Jinling embraces Qinhuai in the south and Houhu Lake in the north. Zhongshan is surrounded by dragons and tigers, and it has the aura of dragons and tigers. This is the residence of the emperor. Since the Taichu Palace was built by Sun Quan, the Great Emperor of the Eastern Wu Dynasty, it has been the residence of emperors of all dynasties.
The entire palace of Qi State covers an area of 1,000 acres and is extremely grand. Taichu Palace is the main hall, surrounded by four gardens in the southeast, northwest and northwest. Dongyuan is the residence of the Royal Guards of Qi State, and can accommodate up to thousands of people to train here; while Xiyuan is the royal garden, built according to the scenery of Wu County in the south of the Yangtze River, with the style of smoke willow painted bridges; The Nanyuan is Chongde Garden, which was the private office and residence of the Qi Emperor, while the Beiyuan was the residence of the harem.
In the study room of Nanyuan, a young man about twenty-eight years old, seven feet tall, with a face as deep as water, a golden crown on his head, and a golden python robe lay in front of the imperial desk. He held a slender wolf-hair pen in his hand, and wrote on the snow-white with an iron-painted silver hook. On rice paper.
This person is none other than Xiao Shiyu, the number one person in the Qi Kingdom today, the youngest and most promising Emperor of Qi who was given high hopes by the late Emperor.
"The mountains and rivers in the north are restored, and the country is unified. Your majesty's calligraphy is vigorous and powerful, bold and free, but also has a touch of tenderness. It is truly a masterpiece." A sixty-year-old man with a white whisk in his hand and a head full of silver said quietly. Came in.
"No matter how good my handwriting is, I can't fulfill the late emperor's last wish in one day, so I dare not slack off all day long. Now that the envoys of the two countries are coming to Beijing, I am afraid that the storm is about to come. Gao Xian, Zhang Yuan, my lords Are you here yet?" Xiao Shiyu put down the wolf hair in his hand, his face full of melancholy.
"The two adults have been waiting outside for a long time. I just saw His Majesty writing a letter, and I really can't bear to disturb you." Gao Xian replied cautiously.
"At all times, national affairs should be your top priority. Come, please collect your pen, ink, paper and inkstone and tell me, sir." Xiao Shiyu adjusted his collar and sat upright on the dragon chair.
Gao Xian waved to the two young eunuchs, and at the same time shouted loudly: "Your Majesty has a decree to announce the presence of Lords Zhang and Yuan."
"Your Majesty, Yuan Kui, goes to see you."
"Veteran Zhang Peizhi pays homage to Your Majesty."
"The two Qing family members are free of courtesy and are waiting to see where they are seated."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for the seat." The two of them sat on the left and right sides of the imperial table respectively; Yuan Kui, the upper pillar sitting on the left side, was eight feet tall, with eyes like lightning, and a neatly trimmed goatee. , although there is a long scar on the left eye, it does not feel inconsistent, but shows the demeanor of a famous general.
Sitting on the right side is Zhang Peizhi, the great farmer. Although he is over seventy years old, he is still in good spirits and has a rosy complexion.
"This is a letter written by Cai Yong, the shepherd of Jingzhou, to me. The two Qings will read it first." Gao Xian took the letter and handed it to them for circulation.
"Hmph, Yan and Wei are really ambitious. They actually want to rent Dengcheng and Fancheng on the pretext of resettling the border residents. These two places are the throat of the south. If they are controlled by Yan and Wei, it seems to be hanging over my head. A sharp blade, I absolutely cannot agree to this matter." After reading the letter, Yuan Kui stood up with a bang.
Zhang Peizhi shook his hand: "Although Mr. Yuan's words are reasonable, Cai Yong, the pastor of Jingzhou, is just a faggot. On the surface, he claims to be a minister of our country, Qi, and asks for a large amount of money and food from our country every year. However, privately, he secretly communicates with Yan and Wei and causes great troubles. The art of checks and balances. Now that we are threatened, they want to take advantage of us. It is really a fantasy."
"Your Majesty, Jiangling is a land of money and food behind Jingzhou. It is better for me to lead the troops to attack it. As long as we occupy this place, Xiangfan will be at your fingertips." Yuan Kui made an offer to Xiao Shiyu.
"You must not use your sword lightly. Now the Yan and Wei countries have stationed troops on their respective borders and are watching covetously. If our country rashly sends troops to Jiangling, the Yan and Wei countries will also send troops to Xiangfan. By then, the war situation will be out of control. And the water towns in the south of the Yangtze River The land, both the raising and transportation of grain and grass are not as convenient as those of Yan and Wei, so please think twice." Zhang Peizhi hurriedly stopped.
"Master Zhang, in your opinion, what should we do?" Yuan Kui said coldly.
"In my humble opinion, let's spend a lot of money to buy Dengcheng and Fancheng. This way, without using weapons, the Yan and Wei countries will retreat in the face of difficulties. Why not do it?" Zhang Peizhi said eloquently. talk.
"Master Zhang is really naive. You can get something you can't get on the battlefield by just spending some gold and silver? How can national affairs be solved by businessmen's methods? It's a joke. Your Majesty, I will never approve of this method." Yuan Kui despised Lord Sinong's weak strategy from the bottom of his heart.
Zhang Peizhi was about to retort when Xiao Shiyu interrupted at the right time: "What the two Qings said has a certain truth to it. Let me think about it again. You two will step aside for the time being. In ten days, the envoys from the two countries will arrive in Jinling and invite you. Your Excellency, please go to Xiyuan Imperial Garden to discuss matters."
After the two left, Xiao Shiyu had a tired look on his face, lowered his head and said nothing. He leaned back in his chair blankly, looking at the letter in front of the imperial case, thinking about something.
"Your Majesty, noon is approaching, do you want to pass on the meal?" Seeing Xiao Shiyu's silence, Gao Xian knew that he was upset, so he changed the subject at the right time.
"Gao Xian, what do you think of the strategies proposed by the two adults?" Xiao Shiyu suddenly asked.
"The old slave's duty is only to serve His Majesty's food and daily life. I really don't know much about the national affairs, so I really don't dare to comment. However, the old slave sees that His Majesty is hesitant. Why not summon Taifu Liang to solve the problem?" Gao Xian bowed. road.
"Yes, I am really confused. Why have I forgotten my mentor? However, Taifu Liang has stopped asking about the affairs of the court. It is really inconvenient for me to summon him, so I can only send one person to ask for advice." Speaking of Taifu Liang, Xiao Shi The sad look on Yu Man's face immediately dissipated.
"Why don't I let this old slave make this trip to relieve His Majesty's worries? I will definitely ask the Grand Tutor for advice." Gao Xian volunteered.
Xiao Shiyu smiled and shook his head: "I know this master's temper and character very well. If you go, you may not even be able to see his face."
"Then what should we do? Should we just let it go?" Gao Xian asked unwillingly.
Xiao Shiyu pondered for a while: "Recently, the Secretary of the Imperial Guard Office recommended a new chief of guard named An Dafang. Let this person go."
The successive monarchs of Qi State attached great importance to the education of the world's scholars. In this dynasty, the number of scholars increased dramatically. Therefore, the imperial court specially enclosed 300 acres of land beside Xuanwu Lake and moved the Imperial College here.
"Xiangyun, why do you ask our guards to do such a thing as Wence? I really don't understand what His Majesty is thinking?" An Dafang kept complaining.
"Why? It's not that this job is not easy to do, no one wants to come. It just so happens that His Majesty also wants to see what you are capable of as the newly appointed guard chief. But I am unjust. A night guard has to accompany you to do such a difficult job. Errand." Tong Bo and An Dafang walked side by side towards Taixue.
"Then why do we dress up like scholars? This green shirt looks so awkward. It is not as majestic as our guard uniforms." An Dafang kept stroking his sleeves.
"My Chief Guard of An University, you are going to the Imperial Academy to meet the Imperial Tutor. The guard uniform is so eye-catching that it frightened the scholars inside and angered the Imperial Tutor. Your mission will be ruined." Tong Bo was helpless. He shook his head.
The two walked while chatting, and in a blink of an eye they arrived at the gate of Taixue. The towering wall was a foot high. Above the vermilion gate, a plaque with the word "Taixue" made of pure gold hung, showing the royal style. .
"Is there anyone there?" Tong Bo stretched out two fingers and knocked on the vermilion door. The knocking on the door echoed for a long time.
Not long after, a petite girl walked out of the door. She looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, with beautiful eyes and a charming smile. She was wearing a pure white floral skirt that reached her knees, and a white pure silk belt with a bow. Her slender waist is tied up like a cascade; the black and shiny green hair hangs down between her shoulders and waist like a waterfall, and two light blue ribbons are gently tied on the two strands of hair at the back of her head, making her look more agile and elegant, just like the human world. Fairy.
The girl put her hands behind her waist and looked at Tong Bo and An Dafang with a smile: "I wonder what the two brothers are doing in coming to Taixue?"
An Dafang was so stunned that he didn't know what to say for a moment. Tong Bo touched An Dafang with his elbow, held his hands to the girl and said, "We are the guards of the Jingwei Mansion. I came here to pay homage to Tai Fu Liang, and asked the girl to report on my behalf."
An Dafang was touched by Tong Bo and realized that he had lost his composure. He quickly repeated what he said: "Yes, yes, let me report it on my behalf."
The girl stared at Tong Bo and An Dafang in surprise, and asked, "Are you sure you want to see Taifu Liang?"
"Yes, we definitely want to see Taifu Liang." This time, before Tong Bo could speak, An Dafang said first.
Tong Bo wanted to say something, but since An Dafang took over the conversation, he stopped talking, but he became wary in his heart: "Looking at this girl's expression and listening to this girl's question, it is obvious that there is something in her words. I’m afraid that Mrs. Liang’s face won’t be easy to see.”
"Since you want to see Taifu Liang, then come with me." The girl responded readily, turned around and entered the door.
Taixue is divided into three courtyards, arranged like a circling dragon, namely the Four Academy, the Five Classics Tower, and the Six Arts Pavilion, which can accommodate thousands of scholars. A winding corridor was built between the buildings and courtyards with bluestone paving, and a lake was introduced around it. A group of red koi carps were swimming happily in the water, which made people envious.
"Brothers, I can only take you here." The girl suddenly stopped in front of the Fourth Academy.
"Girl, girl, what do you mean by this?" An Dafang asked stammering.
"The rules in the Imperial Academy are that if you want to see Taifu Liang, you have to walk in front of him. However, no one has seen his face since the Imperial Tutor came to the Imperial Academy!" The girl said to An Dafang with a bright smile.
"I wonder if Miss can help. The two of us really have something important to discuss when we see the Tutor." An Dafang felt very anxious after hearing this.
"Help? How about I play hide-and-seek with my two brothers? As soon as I can find you, I will take you there." As soon as the girl finished speaking, she flashed her body and clicked four or five times on the lake with extremely graceful movements before disappearing. Without a trace, only bursts of sweet laughter could be heard in the air: "Taifu Liang will drink wine and cool off at the Star Gazing Pavilion behind Liuyi Pavilion at a certain time. Whether you can see him depends on the fate of the two brothers."
"Good movement, this movement seems familiar." Tong Bo kept thinking in his mind: "By the way, this girl's movement is somewhat similar to Si Ruoshui's, and she looks more beautiful than Si Ruoshui. Be smarter.”
"Ahhh! The girl just disappeared. What should we do, Xiangyun?" An Dafang shouted in despair.
"What should I do? What else can I do? I can only look for it." Tong Bo's thoughts were pulled back by An Dafang's shout and he responded angrily.
"Xiangyun, why didn't you think of a way to keep that girl just now?" An Dafang kept complaining.
Tong Bo glared at An Dafang: "Should I stay? You can't even keep this girl because she's so light-hearted. Why do you want me to stay?"
"That's right. You see, I'm confused. The girl just said that Taifu Liang might go to the Star Observation Pavilion. Why don't we just go there and wait." An Dafang said with a smile.
Tong Bo laughed when he saw An Dafang's gaffe: "Dafang, you see it's rare for us to come to this holy land for scholars. If we don't walk around and take a look, we won't live up to their good intentions."
