Emperor Que Shaohua

The 23rd of the twelfth lunar month is a small new year. According to Yu Zhou's practice, when the [-]rd day passes, the six ministries and officials of the imperial court will seal up unfinished official documents within one or two days, lock the gates of the ministries and go home to celebrate the new year.The same is true in the palace, all memorials except those that are particularly urgent will be kept until the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the coming year.

The royal list of the imperial court was posted in the nine cities of Gyeonggi at this time, and the Ming Huang list announced to all directions: martial arts practitioners from the Northern Liao and Yi Jin will fight against the younger generation of Yu Zhou martial arts under the orders of their respective envoys. In the event of a victory or defeat, the winning party will have the opportunity to welcome Princess Danyang depending on its character and talent.In order to keep his promise, the emperor will set up a ring in Los Angeles, and the winner will be determined through fair competition.After a brief explanation of the reasons, it is the rules of several rounds of competitions; the date is scheduled to start on the second day of February in Tianyi 22, and the whole process lasted for one month.

At the same time as the imperial list, there was also an edict from the emperor, encouraging young talents with outstanding martial arts masters to come to Los Angeles to participate in the martial arts competition.

The news quickly spread to the four corners of the Central Plains through mansion newspapers, post stations, and people's word of mouth, and spread across the Yangtze River to Jiangnan, Hunan, Sichuan, and even further to Fujian and Hainan.

Even the ordinary people of Yuzhou who are not familiar with martial arts, at the end of the year, the conversation in their mouths can't help but revolve around the upcoming grand contest. Dignity, no matter what you say, you can't let your princess be snatched away by Beiliao or Yijin.Also, the defeated Liao people sent envoys to peace talks, and I don't know what conditions the court will agree to. If there is no need to fight from now on, will the tax burden be reduced?

What the people who were discussing a lot didn't know was that about two days before the emperor's list was posted, King Ning made a report, which was not like his usual straight play or secret fold, but was formally delivered to the emperor through Zhongshu province. forward.

In this report, the five princes analyzed Beiliao's peace talks requirements one by one, and put forward corresponding opinions.It should be said that his thoughts coincided with what King Jing said in front of Emperor Tianyi that day, but more combined with his own experience since joining the household department, and suggested how the terms should be negotiated from the perspective of the national economy and people's livelihood.

In order to stop the fighting, it is true that some favorable conditions can be given to the Northern Liao, but it is necessary to take into account the looting and greed and violence of the Liao people over the years. Every point given must help maintain the peaceful situation on the border in the long run.The people worked hard to pay taxes, and the silver was given to the Northern Liao, but it would only bring more intruders and covetousness. The previous dynasty had a good lesson; the same is true for sending a large amount of silk for nothing.

Beiliao covers a vast area. Although it is very cold in winter, it can still be self-sufficient through farming and weaving. However, while gradually breaking away from nomadic customs over the past century, it is unwilling to farm steadily, and instead regards plundering as its duty.

The above-mentioned situation cannot be changed overnight, so it is difficult to make gentle influences effective. It is better to start with the specific interests and needs of the two countries and strike a balance.

King Ning proposed to open several mutual markets to meet the urgent needs of Northern Liao. In the first few years, Yuzhou provided Liao people with a certain amount of grain, rice and cloth at official prices on a regular basis, and also controlled prices for daily needs such as iron pots and utensils. Sold to the Liao people.As for the tea, sugar, silk, and porcelain from Yuzhou, and the horses, furs, and ginseng from Beiliao, they were traded by caravans on the mutual market.

In addition, due to its proximity to the Liao Sea, Beiliao hoped to obtain the know-how of making salt, and Yu Zhou could consider sending a special person to teach it in part. The same is true for farming and weaving, but the skill of casting refined iron must not be leaked.

Yelu Shibao proposed that Yuzhou return 8000 prisoners of war. These Liao soldiers were feeding and wasting food for nothing, and it was ominous to kill them.Ning Wang suggested that according to the distribution of troops and cultivated land in Shao'an City and Youyun Sixteen Prefectures, [-] people would be divided into small groups to cultivate fields for Yu Zhou's army and farmers, and they would be released in batches on an agreed date five years later.It is definitely impossible to rely on this arrangement to turn the lazy Liao people into hard-working farmers, but to keep them alive, it is only a few years of labor on the land that has been burned, killed and looted. For the sake of peace talks, they are extremely lenient.

After the statement was submitted, it quickly spread within the imperial court. The ministers first paid attention to it, and then discussed it privately.

Because King Ning's proposal was not empty talk, every word and every sentence had its basis, including the Northern Liao intelligence provided by Luo Yanhua to the imperial court, the border information collected by Jing Yuwei, and the soldiers from the Ministry of War and even the soldiers who participated in the battle, such as General Dragon Rider. Lin Chen learned about You Yun's situation.

Different from the usual style in the Yu and Zhou dynasties, there is no reference to the classics or a high-level plan, but it focuses on fitting the reality.Every point of view has corresponding facts and figures as evidence, incisive and unique, and considering the methods proposed in it, it is surprisingly feasible.

The fifth prince has been performing well since his return, but the courtiers only saw his martial arts and sharpness at first, including becoming the commander of the Jingyu Guard, and his achievements in investigating and handling errands were outstanding, but he was still young; after he took charge of the household department, Only gradually did he show the solidity and tenacity in his character; and this statement gives people the feeling that he is not only meticulous and hardworking, but also has undoubted talent.Who would have thought that His Royal Highness, who was busy preparing for the contest with the Liao and Jin countries, could write such a proposal for peace talks in his spare time.Just by browsing through it, you can feel that there is a lot of real kung fu, which cannot be achieved overnight.

Compared with the prince five or six years ago, Luo Wenxiao was indeed very rigorous in doing things, and he was able to do things in a satisfactory manner according to the holy will, but he didn't seem to care much about whether it would benefit the country and the people in the end, which was subtly different from King Ning's dedication.

As the new year approached, the early court and court discussions were temporarily suspended, but as long as they were concerned about state affairs, they could not help thinking about King Ning's statement and the prospect of peace talks in the next year.

Yelu Shibao was trying to be active in Luocheng at this time, and Beiliao had revealed all the conditions. Of course, it was necessary to inquire about the trends and rumors in the court of Yu and Zhou.At the moment, all the courtiers of Yu and Zhou avoided suspicion and did not want to have any contact with the Liao people, but he deliberately gave gifts, and the Kunlun Mansion relied on past operations to secretly solicit ties. I have roughly learned the contents of the fifth prince's letter.

Yelu Shibao only saw a general idea, and he already had the feeling that a mouthful of old blood was spurting out. Perhaps Yu Zhou's courtiers didn't have a deep understanding, but it was shocking for him. King Ning set the conditions so precisely, just right On the boundary where General Yelu Hongchou will be able to keep the situation stable but hard to regain his strength, it is as if he has seized Beiliao's seven inches in one shot. The threat is exactly the same as what King Jing said when he met Roughly the same, but extremely detailed and pragmatic.If Yu Zhou negotiated a peace according to this plan, it would be really difficult for him to turn his face, but if he subdued and agreed, even if he went back without punishment, he would definitely be regarded as incompetent and mistaken.

Only then did he truly realize that Yuzhou's victory on the battlefield was not due to a sudden trick or accident. Beiliao had gained the upper hand for many years, and he was indeed arrogant and underestimated the enemy. Who would have thought that the opponent already knew himself and the enemy.He especially underestimated the young King Ning.

In the last few days of the twelfth lunar month, you can see newly posted Spring Festival couplets everywhere in the streets and alleys of Los Angeles.Red window grilles and brand-new New Year pictures were also pasted in Prince Jing's Mansion.This is the most festive Chinese New Year since the establishment of the mansion. Everyone thinks that it doesn't matter if it is a bit vulgar, and they want to celebrate it.Director Yang ordered people to buy new year's goods, and personally arranged for the new year's gifts, he was too busy.

As usual, there are a series of celebrations in the palace, banquets for officials, inner court family banquets, and ancestor worship in the Hanzhang Hall. A set of rules is like this every year, but this year there are more kings Yun and Ning. Go to Huangjue Temple to offer incense.

On New Year's Eve, the palace banquet was over, and they spent half the night in Hanzhang Hall, before all the princes and clan relatives went out of the palace to disperse.Luo Pingyuan rode dark clouds and snow towards the mansion, not far ahead was Jing Wang's rumbling frame.The sound of firecrackers can be heard everywhere, and the houses of the people on both sides are still lit with lights to watch the year.At this time last year, I was still on Cuiping Mountain with my master and my brothers. I lived a peaceful life. I just practiced and read every day. Looking back, I feel like a lifetime away.Being able to use what you have learned to help the world is also worthy of the teacher's teachings.

For several days in a row, the originally peaceful Prince Jing Mansion was bustling with excitement. Jing Yuwei and civil and military officials who had some contact with each other came to pay New Year's greetings to the two princes. Langhuan's subordinates paid New Year's greetings to the suzerain, and Luo Yanhua and Luo Pingyuan still needed to visit the door in person. People who visit, such as Chai Ming.

After being busy with the third day of junior high school, everyone finally calmed down.Luo Pingyuan remembered that Prince Duan invited him to the mansion for a small gathering, which was an invitation from his elders.Prince Duan is open-minded and not snobbish. In the past few years, there were few people in the clan who did not deliberately neglect Prince Jing, but his attitude has not changed.Luo Pingyuan respected the emperor's uncle, so he decided to pay a visit.

This trip lasted more than half a day. Prince Duan took out his daughter Hongjiao to entertain guests and stored it for 30 years. Before, he noticed two people standing there.

King Ning got off his horse and was about to ask who the visitor was, but the two had already turned around.Luo Pingyuan saw that they were all in their early twenties, the one on the left in the moon white long coat was gentle and elegant, but seemed shy by nature, and blushed a little when he met Luo Pingyuan's eyes.The other one is dressed in Confucian fir, and looks more friendly. His eyebrows and eyes are curved and playful, and he holds a folding fan and shakes it once and for all in the middle of winter, and he looks very appropriate to the occasion.

As soon as the three of them met, before Luo Pingyuan could speak, the one holding the folding fan smiled and said, "Your Excellency is young and handsome, with a jade tree facing the wind, you must be the same way as visiting Sect Master Jiang, but the face is tight, I don't know where to fight From a mountain?"

Before Luo Pingyuan could answer, he turned his head to his companion and said with a smile: "You have met many young masters, do you recognize them?"

The man's face flushed slightly, as if he was embarrassed to guess his identity in front of others, he hesitated and said: "Look at this young hero's famous horse and sword, which is a bit expensive, could it be from the Nangong family? I heard that they also agreed I want to come." Then he shook his head again, "But I heard that Mr. Nangong is as humble as a jade, and I feel that his temperament is not suitable."

Rushan Folding Fan said: "The Nangong family is so particular, it is very troublesome to travel far away, how can they be so fast. Who else can arrive as early as you and me. Could it be Youzhou Yun family? But why are you not wearing white clothes? "

Luo Pingyuan couldn't laugh or cry, he didn't even have time to say a word.The two people in front of them have a good appearance, and look at their demeanor and conversation, it is clear that they must be the children of the martial arts family invited by the emperor to help out in the martial arts competition.It's just that he returned to Los Angeles as soon as he left the teacher, and he didn't move around much in the rivers and lakes, so he couldn't recognize which school or faction these two belonged to.

Since he was one of his own, he had the intention of joking. He let his guesses go, and said seriously while drinking: "I am going to see Sect Master Jiang. It seems that the two brothers also came here for the same purpose, and they are one step ahead. Both It's a fellow martial artist, since the two of you have extensive knowledge, why don't you come and make a bet, if you don't recognize your master's background, just wait here for a while, let me go to the mansion first to meet Sect Master Jiang, how about being the first person to arrive ?”

The two of them looked at each other, and Mr. Rushan put away the folding fan.Putting it in his sleeves, he stepped forward and bowed politely to Luo Pingyuan: "This fellow is really interesting, let me introduce myself first, my surname is Fan, and my name is Yin."

Luo Pingyuan returned the gift, wondering if there was a family named Fan or a young expert in Jianghu.The two were close, and the sleeves of their robes touched unconsciously, and Fan Yin flicked them naturally.At this moment, Luo Pingyuan suddenly remembered that the owner of Qiqiaoge, which is famous for its various small grasping skills, should be Fan, and the young master of that family seems to have a very famous special skill...

He hastily touched his bosom, and it was indeed empty, and all the things he carried with him were gone.

I saw Fan Yin tidying up his robe in a leisurely manner, and said with a smile: "This time, I should recognize whose family it is." Saying the same thing, he first took out a light yellow purse with a little fox embroidered on it from his sleeve. , followed by a bunch of thin silk books, and then, a piece of warm jade the size of a finger belly, said: "It is indeed your son, who refuses to carry silver taels when he goes out, and does not even bring a bottle of gold sore medicine with him. Martial arts courting with a purse and a love letter from the person he loves, it’s a big deal, he must have not been deeply involved in the world, and he has never walked in the rivers and lakes. Well, this small jade carved fish can be said to be a rare and precious thing. And This gold medal..." He joked casually, and suddenly lost his voice when he said this.

Luo Pingyuan: "..."

The purse was embroidered to him by his younger sister, Princess Danyang; the silk book was the information transferred from the Jingyu Guard Office as usual this morning, and he still carried it with him because he went out after reading it quickly; I saw it in the study, because it is a rare warm jade, I specially asked for it, and planned to give it to the emperor to wear.Then, the gold medal in Fan Yin's hand at this moment was bestowed by Emperor Tianyi.

Seeing that the two were relatively silent, the elegant young man in moon white clothes felt that his friend was acting a little abruptly in front of Jing Wang's mansion, so he smoothed things over and said, "Brother Fan is the same, he always says that you can't use your skills and use your hands empty-handedly, but when you are eager to win, you can't help it." It's just a joke, don't blame this young master for the collision, I'll make up for it on his behalf." Saying that, he casually took the purse and other items and handed them back.

Seeing his elegant demeanor, soft-spoken, and slender and beautiful hands, Luo Pingyuan thought, "Is your surname Tang?"

The Tang Sect has been passed down for hundreds of years, dominating in the middle of Sichuan, and it can be said to be prosperous for a long time. There will be several outstanding children in each generation.Now among the younger generation of Tangmen, the one with the most reputation is the one in front of him?

The other party raised his eyebrows lightly, showing a hint of arrogance, and he really replied: "Good eyesight, I'm Tang Yu. Can I announce my name now?"

"I said, don't rush to ask." Fan Yin was still holding the gold medal, and said at this moment, "Look at what is written on it, maybe I misunderstood it."

Tang Yu took the exquisitely carved signboard, with four seal characters on it: If I come in person.Immediately also is speechless.

One of the guards of King Jing's Mansion went to report, and the other saw His Royal Highness King Ning talking with the visitors, so he couldn't come forward to disturb him, so he found a gap to come over and led Wu Yuntaxue to the stable.

Yang Yue brought two servants and hurried out: "Your honored guest has been waiting for a long time, my highness invites you two to meet inside." Seeing the situation before him, he was surprised again, "The fifth highness is back, could it be that he knew the two young masters before, Why are you standing outside talking?"

Luo Pingyuan received the gold medal, feeling a little embarrassed, thinking that it was a mistake of drinking, and said with a smile: "I was reckless. Seeing the two senior brothers coming to help, I was happy to make a joke, but I was caught. The master belongs to the Hanshan sect, but he has lived here for a long time."

After the meeting ceremony was over and several people entered the mansion together, Fan Yincai said weakly: "Everyone knows that His Royal Highness Ning Wang is a high-ranking student of the Hanshan School, and they have also heard that he lives in Sect Master Jiang's mansion, but everyone thinks that he is the most important person. Prince, no matter where you go, you have to follow him with at least dozens of guards, how can you expect to go out with only two followers."

The other princes, except King Jing, were really ostentatious as he said, only Luo Pingyuan felt that it was inconvenient to have too many guards, so he did not increase the number of people.In the past few days during the festival, he had four of his attendants divide into two shifts, not just two.

Since he came to see King Jing, Luo Pingyuan did not go to Lancangju with him, but he was a little excited. Fan Yin's little catcher has long been famous in the Jianghu, and he has seen the unique skill of empty hands and empty hands, and he will definitely help him. A lot of busy work; and Mr. Tang Yu, who looks shy, has more rumors and deeds about him, and his ability to use poison with hidden weapons is superb. Maybe he will be the next Mr. Tang Da.

It is conceivable that in order to go to Beijing to help, none of them celebrated the New Year in their respective families.In the next period of time, young masters invited by Langhuan will come one after another to face the provocations of Liaojin.The lonely Jing Yuwei had never received such strong support, which made people feel confident and expectant.

Within two days, the emperor's order came from the palace. On the seventh day of the first lunar month, envoys from Beiliao and Yijin would be invited to a banquet, and Yelu Shibao and Wanyanchao were allowed to bring three young warriors from their own country to the palace, and all the princes would also be present.

Nominally speaking, the envoys of the two countries were in Luocheng on the occasion of the new year, and Yu Zhou was acting as a landlord out of etiquette, but in fact the intention was self-evident. It was related to the country's face and the marriage of Princess Danyang. The strength of each party has a certain number, what kind of manpower Liaojin is going to send, and how sure is one's own side.Of course, it would be even better if he could see the famous Toshihiko promised by King Jing.

When this meaning spread to King Jing's mansion, Lancang lived inside, Tang Yu was criticizing the world's most poisonous with Master Xi Gu, Fan Yin was cracking the mechanism set by Guan Ling, and King Jing was talking with King Ning.

After sending the servant who passed on the word of mouth back to the palace, Luo Yuhua said with a smile: "This is to say goodbye to the king. I wonder if Fan Shaoxia and Mr. Tang are interested in going together?"

The two young masters have lived in the mansion for two days. They came here for the purpose of competing with the barbarians. Hearing the words, they readily agreed. Fan Yin smiled and said: "I have been to many places, but I have not entered the palace. There is a lot of excitement when I come here early. ah."

Luo Pingyuan thought that there would be a total of six people from the Liao and Jin Dynasties, so he went to pick out two candidates from the Jingyu cavalry guards, and planned to go to the palace together for a banquet the next day.

"A Su, you can go together tomorrow." King Jing said when everyone dispersed to rest at night.

"Obey." Qin Su's voice came from the roof beam, short and crisp.

"I mean, it's been a long time since you accompanied me into the palace." Luo Yanhua said, "There hasn't been a hidden guard in the palace for a long time. I said hello to Commander Li, but you still have to be careful, don't do that." superfluous."

"Okay." Qin Su answered with even more precious words.But after a while, he said again: "The house is full of excitement."

"Some children from aristocratic families will be living in it for a while, so it will inevitably be more lively." King Jing said, a little strange, Asu's voice seemed a little dissatisfied.But he has seen many people, and now there are only two guests, so why would he care? "They live in the mansion, and the Kunlun mansion doesn't dare to disturb them casually. Isn't it easier to guard them?"

"After a while of silence, Qin Su said, "His Fifth Highness is very noisy. "

"..." Luo Yanhua was dumbfounded, so it was because of this.After Qin Su came back, he found that King Ning, who had previously had a grudge, would happily come and walk around Lancangju whenever he had time every day, as if he was really not used to it.In fact, of course there are chats, but Luo Pingyuan comes here every day, and most of the time he is busy with business in the study. When he encounters a problem, he asks himself to discuss it. Overall, he is still very quiet. If he knows that A Su thinks he is noisy, he must will feel wronged.

He looked towards the desk, and there was a warm jade pendant in the shape of a small fish placed on the desk.After Luo Pingyuan asked for it from Lord Duan, he showed it to Xi Ming first, and after confirming that it was indeed helpful to activate the blood vessels, he asked someone to tie it up and put it on before giving it to himself to wear.

He sighed leisurely, the orchid-shaped jade pendant that Ruohan gave him is still on his body, should he wear the two pieces together?Ping Yuan always makes similar moves naturally from time to time, hoping very hard for his body to recuperate and recover.

Could this be what Ah Su was referring to?In the eyes of those who know the inside story, it may be very uncomfortable.

"Pingyuan, it's a good intention." He sighed again without realizing it, and picked up the small nuanyu fish. There was no other way, so let's take the two pieces together for now.