Then the Taoist chief turned around and said, "This dish still needs to be tasted carefully by the distinguished guests, I just give a general idea." Please follow me to the stone bench in the apse and talk in detail. ”

Lu Zheng and Xue Ne followed, and after turning to a rockery, there was a hanging spring waterfall in it, and there was also a stone bench round table, after the three sat down, the Taoist chief said: "This pass has not been here for a long time, and the two nobles can come to make the cold house shine, and the cold house only has some tea at this time, and I hope the two of you don't suggest." ”

Lu Zheng said: "Don't be afraid, even the saint can come here, how dare we trouble the Taoist here, the environment here is good, and it can be regarded as the Taoist is too careful." ”

Xue Ne saw that the words of the two were more humble than the other, so he interrupted: "Okay, Lu Changshi, let's talk about these words later, now that I meet the Taoist chief, I still have a lot to say." ”

Lu Zheng then said: "Please Xue Jungong, Xue Jungong has more experience than me, so he will ask a lot." ”

Xue Ne saw Lu Zheng looking at him and said: "Don't hide it, I am the eldest son of Xue Rengui, the prince of Pingyang County when Emperor Gaozong was the emperor, so he inherited the title, and later became a small official, step by step, and now he is promoted to the general of Zuo Yulin, but no matter how successful a family is, it will only come to an end, and it will not be able to be a nobleman all the time." ”

At this time, the Taoist chief said: "I know what you mean, the honor of a high-ranking family may be just a flash in the pan, like a dream. However, as long as General Xue does not lose his morality and benefits one party, this blessing can last. ”

That being said, just accumulating good deeds can have such an effect...... My father has not only made meritorious deeds, but also done a lot of good deeds. ”

Lu Zheng looked at Xue Ne and didn't speak anymore, so he said: "If Xue Jungong finishes asking, then it's my turn, my question is very simple, I want to ask when this Tang Dynasty can be clear and clear, and there will be no waves?" ”

The Taoist chief thought for a while, stroked his beard again, and said: "The problem of the border plug is complex and changeable, and it will not stop the soldiers for the time being. The territory of the Anbei Protectorate is vast, and there are many ethnic groups and chaos, and it is not surprising that the Later Turks will take advantage of the situation. ”

At this time, after the Taoist chief finished speaking, Lu Zheng did not get the answer he wanted, but this matter is estimated to be the same as what the Taoist said. A person who is a Taoist can't talk about this mystery in all aspects, he can only say a rough idea, after all, he can't be like Yuan Tiangang in the Zhenguan period, Li Chunfeng and others.

At this time, a boy brought the tea to Lu Zheng, and the Taoist chief said: "Please invite the two from the capital to taste this tea, and see which one is better than the one in your house?" ”

Lu Zheng unceremoniously picked up the cup and drank a few sips, only to feel refreshed, so he said: "It seems that the Taoist master is also good at making tea, which is even better than that in our house." ”

Xue Ne also tasted a few sips, and sure enough, as Lu Zheng said, Xue Ne said: "The tea here is really refreshing, and the aftertaste is endless." ”

"The two nobles will taste more, this tea is in our place, this tea is made from the sweet spring in the mountains, and the natural taste is different. Every spring and summer, I would go to the mountains to draw the sweet spring that flowed from the cliff wall, and I usually had to climb for many hours to get it. In addition to drinking these sweet spring teas here, by the way, they also let the pilgrims taste them, which can also make a lot of profits. ”

After hearing this, Lu Zheng exclaimed: "This spring is born on the cliff, it can be seen that it is not an easy thing to obtain, since it is not easy to obtain, it is also a treasure." It seems that there is a cave on Zhongnan Mountain. ”

The Taoist chief nodded and said: "What the noble man said is right, it is indeed a cave in the world, and the aura of thousands of years has gathered, so that this place is different from other places, and there are treasures to be found all over the mountains." ”

Regardless of whether the chief is exaggerating or not, Lu Zheng was a little surprised, so he said: "Not to mention that the chief can cultivate here with peace of mind, there are no people in this mountain for a long time, and with the nourishment of water and soil, it is also a resort separated from the world." ”

Then the three of them laughed at the same time, and when they laughed, Lu Zheng and Xue Ne drank the rest of the tea, and Lu Zheng said: "Since there is no incense here in winter, we will have to put on a stick of incense before leaving." ”

The Taoist chief said, "If that's the case, just come with me." ”

The Taoist leader brought the two of them to the golden statue, at this time Lu Zheng and Xue Ne both knelt down, and when they saw the golden statue smiling slightly, they made a wish in their hearts sincerely, and knelt down a few times in a row.

When he got up, the Taoist chief explained some things about Zhongnan Mountain, and Lu Zheng and Xue Ne walked out of the door of the Taoist temple, and on the way, Lu Zheng said again: "Just now before leaving, the Taoist chief said that the snow on the top of the mountain is too thick now, and it is not suitable for us to continue to go up the mountain." ”

Xue Ne asked, "Then what do you mean?" ”

"Although the Taoist chief said so, I am still a little curious, so it is better to just log in."

At this time, Xue Ne thought for a while, and then said: "I see that the sky is slightly dark, it is better to go back to the city, I am a little uneasy in my heart, it may be with Chang'an and Guan." ”

Lu Zheng had no choice but to acquiesce, and the two walked down the mountain road along the mountain road, the scenery along the way was in the eyes of the two, but Xue Ne was a little uneasy, and the scenery in his eyes didn't seem to pay much attention.

The carriage galloped all the way towards Chang'an City, and at this time it was dark, and Lu Zheng stared at the boss for fear of bumping into something. There were some low woods on both sides, and Lu Zheng's vision could be extended far away, and suddenly Xue Ne in the carriage poked his head out and said: "That day, I heard people along the way say that last time Yuwenrong surveyed the fields, he also filled his own pockets and let go of some people who bribed him, I don't know if it's true or not?" ”

Lu Zheng was surprised: "If Yu Wenrong does that, he will also be a traitor." Let him go to various places to investigate as the overseer of the imperial history, in order to return justice to everyone and create well-being for the people, if he makes a profit because of this, it will not hurt His Majesty's heart. But the words of a passer-by are not credible. ”

Xue Ne said: "I'm guessing, but it is bound to be difficult to find out that Yu Wenrong took bribes privately." ”

Lu Zheng said again: "Don't think about these things, I don't think there is anything to do, and the gossip of that passerby may be false." ”

Xue Ne sighed: "I don't want it to be true either, but Yiye Zhiqiu, forget it, I'll make plans when I return to Chang'an City." ”

Lu Zheng looked at the direction of Chang'an City, the lights filled his eyes, and Lu Zheng saw an extremely warm atmosphere under the fireworks in the city. But there is also the confrontation between good ministers and traitorous ministers, so how much intrigue there is in a seemingly quiet city, and how many sad family affairs are in the interweaving of interests.

When he was about to reach the city gate, Lu Zheng saw some people walking towards the city, these people looked disgraced, and even some were in rags, Lu Zheng thought carefully that these people should be refugees who were taken away from some fields, and now they may be pouring into Chang'an City just to fight a lawsuit to see if they can make a living. However, some people have done these things before, but with little success.

When Lu Zheng arrived near the city gate, he saw that the people in front of him were blocking the way, so he helplessly parked the car on the side of the road, and Xue Ne poked his head out and said, "What's wrong?" ”

Xue Ne also saw the long queue in front of him, so he sighed, "Let's go around." ”

………

When the two arrived at the mansion, Lu Zheng turned on the lights in the house, Xue Ne sorted out the books, the two were busy, and suddenly Xue Ne said: "I plan to go to the palace tomorrow, you can go with me." ”

Lu Zheng didn't know what Xue Ne meant, but now that he was given by the Holy Emperor to enter and leave the palace without prohibition, he also said: "Okay, I'll go with you." But what's going on? ”

Xue Ne replied: "Actually, I just want His Majesty to assign me a task, that is, to return to the battlefield, I am a military general, but now I have spent a long time here, and it is not a way to go on like this." ”

Lu Zheng can understand Xue Ne's thoughts, if the generals do not defend the country and the imperial family, kill all the enemies, and cower in this world all day long, it is not common sense. However, Lu Zheng felt that it seemed a little inappropriate to enter the palace to see His Majesty so abruptly. Then he said, "Can Your Majesty agree?" His Majesty had ordered the general to return to Beijing in order to allow the general to recuperate here. ”

Xue Ne said again: "Don't be afraid, I should ask Your Majesty for something, and you can also help me play together by the way." ”

Lu Zheng said: "Yes, yes, but Your Majesty may not listen." But if you're gone, can I live here alone? Your Majesty will not let me go to the frontier again, so won't you and I have to separate? ”

Xue Ne said earnestly at this time: "Lu Zheng, there must always be a time of separation in life, since we can get together, there will definitely be a day of separation, and the deeper your friendship with me along the way, maybe we can see each other again." ”

Lu Zheng was already a little crying, so he endured his feelings, walked to the courtyard, sat under the eaves, and then Xue Ne also came out and said: "It's cold, don't think too much, think about this, don't think about what you shouldn't think, you are not Your Majesty, you can't be too left." ”

Lu Zheng turned his head over again and said, "I didn't think about anything, I just wanted to think about how Wang Hui is now?" Wang Dadu once promoted me to the position of Changshi, and now I have experienced so much with the general, so I can't help but sigh when I think about it. Now that General Xue and I are about to separate, I don't know if we will see each other again. ”

"There must be, but I was already old by then, so why didn't you know if you could recognize me when we met?"

Lu Zheng said: "How can you not know it? Even if we are separated for ten years, or more, I will recognize you, because you have been all over my mind, and these days, we have all encountered a lot in the dangerous city of Chang'an, and I can never forget these memories. ”

Xue Ne was a little moved, so he said: "I will also remember you clearly, but don't talk about this matter anymore, there will always be a day when you meet in life, wait until that day and then live and talk about it, don't you think it's too early at this time?" ”

Lu Zheng didn't say anything anymore, but stood up from under the eaves and said: "Then tomorrow I will go with you to see if I can convince Your Majesty, after all, Your Majesty thinks that this is proposed to be on the border, and you come and go at will in this Chang'an, Your Majesty will be a little impatient, and in my opinion, this matter is difficult to handle." ”

After Lu Zheng spoke, the two fell asleep under the cover of night.