Bai Yan's words, he bowed his hands and bowed, then turned and left.
Just a few breaths after the man left.
"Take a few people, disguise yourself, and make sure no one is following him."
Bai Yan ordered softly after watching the man leave.
When it comes to Zhan You, Bai Yan has to be careful.
After settling Zhanyou, Bai Yan no longer worried about Zhanyou's life or death. Even if Zhanyou was lax and leaked the news, Ran Wu could help him get rid of Zhanyou immediately before others found Zhanyou.
】
However, the appearance of the Zhang family and his son once again made Zhanyou valuable.
At least for now, Zhanyou can't have any accidents.
"promise!"
The soldiers behind Bai Yan heard Bai Yan's order and quickly raised their hands in ceremony.
················
"Master Mao!"
Late at night, Bai Yan took off his armor and came to Mao Jiao's residence. Under the guidance of the maid, he met Mao Jiao.
At this moment, Bai Yan was wearing ordinary cloth. Compared with his appearance when he was wearing armor, he felt very easy-going. Even just looking at Bai Yan's appearance, he felt a little shy.
But when Mao Jiao saw this appearance, he wouldn't think so.
After inferring the past experience of the young man in front of him, Mao Jiao would not be fooled by the young man's appearance.
A young man who came from a humble background and was even driven out of the Qi Kingdom could reach where he is today step by step. Although he had some help from the Bai family, in the final analysis, everything relied on the young man to climb up step by step.
All kinds of things.
How could Mao Jiao despise the young man in front of him? Even compared to the young man's identity as a descendant of the Bai family at the beginning, now that Mao Jiao has learned about the young man's experience, he views the young man several times more highly.
Even in some things, I couldn't help but have a little admiration for the boy.
Because Mao Jiao knew very well that if he had experienced what this young man had experienced when he was young, he probably would not have been able to survive to this day like this young man.
Not to mention.
Just because of the old woman's words, this young man wanted the old woman's arguments to become true.
Regardless of the mountains and rivers, he came to Qin State and fought with swords and horses on the battlefield, staining the battlefield with blood.
Thinking back to the first time I met the young man in Xianyang, the place that represented the highest power of the Qin State, when the young man walked into the hall, with his young face, as long as he looked down, he could see , the armor and stomach on its body are full of gaps cut by swords.
What is Leilei's military exploits? Apart from the title, the best proof is the scars on the battlefield.
In Linzi, Qi State, when Mao Jiao saw the old woman, he couldn't help but feel sad and his eyes turned slightly red.
Except for the appearance of the old woman in the dilapidated alley and the agreement between the old lady and the young man.
That's when Mao Jiao remembered seeing Bai Yan for the first time.
At this age, Mao Jiao has experienced many things, but this incident touched Mao Jiao the most.
Whenever Mao Jiao thinks of the boy, that picture comes back to his mind.
The old woman was in the village, protecting the quarrels of her youth.
When the boy grows up, he picks up his sword, rides on horseback, and walks out on the blood-stained battlefield. Even if his armor and stomach are cut through, even if his body is covered with scars, he still wants to return home with a title and honor.
Just like when I was a child, I saw an old woman standing in front of me.
Every time I think of this.
Just like now.
Mao Jiao looked at the young man who was preparing the ceremony in front of him, and his heart was full of sighs. He couldn't help but be moved by what happened between the young man and the old woman.
"come in!"
After Mao Jiao returned the greeting to the young man, he opened his mouth and invited the young man to enter the room.
Bai Yan saluted Mao Jiao, then followed Mao Jiao into the room.
Late at night, under the candlelight, it seemed that the windows and doors of the room were tightly closed because of the cold winter wind.
Several men wearing cloth clothes and carrying swords looked around outside the room.
inside the room.
Bai Yan knelt down and sat in front of the wooden table, face to face with Mao Jiao.
First, he was polite and asked Mao Jiao why he suddenly went to the Chu Kingdom. He learned that it was because the King of Chu's condition was getting worse and Fusu could not go, so Mao Jiao, who was the Taifu, had to go to visit.
After learning these things.
Bai Yan was silent for a moment, thought about it, and looked at Mao Jiao.
"Master Dissatisfied, Bai Yan came here today just to ask about Master Mao, the situation of his father, mother, and grandmother!"
Bai Yan said softly.
Regarding the situation of his parents and grandmother, Tian Feiyan had actually told him in Yanmen.
The reason why he mentioned it deliberately now was to admit that he already knew that Mao Jiao had been to Linzi and Shuicun, and had met his parents and grandmother.
"Everything is fine! General Bai Yan doesn't need to worry. Although Tian Ding is domineering and powerful, he is also a man who keeps his promises. Moreover, because of his late wife Tian, Tian Ding loves his daughter Feiyan very much, even if Knowing that the general is with the Tian family and his daughter is here, maybe the general doesn’t have to worry.”
Mao Jiao said softly.
Behind this sentence, he was also telling Bai Yan that he had already investigated Zou Xing's matter.
In the study room.
Bai Yan was not surprised when he heard Mao Jiao's words.
After all, his affairs were perfect in the eyes of others and they would not notice any problems at all. But for Mao Jiao, who knew the cause and effect, it was not difficult to investigate.
"Thank you, Master Mao. We met by chance. Now Bai Yan has made many enemies. I hope Master Mao can keep Bai Yan's secret secret. Bai Yan is very grateful!"
Bai Yan raised his hand and saluted Mao Jiaoji.
Seeing this, Mao Jiao smiled and returned Bai Yan's greeting.
"I have known Hu Quan for more than ten years. Now that I am so young, I am fortunate to have the king's trust. It is really a blessing for me. I dare not let down the king's favor in my life!"
After Mao Jiao saluted, he looked up at Bai Yan.
"But based on the marriage between General Bai and the Bai family, it should be clear that if there is no accident, Bai Yan, the second son of Bai Zhong who has a grudge against the Zou family, will one day take his daughter to Qi State to worship, and he will definitely know it then News of Zou Xing’s death.”
Mao Jiao said.
Just now, Mao Jiao did not mention the Bai family, but spoke directly about Hu Quan, thus telling Bai Yan that the reason for the relationship between Mao Jiao and the Bai family was his old friend Hu Quan.
This matter is Bai's business, and he, Mao Jiao, will not tell it, not to mention that Ying Zheng trusts and respects him, Mao Jiao, and just informed him of this matter. Now, if he, Mao Jiao, tells it, how can he You deserve the king's trust and respect.
Mao Jiao was also reminding Bai Yan from behind.
Even if he, Mao Jiao, didn't tell anyone, given Bai Yan's current age, he wouldn't be able to keep this matter a secret for long.
Mrs. Zou was kind to Bai Yan, and she was even more like an in-law.
In the case of marriage, Bai Yan will definitely take his daughter to Qi State to pay homage to Zou's grave. By then, Zou Xing's death two years ago will definitely be known to Bai Yan and his daughter.
"Bai Yan knows that Bai Yan will face the Bai family at that time. He just wants his biological parents not to be involved."
Bai Yan felt relieved when he heard that Mao Jiao was willing to keep it secret.
What I have been thinking about for a while has finally come to fruition.
As long as Mao Jiao keeps it secret, Bai Yan doesn't have to worry about his family.
As for what Mao Jiao said next, Bai Yan knew that Mao Jiao was reminding him, and he also knew that Mao Jiao was right.
The news of Zou Xing's death could be kept secret for at most two or three years, or even shorter.
Maybe tomorrow, Bai Yan might take Bai Junzhu to Linzi, Qi State, to pay homage to the Zou family!
When Bai Yan and Bai Junzhu learn that Zou Xing has been killed, they will definitely be confused. Then they immediately realize that Bai Yan was not Zou Xing from the beginning, but another person.
for this matter.
What Bai Yan is really worried about is not that Bai Yan and Bai Junzhu know that Zou Xing has died long ago, but that Bai Yan will know where his parents and grandmother are.
Bai Yan knew what Bai Yan was like.
Among the Bai family, Bai Yan and Bai Yu are the best people, but equally, the Bai family's interests are also very important in their hearts.
As long as Mao Jiao agrees not to tell, without knowing his identity, Bai Yan can at most only find out about Zou Xing's assassination, but not his true identity.
"That's fine!"
Mao Jiao sighed when he heard the words of the young man in front of him, but there was no surprise on his face for this answer.
After knowing the young man's experience, Mao Jiao understood the young man's character.
The Bai family is in Pingyang, not Xianyang, and Bai Yan is a merchant, not an official of the Qin State.
Mao Jiao didn't know when Bai Yan would take his daughter to Qi State to pay homage to the Zou family. Even if Mao Jiao wanted to hide this matter from Bai Yan, he couldn't.
Just pray.
Let’s go to Baiyan later!
Think of this.
to be honest.
Mao Jiao looked at the young man in front of him and couldn't help but think curiously.
If Bai Yan knew that this boy was just a farmer from a humble family, the expression on his face would be so wonderful.
And if Bai Yu knew that his Bai family's iron cavalry was handed over to a young man who was not a descendant of the noble clan at all, would he look shocked and confused?
Mao Jiao knew very well.
The Bai family is a famous family, and their status is far higher than that of ordinary noble families.
Inside Luoyang City.
The cold wind drifted by from time to time, accompanied by the biting chill, making the already silent late night even more deserted.
Inside the mansion.
Bai Yan talked with Mao Jiao for a long time and left late at night.
After leaving the mansion.
Bai Yan got on the carriage that had been prepared and drove through the streets late at night.
Inside the carriage.
Bai Yan looked back on the conversation he had with Mao Jiao just now, looking helpless. Fortunately, Mao Jiao was willing to keep it a secret for him.
Bai Yan doesn't dare to say that everything will happen in the future. After all, everything in this world is subject to change, and there will always be accidents.
All we can do now is prepare in advance.
For example.
It's time to use Zhan You to set a trap for Zhang and Changping Lord in advance.
