On the 23rd day of the 2nd month of the leap year of Longxing, Chinese New Year's Eve happened to be the third night after the evil moon fell.

Zhangzhou city is full of lights, from time to time there are firecrackers, there are no people on the street, there are anxious people, has been the welcome couplet posted out.

The whole city was filled with joy, and the great change that was about to cause turmoil in the Qimin Province had not yet had time to enter the people's field of vision.

Just as the Son of Heaven and Bianjing are too far away, whether it is Zhang Chengtao, the political envoy of the Seven Fujian Province, or Song Yinting, who is the commander of the envoy, for ordinary people, it is just a conversation after tea and dinner, as long as it does not affect their own small life, even if they fight to the death, it is at best a sigh of going upstairs and collapsing down.

However, this year, for officials large and small in Zhangzhou Mansion, it was really difficult.

At this time in previous years, in front of the mansion of the political envoy, those who handed out posts to meet after the New Year, directly came to the door with filial piety during the New Year, or climbed relatives with the Zhang family, who were eligible to come and sit on Chinese New Year's Eve and ask for a glass of wine, had long been crowded shoulder to shoulder.

But this year, the magnificent mansion on the bank of the Kowloon River was closed, and there was not even a figure in front of the door.

As early as a few days ago, the mansion of Fantai was suddenly empty, and only a deaf and dumb old slave was left, who didn't know anything.

Some people speculate that the lord of the clan has been lingering on the sickbed and will finally not be able to pass this year; some people say that it was Song Yinting who suddenly made a ruthless move, and even took the two palace maids in the palace who were given by the saints; some people even secretly wondered if Zhang Chengtao had done something rebellious and was discovered by the two palace maids, so he killed people and fled with his family.

Among them, the more they knew the inside story, the more they did not dare to make a noise, but the petty officials who were completely in the dark spread the rumors vividly, as if they had seen it with their own eyes.

In fact, Zhang Chengtao, who is in the whirlpool of rumors, has never left Zhangzhou City.

At this moment, Zhang Chengtao was sitting on the bank of the Jiulong River, in the backyard of an inconspicuous house, staring at the surging river.

These days, he has been sitting in this way except for necessary meals and activities, and has hardly any contact with the outside world.

It seems that everything he can do has been done, and what the final outcome will be, he can no longer do anything.

Even on this Chinese New Year's Eve, when two uninvited guests came to the door and sat down on the stone bench in front of him without seeing him, Zhang Chengtao still didn't know whether he had won or lost.

The three of them sat silently for a while, all looking at the river, as if no one wanted to break the silence after the dust had settled.

The first to speak was Zhang Chengtao.

"It's coming so fast. His tone seemed to be lamenting that time flies, and Shaohua is easy to age.

"It took some time to find the ship, but I didn't expect it to go so slowly, and finally found it in Yongfu County, Fuzhou Prefecture. The person who spoke spoke in a calm tone, with a calm smile on his face, and his long beard moving with the wind, was Song Guogong, and sitting on the other side of him was Song Yinkai, the eldest son of Guogong.

Zhang Chengtao's body trembled slightly, and then immediately regained his composure, as if this ending was also within the range he could bear.

"I didn't expect it to be a bad move. He smiled bitterly and sighed, but didn't ask how the Song family knew about the boat.

There was a long silence again, and no one spoke, but there was a certain tension in this silence, not the tension that would splash blood for five steps as soon as the string was broken, but a tension that became softer and longer, but could affect the situation in the world at every turn.

It was still Zhang Chengtao who spoke first, probably the defeated side, and he was always less reserved.

"I know you're here tonight to know something. Yes, it was my hands and feet, but I was also entrusted by others, and it wasn't until the past two days that I roughly figured out what that kind of sword wound meant. ”

"I'm not trying to shirk anything, it's a bad move, so naturally I accept my fate. As soon as he spoke, he could not hold back, as if he had something to say: "As for what you want to ask, I don't know, and even if I did, I wouldn't say it." As far as your Song family is concerned, it doesn't matter if you know it or not. On Xianwen's side, I have already repaired the letter and asked him to act steadily, and he will not trouble you again in the future. ”

"You're right. Song Yinkai said in a low voice.

Zhang Chengtao glanced at him, as if he felt that he was not qualified enough, so he looked at Song Guogong and said, "Song Gong should understand what I mean." ”

Song Guogong smiled abruptly: "Zhang Chengtao of Qimin Dao, you are really a character, you have put so many organs, and in the end there is still a way out." ”

"Song Feng came here tonight, isn't it also for this matter?" Zhang Chengtao smiled bitterly: "I might as well say it directly, that person is the old god behind the Moon Worship Cult, but I don't know how many generations it has been, he has never appeared in front of me, but I have probably guessed who he is." He grabbed the handle of your Song family, and after tonight, your Song family also caught his handle. Good for both sides. ”

Song Yinkai didn't realize what he was talking about until this time.

That's right, if the one who knows the secret of Gongsun's swordsmanship is the old god behind the Moon Worship Cult, then he is Zhang Chengtao's last move.

The secret of Gongsun Jianpu let Emperor Daliang know that the Lin'an Song clan would usher in a catastrophe, and the old god hidden in the world, once his identity was revealed, he would also die a miserable death.

Zhang Chengtao seemed to be worried that the Song father and son had not thought it through, and said to himself: "You Song family, you don't really need to know who he is, just sit here for a while tonight, and after today, you won't have to go to Xianwen for trouble." That person will feel that there is a deal between you and me. Such a desperate plan can make you keep your virtuous writings untouched, what kind of deal can you be?"

"Why bother making a show. Tonight I will put down my words, and I will not embarrass your children if you tell him who he is. Song Guogong said briskly.

"I'm just guessing, I may not be accurate, if I say it, will Song Gong dare to test it?" Zhang Chengtao stared at Song Guogong's eyes and asked with a smile: "I don't guess, because if the temptation comes down, I guess wrong, and you will show your feet instead." So why bother with mediocrity, just think you already know. ”

Song Yinkai frowned as he listened. He seemed to understand how mysterious the words his father said to Yin Ting that day.

The political envoy of the Seven Fujian Daoists in front of him is also the same as the Arhat of Tongtian, but he does the opposite.

He obviously guessed the identity of that person, but he didn't say it, and even told you that it would be good for you not to say it. But Song Yinkai stood from the perspective of the Song family, and actually felt that this was reasonable.

You obviously hate him to the bone, but you can't kill him all, because once this happens, it is equivalent to telling the Moon Worship Cult that the person who knows the secret of Gongsun Jianpu, and he Zhang Chengtao has not been able to give valuable information when he is dying.

"Well, it doesn't matter if you don't say it. Song Guogong suddenly said leisurely: "I almost guessed it." ”

Then the two looked at each other and smiled.

Song Guogong then said indignantly: "Do you have wine here? Tonight, on Chinese New Year's Eve, my father and son will accompany you to have a drink, which can also be regarded as seeing you off." ”

"On the banks of the Kowloon River, there is no regret about drinking a glass before leaving. Zhang Chengtao also smiled heroically.

......

On the night of Chinese New Year's Eve in the second year of Longxing, Zhang Chengtao, the political envoy of the Seven Fujian Province, died in another garden, and his sword wound passed through his chest.

The only subordinate beside him hanged himself.

There was also a table of wine in the garden, which looked like someone had just been entertained before he died.