Heicheng, between thousands of miles of yellow sand, is the northern hub of the Western Regions Trade Road, and is far opposite to Suzhou City, with similar geographical environment and role. In addition to opening up the territory and expanding the territory, most of the reasons for the construction of these two big cities in the northwest wilderness near the Western Regions were to ensure the smooth flow of trade routes, and whoever lost them basically lost control of the Western Regions.

From the two states of Sha and Gua to enter the customs, the road is easier to walk, and the richness of the Central Plains is spread far and wide, most of the business travelers still go from Suzhou City, and only about thirty percent enter the Northern Qi from Heicheng.

However, during the autumn harvest season, even if there are only 30% of the caravans, it is a huge amount on the scale of the two countries. On the trade road outside Heicheng, there is no end in sight to the convoy and camel caravan, and there are caravans that set up tents and camp on the spot along the way, and the cavalry of the Northern Qi patrols along the way to ensure the safety of the caravan, carefully maintaining this vital lifeline for the Northern Qi.

Merchants gathered in the black city on the night of early autumn, because the Northern Qi was driven out of the Central Plains, and at first glance, except for the men, they were all clothed, in fact, there was no difference from Suzhou City. Prince Zuo's mansion in the center of Heicheng, the architectural pattern is directly in the style of Jiangnan, with white walls and green tiles, corridors and pavilions, and strong homesickness everywhere.

On the branches of the moon, the lights in the black city are bright, like a pearl in the sea of sand.

The streets outside Prince Zuo's mansion were crowded with cars and horses, countless generals and squires came to the door with gift boxes, and even the Northern Qi State sent envoys to celebrate Prince Zuo's 48th birthday. Twelve years is a round, and forty-eight years old in this world is already considered a big life.

At this time, the guests in the palace gathered, the maids and servants walked back and forth, and the guards patrolled the periphery. In a courtyard where the guests of the outer house lived, several people sat in the teahouse, among which there was a young man with a long sword on his back, with a feminine appearance and long hair and a shawl, who was Zuo Yezi who was fighting the Taiji Temple with Xu Buling.

Last time, Chang'an City was beaten down by Xu Buling, who was sick, and it is not an exaggeration to describe it as a shame for Zuo Yezi, who has never tasted defeat since childhood.

But the strong have always been shameful and brave, Zuo Yezi didn't have any resentment in his heart, he only remembered the ten-year covenant - ten years later, he would take back the things he had lost.

After returning to the Northern Qi Dynasty, Zuo Yezi entered a reckless land, without any assistance, and fought with tigers, wolves, and horse bandits like an ascetic, forcing himself to become stronger little by little. Originally, this experience was going to last for a year, but today, Prince Zuo had a birthday, and the Northern Qi capital sent an envoy over, so he had to come back and show his face.

There were four cups of tea in the teahouse, and Zuo Yezi was opposite a Jianghu guest, dressed in Taoist robes, and also carrying a long sword wrapped in black cloth.

Zuo Yezi has been to the Central Plains and has an understanding of the various schools in the Central Plains, and the Taoist priest called 'Wu Wei' on the other side does not seem to be a real Taoist disciple, but like a fortune teller who pretends to be a ghost in the rivers and lakes.

However, it was a guest to visit the palace, so Zuo Yezi naturally didn't want to ask too much.

“…… Gong Chen, I'll leave this matter to you......"

A moment later, the closed door next to the teahouse opened, and the two of them walked out of the room.

Zuo Yezi raised his eyes and saw that walking in front was Chen Xuan, the first strategist under Prince Zuo. Because he was changed by King Su a few days ago, Chen Xuan's mental state is not very good, but victory and defeat are a common thing in soldiers, although Jiang Xuan scolded Chen Xuan, he did not really punish him, and his current status is still very detached.

Next to Chen Xuan, there is a middle-aged scribe with a long sword hanging from his waist, the hooked nose is Yu Xuanang, and he can hardly hear the sound of breathing when he walks, Zuo Yezi knows that he is a master with the power of the grandmaster in the rivers and lakes, and he reports that he is a 'Chang Shi Sword', but Zuo Yezi has never heard of this person, and there must be a top-secret important matter to visit Prince Zuo from the Central Plains, so he is naturally not easy to ask.

After Chen Xuan came out of the house, he sat down next to Zuo Yezi and raised his hand: Haha Literature Network

"Brother Chang, sit down, I will report this matter to Prince Zuo later, but that jade pendant is a family heirloom of the prince, and I dare not guarantee whether it can be successful."

Chang Shijian sat down next to Wu Wei, a wild Taoist, with a peaceful smile:

"This move is mutually beneficial, as long as Chen Gongken is willing to speak on his behalf, His Royal Highness Prince Zuo will definitely agree. In addition, I have one more thing that I want to discuss with Zuo Gongzi. ”

Zuo Yezi could see that Chang Shijian was by no means an ordinary man, and in line with the spirit of 'the strong are respected', he bowed his head very politely: "The seniors said it directly." ”

Chang Shijian chuckled, and turned his head to look at Wu Wei next to him:

"This is a friend I met this year, I once competed with one of the ten martial arts, Wudang Killing God Chen Daozi, Chen Daozi chased for three hundred miles and didn't catch up, I don't dare to say that the killing power is only comparable to the door god of King Su."

Zuo Yezi bowed slightly, he can be worthy of the word 'Wu Kui', except for the Tang family, who are all ruthless, this resume is really good.

Chang Shijian chuckled lightly and continued: "The reputation of Zuo Qingqiu Zuogong, the national teacher of Northern Qi, is known to everyone in the world, and he has currently accepted two apprentices, and Gongzi is one of them. According to the inheritance of the national teacher, there should be another apprentice. ”

When Zuo Yezi heard this, he sat up a little straighter:

"That's true, my senior brother and I can only be regarded as heroes, not Tianjiao, and the master and his old man have been worried about this matter. Originally, I saw a few candidates, but unfortunately they were either taken first or couldn't receive them, and I have been looking for many years, but I have never found a suitable one. Isn't there a person recommended by the predecessors? ”

Chang Shijian smiled: "This friend of mine has a niece. I was going to teach myself, but I found that I couldn't teach, so I asked around and found me, I looked at it, learning swords is really tyrannical, so I went to find Xue Chengzhi, I didn't think that Xue Chengzhi taught for a few days, I was embarrassed to accept it, let my friend find it again. I happened to be coming to Northern Qi for a trip, so I stopped by to see if Zuo Gong had the heart to educate on his behalf. ”

Chen Xuan is a strategist and has no martial arts, and he was a little puzzled when he heard this: "It's just an apprentice, do you need to mobilize the people like this?" Even Dayue's new Wu Kui didn't dare to teach? ”

Zuo Yezi's face was slightly serious, and he said softly: "It's not that I don't dare to teach, but I'm afraid that I can't teach well." It was a priceless treasure jade, but it was carved by a craftsman with poor craftsmanship, and the embryo was damaged if the knife was not accurate. However, Liuhemen is full of peaches and plums all over the world, even Xue Chengzhi has no confidence, and there are probably few people in the world who can teach, is it really so powerful? ”

Chang Shijian nodded lightly: "I may be able to look away, Xue Chengzhi thinks not." ”

"When my predecessor said so, I will lead the way, I just hope that I won't disappoint my teacher."

During the chat, an entourage ran over outside the teahouse:

"The prince has arrived, a few guests will be seated."

Chen Xuan nodded, got up and led the guests from afar to the main hall of the palace......