The team marched for more than an hour, and a market town appeared in front of them. At this moment, the sun's shadow was moving westward, and Scarface rode up from behind and said, "Your Majesty, are you going to camp in the town in front tonight?" Li Zhiyun nodded and said, "Yes, but don't go into the market town to disturb the people. Find an open space outside the town and set up camp."
"yes!"
The team stopped outside the town, and the soldiers began to set up tents and bury pots to make food. As the sun sets in the west, the sunset is as bright as a ball of fire, as if God wants to light a fire for cooking. Duan Que came over to Li Zhiyun and said, "Your Majesty, there's still some time before dinner, let's go for a walk in the town?"
Li Zhiyun estimated that the alcohol bug in Duan Que's stomach was starting to get restless. He is a drunkard by nature and never drinks water, only wine. He carried a skin bag with him, filled with wine, and when he was thirsty, he took it out and drank a few sips. Along the way, there were many mountains and rivers, and there were few villages and towns. His wine bag would probably be empty long ago.
Li Zhiyun agreed, took two subordinate officers and Ying Gu, plus a few guards, and walked towards the town with Duan Que.
The group entered the town and walked on the streets. There are thousands of households in this town. In the evening, there are occasional pedestrians coming and going on the street. No one is making any noise and it seems very quiet. What makes Li Zhiyun strange is that the residents of the town seem to be afraid of them and avoid them when they see them. Someone on the opposite side walked over with their heads lowered. When they accidentally looked up and saw them, they were so horrified that they quickly turned around and walked back. There were two children playing at the door of a house on the street. Aunt Ying saw that the two children were cute and walked over to talk to them. The woman from that house rushed out like crazy, picked up the two children and went into the house. , the door closed with a bang.
Everyone was confused. Zhang Zheng frowned and said, "What's wrong with the people in this town? How come they are hiding from the plague when they see us?" Cai Hu asked, "Is it because they are not used to seeing outsiders?" Li Zhiyun shook his head. , said: "This town is located in a plain area, with roads extending in all directions and not blocked. There must be other reasons for the people here to avoid us."
As he was talking, Duan Que saw a wine shop on the roadside and quickly walked in. Li Zhiyun and the others had no choice but to follow. There was a waiter wearing a cloth hat cleaning the table in the store. When he saw them, he was shocked and asked nervously, "What are you going to do?"
"What are you doing?" Duan Zhen asked in surprise, "What else can you do in a wine shop? Just drink!"
The waiter breathed a sigh of relief and said quickly: "We are closing and no longer selling alcohol. You should leave quickly!" After that, he drove them out. Duan Zhen was not happy anymore and glared: "If you open a wine shop and don't sell wine, you still have to chase customers away. Are you doing this kind of business?"
"We're really closing down."
Li Zhiyun was afraid that Duan Que would quarrel with the other party, so he quickly advised: "Forget it, since they are going to close, let's go." After that, he led the way out of the wine shop. As soon as they went out, the clerk ran to the door and set up the door panel to close it. Duan Que walked at the back, seemingly unwilling to do so, and ran back again, stretched out one leg to block the threshold and said, "I'm thirsty. Give me a bowl of wine to quench my thirst, otherwise I won't let you go to the door."
"Why are you acting like a rogue?"
"I just acted like a rogue, what's wrong?"
The waiter had no choice but to turn around and go in. After a while, a coarse porcelain bowl was brought. Duan Que took it, drank the wine in the bowl in one breath, and let out a long sigh of relief. He handed back the porcelain bowl, touched his sleeves and said, "How much is it?"
"I don't want money, just leave!"
After Duan Que got out of the way, the clerk quickly installed the remaining door panels.
The group continued walking forward. At this time, a Taoist priest wearing a navy blue cotton preaching robe and a Xiaoyao scarf came over from the opposite side. He looked young, about twenty years old. This Taoist priest did not turn around and walk back when he saw them like others, but walked over calmly.
Li Zhiyun came up to greet him and said: "This Taoist priest, you are polite." When the Taoist priest saw him, he quickly returned the courtesy: "I am a poor Taoist, you are polite."
Li Zhiyun politely said: "I would like to ask, is Taoist Master a local?" The Taoist priest nodded and said: "Bi Guan is on Yulong Mountain two miles away. I wonder what happened to the good man?" Li Zhiyun said quickly: "We I came from Jinyang. I don’t know the customs and customs here. I would like to ask the Taoist priest a few questions. Is it okay?” The Taoist priest had a kind face and was not like the kind of person who refuses people thousands of miles away. That’s why Li Zhiyun dared to ask him rashly. Condition. Sure enough, the Taoist priest said kindly: "Good people have something to say, but there is no harm in saying it."
"We are outsiders and have nothing to do with the residents of this town. But when they see us, they avoid us. I don't know why?"
The Taoist priest smiled and said: "You have asked the right person. Except for me, a monk, ordinary people will never talk to you."
"Please give me some advice, Taoist Master."
"Since you are coming from Jinyang, you must have passed through Black Wind Forest, right?"
"Black Wind Forest?" Li Zhiyun pondered for a moment, guessing that the other party was referring to the forest filled with gloomy wind and mist, so he nodded.
The Taoist priest lowered his voice and said, "About three months ago, Zhu Can's army was stationed there." When Li Zhiyun heard this, he was surprised and said hurriedly: "You mean, Zhu Can's army was responsible for the cannibalism. ?" The Taoist priest nodded, glanced at the guards behind Li Zhiyun, and said: "Your guards are wearing armor and carrying swords. They are soldiers at first sight. Therefore, you should know why the people in the town are afraid of you. Bar?"
After Li Zhiyun thanked him, the Taoist priest walked away. Zhang Zheng, Cai Hu and several guards began to discuss in low voices. Duan Que suddenly slapped his head and said: "I remembered that when Duan was in Chang'an, he heard rumors that Zhu Can's army cannibalized people. I didn't believe it at all at the time and thought it was a rumor. I really didn't expect it. true!"
Li Zhiyun was also very surprised and murmured: "I didn't expect that the man-eating demon turned out to be Zhu Can." Duan Que suddenly burst into laughter, shook his head and said: "The emperor actually named this demon Wu King, it’s so funny!”
Zhang Zheng came over and asked worriedly: "Your Majesty, are we still going to Jutan?" Li Zhiyun pondered for a moment and said resolutely: "No matter what, the task assigned to us by our father must be completed! Besides, the prodigal son will not be rewarded for his return." , we don’t have to investigate the past things, if Zhu Can can change his evil ways and do good things from now on, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Early the next morning, the team broke camp and continued to advance. After two days of marching, they arrived at Guantang Town, ten miles away from Jutan (now Neixiang County, Henan Province). Li Zhiyun had already sent someone to notify Zhu Can, and the envoy sent by Zhu Can was waiting for them on the official road outside the town.
The large group of people stopped, Li Zhiyun got off his horse, and a guard led the envoy to see him. After the envoy saluted, he said: "His Royal Highness the King of Chu, the King of Wu has ordered that the army be stationed in Guantang Town. Please ask the King of Chu and his deputy to bring their entourage into the city." Upon hearing this, Li Zhiyun thought to himself that Zhu Can would not allow the new army to enter the city. Come on, still wary of them. It's no wonder that he just surrendered and doesn't know much about the Tang Dynasty, so it's normal to be wary. Guests and hosts followed suit, so Li Zhiyun ordered the new army to camp in the open space outside the town. He and Duan Que took Zhang Zheng, Cai Hu, Yinggu and dozens of other entourages to follow the envoy to Jutan City.
The group of people marched for about half an hour and arrived outside Jutan City. From a distance, Li Zhiyun saw a large group of people gathering outside the city gate. When I arrived, I saw a middle-aged man in his forties standing at the front of the crowd. He was of medium height and looked a little fat. He had a big face, two thick black eyebrows, a pair of narrow pig eyes, and a garlic nose. , thick lips, big mouth, and a messy beard on his chin. Li Zhiyun guessed that this person should be Zhu Can.
Next to Zhu Can, stood a young woman. She looked to be seventeen or eighteen years old, with gleaming skin, a bun with clouds and crows, pink cheeks and hazy eyes. She was wearing a tight-fitting military uniform and a scarlet cloak, making her look heroic and eye-catching.
Li Zhiyun dismounted and handed the reins to the guard. Duan Que also got off the carriage and walked to Li Zhiyun's side. The two of them straightened their clothes and followed the messenger forward. The envoy introduced the two parties. Zhu Can smiled and held his hands in his arms and said: "King Chu, you have worked hard all the way. I have been waiting for you for a long time. Come, I will introduce you to you." After that, he pointed to the woman beside him and said: "This is my little daughter Zhu Feng'er."
Zhu Feng'er smiled and clasped her fists and said: "His Royal Highness King Chu, Deputy Envoy Duan, Feng'er is polite." The two of them quickly returned the courtesy.
Zhu Can turned around and pointed at a scribe standing behind him who was wearing a green robe and a silk scarf and said: "This is Mr. Lu Congdian Lu. He was the Zuo Lang of the Sui Dynasty. I invite him here." Come and be guests." Li Zhiyun and Duan Que hurriedly exchanged greetings with Lu Congdian. Zhu Can pointed to a scholar in his thirties, slender, fair-skinned, and full of civilized spirit and said: "This is Yan Minchu, the general secretary of the Sui Dynasty. His father is Yan Zitui." .”
Yan Zhitui? Li Zhiyun knows this person, and his "Yan Family Instructions" is well-known to every household. Li Zhiyun also knew that Yan Zhitui was Yan Zhenqing's ancestor. No matter how bad his calligraphy was, Yan Zhenqing's name was still well known. Yan Zhenqing lived in the middle and late Tang Dynasty, more than a hundred years ago. Since this Yan Minchu is the son of Yan Zhitui, he should also be the ancestor of Yan Zhenqing. Li Zhiyun couldn't help but respect him and bowed his hands in greeting. .
Then, Zhu Can introduced several of his generals to them, and then invited everyone to enter the city. Li Zhiyun took his entourage and followed Zhu Can and others through the city gate and into the city. He found that although Jutan City was not too big, it was still bustling and lively.
When they arrived at the crossroads, Zhu Can said to Li Zhiyun: "King Chu, please go to the post house and settle down first. It's been a hard journey for you. You will have a day off tomorrow. I have already made arrangements. I will help King Chu preside over the canonization ceremony the next day." Li Zhiyun He hurriedly said: "The King of Wu is too polite. I will let everything be arranged by the King." Zhu Feng'er came over and said, "Dad, let my daughter take King Chu and the others to the post house!" Zhu Can nodded and said goodbye to Li Zhiyun. , and left with his people.
