It's past noon. Under the tall city tower with blue tiles, there are soldiers in armor and stomach, holding spears in their hands and standing tall. Below the city tower, the gray city wall stretches to unknown ends, and in the middle, three wide doorways, one high and two low, are open, and people and horses are flowing in and out, creating a bustling scene.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and the huge shadow of the city gate shrouded the flow of people entering and exiting the city, crossing the suspension bridge and moat, and extending all the way to Yuan Ming's feet.
Staring at the familiar city gate, Yuan Ming raised his head slightly, and his eyes finally fell on the gray stone plaque above the doorway. There are only two vigorous and powerful characters "Qujiang" in the plaque.
Back then, it was under this plaque that Yuan Ming said goodbye to everyone who was seeing him off, and left the capital of the Jin Dynasty. He and Lin Junsheng led the mission to southern Xinjiang as envoys and deputy envoys, full of ambition and high spirits.
But now, things have changed and people have changed. He was silent for a moment, put away his messy thoughts, and walked towards the city. "Get out of the way!" Just after crossing the suspension bridge, Yuan Ming suddenly heard the sound of a riding whip and scolding behind him. He turned around and saw three or four soldiers in full body armor, riding tall horses, waving their whips, driving the people in front of the city gate.
Although they were ruthless, the riding whip did not hit the target, it was just a deterrent. And further away, a large group of carriages and horses came slowly, and the flags were spread out in the wind, revealing the word "Zhao".
Yuan Ming frowned slightly, but he didn't say much and moved out of the way like the frightened people beside him. Soon, a road opened in front of the city gate that was large enough for two carriages to run parallel to each other, and the motorcade holding the Zhao banner high also came over.
There were many people and horses in the convoy, and they were guarded by soldiers riding war horses in front and behind. Although the carriages in the middle were not gorgeous, the patterns and carvings on the carriages were simple and elegant, and they were definitely not suitable for ordinary people to ride. However, when he saw the decoration on the carriage and the flag with the character Zhao, a thoughtful look flashed across Yuan Ming's face.
As the motorcade approached, the city guards in front of the city gate seemed to become nervous. A soldier wearing a guard's armor hurriedly walked out of the city tower and went down to the city gate before the motorcade arrived.
The convoy stopped in front of the city gate. In the carriage at the front, a servant stepped forward and opened the curtain. Inside the carriage sat a gray-haired old man with a solemn expression. "Welcome to Marquis Zhao." The gate captain smiled and greeted the old man, and said with his hands raised to the old man.
At the same time, beside Yuan Ming, a man dressed as a businessman asked his companion in a low voice: Brother Lu, whose team is this? Why such a big pomp? "My companion looked around and lowered his voice: "Keep your voice down, this is General Jingbei's convoy. If we disturb them, your lives and mine won't be enough to compensate. "So domineering? I came from the south and you came to talk about it?" The merchant was surprised.
"You have never been to the north and you don't know that General Zhao has been guarding the border for many years, and I heard that he is domineering and famous." The companion said with awe. Beside him, Yuan Ming laughed hoarsely. He didn't know whether General Jingbei was domineering or not, but he remembered that when he was a child, General Zhao was a frequent visitor to his house and watched him grow up.
On the other side, General Zhao just nodded slightly to the gate captain, and the servant lowered the curtain. The motorcade slowly left, and the previous scene in front of the city gate soon returned to its previous state. But next to Yuan Ming, the two people were still talking: "But speaking of which, General Zhao has been guarding the border and has lived in the north for a long time. He rarely returns to the capital unless there is no big deal. Now that the country is far away, why did he suddenly bring his troops to the capital? ?”
"How do I know this? Something big must have happened in the court." The merchant man walked and talked with his companions. Yuan Ming had arrived at the city gate at this time. The city guard at the city gate asked: "Name?" "Yuan Ming." Yuan Ming replied.
"Yuan Ming? Mr. Yuan of the Yuan Mansion?" the city guard said in surprise. "Yes, exactly." Yuan Ming replied. When the city guard saw Yuan Ming's face clearly, he immediately shouted and wanted to hold Yuan Ming's hand excitedly. A person on the side said: "Yuan Ming? Mr. Yuan, it's really you! I heard before that you disappeared on an envoy to southern Xinjiang. I thought there was an accident, but I didn't expect that you are still alive!" Suddenly it seemed like I remembered something. Likewise, he patted his clothes and took out a roll of brocade silk from his arms.
There is an extremely exquisite book wrapped in brocade silk. There are four gilded characters printed on the cover of the book, "Mr. Sheng's Journey to the South." "Young Master's Journey to the South" came here, I didn't expect to meet you at the gate of the city."
The man's eyes were shining, and he held the hardcover book in front of Yuan Ming with great anticipation: "I wonder if I can ask you to sign the book? I will definitely treasure it!"
Yuan Mei couldn't resist his enthusiasm, so she had to take the book. When she wanted to sign it, she said: Sorry, I didn't bring a pen. "I just want to leave." Ah, I didn't think well, wait a minute.
The man slapped his head in annoyance, turned around and grabbed the person next to him: "Excuse me, can you lend me some pen and ink?" "Pen and ink? I go out to do errands, why do I bring those things?" The passerby was confused. Regarding his intention, he looked at him and Yuan Ming doubtfully, and his eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, are you Mr. Yuan Ming?" "Exactly, you just came back from southern Xinjiang." Yuan Ming said with a smile. "I watched "Master Sheng's Journey to the South" and it was really wonderful. Your experience was really full of ups and downs," the man said.
Before Yuan Ming could answer, passers-by realized that he had no pen and ink. Like the man just now, he turned around and asked for pen and ink. In this way, a large group of people surrounded Yuan Ming. The commotion in front of the city gate quickly attracted the attention of the gate captain. "Get out of the way, stop crowding around, what's going on here... Mr. Yuan?" He directed the city guards to push through the crowd, and when he saw Yuan Ming's appearance clearly, he also shouted in surprise.
Yuan Ming was a little puzzled: "You also recognize me?" "Of course! Mr. Yuan, when you took the envoy out of the city, I was on duty! Although you look different and taller, I still recognize you. . No, after you disappeared, all the books you wrote were sold out, and some editions are even harder to find!" The gate captain immediately smiled with a smile on his face, and at the same time commanded his men to separate the crowd.
Yuan Ming couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing this. He often heard that the value of paintings doubled after the death of an artist. This time it was his turn.
At this time, one person in the crowd tried desperately to squeeze in and shouted: Mr. Yuan, I have found pen and ink! The guard's face darkened, and he turned around to scold him, but Yuan Ming stopped him: "It doesn't matter, let him come over. I promised to sign it for him." "Master Yuan is still so kind-hearted. The gate captain complimented him and ordered his men to get out of the way.
Yuan Ming took the book, wrote words of encouragement to his daughter on it, and signed his name. The man then stepped back with a silly smile. Seeing this, the crowd became even more excited. Many people also found books of the same style from nowhere, and shouted that they wanted to get the pen and ink left by Yuan Ming. "Mr. Yuan, is the journey to the south you wrote true?"
"Master Yuan stayed. For a time, the pressure on the city guards increased greatly. Seeing this, Yuan Ming said loudly: "Everyone, I understand your feelings. It's just that I have been away for many years and just returned to Beijing today. I care about Gaotang's parents and I really can't stay any longer. I hope you will understand. After a few days of rest like this, I will go to Tianming Bookstore to talk to you again. "
Hearing this, the crowd erupted into chaotic shouts, mostly words of understanding. The gate captain wiped his sweat and quickly asked his men to escort Yuan Ming into the city. But as soon as he passed through the city gate, Yuan Ming heard another cry like a mountain roar and a tsunami.
The wide streets were crowded with people, and the turbulent flow of people blocked the city gate. Whether they were literati, elegant guests, or traffickers, they were all crowded in the crowd at this time, tiptoeing desperately, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yuan Ming's style. .
Yuan Ming was also startled by the sight in front of him. He thought to himself that he was not that famous before he disappeared. He turned his head and smiled bitterly: "It seems that I need to trouble you to send some people to inform the general's mansion and let them come over." Open the way."
"Why trouble the people in the General's Mansion for such a trivial matter? I happen to have some extra people under my command, so let them send Young Master Yuan back." The gate captain patted his chest and said.
Soon, he called several free city guards and asked them to escort Yuan Ming all the way to the General's Mansion. The city guards holding weapons frightened the crowd and finally opened up a passable path for Yuan Ming to walk through.
Even so, there were still many people crowded on both sides of the road. The restaurants and teahouses on the street also opened their windows. The diners came to the windows and curiously looked at the situation outside when they saw Yuan Ming being escorted past. , everyone became inexplicably excited.
Soon, news spread throughout the capital that Yuan Ming, the only son of Zhennan General Yuan Zuochong, the best-selling author in the capital, had returned safely from southern Xinjiang after missing for several years. Jingbei General's Mansion, Jingbei Marquis Zhao Jisheng stepped out of the carriage with the help of his servants, and was about to enter the mansion when he heard the noise coming from the street avenue.
He frowned slightly, and immediately there were soldiers beside him who went to inquire about the news. After a while, the general returned with information. After listening to his report, Zhao Jisheng's face flashed with surprise, and then he smiled sincerely.
"Hey, boy Yuan, let me just say that he is blessed with good fortune!" He waved his hand to the side: "Come here, prepare a gift to send to the Yuan Mansion, and also send a greeting card to say that I will not see you soon. I’m going to visit.”
At the same time, the shopkeeper of Tianming Book Club was arranging manpower to put the hardcover version of "Sheng Gongzi's Journey to the South" on the sold-out bookshelf, when a clerk suddenly stumbled in. "Shopkeeper, it's a big deal, it's a big deal!" "Why are you making such a fuss? What if the guests are disturbed?" the shopkeeper of the book club scolded.
The waiter was out of breath. He rested on his knees for a moment, then swallowed and said, "Good news, the shopkeeper is Mr. Yuan. Mr. Yuan is back!" Mr. Yuan? Which Yuan? The shopkeeper of the book club was stunned, and stepped forward to grab the clerk's arm: "You are talking about Yuan Ming, Master Yuan, right?
"That's him. Rumors are going crazy on the street that Mr. Yuan has come back from southern Xinjiang after going through many hardships!" The waiter nodded quickly. The shopkeeper of the book club immediately laughed: "Okay, okay! Quick, arrange people to go out and promote it immediately, saying that in order to celebrate Mr. Yuan's return, all books in the store will be sold at 10% off, no, 20% off!" Under his instructions, the clerk in the store was very happy. They almost dispersed, and the owner of the book club couldn't express the excitement in his eyes. Your Majesty, Mr. Yuan is finally back!
