Pawn Crossing the River

Master Donghua was not so unkind as to not let Qi Xuansu meet Zhang Yuelu.

If the two have become a Taoist couple, then Donghua Zhenren will symbolically consult Zhang Yuelu before sending Qi Xuansu to Borneo.

Time has entered the end of April, and there are less than three months left before the return date set by Master Qingwei. In less than three months, the Taoist army of Fenglinzhou will return in batches. Yujing, Zhang Yuelu was among the first batch of people to return to Yujing.

Qi Xuansu naturally went to greet him.

In fact, not only Qi Xuansu, but also a large number of Zhengyi disciples came to greet him. This treatment was completely different from before.

Among them is Dong Baijing.

Dong Baijing originally served as the chief minister of Wuzhou Taoist Mansion and was a Taoist priest of the fourth grade offering wine. Because Zhang Jucheng was promoted to the real person in charge of Jiangnan Taoist Prefecture, a series of personnel changes occurred. Dong Baijing, as the son-in-law of the Zhang family, came to Yujing from Wuzhou Taoist Prefecture and was promoted to a third-grade Youyi Taoist priest and served as the deacon of Jinque.

The so-called Jinque deacon is similar to the cabinet bachelor of the imperial court. As we all know, cabinet elders refer to cabinet bachelors. However, cabinet affairs are complicated and it is impossible for a few bachelors to do everything themselves, so it is necessary to add full-time officials for them, namely cabinet bachelors.

The same principle applies to the Golden Tower of Taoism, but it is more complicated. Jinque nominally has three deputy masters, seven Pingzhang masters, thirty-six counselors, and more than two hundred auditors. However, these masters have other affairs, such as being the chief counselor of Jinque. The real person Donghua Zhenren is also the leader of Ziweitang, and actually assists the Earth Master in running the Quanzhen Tao. It is impossible to put all his energy on Jinque, so the Jinque Deacon came into being. Most of them are held by Taoist priests of the fourth grade Jijiu or Taoist priests of the third grade Youyi, who assist Shen Zhi Zhenren and focus on copywriting work.

The importance of this position goes without saying.

In the past, Dong Baijing did not have any lofty ambitions and was content with what he had, so he stayed in Wuzhou Daofu. But after experiencing being slapped in the face by Li Minghuang, he had to change his mind and fight for himself. After all, Qi Xuansu could help him for a while, but not for the rest of his life.

As the son-in-law of the Zhang family, Dong Baijing naturally had to come to welcome Zhang Yuelu, the eighth-generation leader of the Zhengtai, who was jointly appointed by Tianshi and Master Cihang.

When Qi Xuansu saw this nominal cousin-in-law, he took the initiative to greet him.

Dong Baijing showed a bit of respect in his closeness.

They are close because they are brothers-in-law and Qi Xuansu has helped him. This is a kind of kindness.

As for respect, it is because of the difference in status. Even though they are both third-grade Youyi Taoist priests, they are in heaven and earth.

Not to mention the age gap, he is ten years older than Qi Xuansu. Judging from his position, Qi Xuansu is the second generation, and has already stepped into the threshold of the second-grade Taiyi Taoist priest. He will definitely become a Qi Zhenren before the age of thirty. You must know that there are two major thresholds among the nine grades. One threshold is the promotion from fifth grade to fourth grade. This is the difference between low-grade Taoist priests and high-grade Taoist priests. Another threshold is the promotion from the third grade to the second grade, which is the difference between Taoist priests and real people. M..

Furthermore, from the perspective of future, whether it is Deacon Jinque or Assistant Manager of Dao Palace, they are actually not on the right path. Although it is a shortcut, the upper limit is not high.

Taoism attaches great importance to the resume and experience of the grassroots. The prime minister starts from the state department, and the fierce generals are sent to the army. People like Qi Xuansu first went to Tiangang Hall, then to Imperial Palace, then back to Ziwei Hall, then to Borneo Palace, second place, chief position, and finally all the way to Zhangfu and Zhangtang, showing the interweaving of Yujing and the local area. The correct path is to go through all the promotions and promotions in each Taoist hall and government. You have done small things like rectification, and you have also participated in big wars. This is the right path. Only those who rise in this way can say that they have a bright future.

Qi Xuansu's resume is solid and quick, but it is all real achievements, not vague evaluations.

Qi Xuansu rose so quickly that even the more ambitious young masters within the Zhang family did not dare to underestimate him, and they were even embarrassed to say that Qi Xuansu relied on their Zhang family's power. Seeing Qi Xuansu approaching, they all got out of the way. Seeing that Qi Xuansu seemed to want to talk to Dong Baijing, they took the initiative to keep a certain distance between them.

Qi Xuansu's impression of his brother-in-law was not bad: "Cousin-in-law, how are you doing lately?"

Dong Baijing gave a bitter smile and stopped talking.

Qi Xuansu casually set up a ban: "Is there something unspeakable?"

Dong Baijing sighed: "It's not an unspeakable secret, it's just...it's just that since Li Minghuang's incident, she and I have become very awkward. When I came to Yujing this time, she stayed in Wuzhou and somewhat hid." the meaning of."

These words were a bit confusing, but Qi Xuansu still understood. This "she" naturally refers to Zhang Yuyue.

Dong Baijing suddenly said: "I can see that she still hasn't let go of Li Minghuang."

Qi Xuansu disagreed: "It's not that complicated, and there's nothing that I can't let go of."

Dong Baijing couldn't help but be startled.

Qi Xuansu said: "For women like her who were born in a noble family and grew up following the rules, they are most likely to be attracted by such so-called 'bad men'. In fact, what attracts them is not 'bad', but the stimulation of breaking the rules." feel."

Dong Baijing's eyes widened, he didn't expect Qi Xuansu to say such words.

The reason why Qi Xuansu was not interested in Yue Liuli and his ilk was because he had prematurely understood some of the dark sides. At this time, he did not mind giving this poor brother-in-law a lesson: "Humans have animal nature, and all kinds of principles and rules are different." This kind of animal nature has been suppressed and restrained. A woman like her who has been restrained by rules since she was a child, suddenly encounters a man who is not restrained by rules and is full of animal nature, and her fall is almost inevitable. Their shallow understanding cannot be overcome at all. Distinguish the difference between liking and excitement, or they don’t want to distinguish it at all, so it’s natural for them to be conquered.”

"To put it mildly, you can't imagine how attractive this kind of off-track excitement is to the delicate flowers who grew up in a graceful and safe flower garden. To put it harshly, too many peaceful days have been passed, and the life is too comfortable. , even a little boring, always looking for some excitement.”

"Li Minghuang treats her like a maid and makes her kneel. You treat her like a fairy and kneel by yourself. If you were in her position, who do you think is more like a man?"

When Dong Baijing first heard these words, his first reaction was anger, and he almost wanted to walk away. But after he became angry, and thought about it carefully, he felt that it made some sense.

He suddenly understood why Zhang Yuyue believed that Qi Xuansu was the second Li Minghuang when she first met him.

Because in essence, Qi Xuansu and Li Minghuang are the same type of people. They are both from lower classes, unscrupulous and full of animal nature.

It is precisely because of this that Qi Xuansu can see at a glance the nature of the abnormal relationship between Li Minghuang and Zhang Yuyue. It has nothing to do with appearance, family background, or even feelings, but only human nature.

Dong Baijing still couldn't accept it, and murmured: "Why is this happening?"

Qi Xuansu used a more euphemistic expression: "Because she is too weak, she always feels that men are big trees and she is Siluo. Siluo is not the only child. If she wants to support a tree, it must be like this."

The weakness here has nothing to do with state of cultivation or status, it is only related to spirit.

Don't dare to rebel against the rules but long for freedom. She is afraid of authority and does not dare to cross the border at all, so she must have someone to lead her before she dares to cross the threshold a little, and regards it as freedom itself.

Qi Xuansu didn't say the rest of the sentence.

Zhang Yuelu will not be like this. Zhang Yuelu's spirit is strong. She will not be conquered by anyone, including Qi Xuansu. She does not want to conquer anyone. She just wants things to be the way they should be.

Only with such a strong heart can I dare to say the words that I want to change the Taoism.

This is also the reason why Qi Xuansu thinks Zhang Yuyue is superficial. He is immersed in the excitement of slightly surpassing the thunder pool and cannot extricate himself. Little does he know that Zhang Yuelu wants to smash this thunder pool and build a new one by himself.

What a huge difference between the two.

At this moment, the flying boat finally arrived.

Of course it's not "Yinglong", just an ordinary "Purple Dragon".

The gangway was lowered, and Zhang Yuelu was the first to get off.

Qi Xuansu stopped chatting with Dong Baijing and strode forward to greet him.

In full view of everyone, Qi Xuansu took the initiative to extend his hand.

Zhang Yuelu did not dodge shyly. Although she did not need support, she still put her hand in Qi Xuansu's.

In fact, Qi Xuansu wanted to give him a hug, but Zhang Yuelu had no such intention, so Qi Xuansu had to give up.

Zhang Yuelu and Qi Xuansu have been together for a long time, and they have learned to joke: "I am flattered that Qi Cixi can greet them personally."

Qi Xuansu said: "It is not too much to welcome the heroes who have returned from the battlefield of Fenglinzhou."

"Who can compare to you, this hero? You are bragging, right?" Zhang Yuelu smiled slightly, took out his hand, and greeted the other people who came to greet him one by one.

Next is the usual reception banquet, which can actually be regarded as a farewell party for Qi Xuansu.

Therefore, there are both people who follow the Zhengdao and those who follow the Quanzhen Dao. It is more like a party between the two Dao.

Such a banquet is a must for "drunk life and dreaming of death". Zhang Yuelu refused to refuse anyone who came, and Qi Xuansu was not willing to be outdone. In the end, both of them were a little drunk.

When the two of them left, they didn't support each other, nor did Zhang Yuelu nestle in Qi Xuansu's arms, but held arms and legs.

Walking side by side.

Unknowingly, the two of them arrived at the door of Qi Xuansu's new house.

The corner of Zhang Yuelu's mouth raised: "Why did you bring me here?"

Qi Xuansu raised his hand and pointed: "This is our future home. Of course, I will show you the way."

Qi Xuansu continued: "Although Qiniang provided the capital, she said it was lent to me. The money I deposited with her before, as well as the future banknotes, will be used to pay off debts. If it is not enough, she will subsidize me. , so it’s barely considered a house I bought with money.”

Zhang Yuelu looked up at the gate of the mansion and didn't speak for a long time.