On the eighteenth day of the first lunar month, the imperial court officially issued an edict to reprimand the unreasonable demands of the Xia Kingdom, stating that Wuqi was the homeland of China, and the Great Song Dynasty would never abandon the land for any reason. At the same time as this decree, there were also the court's commendations for the petitioning students, as well as the commendations for several restaurants that arranged for the performance of the commentary of "The Complete Biography of Yue" in the past few days. And while the people of Bianjing raised their eyebrows and cheered for victory, Empress Dowager Gao quietly sent an attendant to Murong Mansion.

Murong Fu listened to Empress Dowager Gao's reprimand for his "dishonorability and disrespect for officials in the palace" with an expressionless face, wrapped a big red envelope and respectfully sent the chamberlain away, turned his head and ordered the trouble: "Prepare a generous gift, I will go to the Prime Minister's Mansion tomorrow to ask for guilt." ”

Although the monologue disappeared after the Tai students wrote a petition, there were court officials in Fengyue to guide the country, and the people of Bianjing quickly knew about Murong Fu's feat of angrily scolding Sima Guang for being unworthy in the court. Some people praised and some scolded, and Murong Fu became a popular figure in an instant, and he was in the limelight for a while. Now that the Empress Dowager has a will, it can be regarded as a final conclusion for Murong Fu's behavior. There was a lot of dissatisfaction in the turmoil, and he was afraid that Murong Fu would be unhappy, so he couldn't help but say when he heard Murong Fu have this arrangement: "The Empress Dowager is rude and protects her shortcomings, why should the prince wronged herself?" Didn't the chamberlain also say that the official family actually praised the son's righteous words. ”

Murong Fu glanced at Su Zhe sideways, shook his head and said, "These are two different things, and they can't be generalized. The teacher and Sima Xianggong were originally close friends, and I should never have been sick as a junior. If you don't come to the door to ask for sin, you should be embarrassed when the teacher returns to Beijing. ”

When Murong Fu mentioned Su Shi, he knew that it was not easy to persuade him, sighed, and went down silently to prepare.

But Su Zhe was very moved, and said before he said: "Akashi, Sima Xianggong is stubborn, and he will ...... tomorrow Alas! You are the last to learn, just serve him! ”

Murong Fu nodded and did not speak. In his opinion, if Wang Anshi reluctantly assumed the post of prime minister with the qualifications of provincial governor, he had the right goal but the wrong action; Then Sima Guang challenged the prime minister of a country with the ability of a teacher, but as a result, he would only follow the book and have no political wisdom. As for the stubbornness, the stubbornness of the scholar can still be said to be characteristic, but the official is still stubborn and does not listen to people, which can only be said to be immature. Therefore, there is no need for Su Zhe's vague reminder, Murong Fu has already expected that he will definitely get a bowl of closed-door soup when he goes tomorrow. The reason why he insisted on going even though he knew the result was just to give Empress Dowager Gao and Sima Guang a step down.

And the development of things was really as Murong Fu expected, after Murong Fu handed over the name post, the servant of the Prime Minister's Mansion led him to the outer hall with a wooden face, and let Murong Fu sit for two hours without anyone asking, let alone serving refreshments. It wasn't until two hours later that Liu Zhifang, Sima Guang's die-hard loyalist, walked out of the inner courtyard slowly and said coldly: "Xianggong is uncertain, and it is inconvenient to entertain guests today. Lord Murong, please go back! ”

Murong Fu unhurriedly collected the internal force that had been running for several weeks in the dantian and got up. "In this way, the lower officials will not bother." He pointed to the gift on the table and said, "A little bit of a small gift, just in line with Sima Xianggong's use, please ask Lord Liu to hand it over on your behalf." ”

Liu Zhi didn't look at the gift, and said with a sneer: "Xianggong has always been upright and disdainful of ghost tricks. Please also ask Lord Murong to bring these gifts back, don't hurt the reputation of the prime minister! ”

Liu Zhi was so ridiculed, but Murong Fu remained silent, but bowed down and said: "It's the lower officials who are not thoughtful, and they are taught!" Farewell to the lower officials! With that, he took the gift and left.

Before the Great Dynasty Meeting, Liu Zhi had little contact with Murong Fu and was not impressed by him. At the court meeting, Murong Fu jumped out and scolded Sima Guang, and Liu Zhi only thought he was a madman who was eager to become famous. But Murong Fu's appearance today was obviously too abnormal for Liu Zhi, and Liu Zhi couldn't see through him for a while. Back in the inner courtyard study, Sima Guang was sitting behind the table with a robe draped and looking through the entries of the Qingmiao Method. Seeing Liu Zhi come back, Sima Guang closed the book and asked, "People sent away?" ”

"Gone." Liu Zhi responded.

Sima Guang nodded, and was about to continue to bury his head in the Qingmiao Fa, but when he saw Liu Zhi's hesitant expression, he asked again: "What's wrong?" ”

"Xianggong, this Murong Fu official can't see through him." Liu Zhi bowed and replied, "At the court meeting, he was disrespectful to the prime minister, and the lower officials only thought that he was being used as a gun without knowing the height of the sky. But if he had been simple-minded, he would not have sat for hours and still been courteous. "There is a lot of praise for him inside and outside the government and the opposition, if he is really a fool who is used by others and does not know, I am afraid that he is still complacent now, and he will not come to ask for guilt. Liu Zhi hid this sentence and didn't mention it.

Sima Guang pondered for a while, suddenly smiled, and said in a low voice: "Su Zizhan is a good student!" "Could the person behind this manipulation be Su Zizhan? This thought quickly floated in Sima Guang's mind, and he quickly vetoed it himself. Sima Guang thought that he knew his old friend very well, and Su Shi was naïve and innocent, and he had never known anything about power schemes. "Don't pay attention to Murong Fu, since he is Su Zizhan's student, he will take care of it himself when Su Zizhan returns to Beijing! The first priority is to repeal the new law, and the second is to dig out the people behind the manipulation of speech. ”

"Yes!" Liu Zhi hurriedly bowed his head in response and said no more.

Murong Fu, who had come back from the closed door, never mentioned the matter, and asked about the black workshop of printing leaflets, the secret line of friendship with Ma Juan, and the leader who incited the people to storm Kaifeng Mansion. However, he didn't know that it was precisely because of his usual behavior that everyone became more and more frightened.

On the night of the first day of the first lunar month, Murong Fu and Qiao Feng had a big fight, which was the first time in their lives that all those who were familiar with Murong Fu had seen him lose his temper so much. After that night, Murong Fu threw all his energy into the court, never mentioning the word "Qiao Feng", and there was no reason for everyone to persuade them. Everyone who was bathed in the increasingly low air pressure of Murong Mansion saw that time passed day by day, not only did Qiao Feng no longer come to the door, but even Murong Fu became more and more calm. Everyone didn't know whether he had completely let go of the matter, or was holding his breath and waiting for the next big trouble, and every day was worrying and exhausted. In the end, Wang Yuyan, who was closest to Murong Fu, took the lead in surrendering and instructed Deng Baichuan to ask the seed master to help solve it.

Two days later, the seed master Dao, who was about to return to the border pass, stepped into the Murong Mansion under the ardent expectation of everyone, and was invited to the study by the grateful turmoil. At this time, Murong Fu was meeting Boss Tang of "Jinlin Building" in the study.

"You've done a great job this time!" As soon as the two looked at each other, Murong Fu went straight to the point and set a tone for Tang Lin's recent achievements. "I have never done bad to those who have done things for me with all their hearts, and I have sent you to the house for the reward you deserve. In addition, I will give you another 10% share of 'Jinlin Building' and 'Jinle Fang', which can be passed on to children and grandchildren. ”

Murong Fu's salary to Tang Lin was quite considerable, and Tang Lin didn't take the so-called reward very seriously. But "Jinlin Building" and "Jinle Fang" have made a name for themselves in Bianjing City and have won the commendation of the imperial court, which can be said to be two golden roosters that laid eggs, and Murong Fu gave him shares, which really made him happy and convinced. He hurriedly bent down and said sincerely, "Thank you, Prince!" Tang Lin was appreciated by the prince and has today, and he is determined to go to the soup for the prince! ”

Murong Fu smiled softly and said in a low voice: "It's not necessary to go to the soup and go to the fire, and it is enough to comfort my heart by doing things in a down-to-earth manner." I told you to train people for the opening of the branch, how did things go? ”

"Son, for the sake of the Western Xia warriors, we have signed an agreement with several major restaurants in Bianjing City to send people over to talk about commenting on books and singing Kunqu Opera, which has divided a lot of guests, if you open a branch again...... "Bianjing City is at the foot of the Son of Heaven, can you open a branch store can have a good business like Bianjing City, but Tang Lin did not dare to pack tickets. He was afraid that he would open a branch but not make a good profit, and Murong Fu would blame him, so he could delay it.

Without waiting for Tang Lin to finish speaking, Murong Fu knocked on the table twice and said in a deep voice: "Commenting on storytelling and Kunqu opera has the power of education, 'Jinlin Building' and 'Jinle Fang' must open ten branches in various state capitals within three years, and those more lively counties will open teahouses and also arrange storytellers." At the same time, children from other families are encouraged to come to learn opera, and their tuition fees will be converted into 10% of their performance income in the next three years. If you do these things, I will give you five percent of all the profits of these branches every year. Tang Lin, I have high hopes for you, you must not let me down. Remember, I only look at the results, not the reasons. Let's go down! ”

Murong Fu was so resolute and well-versed in people's hearts, Tang Lin no longer dared to prevaricate and delay with a small calculation. I saw him lick his dry lips with beads of sweat on his face, and honestly bowed down respectfully.

Until Tang Lin withdrew from the study, Murong Dufang picked up the tea bowl that had already been placed aside. "Ah Bi, let Fourth Brother Feng take my name card and send it to Zhuge Mansion!" As soon as he finished drinking the tea in the tea bowl, he hurriedly got up and opened the door. "Sue Lord Zhuge that I have something important to discuss with him, please ask him to ...... Brother Seed, why are you here? As soon as I opened the door, I saw the Planter Dao standing outside the door.

Abi, who had been guarding the door, answered softly, glanced at the planter with concern, and retreated silently.

Seed Master Dao walked into Murong Fu's study with a smile and closed the door casually. "I'm going to leave for Mizhi tomorrow, and before I leave, I'll come and see our Lord Murong."

Murong Fu smiled dumbly, and said helplessly: "You came here to make fun of me?" ”

The seed master didn't answer, picked up a note that Murong Fu put on the table, and read in a low voice: "See Zhuge is me, set up six doors; Pick up the teacher and hold a reception; Open a bookstore and run a newspaper...... It does seem to be busy, it's just ...... Shouldn't there be one more thing to add? He put down the sticky note and looked directly into Murong Fu's eyes. Make peace with Qiao Feng. ”

Murong Fu's eyes widened in disbelief, and he turned around abruptly, looking straight at the wall opposite. After a long time, the Seed Master Dao thought that Murong Fu would ask him to leave, and Murong Fu finally reacted. I saw him slowly clenching his fists and pressing against the table, as if he was overwhelmed but still struggling to support himself with perseverance, unwilling to seek any support. Murong Fu never forgot Qiao Feng for a moment, and forgot the dispute with Qiao Feng that night. He only consciously closed off his right brain, which controlled his feelings, and chose to use his rational left brain to deal with more urgent matters.

Seeing Murong Fu in such a situation, he didn't need to say any more nonsense about what gags he knew. "The three of us are friends who were killed in the sea of corpses and blood, how can these two brothers have an overnight feud? No matter what, after the quarrel and the fight, you almost killed him, so let's make peace when the trouble is over! ”

Murong Fu shook his head with difficulty and said softly, "I won't, I don't...... Didn't think about killing him. ”

Seed Master Dao stepped forward and hooked Murong Fu's shoulder, and said clearly: "I know, you were angry that night. But Li Yanzong's matter ......"

Murong Fu let out a sigh of relief, and said bitterly: "No, this has nothing to do with Li Yanzong. ”

"What are you doing when you send Gongye Qian to Xia Kingdom, if you don't say it, I won't ask ......"

"Nope! This has nothing to do with Gongye Qian! Before the Seed Master Dao finished speaking, Murong Fu couldn't help but interrupt him again. Am I ruthless and cold-blooded I understand, from beginning to end, the person who doesn't understand is Qiao Feng. Brother Seed, you don't know him...... You don't know ...... him" Murong Fu couldn't say any more, he just retreated to his position in silence, looking at his hands in a daze, completely helpless and helpless.

What kind of person is Qiao Feng in the original book? Standing up to the heavens and the earth is righteous and awe-inspiring, and what he does is worthy of the style of the ancient gentlemen, such a person is selfless. When such a gentleman dies for the righteousness in his heart, his heart is calm, and he will even deeply feel the nobility of his soul and be proud of it for sacrificing his life. But at the same time, the absurdity of reality is always here. This so-called noble sacrifice in the eyes of almost all people is often worthless. It is useless to strive for the happiness of the majority of the people, and to die for the sake of moral generosity, only by putting aside morality and unscrupulous means can it be possible to turn the situation around and achieve great causes. "Tao Te Ching" has a cloud: Heaven and earth are unkind, and all things are used as dogs. That's because great love for the world doesn't need to be benevolent. But these are often not possible for those benevolent gentlemen, and it is far more difficult for them to abandon benevolence and righteousness than for them to abandon their lives. Such a person, from another point of view, is not a kind of selfishness?

The real contradiction between Murong Fu and Qiao Feng is not whether Murong Fu knew that Gongye Qian killed Li Yanzong's whole family, whether Murong Fu was indifferent to the death of Li Yanzong's family and did not punish Gongye Qian, or even whether Qiao Feng decided that Murong Fu's personality had changed drastically and was cold-blooded and ruthless. In essence, the two of them simply don't agree on three views! When Qiao Feng decided that morality was far more important than a qiē, and that his body was far more important, Murong Fu had already decided that the goal was far more important than a qiē. And this point, Qiao Feng is still unaware even today.

Murong Fu didn't know how to say it, and he didn't know who to talk to. He is mentally mature enough not to cry and cry and demand "understanding" from others. He just doesn't want the end of this life to be like the previous life, to be accused of being a heinous bad person, and then be killed with peace of mind, and the people who do it are his closest relatives is the target he wants to defend. Murong Fu also knew that Yu Yan's words were actually right, and the Tao was not the same. But if it weren't for Su Shi and Qiao Feng, Murong Fu would never give up enjoying life in this life, and instead set himself the goal of "saving the Great Song Dynasty", which seemed naïve and ridiculous, but was destined to make him exhaust his life's efforts. If, when Yiqiē was just starting out, he had to abandon Qiao Feng, and perhaps Su Shi in the near future, then what was he doing all the work for?

At this moment, Murong Fu suddenly remembered a sentence he had read in his previous life: There is no fate between you and me, and it all depends on me.