The horses' hooves were cheerful, the streets were spacious, and the surname was "Zhi". It didn't take long for the carriage to stop in front of the Bafang Inn.
Xue Yunfei got off the carriage, asked the driver to drive the carriage back home, and walked into the inn.
The store owner happened to be clearing the account at the counter, and when he saw Capt. Xue arriving, he greeted him with a smile. When Xue Baotou explained his intention, he led Xue Yunfei to the side room where Bai Yutian lived, and asked the waiter to bring tea, and then prepared the food and drinks.
Bai Yutian poured tea, waited for Xue Yunfei to drink a cup, and then poured out the doubts in his heart: "Xue Baotou, didn't Mr. Fu Yin agree that as soon as the jade seal was obtained, he would let go of the Longwei Escorts? Why are we here now?" No one is seen yet?”
Xue Yunfei seemed to be apologetic and said: "It's not that Lord Fu Yin doesn't want to let him go, it's actually that Prime Minister Lu wants to see you again."
Bai Yutian said: "Master Lu, you want to see me? Just tell me on Zhihu. Why is it so grand?"
Xue Yunfei smiled and said: "I know the Prime Minister's thoughts."
After hearing this, Bai Yutian stopped asking any more questions. He and Xue Yunfei got up and left their seats, and asked the elder Shang Guhuai to walk to the front hall to eat together.
The three of them came to the front hall, the food and wine were served, and the storekeeper came over to offer Xue Captou a glass of wine. Bai Yutian accompanied Xue Baotou and Elder Gu Huai to have lunch, then sent Xue Baotou out of the shop, said goodbye to Elder Gu Huai, left the inn, and walked towards Prime Minister Lu's house.
Instead of taking a car, he chose to walk because he was not sure what Prime Minister Lu meant by holding people captive, and wanted to think about how to deal with them on foot. After all, the emperor, for an official, is as good as a companion. Tiger, for officials and ordinary people, is the same as accompanying the emperor like a tiger. If you are not careful, you will lose everything.
After walking through a street that was neither very far nor very close, they came to the door of Prime Minister Lu's house. Bai Yutian straightened his clothes, strengthened his courage, walked forward, and greeted the soldiers: "Brothers, Is the prime minister at home?"
The soldiers had a fight with Bai Yutian in the Prime Minister's Mansion last night. Although they lost, they still didn't know each other. Seeing that the Prime Minister didn't blame him last night, he must not blame the Prime Minister for letting people in today. One person replied: "The Prime Minister is at home. I wonder what's wrong with you?"
Bai Yutian smiled and said: "The prime minister asked Master Yin to send a message, saying that he wanted me to come to see him. I don't know what it is."
A soldier from Yifu said: "Since the Prime Minister has invited me, I will send a message for you."
Bai Yutian cupped his hands and said, "Thank you very much!"
After a while, the soldiers from the government came to report: "The Prime Minister has invited me."
After Bai Yutian bowed his hands and thanked him, he followed Yifu Bing through the courtyard and alley, and arrived outside Prime Minister Lu's study smoothly.
An announcement was made outside the mansion's gate: "Master Prime Minister, Mr. Bai has arrived."
There was a reply from inside: "Let him come in and make a cup of tea."
The soldier bowed and said, "Yes, Prime Minister." He stepped away.
Seeing that the door was open, Bai Yutian stepped in and saw Prime Minister Lu reading a book at the desk. He stepped forward and saluted, "Bai Yutian, a common man, pays homage to Prime Minister Lu. May the Prime Minister be blessed and safe."
Lu Yijian glanced at Bai Yutian, put down the book, and said, "Get up and sit down."
Bai Yutian stood up, found a chair and sat down far away, and asked in a low voice: "I wonder if the prime minister summoned the common people to come here. What's the matter?"
Lu Yijian said: "I didn't call you! Didn't you come to see me?"
Bai Yutian stood up quickly, bowed and said, "I am sorry for my fault, Mr. Prime Minister."
Seeing that Bai Yutian was also shrewd, Lu Yijian said softly, "Sit down and talk if you have anything to say."
Bai Yutian said: "Thank you very much, Mr. Xiang." He sat down.
Lu Yijian walked away from the desk, sat down above the white jade sky, and said slowly: "I heard that you and the Dragon Slaying Society have a deep hatred. Are you escorting the escort north this time to destroy the Dragon Slaying Society?"
Bai Yutian replied: "Reporting to the Prime Minister, the grassroots and the Dragon Slayer have some old and new grudges. Eliminating the Dragon Slayer Association is indeed the only major thing the grassroots want to do well."
Lu Yijian smiled and said: "This is a coincidence. The imperial court is also planning to wipe out the Dragon Slayer Association."
Bai Yutian said: "The common people are willing to be the pawns of the imperial court in destroying the evil organization called the Dragon Slayer Society."
Lu Yijian said: "I heard that the Dragon Slaying Society developed and grew with the help of the imperial court. If the imperial court came to eradicate it, it would feel like it was something you picked up by yourself. Once outsiders know about it, it would not be good for it to spread."
Bai Yutian said: "What mission does the prime minister have? The common people are willing to hear the details."
Lu Yijian chuckled and said, "I can't even talk about errands. But I heard two days ago that there is some kind of Justice Villa in Yingtian Mansion, and Jiang Yulang is posting some hero posts, saying that he is going to hold some kind of martial arts conference. If you are interested, It's better to go and participate and ask for a martial arts leader or something. If you can lead this gang of gangsters to destroy the Dragon Slaying Guild, it will be regarded as a contribution to the country and a contribution to the country. Afterwards, the truth will be reported to the court, and rewards will be given according to the merits. I’ll treat you well.”
Bai Yutian said: "To be honest with you, Prime Minister, I heard people say that the Dragon Slaying Association descends from the dragon slaying dragon. It has two envoys on the left and right, three guardians, six diamonds, and three walls and four elephants outside. I'm afraid that in some places, people from all walks of life will I can stretch out my hand but dare not touch it, my heart is full but my strength is not enough.”
Lu Yijian asked: "Three walls and four elephants?" After waiting for a moment, he said, "You don't need to take care of the three walls. Someone will help clean them up. You just need to eliminate the four elephants."
Bai Yutian stood up, bowed and clasped his fists, saying, "Master Prime Minister, do you have anything to ask me?"
Lu Yijian said: "Tell me about it."
The servant brought two cups of tea, and Bai Yutian drank one. He drank two sips with Mr. Lu, put down the tea cup and said: "To eliminate the Dragon Slaying Society, it is a matter of the world. It does not involve the court and does not alarm the government. If the Prime Minister can agree, With this small request from the common people, the common people are willing to do their best to persuade the heroes of the world to take it as their own duty to eradicate the scum of the martial arts world, Tu Long."
Lu Yijian's face changed: "Why, isn't the mighty Song Dynasty worth the service of you fools?"
Bai Yutian said: "Master Prime Minister, please calm down. The rivers and lakes are rivers and lakes, and the court is the court. People in the rivers and lakes do their own thing, and in the court they should follow the rules. People in the rivers and lakes are used to being lax, and they are afraid that with the favor of the court and becoming officials, their bad habits cannot be changed for a while. Come, it is against the divine grace. If there is a second dragon-slaying guild in the future, the villain will be blamed for his death. I hope the prime minister will learn from it!"
Lu Yijian said: "Bai Yutian, I think you are a very talented person. I want to cultivate him intentionally. You don't know what is good or what is bad."
Bai Yutian bowed and said: "Thanks to the Prime Minister for being so considerate, I would like to express my gratitude. However, the grass people's life longing is to become a wandering wild crane, not a canary in someone else's cage. I am afraid that I will not be able to live up to the Prime Minister's love. I hope the Prime Minister will forgive me."
Lu Yijian's face was unhappy, but he soon became relieved. He picked up the teacup and took a few sips. Then he put down the teacup and said, "Bai Yutian, is it because the imperial court suppressed your father Baitian Yu for no reason back then? As a descendant, you have people's complaints and you can't live with it." What about emotions? If this is the case, I am willing to report the truth to the Holy One and help your father avenge his injustice and restore his former prestige."
Bai Yutian was very surprised. As the minister of the imperial court, Lu Yijian was a very busy person, so how could he know everything about the affairs of the world? I accidentally asked: "Prime Minister, you have so many things to do every day, how come these trivial matters in the world cannot escape your notice?"
Lu Yijian smiled and said: "Bai Yutian, it's not like I have been an official in the capital all the time. I have been in charge of the place for a long time. Many traffickers and lackeys have been my relatives and friends. I know the sufferings of the people better than anyone. Let's talk about your father, It’s true that he was framed back then, but he was also partly to blame and couldn’t blame anyone else.”
Bai Yutian said: "Master Xiang, how do you say this?"
Lu Yijian said: "In the later period of his reign, the late emperor indulged in the practice of 'offering east to west' sacrifices. He visited the Confucius Temple in Qufu and the Taiqing Palace in Bozhou. He built palaces and temples to whitewash the peace and wasted the people and money. He also appointed Wang Qinruo, Ding Wei and others as prime ministers, and Liu The queen also gradually became involved in politics, which led to deepening social conflicts and occasional riots. Your father was located in the hinterland of the Central Plains and was deeply respected by heroes in the world. When he was in the spotlight, he raised his arms and knights and heroes responded one after another. The court was deeply afraid of him. He not only turned a deaf ear to his good intentions, but also didn't know how to restrain himself. Even if he is full of friends at home, if he is still surrounded by friends outside, how can the court trust him? "
Bai Yutian said: "But my father has always kept to himself. He only has a good reputation in the world of martial arts. He has never done anything harmful to the family and the country, let alone doing things like cutting down trees to become soldiers and raising poles to become flags. The imperial court preys on the people. Is it the so-called way of heaven to treat your own people like this by using their own money?"
Lu Yijian said: "People's hearts are not ancient. Who knows if your father will have second thoughts in the future and do things that harm the country and the people. In view of past lessons, the imperial court decided to strike first. At most, it is a precautionary measure. How can we do it? It's right or wrong. Besides, before taking action against him, he warned him repeatedly, but he turned a blind eye and couldn't blame others."
Bai Yutian said: "Prime Minister Lu, tell me the truth. If I lead the martial arts people to eradicate the Dragon Slaying Society, will I end up with the same fate as my father if I don't accept the imperial court's favor in the future?"
Lu Yijian said: "Whether you will end up with the same fate, I really don't know. However, as long as you are willing to accept the imperial court's favor and serve the imperial court wholeheartedly, how can the imperial court treat you badly?"
Bai Yutian said: "Prime Minister Lu, accept the imperial court's support. My father didn't do it back then, and I don't think I can do it either."
Lu Yijian said: "Then you will be lucky. For the sake of long-term peace and stability of the imperial court, when I saw that your father was determined not to accept the imperial court's recruitment, I could not bear to eradicate your father, which resulted in rivers of blood and countless deaths and injuries in the martial arts world. I was heartbroken afterwards. As for you, you probably have nothing to do with who you are. First of all, you are getting old and your health is not as good as before. Who knows how many more years you can live. I am afraid that I can’t do that kind of thankless stupid thing, and I don’t want to do it anymore. Secondly, I am really tired and tired. I can suppress this but not that. I can suppress within the country but not outside. If everyone can have enough food and clothing, have a good wife at home, have enough food in the barn, and have filial sons and grandsons. Xian; If it weren’t for the plowing cows who had no shelter and grass, and the hamsters would have enough food; if it weren’t for frequent natural disasters and the court’s inability to appease them, who would be willing to tie their heads to their belts and follow others to gather in rebellion.”
Bai Yutian said: "Master Prime Minister, there are many martial arts people with good intentions and few with bad intentions. If they can survive, who is willing to become an enemy of the imperial court and do things that involve a near-death life? What the people want is a peaceful and prosperous age, where they can live and work in peace and contentment. , there will be food to eat when you are alive, there will be a pit to bury you in when you die, and your life will go smoothly."
Lu Yijian stood up and said, "Let's go. Go to Kaifeng Mansion and tell him to let him go and make amends on my behalf."
Bai Yutian finished drinking the tea, stood up, bowed his head and said: "Thank you Prime Minister for your generosity, the common people will leave."
Lu Yijian turned around, facing away from Bai Yutian, and said, "Go."
"Common people, please retire." Bai Yutian said goodbye, came out of the study, and stepped away.
