villain

Chapter 514 Westward Journey (Part [-])
The rising sun shines brightly, illuminating the land of Sanqin.

It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and in the bright sunshine, Chang'an also ushered in the first imperial examination since the Han Dynasty.

This day is destined to be recorded in the history books.Early in the morning, the people who could not sleep after being frightened by the screams all night, cautiously opened the door.

On the long street, the bloodstains had been washed away by the Habayashi Army with water, but traces of blood could still be seen in some hidden corners.Other than that, nothing seemed to happen.Just after Maoshi, scholars who were notified by the officials of the Ministry of Rites that the imperial examinations would still be held as normal, flocked to the Gongyuan.Although it is not clear what exactly happened last night, who cares?

The normal holding of the imperial examination is enough to explain everything.

The Dong family is still there, and they are still the real masters of this Chang'an city.Many scholars passing by the gate of Prince Liang's mansion were all cautious.

Cao Pi, Xun Shi, and Xia Houba followed the crowd of scholars and walked towards the Gongyuan.

Along the way, the three of them were silent.The three of them knew everything that happened in Chang'an, even including the changes in the war situation in Kanto.

"Second Young Master, are we really going to take the imperial examination?"

Xia Houba followed beside Cao Pi.On the surface, Cao Pi is his school boy, but in fact, Xia Houba is acting as Cao Pi's bodyguard.The Gongyuan is just across the Yinma River. The gold characters on the black background are shining in the sun and can be seen from a long distance.

Cao Pi felt extremely bitter in his heart.

Xun Shi gave Xia Houba a white look, "At this point, do we have any choice? I can be sure that the identities of the three of us have been revealed. Although I don't know what King Liang's intentions are, as long as we have a little If you move, your head will fall to the ground immediately."

"King Liang, King Liang...you're easy to call."

Xia Houba was very angry, "Xun Shi, are you tempted and want to seek refuge with Dong Pi? Huh, your eyesight has changed so quickly."

Xun Shi took a look and sneered.

"If you keep the green hills, you will have firewood. It doesn't matter who you turn to, but how you can survive. Don't you have the guts? Then go kill Dong Yu, why take part in the scientific examination? You want to be a hero Just go by yourself, don't implicate me and the second young master."

"Xun Shi, you..."

"Xiahou, don't talk anymore!" The three of them had already walked on the bridge leading to the Gongyuan, and Cao Pi suddenly said, "Xun Shi is right. What we want now is to be able to protect ourselves. The situation in the Kanto, It doesn't matter if you don't say it... Father sent us here, maybe he didn't have the idea of ​​planning for a rainy day. Once the battle is defeated, if your family wants to survive, it depends on you and me.

Xiahou, from now on, you and I must forget what our fathers did.

We are the sons of the state now, the sons of the state who participated in the Chang'an imperial examination.If it works..."

Cao Pi didn't say any more, but he believed that Xia Houba could understand.At this time, Xuchang was captured, including the news of Xiahouyuan's death, which had not yet reached Chang'an.Oh, even if it is spread to Chang'an, it will not be widely spread until the end of the imperial examination.

Cao Pi walked down the bridge and saluted the soldiers guarding the road leading to the gate of the Gongyuan.

"Brother, let me find out... what happened last night?"

The soldier gave Cao Pi a cold look, "If you want to survive and seek fame, just focus on the scientific examination, don't ask random questions."

"Ah, brat is reckless, thank you brother for reminding me!"

Cao Pi retreated, walked with Xun Shi and others, and said in a low voice, "Let's go, Chang'an City will be named Dong from now on!"

Xun Shi Xiahou Ba looked at each other and nodded.

******
Everything in Chang'an remains the same.

Except that the Gongyuan was heavily guarded and some Habayashi soldiers patrolled the streets, nothing seemed to happen.

The twelve doors are open, and the interrogation is not too strict.

A carriage came from a distance, and the driver on the shaft was an old man in his seventies with white beard and hair.Bronze face, with the vicissitudes of the years.However, his complexion didn't seem very good, and he put his hand to his mouth from time to time, coughing lightly.

"stop!"

An uncle stopped the carriage, looked at the curtained carriage, and said in a deep voice, "Who is it? Where are you going? Who is in the carriage?"

"Ah, Lord Military!"

The old man got out of the car and coughed violently, making the doorman frown again and again.

When the old man approached him, Uncle Men's expression suddenly changed, and he slashed his long knife across his chest, "What are you doing, don't come close."

He is afraid, the old man is sick.

Diseases such as typhoid fever and tuberculosis are as terrible in this era as AIDS and cancer in later generations.The old man was very burly, but his complexion was really bad.Coupled with his constant coughing, the uncle was really a little scared, and unconsciously raised his caution.

But at this moment, the old man flipped his wrist, and a golden token appeared in his palm.

"you are……"

"I am the Commander of the Inspector Academy, under the order of my son, I have to go out of the city to do business."

The Procuratorate, as Dong Ji gradually came to the stage, has become known to people.According to the rank order of the Inspectorate, it is divided into many levels.

Among them, the upper third class is marked by the three-color token of gold, silver and copper.

Bronze tokens are named Sima; silver tokens are named chief officials; and those who hold gold tokens have the most distinguished status, ranking as captains, named hundreds of households, and can directly command soldiers and horses above the county level.However, the school lieutenant known to the outside world by these hundred households has already been known to people.

A hundred households are like imperial envoys.

Uncle Men was startled, quickly put away his long knife, and wanted to salute, but was stopped by the old man.

"The matter is urgent, we need to leave the city immediately. Please don't say anything... Do you understand if the news gets out and the matter is delayed?"

"The villain understands, understands!"

Uncle Men immediately agreed and waved his hand to signal the guards to let him go.

The old man got into the car and drove the horse out.After leaving the city, the carriage boarded the official road.The old man asked through the car curtain, "Your Majesty, where are we going?"

"Teacher Tong, let's... go west."

"understand!"

The old man is like the reins, shouting in his mouth.The carriage galloped on the official road, running for more than an hour, the horses pulling the carriage were sweating profusely and a little tired.Chang'an has been left far behind.There was a small forest ahead, and the old man drove the carriage and turned into it.

Opening the curtain, a person stepped out of the car.

His face was clear and handsome, but there was a sense of nobility between his brows... It was Liu Bian who had already been buried in the sea of ​​fire.

The old man is Tong Yuan.

Tong Yuan helped Liu Bian get out of the car, and then pulled out a person from the car, angrily shouted: "Girl dog, get down for me!"

The man was tied with a rope and a black cloth was stuffed in his mouth.At this moment, Liu Bian had already changed into civilian clothes, frowned at the side, showing a look of unbearable expression, and said softly: "Teacher Tong, don't do this... If it weren't for Yang Qian, how could you and I get out of the city?"

While talking, he stepped forward to untie Yang Qian, and took off the black cloth in his mouth.

Tong Yuan said: "This dog colluded with Dong thief and murdered the emperor. You still treat him like this? If you didn't stop me, I would have killed him."

Liu Bian smiled and stood up straight.

"Don't say any more, I believe that this matter has nothing to do with Dong Qing. Dong Qing... No, Brother Dong treats me like a brother. If it weren't for him, how could I regain the throne? If he wants to harm me, he doesn't need to go so far Big twists and turns. In fact, this matter... well, it is unavoidable. Teacher Tong, you are not in the position of Brother Dong and me, so you can't feel the pressure in the middle, which is very painful.

Brother Dong said that after the Kanto War is over, he will return to the Western Regions and never leave Hexi.

He's telling the truth...

But he is willing to do this, but it does not mean that those who follow him will agree.As long as Brother Dong left Chang'an, the fate of those people, even the fate of Brother Dong's family, would no longer be in his hands.I think Dong Ji must not be willing.

Comparing my heart to my heart, if I were my nephew, I'm afraid I wouldn't agree. "

Hearing what Liu Bian said, Tong Yuan couldn't help stomping his feet, "Your Majesty, Bandit Dong has harmed you to this extent, and you still speak for him?"

Liu Bian said softly: "Teacher Tong, what I said is the truth...and don't call me the emperor anymore. Since Tucheng imprisoned us, I am no longer the emperor. In fact, I am very grateful to Tucheng. He let I know that the so-called true destiny is nothing but nothing in the end."

After speaking, Liu Bian turned around, looked at Yang Qian and said, "Yang Qian, let's go."

"Emperor...master...you can't let this dog go. If he goes back and tells Dong Ji your whereabouts, you and I will be in danger."

Liu Bian said, "If it wasn't for Yang Qian, we wouldn't have discovered the secret path in the Buddhist hall; if it wasn't for Yang Qian, we wouldn't have been able to get out of the city; if it wasn't for Yang Qian, we might have returned to the palace, and the result...Teacher Tong , I believe that Yang Qian will never betray me."

Yang Qian raised his head, "Your Majesty..."

"Okay, let me get up. Didn't I say that I am no longer the emperor!"

Tong Yuan said: "Master, where are you going next?"

Liu Bian smiled, that smile was very bright, without the slightest falsehood, "Actually, I don't like being the emperor. I am intrigued all day long, and I am worried. Either I am worried that this person wants to take my throne, or I am afraid that that person will harm me. I did it." Your Majesty, it's very boring... After becoming the Emperor, Dong Qing and I gradually became estranged, and Xia Hou... also became a victim because of this battle for the throne.

Last night, I sat in the Buddhist hall and thought... If I were not the emperor, Xiahou would not die, and Dong Qing would not be alienated from me.

Master Tong, Dong Qing and I have known each other for twenty years since the second year of Zhongping.

In my heart, Dong Qing is like my elder brother.I also believe that in Dong Qing's heart, I am like his brother.Since ancient times, for the throne, father and son have become enemies, and husband and wife have turned against each other.After the Luoyang war, Dong Qing and I became separated. At that time... I was so sad.

Now, it's all over! "

As Liu Bian spoke, he opened his arms and took a deep breath of fresh air.

"Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. Walk the deep Prajna Paramita for a long time. See that all five aggregates are empty. Overcome all hardships.

……Color is empty.Empty is not different.Form is emptiness.Emptiness is form.Know what you want.It is also the same... It is the empty phase of all dharmas.Immortal.Unstained and unclean.No increase, no decrease...

Teacher Tong, all suffering in the world originates from the human heart.

I want to go to Tianzhu, learn the supreme Dharma, and experience the misery of the world... The Buddha in Tucheng, I only know now, is not the real Buddha! "

After Liu Bian finished speaking, he took a package from Tong Yuan and handed it to Yang Qian.

"Yang Qian, go back and give this to Dong Ji."

"Emperor...absolutely can't. This imperial jade seal cannot be held by the emperor. Are you going to give this country to the Dong family?

Don't forget, the prince is still here. "

There was a flash of pain in Liu Bian's eyes.

He closed his eyes, and asked in a low voice after a long time: "Teacher Tong, even if there is no jade seal, can that be prevented from happening?

The Han Dynasty, since Grand Master Dong, is over!
In fact, you and I both know this.If it weren't for Brother Dong, there would only be the Han Dynasty in Xuchang, not the Han Dynasty in Chang'an.

Over the years, Guanzhong has been greatly governed.But that's not my credit, it's Brother Dong's hard work...

Bowei is different from Big Brother Dong, he is ruthless, stronger than Big Brother Dong and me.In the same way, it will ascend to the throne, but it will not last.If Brother Dong is here, the Tong can still be preserved; if Brother Dong is gone, the Liu clan will inevitably face annihilation.

I gave this jade seal to Bowei today, in fact, I want to tell him... I can give this country to him, but please be merciful.

Bowe is a smart boy, he should understand what I mean.If this can't save Tong's life, then I can only say that my Liu family deserves to perish.This is God's will, and it is definitely not something that can be decided by a piece of jade seal, do you understand? "

Hearing this, Tong Yuan couldn't help but let out a long sigh.

Why didn't he know that what Liu Bian said was true?
But in his heart, he couldn't accept it after all.He has been loyal to the Han Dynasty all his life, but unexpectedly, he watched the Han Dynasty fall helplessly.

Tong Yuan opened his mouth, but finally said nothing.

Unexpectedly, Yang Qian suddenly said, "Master, you can't give this jade seal now."

"why?"

"Sooner or later, Dong Ji will discover the mechanism of the secret path of the Buddhist hall. If ordinary people think about it, if the master escapes but does not show up, he must be going to the Guandong. In this case, Dong Ji's attention will be on the southeast line, and he will ignore it. The checkpoint in the northwest. But if the old slave takes the jade seal back now, Dong Ji will know your whereabouts, master...

You are right, Prince Liang's son is different from Prince Liang, he is ruthless and will never let you go.

Therefore, this jade seal cannot be given to him.If you want to give it away, leave it to King Liang.Moreover, you must enter the Western Regions before you can make a move.

Although this old slave has taken refuge in Prince Liang, he has been deeply loved by the emperor for so many years and will never harm you.

I will go with the master, and after arriving in the Western Regions, I can pass this item to King Liang through Marquis Li.I believe Liang Wang will definitely see the mystery inside.Only in this way can the prince be preserved.Otherwise, your hard work will be in vain. "

No matter what Tong Yuan thinks of Yang Qian, but at this time, he has to say that Yang Qian's words are very reasonable.

"Master, what Yang Qian said is very true..."

"You...really want to go to Tianzhu with me?" Liu Bian looked at Yang Qian suspiciously, "Yang Qian, I heard people say that going to Tianzhu is a hundred and eight thousand miles away. There are many dangers on the road. Are you willing to give up the glory and wealth you are about to get, and go to Tianzhu with me?"

Yang Qian nodded, "When the master was prosperous, the old slave failed to do his duty; now the master... the old slave is willing to hand over the rest of his life to the master."

"And I!"

Tong Yuan said: "If the master doesn't dislike my old age and frailty, I also want to go west to Tianzhu to appreciate the mysteries of the true Buddha."

Liu Bian was speechless for a long time, and only said one sentence: "You guys... why bother?"

******
The big autumn exam came to an end at Youshi.

After the exams, the sons and disciples walked out of the Gongyuan in twos and threes.Those who are familiar with each other are talking about their experience in the exam.If you feel good, call your friends and go to the wine shop to get drunk.

The three of Cao Pi walked on the street together.

"Second son, let's have a drink." Xiahouba couldn't help but said.

Cao Pi shook his head, "Xiahou, go on your own. I'm not in the mood right now... When I was leaving the house just now, I heard from Yi Guozi that Liu Bei's soldiers and horses had rushed into Yingchuan, occupied Yangdi and Weishi, and surrounded Xuchang. .I really want to go back to Xuchang now."

Presumably that son of the state is a family member of an official in Chang'an.

Xia Houba and Xun Shi were taken aback when they heard this, "How is it possible, didn't you say that Uncle Cao's family stopped Xuzhou's army in Linying?"

Cao Pi coldly said, "How long ago did that happen. On the battlefield, the situation is ever-changing. After so many days, God knows what happened again? I said before that Uncle Cao can be the lord of a county." If I were the uncle of the Cao family, when Marquis Lu Wen sent troops to Runan, I would definitely attack and conquer Qiang, at least to push the front line to Runan.

It's a pity that Uncle Cao's...

Missed opportunity, missed opportunity! "

Both Xiahouba were silent.

Cao Pi can comment on Cao Ren in this way, but the two of them cannot.

Xia Houba thought for a while, "Many students are drinking in Yaoyue Tower today, and they invited us to go together. Why don't we go to Yaoyue Tower and find out?"

Cao Pi shook his head, "Go on your own, I want to go back to my residence, maybe my father will send someone to contact us."

Xun Shi also said: "Yes, I took the exam all day today, and it was really hard. I will go back with the second son, and I will trouble Xiahou to inquire about it."

"OK then!"

Xiahouba and Cao Pi parted ways and went to Yaoyue Tower for a banquet.

Cao Pi and Xun Shi walked slowly to the residence.They lived in the southwest corner of Chang'an, and when they were about to arrive, they saw many soldiers guarding the residence.Looking at the outfit, it is not the same as the Forbidden Army and Habayashi Army.But its equipment is not weaker than that of the regular army.

Cao Pi couldn't help but gasp.

He and Xun Shi glanced at each other, thinking: Is the Dong family going to attack us?
"Second Young Master, let's go..."

Cao Pi and Xun Shi turned their heads and wanted to leave, but they had just walked a few steps when they were stopped by someone.Twenty fighters appeared in their rear lane.

The leader is a young man, about seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Where are the two young masters going? Why don't you enter the house... Hehe, do you want to emulate Dayu's water control?"

"You are……"

The young man smiled, "Undoubtedly next week, he will be the supervisor of Prince Liang's family. Now, by order of His Majesty, I would like to invite the two young masters to tell you a story. The young master is now at the two young masters' homes, and I would like to invite the two young masters to give you a hard time. The prince has been waiting for a long time, I am afraid that he will be a little impatient."

Cao Pi and Xun Shi looked at each other with wry smiles.

What should come is coming!
"Then trouble Mr. Zhou, lead the way ahead..."

Cao Pi took a deep breath and straightened his chest.Even if I will be killed by Dong Ji in the next moment, but at this moment, I represent my father!
--------

Well, I've worked hard this month. I wonder if I can ask for a monthly pass?
(End of this chapter)