Huang Fu Ren was tall, with a waxen horse face, goatee beard, and a gaze as sharp as a knife. He arched his hand and said, "Grand Chief Han, I have a secret edict, please also speak Alone." Without waiting for Han Qinhu to reply, he waved his hand for the four attendants to retreat.
Han Qinhu also waved his hand at Han Zhong. Han Zhong retreated.
Huang Fu Ren took off his sword and set it down on the weapon rack by the hall door, saying, "Since I have boarded the Grand Master's residence, you must still follow the rules."
Han Qinhu guided him to his seat. Huang Fu Ren didn't declare an edict either, looked around and said, "Rumour has it that Grand Master Han's martial arts hall is extremely luxurious, but why is it that even the big candles aren't lit, and only small candles are used? It seems that the rumours are mostly untrue, hahaha."
Han Qinhu heard the tone, meaning that He doesn't light candles at night. It's unusual. He must be up to no good.Immediately replied: "General Huangfu night passes the edict,Han too late to prepare, lost etiquette, but also please forgive the general." Said a bow, considered to make amends.
Huang Fu Ren's eyes flickered and his nostrils opened and closed, "Is it possible that the Grand Master is slaughtering livestock to reward his soldiers today? The smell of blood is so strong!"
Han Qinhu coughed, dragged out the copper basin from under the table, sighed: "The saint ordered me to oversee the military affairs of the north of the Yangtze River, the chores are tedious, which led to the recurrence of the old disease, so I couldn't help but vomit a few mouths as my blood and qi churned. The general is so clear-sighted that he even sniffs out such a subtle point, Han admires it."
Huang Fu Ren nodded: "No wonder the Grand Master is not looking well! The Emperor has a handwritten edict here, so please have a look at it, Grand Master." Saying so, he pulled out the silk silk from his arrow sleeve and handed it to Han Qinhu.
Han Qinhu got up and knelt down, took it with both hands and read it under the candlelight. There were only a few words in the hand edict:
As you can see, I've sent Huang Fu Ren as an envoy to Jiangbei to arrest the criminal Ouyang Xinde. Ouyang has an old relationship with you, so don't let your personal interests interfere with your public duties, please!
Han Qinhu looked, heart mirror bright. The emperor did not point out the matter of the illegitimate son, but clearly to lock up Ouyang Xinde, naturally already clear about the original reason. However, Huang Fu Ren's brother Huang Fu Jiong killed by Ouyang Xinde outside the city, it seems not all the way. As for Ouyang Xinde and his own friendship, when both served under the banner of Yang Jian, the conquest also the same camp against the strong enemy, is not a secret.
So he said, "Back to the secret envoy, Ouyang Xinde is far away in the Central Plains, how could he come to Jiangbei? If I see this man, I will lock up and send him to the capital to be sentenced by His Majesty."
"Listening to what the Grand Master means, Ouyang Xinde hasn't been here?" A hint of suspicion flashed in Huang Fu Ren's eyes.
"Listening to the secret envoy, it seems like Ouyang Xinde has been here?" Han Qinhu looked pouty.
"The Son of Heaven is holy and wise, and will not wrongly accuse Lord Han!" Huang Fu Ren put up his horse face, "Three days ago, this envoy detected Ouyang Xinde's trail in Xuzhou, and is fleeing towards Luzhou. The Grand Master and this person are close friends, the court and the countryside are all aware of this, if he doesn't defect to you, where will he go?"
Han Qinhu said angrily, "Huangfu Ren, you want to plant evidence, don't you? It's true that you're a secret envoy, but speak with solid evidence! I have just learnt that Ouyang Xinde is a criminal. Before that, I would have treated him as a good friend if he had come here, but why do you make it sound like I'm deceiving the king? Do you think I'm a bully?"
Huang Fu Ren froze. Indeed, Han Qinhu couldn't pick half a fault with what he said. Only after a long time did he say, ''Grand Master Han, I'm sorry! You are the pillar of the country, how can you abolish the public because of selfishness, and do this kind of thing that involves all the nine clans? But I did detect this thief to Luzhou. The big chief supervisor of Jiangbei, please send people to investigate, I can also return to the capital to resume."
"Brother Huangfu said so early, I dare not follow orders?" Immediately got up and went out, called Han Zhong into the hall, said Ouyang Xinde appearance, let him send out the night patrol soldiers, overnight thorough investigation of Luzhou city. But where there are suspicious people, brought to the military house interrogation.
Huangfu Ren's holy order is in the body, expresses his gratitude in the open, but his heart is calculating. The difficulty of this case is that it is not appropriate to explicitly say, even Yang Jian secretly ordered him not to disclose even the Queen's people, can only act under the guise of apprehending Ouyang Xinde. He did find Ouyang Xinde traces in Xuzhou City, however, his martial arts and Ouyang Xinde still have a gap, so two hours late before arriving in Luzhou.
After finishing the official business, Han Qinhu ordered the guards to take the lamp to entertain him. On the table of the fried soybean since the collection, replaced by coarse tea. At that time, China's tea drinking was not yet popular, the practice is also very simple, just crushed tea leaves boiled in boiling water, and foam swallowed. Government and military hospitality, is just a courtesy, no one really to taste.
Gradually the day is already four o'clock. Han Zhong returns: two bodies were found on the outskirts of the city in the wilderness, blood and flesh, but vaguely recognised one as Ouyang Xinde, and one unidentified. Huang Fu Ren stood up, took his sword and went to check. So by Han Zhong lead the way, Han Qinhu followed, to the military residence east pallbearer room. Only to see on the mortuary case, Ouyang Xinde and Dugu Hun's clothes were torn and their bodies were covered in blood and flesh. Even though Huang Fu Ren was fine, he could not accurately count how many wounds there were. But Dugu Hun was a person he recognised.
Han Qinhu looked at him for a while, then suddenly high-fived and said, ''This seems to be the Cloud Swordsman Dokuro Soul! Looking around the world, I'm afraid there are no more than ten people who can survive his sword. General Huangfu, could it be that this Dugu Swordsman is here with you?"
Huang Fu Ren secretly cried out. The Emperor had secretly ordered him to make sure that he captured Ouyang Xinde and ensured that the little master's life would be safe. Now, it seemed that Empress Dugu had sent Dugu Hun to kill Ouyang Xinde and the little master to eliminate their roots. Although the Emperor and Empress are husband and wife, they have different positions on this matter. However, he has not seen the body of the little master, I think there is still hope. Thoughts of this, he did not want to delay the work, immediately said: "It seems to be the two masters accidentally met private fight, die together. I will report to His Majesty the truth. I will report the truth to His Majesty. I am sorry to bother you, but I will take my leave." Said, also did not wait for Han Qinhu response, a show of cloak, out the door leading the guards to go.
Han Qinhu respectfully sent out the gate of the military mansion and could not help but feel relieved. The Dugu Hun is the best swordsman in the world, and his sudden disappearance must have aroused the Empress's suspicion. Fortunately, Huangfu Ren "witnessed" the death of the two masters fight, he is also considered to be off the hook. He immediately ordered Han Zhong to bury them outside the city.
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Li Jing negative Ouyang Alone Star, forced to endure the severe pain in the legs, along the trail speeding.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
It is early morning, frosty sky, grass and trees, cold crows mournful, the long river winding into the misty distance. When he arrived at the ferry port of the suburban village, a thin old helmsman was tidying up the cabin in the early morning light. Li Jing stepped forward, put down Ouyang Alone Star, and said with an arch of his hand, "Please, old man."
The old boatman glanced at Li Jing, paid no attention and continued his work. Li Jing could only make another bow, "Boatman, please take us to Moo Shu Kou."
"Are you two going to Moo Shu Kou?" The old boatman said, "I am going to Yushukou, but this boat has already been rented by a customer, don't you see me getting up so early to pack?"
Li Jing looked around, the ferry was the only lone boat. "elderly uncle, the boat fare is doubled, please also discuss this with the chartered guests."
The old boatman sighed, "Little brother, I'm afraid it's not good to negotiate. The guests are officials, and the little people don't dare to invite trouble."
At this time Ouyang Alone Star coughed. The helmsman stopped his work, walked off the boat, squatted down, grabbed Alone Star's small hand with his left hand, stroked his white beard with his right hand, closed his eyes for a long time, and shook his head, "I'm afraid he won't be able to live ......."
Li Jing's heart sank. His uncle had risked his head to protect this child, and he himself had risked everything to go to Sichuan, so if anything went wrong, how could he face his uncle? The boy's eyes were dull and his face was pale, so he thought that the old boatman's words were true. He suppressed the heart that was about to pop out, and said earnestly, "Please save my little brother."
The old boatman glanced at him, ''This little brother, looking at the way you walked just now, you also have injuries on your legs. Who exactly are you guys? Could it be that your family has suffered a change?"
Li Jing thought to himself that since this old boatman could see the disease, he might also have a method to cure it, and immediately went along with it and said, "elderly uncle, last night there was a fire at home, and a relative was injured, so I rushed to go to the mouth of the Moo Shu to run away to my relatives. I'm afraid that my little brother has suffered a shock, but also please elderly uncle help, I will certainly be a generous reward."
The old boatman looked at him, said: "Little brother net nonsense. You are hiding your blades, although your legs are injured and you walk noiselessly, naturally, you have martial arts skills; if your little brother was only frightened, he would not have been in fear of his life. He was injured by someone with strong kung fu, fortunately only in the side of other people fighting force, otherwise I am afraid that at that time will be dead."
Li Jing was horrified, did not expect to meet a high person in this small ferry, and immediately flopped down on his knees, knocked a few times, crying, "Please old man to save my little brother ......."
The old boatman looked at the end of the road and saw that there was no one there, and waved his hand, "Get on the boat first. But say yes, you will have to get off the boat when the guests come."
Li Jing was in a hurry to save people at this time, how dare he nag with him? Immediately picked up Ouyang Alone Star, stepped on the wooden board on the boat, with the old boatman into the cabin. The cabin is not big, only a few people can sit and lie down. The old man pushed open the small door made of bamboo gabions and entered the inner cabin. The inner cabin was even smaller, with room for three or four people, and there was a short couch, in front of which were piles of daily utensils, so it seemed to be the old boatman's usual residence.
The old boatman signalled Li Jing to place Ouyang Alone Star on the couch, first taking acupuncture points and performing needling, then pushing and taking to invigorate the blood. Li Jing stood by and watched. Within a short time, the colour of blood appeared on Alone Star's face. The old man let Li Jing took a small wooden basin, help Little Alone Star up, hands one in front of the other, concentrate on the force. Only to hear a "wow" sound, Little Alone Star sprayed a mouthful of black blood.
The old helmsman's forehead was slightly sweating stars, put the little Alone Star down to lie flat, fed an elixir, and lightly breathed out, "The little life is considered to be saved, but the vital energy is greatly injured, I'm afraid that the lifespan is limited."
Li Jing knelt down and thanked him. The old man lifted him up, ordered him to sit on the edge of the couch, untied his shirt, removed his trousers, and inspected the wound. It was only then that Li Jing felt a sharp pain in his wound, as if it were on fire. The old man sniffed and said: ''So I used the army's golden wound medicine. Fortunately, the sword is not poisonous, but also hurt the tendons and veins, even if renewed, old age will also suffer from its pain ......" Before he finished speaking, he heard someone calling from the shore outside the cabin.
The old boatman answered, hurriedly let Li Jing put on his clothes, and whispered, "Little brother, I can t keep you ...... guests have arrived."
Li Jing's heart tightened. Not to mention the fact that there are no more boats to the Yangtze River here, even he and this sick and injured child need the old boatman to take care of them. So he begged in a low voice, "Please be kind, our brothers are sick and wounded, and it is our Buddha's destiny to meet you, so please be merciful and allow us to rest in the inner cabin, and we promise to keep quiet!"
The old helmsman frowned and said in a deep voice, "Then it's settled, you two are not allowed to make a sound, and you can't move in the inner cabin. If the guests are aware of this, you will have to get off the boat!"
Li Jing Nuono repeated.
The old boatman closed the cabin door tightly and disembarked to welcome the guests. Since Li Jing had promised the boatman, he lay on his side on the couch and looked at the motionless Little Alone Star. The boy's eyes seemed much brighter, and he kept his mouth shut. Li Jing reached out his hand and held his gradually warming hand. Little Alone Star's hand moved a little in response.
Not long after, the guests had already boarded the boat. But a male voice said, "Qingni, help Mei Niang to sit down. It's windy outside, be careful of getting cold." A woman answered, her voice was clear and pleasant, but her childish voice had not yet faded, as delicate as a warbler. Li Jing was curious, but the little Alone Star in front of him worried him even more. He whispered in the child's ear, "Alone Star is not afraid! Brother will definitely protect you." Little Alone Star's little hands gripped a little stronger. Li Jing saw that there were teardrops hanging from the corners of his eyes, as bright as dew.
The old helmsman settled the guests and set sail. Li Jing kept his promise and dared not make a sound in the inner cabin. The boat moved gently at first, but as the autumn wind blew strongly, the boat speeded up and swayed. Li Jing had to get down from the couch, his nostrils steeped in a fragrance. He couldn't help but put his face close to the gabion wall, and saw three people sitting in the outer cabin, a man and two women.
On the left side of the cabin was a middle-aged scribe, dressed in green, short-bearded and thin; two women were sitting on the right side of the cabin, and the one seated in the centre was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a gold hairpin on her head, a high-pulled clouded hairpin, a small-sleeved bunched skirt, and a purple cloak. Li Jing only saw half of her face, but was immediately attracted by the gelatinous skin, through the heaven of the Yao nose, flickering long eyelashes, full lines of the lips. As for the woman sitting near the hatch, she was dressed in a green-coloured small-sleeved shirt, a high-waisted long skirt with a sagging belt, a cape on her shoulders, her head in a double bun, and half of her small face was red and plain, very handsome. Li Jing was born in the official family, a glance can see that the woman sitting against the inside is the master, the woman sitting against the outside is the servant girl. As for the man, I don't know what his identity is.
Li Jing only took one look and his heart inexorably skipped a few beats. Whether in his old home in Sanyuan or following his uncle on the march, beautiful women were common, but a single side view of this purple-clad woman gave his mind a jolt he had never felt before. Both parents believed in Buddhism, his father did not have a concubine, and his mother had told him since childhood that men should not be lustful, and that lust would burn out their reason. He still does not understand, and has never really cared about any woman. Today, with injuries on this boat, suddenly saw such extraordinary temperament of the woman, but some can not hold, want to stretch their heads to see again. However, since he promised the old boatman that he would not cause any trouble, he could only forcefully collect his mind and return to lie on his side along the couch.
The middle-aged scribe entered the cabin and stopped speaking, but the two women began to speak in whispers. Li Jing was born with exceptional hearing, although there was the sound of the boat breaking water outside, but the two women's words could still be clearly transmitted into the ears. What they were saying was not northern dialect, but the soft and cloying Wu language.
Han Qinhu had travelled around for a long time, and had specially hired a gentleman to teach Li Jing to speak the dialects of various places, including Wu and Slang in the south, Qiang and Western languages in the west, Turkic languages in the north, and Goryeo languages in the east. At first, Li Jing was reluctant to learn, Han Qinhu told him, there is a general named hangsun Sheng, proficient in the language of the countries, as in several countries as into the family door in general, with three inches of tongue lobbying countries to stop the war, is the world's most famous ambassadors, and even like a tiger Turkic khanate treats it like a guest. Li Jing on the heroes and heroines of the heart, so determined to Zhangsun Sheng as an example, study hard, analogical reasoning, so the Wu local language sounds with the Chinese official language is not the same.
At this moment, the voice in Li Jing's ears was clear and soft and moving, just like a good medicine, bringing some comfort to this teenager whose mood was burning and whose leg injury was difficult to recover. Even, he felt as if he had heard this kind of voice in that vague space in the deeper layers of his memory, extremely distant, so far that it could transcend the margins of thought. Maybe it was an impression from another life, maybe it was a hazy imagination, however, its comfort to the soul was like a mother's gentle hand caressing over a feverish forehead, enough to let him sleep peacefully.