Dahua State has one city and twenty-six counties, each county has six states, and each state has seven counties. This city naturally refers to the capital. For some reason, the capital city has never been named. The common people only refer to it as "the capital city", "the imperial city" and "the capital city". It is located in the middle of the border of Dahua.
When talking about the capital city, people can't help but praise it. However, it is not worthy of all the praises.
The boundary of the capital city is like a black turtle crawling towards the north. The tortoise is also known as "noble", and it is known for its longevity and immortality; the black tortoise, also known as "Xuanwu", is an ancient holy beast with profound wisdom and indescribable auspiciousness. Perhaps it is the realm of the Black Tortoise that has attracted the aura of heaven and earth, and God's favor is constant. After more than three hundred years, the Great China Kingdom has never encountered any great suffering or disaster, and is quite stable.
There is a rumor among the people: More than 300 years ago, Xia Ruren set up a great cause and successfully founded Dahua, and led his troops to camp here. In a night dream, an old man with a long beard and a boyish face woke him up and said: This place has great potential, and the country can be founded on the boundary of black turtle. After speaking, he floated away without a trace, leaving only the four words "I am Zhenwu" echoing in the void. Xia Ruren stood up suddenly and rushed out of the camp barefoot. He saw no old man, only the guards around him kneeling in fear, shouting "ten thousand deaths". Xia Ruren immediately called his personal guards and summoned several ministers to see him. That night, he did not allow his ministers to argue, and sent people to use this place as the core to plan the land of the black turtle to establish the capital of the country. He only said, "I have made up my mind."
There is some truth in the rumor, and it can no longer be investigated.
Lu Jianting was a tall and thin man with sword-shaped eyebrows and bright eyes, a white face and a beard. He spoke and behaved appropriately. Judging from his description, he was probably not even thirty years old. He was also a centurion of the palace guard. He was really a rare and wonderful man. After welcoming everyone at the customs clearance platform, he led a group of people into the inner city, riding at the front with the two big men in uniform. The people along the way were accustomed to seeing such battles, so they naturally avoided them one by one. Lu Jianting saw that the two of them were just riding horses on the road and said nothing. Knowing that they were new arrivals, they could not help but feel restrained, so he took the initiative to chat, "It is really cold today. The two brothers trekked all the way, facing the wind, frost, rain and snow, He's not wearing any fur, he's in such good shape!" As he spoke, he changed the horse's rein from his right hand to his left, and raised his thumb with admiration on his face.
The older of the two young men was riding next to Lu Jianting. At this time, he replied, "My lord, I am sorry. My brother's surname is Fu, and he is a slave in Lord Mei's house. My name is Fu Pun, and he calls me Fu Zui. My brother." As he spoke, he looked at Lu Jianting and pointed to the man in uniform on his right. At this time, the man also held his hand in salute, and continued with a smile, "Your Excellency, my brother and I have practiced some rudimentary kung fu since we were young. The real seals on our hands and feet are not good, and the skin is thicker than ordinary people's skin. How can it be better? My lord, if anything, today is a joke!" After hearing this, Lu Jianting said with a look of displeasure, "Alas... alas... When men compete with each other, how can they ask about their origins! With the talents of two brothers, it is impossible to achieve success in the court. Sooner or later, there is no need to be humble!" The two brothers saw that Lu Jianting acted neatly and spoke resonantly, and did not care at all about their slave status. Become familiar with each other.
In the carriage, Baili Siyu listened to the words of the three of them without missing a word. He frowned slightly, with a ray of worry hidden in the corner of his eyes.
At two o'clock in the morning, night came. On the way, the guards of the royal palace had already lit the torches they had prepared, so everyone could walk without hindrance. It had been more than two hours since they met at the customs clearance platform, and a group of people had been walking. Lu Jianting asked, "Second brother Fu, third brother Fu, we will just turn around at the intersection ahead. Do you want to inform Madam?" Fu Zhen said happily, "Very good. I'll go right away." After saying that, he twisted the reins and turned back. The horse stood in front of the left side of the carriage, leaning down to report, "Madam, we are just ahead!"
In the carriage, Bai Lisi couldn't hide the joy in her heart and replied softly, "I know! Thank you for the hard work, Second Brother Fu and Third Brother Fu!"
Fu Chun quickly replied, "Madam, it's serious. This is all my brother's fault, so why bother!" After saying that, he resigned and came back, walking in front alongside Lu Jianting and Fu Zuo.
After passing the intersection, go left, and you will see a magnificent mansion that is not visible to the end. There are eight glazed lamps hanging on the door of the mansion, which are as bright as day. There are eight guards on the left and right in front of the door. Everyone followed Lu Jianting as they approached the gate of the mansion. Only then did Mei Yuanchen see the large gilt characters on the plaque hanging on the bone beam of the gate: "Edict to build Prince Jaw's Mansion". The small letters on the lower right read: The Residence of His Royal Highness Prince Dahua Jaw, Xia Muchao. .
I saw a man wearing a robe identical to that of Lu Jianting at the door came up to him. He bowed to Bailisi and said, "Madam, you are polite. I follow the prince's order to welcome Lord Mei and his family here. The prince has given instructions. Madam and her entourage are here." Well, we will lead you directly to Yuqiong Langyuan." Bailisi returned the gift and thanked, "Your Excellency, you have been waiting for a long time, and you will be troubled to lead the way!" After saying this, he was about to turn around to give some instructions, the man continued, "Your Majesty has special instructions. , all the guests from Mei Mansion are distinguished guests from afar, please enter the house through the main entrance, no need to stick to small details, everyone, please follow me!" At this time, a group of people from Mei Mansion were standing in front of the Prince's Mansion, counting them. There are thirteen people.
There were originally one old, five young and six women sitting in the domed sedan chair. Among them, the old woman was quite plump and friendly in appearance; the five young girls were all handsome and pretty, and they whispered to each other from time to time. The three men in fur clothes riding gray-maned horses also took off their fur hats at this time. They were an old man with a dry face and two young men about fifty-six years old. The two young men are similar in age to the Fu brothers, but they look like old men traveling with them. They are both lean and lean, with sharp eyes. After everyone heard the explanation from the captain of the guard, they were all astonished, and their faces looked very good.
Dahua has very strict regulations on this law. Although the law of citizenship is not stated clearly, there is a customary system since its inception. People with civilian or slave status cannot enter and exit the official's house through the front door. They can only enter and exit through the side door or the back door. At this time, hearing the chief guard of the royal palace speak like this, my heart was filled with ups and downs. I couldn't help but feel sincerely grateful. I hurriedly unloaded my luggage in the sedan chair and chariot and followed him in.
After bypassing three or five corridors, we finally arrived at Yiyuan. There was a word on the stone mountain at the entrance: "Yuqiong Langyuan".
Six or seven servants were coming and going in Langyuan, some were carrying wine and some were carrying dishes, as if they were setting up a banquet. The captain of the guard stopped when he reached the back eaves, held his hands in salute, and said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say. Madam and her party are tired from the journey now, and Lord Mei, Madam and Young Master have not seen each other for a long time, so they have a lot of family matters to talk about. I won’t come to visit today. I’m hosting a family banquet here. I hope you all have a good time! We’ll have a formal banquet tomorrow to welcome Madam and Young Master.” After finishing his words, he added, “Madam, please wait a moment. Lord Mei will be here soon.” It’s time.” After saying that, he bowed and left.
After hearing this, Bai Lisi couldn't help but feel startled. After taking a breath, she stretched out her hand to hold Mei Yuanchen, and said with a chuckle, "I'm going to see your father soon, are you happy?"
Mei Yuanchen smiled with a smile on his face, nodded heavily, and replied cheerfully, "The child is very happy in his heart. He just hopes to be separated from his parents for even a moment!" Bai Lisi held on to his child's hand and entered the main hall, sitting in the living room. Sit down in separate seats at the teahouse. The eleven servants were divided into two groups and packed their luggage.
He heard the sound of hurried footsteps approaching, and it was Mei Siyuan walking towards him. Bai Lisi and Mei Yuanchen got up after hearing the sound outside the hall, and the three of them met at the hall door. Mei Yuanchen called out loudly, "Daddy!" and threw herself into his father's arms. Bai Lisi also came forward, and the family of three hugged each other.
After a long while, Mei Siyuanfang said warmly to his wife, "After traveling for so many days, let's go to the table and have a meal first!" Bailisi nodded in agreement. Then he called everyone to eat the family banquet together.
