The rain gradually decreased and the dark clouds dispersed, revealing a clear blue sky.
The sun shines on the river, rendering golden water patterns, floating and sparkling.
Beside the Luo River, the heat wave continued to climb higher and flames spread out. The heart of flames was wrapped in scorched black masses, including dead horses and private soldiers, as well as chariots turned into charcoal.
Lang Jia faithfully carried out Lin Heng's order and slaughtered the four private soldiers headed by the Xian family without leaving any one behind.
Xian Huan and other nine people were pierced through the chest with short spears and their heads were chopped off. They were all packed into wooden boxes and piled on the carriage behind the cavalry.
Tao Lian drove side by side with Lin Heng, carefully choosing his words and sentences during the conversation without any carelessness. The previous scene shocked his mind, and the shock lingered for a long time.
He felt the pressure from Lin Heng.
The boundless killing intent and terrifying blood, cold and sharp, can kill with one blow. It is cleverly wrapped in silk, which is extremely confusing and makes people shudder.
"Your Majesty's old illness has recurred, so I will stop going to court today." Tao Lian thought carefully and decided to explain the Marquis of Jin's attitude honestly so that Lin Heng could be more prepared.
"When the young master returns to the country, he should go out of the city to greet him according to the etiquette, and build a high platform to perform sacrifices. However, the king is lying on the couch, and there is no decree in the palace. Zong Hezhu dare not make a decision."
The Marquis of Jin has been addicted to wine and sex all year round, and has never let go of the power in his hands.
There is a Hu family who is domineering and has a group of powerful people under his command, but he never dares to disobey the Marquis of Jin, let alone do it in person or in secret. The vassal states used treacherous and sycophantic power to shake the country's foundation at every turn, but the situation of Jin State was extremely special and could be called a unique school.
"Today, I don't like to honor the old. I have successively promoted the Hu clan, the Lu clan and other clans, and divided the power of the old ministers. It is inevitably chilling."
Tao Lian's voice was low and he looked sideways at Lin Heng, hoping to get some clues from his expression.
He was disappointed.
Lin Heng was sitting behind the car window, his eyes slightly lowered, his expression unchanged. Occasionally, he would cough twice and his spine would tremble slightly, which clearly showed his weakness.
"I have been in Shangjing for many years, and my eyes and ears are closed and I don't know the country. I still need Dr. Tao to give me some advice."
Lin Heng drank half a cup of warm water to suppress the itching in his throat. The voice was a little hoarse and the tone was unhurried, which unexpectedly eased Tao Lian's anxiety and gradually calmed him down.
"Young Master has your destiny, Lian dare not resign."
Tao Lian immediately realized that his behavior was inappropriate.
Young Master Heng has not yet entered the city and has not seen the Marquis of Jin. This test seems a little too hasty.
After correcting his mentality, Tao Lian took the initiative to change the topic and talked about the scenery in Beijing, so as to shorten the distance between them. The words also mentioned festival sacrifices, and every link was detailed.
"When he was young, Lian went to Shangjing with his father. When the princes paid tribute to the emperor, the nine gates of Shangjing were opened day and night. The city was filled with people and cars moving like dragons."
Seeing that Lin Heng was very interested, Tao Lian liked him and vividly recounted the grand occasion of the festival.
"Giant oxen were brought to the north, elephants were presented to the south, rhinoceros was brought to the west, and falcons were brought to the east. The processions bringing sacrifices filed into the city, and the excitement lasted for two months."
At that time, the emperor conquered the world and his military exploits were shining brightly. The princes and states are willing to be their subjects, and all the dogs, Rong, Yi and Qiang surrender.
"The altar is three feet high, and a tripod is set up on it. The emperor leads the princes to climb up and throw sacrifices into the tripod to pray to heaven and extend the destiny of the country."
"I didn't see an altar when I went to Beijing." Lin Heng recalled the layout of Shangjing, including inside and outside the palace, but there was no altar as Tao Lian mentioned.
"The altar has been dismantled a long time ago, so the young master will naturally not be seen." Tao Lian chuckled and explained, "The former emperor was outstanding in martial arts and was admired all over the world. Now the emperor is mediocre, lacks achievements in military and political affairs, and the princes will demand prostitution without going to court. How can we be convinced? oral."
Lin Heng's hand holding the lamp paused slightly, surprised by Tao Lian's straightforwardness.
When I went to Beijing, I saw many people talking about honey and swords. I was used to singing praises to the emperor. I was shocked when I first heard these remarks.
"Young master, there is no need to be surprised."
Seeing Lin Heng's expression, Tao Lian smiled even more.
"The Jin Dynasty was founded with military exploits. The first king of the Jin Dynasty once drove a chariot for the emperor and helped the emperor to slaughter the Qiang and Hu. The whole country was martial, and those who were not tyrannical would win the hearts of the people."
The conflicts between the old and new clans in the Jin Kingdom are sharp, with arguments and arguments taking place every day, and armed conflicts are commonplace.
It is extremely difficult for the two political forces to reconcile, but they never disagree on one thing, their views on military merit.
"While the prince was in Beijing, the eldest son was allowed to attend the court. No matter how much the Hu family jumped up and down, the people of the country never recognized him." Tao Lian suppressed his smile and looked solemn, "The king can favor his concubines and concubines, but he cannot force the people of the country. So far, the young master has no military exploits, and the higher you push him, the harder he will fall."
Tao Lian's eyes were piercing, and every word he spoke spoke loudly.
He was making his attitude clear to Lin Heng.
The alliance between the Tao family and the Zhi family would inevitably support Lin Heng and become his spear and shield. If Lin Heng ascends to a high position in the future, the clan that supports him will also grow stronger.
On the surface it is friendship, but in reality it is an exchange of interests, a fair transaction.
"Thank you, Doctor Tao, for the tip."
Lin Heng leaned against the window, bathing in the refreshing feeling after the rain. Looking far into the distance, you can vaguely see the towering city walls. That is the majestic city standing on the plain, the heart of Jin State, Suzhou City.
As they get closer to the capital, the team speeds up.
Horse hooves trampled on the dirt road, leaving messy traces.
The wheels were stuck in the mud, and the manu waved his whip vigorously. The whips exploded one after another, which merged with the neighing of the war horses and was drowned by the sound of rushing water.
Tao Lian noticed the cart covered with cloth, thought of the letter from Jinyang, and thought that the cart contained gold, jade, silk and other items. He secretly decided in his heart that if Master Heng liked it, he would open the storeroom to collect treasures as gifts as soon as he returned home.
Tao owns jade and gold mines and is considered wealthy among the clan. Otherwise, we will not be able to raise thousands of private soldiers, let alone take root in Suzhou City. We have the same Fox clan, and we will never fall behind when you come and go.
"Young master likes jade?" Tao Lian asked tentatively.
Following his gaze, Lin Heng knew that he had misunderstood, so he explained: "The car is indeed jade and silk. I rely on my uncle's help to give it to the imperial concubine and several concubines. There is also another gift. Just for my father."
Lin Heng held his chin with one hand, his expression was casual, and there was deep meaning between the lines.
Tao Lian turned his head to look at him, doubts appearing in his heart, guessing the purpose of this move, and then overturning the answers one after another.
As the team moved forward, the servants and private soldiers who chased them out of the city turned back first, returned to the city as quickly as possible, and reported to the family leader a strange battle on the banks of the Luo River.
"Shoot the arrow now."
“The fire cannot be extinguished by the rain.”
"Not a single one of the two hundred private soldiers was left alive. Xian Huan and nine others fell in ambush and executed him, and his head was chopped off."
Recalling the tragedy on the riverside, the screams still seemed to be flowing in my ears. The servants were lying on the ground, trembling uncontrollably.
Youhu Dan frowned deeply and didn't say a word for a long time.
Youhuda was thoughtful, his eyes darkening slightly.
Youhuxian looked ugly, clenched his fist and smashed it on the case, shouting angrily: "That's nonsense!"
The double spear soldiers guarding Lin Heng came from Jinyang and were originally the private soldiers of the Zhi family. Although this private soldier has superb riding skills, he cannot draw a bow immediately. And the fire burning in the rain. How can there be such a strange thing in the world? The flame will not be extinguished when exposed to water. It is simply the most ridiculous thing in the world!
Seeing that the fox seemed unwilling to believe it, the servant kowtowed repeatedly and swore that he was not lying.
"Everything I say is true, I saw it all with my own eyes!"
Youhuxian was about to get angry, but Youhuda held him down.
"Be patient and don't be impatient."
As soon as he finished speaking, there was a rush of footsteps, and several diners arrived hand in hand, and the news they told surprised the father and son.
"The veterans gathered in the city and went to the city gate to welcome Young Master Heng!"
"What?!"
Youhu Xian suddenly straightened up, and Youhu Da and Youhu Dan also suddenly changed their colors.
"Is there a decree coming from the palace?" Youhuda said in a deep voice.
"Nothing." The doorman shook his head with a bitter look on his face.
It is precisely because there is no will from the king that this matter appears to be extraordinary.
The Marquis of Jin did not issue an order, and the Xunjiu clan jointly went out of the city to welcome him, which was simply unscrupulous. Seriously, it was clearly a challenge to the authority of the Marquis of Jin.
Before the father and son could make a decision, families allied with the Youhu family sent people one after another to inquire about how to deal with the matter.
"The Tao family, the Yong family, the Fei family, etc. sent their eldest sons out of the city. The master of the family ordered his servants to ask, what should be done?"
What should be done?
The father and son of the Hu family said nothing, their faces as dark as water.
The conflict between them and the old clan is getting deeper and deeper, and they are completely irreconcilable. Xun Jiu united and left the city, so they naturally stood still. Anyway, the two sides have already broken up, so it might as well put everything on the table.
But there is one thing to be aware of.
"Pay attention to the palace, and pay attention to Mrs. Guotai."
"promise."
The new clan received replies one after another, and they were in agreement with the Youhu clan. They all stayed at home and turned a blind eye to the returning Young Master Heng.
In the palace, the Marquis of Jin was sitting on the couch, and a waiter was lying on the ground, reporting to him the situation in the city.
"Tao family, Yong family, Tian family, Fei family?"
Knowing the first three, the Marquis of Jin was not surprised at all as he expected. When the waiter mentioned Fei's name, he suddenly sat upright, his eyes flashing fiercely.
"Okay, that's great!"
He had been suffering from head ailments for many years and had repeatedly sought treatment from Fei, but he could not get what he wanted even though he paid a lot of money.
Now that Lin Heng has returned, Fei Jing sent his eldest son out of the city to welcome him.
The Marquis of Jin felt so humiliated that he became furious on the spot. He grabbed the Ruyi beside the pillow and threw it out, hitting the waiter on the head with precision.
Ruyi rolled to the ground, and the waiter's head was smashed, and he was bleeding profusely.
"Drag it out."
The Marquis of Jin couldn't get rid of his anger, and his soothing headache began to become severe again.
Two waiters bent down and walked in, carefully dragging the unconscious waiter away.
Blood flowed down the waiter's cheek, dripping onto the ground. It was quickly wiped clean by the cleaning attendant, leaving no trace.
In the south hall of the palace, where the royal wife lived, the servant who was probing his head was captured by the maid and escorted to the palace.
"No need to judge, just pluck out the tongue, tie it up and throw it into the flower pond."
The internal history is about 10 years old. He wears a cloth crown and has a clear face. He has served Mrs. Guotai for many years and has always been loyal and highly trusted by Mrs. Guotai.
The waiter took advantage of the benefits to spy on the news, and occasionally sent messages for the Youhu family. Not thinking that he would lose his life, he was so frightened that he burst into tears on the spot.
"Spare your life, I..."
As soon as the waiter begged for mercy, two strong servants grabbed his arm and removed his chin. A tall and thin maid stepped forward, inserted her calloused fingers into the waiter's mouth, and skillfully dragged them outward.
Naishi turned and walked through the corridor, leaving this scene behind him.
Mrs. Guotai has lived in the palace for a long time and does not easily interfere with the government affairs. This does not mean that she is far away from power. She has in her hands the soldiers left behind by the late king, and the king does not dare to look down upon them.
Mrs. Li and the young master tried to please her, but they were unable to do so and only aroused disgust. Now that Young Master Heng has returned safely, Xun Jiu has gathered to welcome him, and the situation in the palace, court and country is destined to change.
"got windy."
Naishi stepped up the steps and encountered a cold wind blowing through the corridor.
Suppressing the hem of his sleeves that swelled in the wind, he couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth and quicken his steps as he thought of Mrs. Guotai's dissatisfaction with the Marquis of Jin for favoring his concubines.
