The Eight Winds of Rebirth

The moon was setting and the stars were sinking, and a round of red sun gradually broke through the clouds. Through the thin clouds, it sprinkled golden light all over the ground, and also sprinkled on the righteous army that was about to enter the city.

At this time, only hearing the sound of horseshoes, one person and one rider passed through the Gyeonggi Long Street, all the way out of the city gate, stopped in front of the oncoming army, and then yelled at the general who led the people before the army battle. drink.

"—Fourth brother!"

Cao Qin squinted his eyes slightly when he saw the person coming, and saw that the person was wearing a brocade robe and a small silver crown on his head. He was about seventeen or eighteen years old.

Cao Qin couldn't help laughing: "Zer?!"

In the second year of Zongzheng, Cao Qin left Beijing. He only came back twice in more than ten years, and the last time was six years ago. Back then, the one who used to cry in his arms would be baffled. The milk doll who speaks language has slowly grown into a handsome young man.

The person who came was Zhao Ze. Although his face was still a bit green, he had a more calm demeanor than three years ago, and his eyebrows and eyes looked more like a prince, but when he smiled, there was still a faint twitch at the corner of his mouth. Childish.

"Why are you here alone?" Cao Qin asked.

Zhao Ze turned his horse's head and walked slowly with him.

"I thought those people were too slow, so I came here first. Originally, the prince was going to pick me up, but I made a special trip to ask the emperor for this errand. I want to see you soon."

Cao Qin laughed loudly as he saw the group of people who hurriedly followed behind Zhao Ze to meet him.

In the 15th year of Zongzheng, in the spring, Cao Qin, the imperial general, led all the troops back to the imperial court. The welcoming troops in Beijing spread all the way from the entrance of the imperial city.

Cao Qin rode a tall horse, with the soldiers behind him shining brightly, and the flags covering the sky, walking all the way as if the gods descended from the earth, making the people along the street panic and dare not look up.Coupled with his extraordinary handsome face, sword eyebrows, starry eyes, romantic posture, and a faint smile at the corner of his mouth, the girls who had longed for him for many days because of Gufangzhai's portrait became even more popular a face.

Finally entered the palace gate, just like General Shenwu returned to court three years ago, Emperor Zongzheng personally greeted him in front of Qiankun Palace.

Standing at the left hand of the emperor, Gu Xiangtan took a good look at the majestic and mighty army, and finally confirmed that all he saw belonged to the soldiers of the imperial army, and there was no one he expected, so he couldn't help but bow his head , quietly showing a wry smile.

Emperor Zongzheng had to say some touching words from the heart, and then he bestowed a hundred taels of gold, a mansion, and asked Cao Qin to rest for a while before leaving.

Cao Qin didn't say much, he smiled and nodded whenever the emperor said anything, Zhao You was really flattered by his indescribable cooperation.

After a long talk, Cao Qin was allowed to go back to the mansion first. The mansion has not yet been found, so he temporarily rewarded him elsewhere. As soon as Cao Qin came out of the palace, a group of people wanted to surround him, but Master Xue and the seventh son were all there. , everyone is also winking, it seems that the sycophant of General Yu Guo will have to choose another good time to shoot.

So in the end, only a few officials from Yushitai, Zuo Xiang and Gu Xiangtan were left outside the hall.

Cao Qin stepped forward and hugged Gu Xiangtan and Fu Yalian.

"The last general pays homage to the Ling Buddha and Mr. Xiangguo."

The etiquette is sloppy, but no one will mind.

Gu Xiangtan said: "The general has worked hard all the way, it's better to go back to the house to rest quickly, and we'll talk about the reception banquet tonight if we have something to say."

Cao Qin looked at him with a smile. When he saw Gu Xiangtan three years ago, he had only reached his shoulders. Now this child has grown a lot taller, almost past his ears, but his eyebrows and eyes have not changed with age. It has become profound and flamboyant, still has a round and innocent innocent appearance, but the demeanor of your body has become more and more elegant, clearly looking at your eyes with watery eyes, warm and flawless, but it seems to pass through the air , revealing an indescribable distance, people look at it and give birth to a kind of awe that cannot bear to desecrate closeness.

"Don't worry. Although Cao is living outside the border, he has also heard of Lingfo's many achievements over the years. He has gone out of barbarians and entered danger, and cared about the country and the people. It is really admirable."

Gu Xiangtan hurriedly said: "To generate bodhicitta is the heart to save sentient beings, so these are just the duties of people who practice Buddhism, and they are not my own merits. If it is for the country and the people, the general is the one." The pillar of Daye, Xiangtan also heard about the battle with Nanman, it can be said to have won beautifully."

Cao Qin looked straight at Gu Xiangtan, seeming to see through his indifferent eyes, seeing clearly the disappointment and depression inside, the corners of his mouth suddenly curled up for a moment, he took a step forward, and approached Gu Xiangtan He whispered in his ear: "Does Lingfo know whose idea the strategy of that battle was?"

Gu Xiangtan was startled, and then he heard Cao Qin say: "It's not that people won't come back, it's just that it will be later, don't worry."

After finishing speaking, Gu Xiangtan's ears turned red little by little, but his face was still calm. Seeing this, Cao Qin couldn't help laughing even more happily, and said a few words to Fu Yalian, and then he said goodbye, and Xue Yiyang and Zhao Ze left together.

Fu Yalian glanced at Gu Xiangtan, but left without asking any questions.

And Gu Xiangtan only slightly bent his eyes after the master turned around.

It's late... How long will it be late?

-

In the evening, a banquet was held in the palace, and all the ministers were invited to welcome the general of the imperial country to clean up the dust.

Cao Qin looked at the table full of delicacies and delicacies, and said happily: "Cao has been in the border for a long time and has not smelled much meat, and he doesn't even know what these things are. It’s better to live in Beijing.”

"It is made by putting Yunxiangxin, Hericium erinaceus, bamboo fungus, etc. into a pumpkin pot and stewed slowly, and then boiled with bird's nest. It is called 'Nanjindongjian' and is specially made for generals." Qu Guang Pointing to a delicacy in front of Cao Qin, he greeted him.

"Oh..." Cao Qin nodded, "Hericium erinaceus, Yun Xiangxin...they are all priceless goodies, the emperor really bothered."

Emperor Zongzheng thought to himself that this flattery really fell on the horse's leg, and it seemed extravagant and wasteful in front of Gu Xiangtan, and hurriedly said: "These delicacies are all presented by the ministers, to celebrate the general's return from a great victory, I don't know who loves it?" Sir?"

The next person then stood up: "Your minister, these precious materials are special products in Jiangbei. There was no disaster there this year, and the weather is good, so it is rare to have a bumper harvest. This is why I sent some to the palace to be appreciated by the generals of the imperial country. It is also an honor for the young minister."

The person who got up was Guan Yonghou from Jiangbei, and sitting beside him was a slim and moving figure. When he noticed Cao Qin looking over, the man raised his head and smiled, making his brows even more emerald, and the country and the city , who is it not the famous Mei Jianxi?

Cao Qin was naturally happy to be favored by the beauty, and then he blinked at her, and returned a smile that turned all sentient beings, making the girl smile so brightly, he hurriedly lowered his head and dared not look at it again.

They flirted with each other like this, so that the prince who was sitting beside Emperor Zongzheng saw his whole face turned green, and with a "click", he broke the white jade chopsticks in his hand.

Ever since the incident of Yan Liang happened a few years ago, Mei Jianxi has been depressed for a long time, and at one time was lingering in the bed of illness and worrying deeply. She hasn't stepped out of the house for many years. Earlier, Guan Yonghou was not in a hurry, but Seeing that her daughter is still in her boudoir after her age has passed, no matter how beautiful this girl is, she will inevitably gossip, but let alone Mei Jianxi himself does not want to, even a father like him who wants to marry a daughter is not willing. Dare, everyone knows the crown prince's wishes for him, but the emperor and queen refused to allow him, which made him in a dilemma, so such a delay will delay people. If Mei Jianxi can really get what he wants, the general of Yuguo will be considered a A good match, better than the crown prince... really much better, Guan Yonghou would be happy to see his success even if he risked the disgrace of the world, it depends on the emperor's will.

Emperor Zongzheng coughed lightly, glared at the crown prince, and turned to Eunuch Sun, "I wonder if the emperor and grandson have slept on such a happy day?"

Eunuch Sun said: "I don't know, how about I ask the servant?"

Emperor Zongzheng said: "No, I'm just asking casually, don't disturb their cleanliness." These words are just to mention the prince, to tell him not to forget his current identity.

Cao Qin became interested, and asked Xue Yiyang beside him in a low voice: "Is the little emperor's grandson a full year old?"

"Not yet, two months away."

"Looks like I have to find another day to pay my respects."

"The emperor's grandson is really likable, like his mother and concubine, this child is not easy to come by." In the past two years, Zhao Mian was not born without heirs. His concubine gave birth to him two daughters in succession, but the concubine However, Gong Yiling's stomach was always silent, which made the queen very anxious, and finally drove to Bodhi Mountain to beg the Bodhisattva to give him a child. The child was busy all day long, but Xue Yiyang had secret worries in his heart.

This kid is too eye-catching...

After the cleansing feast was over, Gu Xiangtan, who hadn't said anything all this time, was going back to Sumeru Hall, and Zhao Zemao recommended himself to send him off.

Over the years, his kung fu has indeed improved. It is said that he was taught by the instructor left by Hou Bingchen. He is no longer the little prince who was kicked buttocks if he could not perform two tricks, but Zhao Ze still felt that it was not enough. Whenever he finds free time, he will find someone to practice martial arts. In his heart, these civil servants in the court are all weak, and everyone should be physically fit so that the court will not be so lifeless, and the weak among these people Weak, the one who needs to be protected the most is Gu Xiangtan.

In addition to the incident of kidnapping people back then, several elder brothers were not in the capital, Zhao Zeshen felt obliged to protect the spirit Buddha, so whenever he was free, he would follow Gu Xiangtan from time to time to go here and there. I have been to Linxian County several times, and together with Lingfo healed diseases and saved lives, and made a lot of progress.

Right now, Gu Xiangtan was listening to Zhao Ze gesticulating all the way.

"...On that day, the fourth brother was sitting in the southeast of the Luzhou Pass, waiting for the sixth brother's troops to come to help. The sixth brother sent people to enter from a narrow gap at the bottom of the mountain, and then surrounded him from the left rear. Use one trick to catch the turtle in the urn, catch the boss by surprise!"

Su Xi sneered: "Seventh Prince, why do you seem to be there, have you seen it with your own eyes?"

"I didn't see it, I heard what the fourth brother told me before, so I came to tell you, you don't know how heroic the sixth brother was at that time, with one enemy against a hundred, he killed the Quartet." I think I was afraid of them. Unable to understand, Zhao Ze simply drew out his sword and began to make gestures, one left pick, the other right poke, a set of Zhao Yuan's Qingfeng Lanyue, making it easy to pinch.

Gu Xiangtan smiled happily, as if he saw another person through the royal blue figure, a little yearning flashed in his eyes.

Zhao Ze was playing, and suddenly shouted: "Who's there!" Then he disappeared in a flash.

This startled both Su Xi and An Yin, but fortunately Yan Fang was still there, Gu Xiangtan said: "Don't worry, there is no sound of fighting, the guards are right ahead, if there is any real danger, they will follow."

Sure enough, Zhao Ze came back after a while, scratching his head while walking, and ran to Gu Xiangtan in two or three steps.

"It's strange, I just saw a white shadow in the woods in front of Sumeru Hall, I chased after him and disappeared, could it be a ghost?"

"Seventh Prince, don't talk nonsense! Let the guards check it out." Su Xi said.

Gu Xiangtan's heart skipped a beat, and he looked towards the forest. The moonlight illuminated the shadows of the trees, but there were no figures. He shook his head, sighed secretly that Zhao Ze was reckless, and turned to enter the hall.