Chapter 2: Tianhe (Four Below)

endured humiliation for so long, but in the end, he only got an errand that was worse than exile, and the former Fufeng County Commander Xue Jingxian was almost angry after hearing the news. However, after thinking about it, he could be regarded as having caught Yang Xiang's carriage, and he might not have the opportunity to show his ambitions in the future, and he couldn't help but feel proud in his heart. Shi Shiran settled the account with the shopkeeper of the post station, and took out almost the last savings to buy decent clothes. Then he went to the ministry to receive the holy decree and diploma, and ordered the twenty guards sent by the imperial court, and left Chang'an happily.

Less than a hundred miles away, his excitement was more than half cold. The same is to go west to pass the decree, Song Yu, a scholar in the house, hugged him when he went out of the city, and the relatives and friends who saw him off accompanied him from the ten-mile long pavilion to Liquan, until he reached the boundary of Fenzhou, and there were new faces riding fast horses to chase after him, and Song Daren waved goodbye. And he, Lord Xue, is a bit miserable. From beginning to end, he was alone, not to mention, even the guards sent by the imperial court to escort him, because they did not get the expected carriage and horse fare, their noses were not noses, and their eyes were not eyes.

When he stayed in the place, Xue Jingxian's mood was worse day by day. The Song Dynasty is in a high position and power, so the officials along the way are all working hard. Although he, Lord Xue, is a fourth-grade doctor, he does not have any real power in his hands at the moment. So not only did the officials not bother to come over to greet them, but the post stations along the way also put on a business-like face, from dishes and drinks to feed the horses, all of them picked up the minimum standards. The old horse under the crotch couldn't eat every day, and he couldn't take a step before he got out of Jingzhou.

Xue Jingxian had the intention to ask the post station for a strong mount, but the other party either shirked and said that the official horses had been requisitioned, or he shirked that he had no right to call the shots, and asked Lord Xue to find the highest local governor to speak. And the local county commanders and assassins, because they were busy with official business, did not have time to accept Xue Jingxian's visit. caused him to run empty many times, not to mention being angry all the way, and he also ended up with a lot of eyes from the porter.

Later, even the guard captain who had been scolding and scolding couldn't stand it anymore. On the way, he found a place where no one was around, and reminded in a low voice: "Haven't you seen it yet?" Where do they have no mounts to change for you? It's clear that I want to ask for some lottery money from adults. When you arrive at the next post station, you can throw some wealth and silk down, not much, the total price can be equivalent to five or six thousand dollars. Guarantee to have whatever you want, even we will eat and drink spicy food! ”

"What are these words, Guy Dong! Ben, this official has always been incorruptible. Where is the spare money for them to exploit! Even if there is, it can't encourage this unhealthy trend! Xue Jingxian flicked his sleeves angrily and refuted with a red face. After so many years in the officialdom, how could he not even have this little eye. When he was in Fufeng, in order to make a good reputation, he never dared to accept bribes. In the past six months or so since he reported to work in the capital, in order to find a suitable errand, he has given away most of his savings. At this moment, Mo said that he could not come up with enough money to spend on himself and his entourage along the way, and even the last few silver ingots in his pocket that pressed the saddle were all usurious loans borrowed from his fellow businessmen who gave up his cheeks and did business. Until the last resort, I will never dare to take it out and be extravagant!

Kindness was regarded as a donkey's liver and lungs, and the gang leader surnamed Dong was also on fire in his heart, Nirvana squinted his eyes swept Xue Jingxian, and said in a long voice: "Okay, good, since Lord Xue doesn't want to promote other people's crooked winds, Dong will no longer be verbose." Let's hold on slowly, anyway, it's the end of spring now, far away from the beginning of autumn. Don't worry about not being able to get to the place this year! ”

"You!" Xue Jingxian's eyes turned black with anger, and he wanted to give the other party a color while waving his horsewhip. However, seeing the cold eyes of the surrounding guards, the anger instantly turned into embers. Three thousand miles along the way, at least two thousand of which are deserted. Once you offend these Qiu Ba, find a secluded place and bury your Lord Qincha alive, and then report to the police that he has contracted the disease and died, where can he go to cry out for injustice?

He was cowardly before he fought, but the head of the Dong team over there stepped on his nose and put his face on it, "What, does Doctor Xue still want to teach me a lesson?" Come on, you'd better cripple me. We can't find an excuse to be lazy! Where birds don't, who do you think is willing to follow you to suffer this sin? If it weren't for the hard work assigned by the above, Dong might be looking for happiness in Yihong Courtyard in Dongshi right now! ”

"Hit you, hit you!" Xue Jingxian was forced to step down, so he had to raise the horsewhip viciously. The leader surnamed Dong did not show weakness, and as soon as his wrist was lowered, he grabbed the handle of the horizontal knife on his waist. Seeing that the two of them were about to move seriously, another guard captain surnamed Zhang hurriedly ran forward, grabbed Xue Jingxian's sleeve, and persuaded in a low voice, "Lord Xue, don't be angry, isn't Lao Dong also for your good?" Along the way, you have also seen with your own eyes how the people in the post house watch people put down dishes. You don't want to think of a way anymore, don't you say that we all suffer with it, and even the animals under this crotch are losing fat every day? The warm weather in the Western Regions is not much, in case we haven't reached our destination after the snow falls, and the official business of the imperial court is delayed. ”

This was said honestly, which made Xue Jingxian couldn't help but be a little moved. He pulled down the whip along with the other party, sighed, and said in a low voice: "That's it, that's it." In order to live up to the emperor's grace, Xue did not hesitate to make a name for himself. The next post station, just do what you say. Let's have a good meal and then continue on our way. ”

"Lord Xue is wise!" When the guards heard that there was oil and water to sacrifice to the temple, they immediately became happy, arched their hands, and cheered in unison.

Without waiting for everyone's cheers to fall, Xue Jingxian hurriedly added, "However, this is the only time." The road is still far away, if we go all the way, even if Xue has money, he will go bankrupt! ”

At this moment, the faces of the guards began to turn black again. One by one, they couldn't help but curse in their hearts, they had poured evil mold for several lifetimes, and only then did they become such a stingy customer. Others escorted Qin to the place to upload the decree, but before he left the Chang'an territory, he had already earned back his salary for several years. It's just us who are unlucky, and even to eat a hot meal, we have to go around the bend for a long time.

Knowing that these guards from the Jingshi were all fattened masters in the past, Xue Jingxian turned his heart sideways and added loudly, "Xue also knows that everyone is working hard. In order not to drag everyone down, if anyone can't walk, just hit the horse and turn back. Xue promised that he would never sue anyone in the future! ”

There is a saying that "those who are horizontal are afraid of the flute, and those who are afraid of the flute are not dead." On the head of the don't want to die, there is still a face that doesn't even want to be cheeky. As soon as Xue Jingxian put out the appearance that the dead pig was not afraid of boiling water, all the guards immediately changed their words, "How can it, how can it." Look at what Lord Xue said. It's as if our brother is more precious than you! ”

"Then let's go. Xue will definitely not disappoint everyone in the future! Xue Jingxian shrugged his shoulders and took the lead in walking forward.

The guards secretly spat a few mouthfuls of spit on the ground and followed. This way, it is even more listless. It wasn't until it was getting dark that I finally saw the shadow of a city. Xue Jingxian whipped his mount a few times and was about to go to the pavilion in the city to rest. In the tea shed not far from the city gate, an authentic Chang'an accent suddenly sounded, "Dare to ask, is this the new middle doctor Lord Xue?" The little one's surname is Li, and at the behest of my master, he has been waiting for adults here for a long time! ”

"Wait for me?" Xue Jingxian could barely believe his ears and hesitantly pulled his mount. He was too utilitarian, and he offended countless bosses and colleagues when he was in office, so this time he was ordered to send an envoy, and it was useless to even see him off. Who would have thought that he had left Chang'an for hundreds of miles, but suddenly an old friend servant appeared, which couldn't help but make people confused.

"Exactly!" The man surnamed Li, who spoke with a Chang'an accent, dressed as a housekeeper, and his speech and demeanor were generous. "When the adults were in Chang'an, my master wanted to find time to meet with the adults. It's a pity that by mistake, I never got my wish. Later, when I heard that the adults were ordered to go to Anxi to announce the decree, I sent the younger ones to see them off. Unexpectedly, the adults were in too much hurry, and the small ones didn't catch up. So I chased all the way along the official road, and this time I caught up with the adults. ”

"Oh?" Hearing this, Xue Jingxian became more and more confused. In the past six months or so in Beijing, he has begged people everywhere, hit walls everywhere, almost flattened his nose, and has not climbed any reliable door. How could you suddenly make such a righteous friend? can look at the other party's face and dress, and what he said does not seem to be false. Especially the entourage behind the visitor, all of them were born with strong force, and at a glance, they knew that it was a nursing home hired by a large family.

Just as he was hesitating, a group of guards had already caught up. The gang leader surnamed Zhang glanced at it with his eyes, and immediately guessed that the person who came was either rich or expensive. Hurriedly brought his mount forward, bowed down and reminded: "Since it is the adult's old handover to the housekeeper to come to practice, I will wait next to me." Anyway, it's still early, so I'm not in a hurry to enter the city at this hour and a half! ”

With that, he glanced at the brethren and walked away more than a hundred steps. I found a stall selling tea, jumped off my mount, and turned my back to Xue Jingxian to buy water to quench my thirst, and refused to look back at a bit.

After being reminded by Captain Zhang, Xue Jingxian also noticed the dress of the visitor. I saw that although this person was wearing a butler's garment, it was finely sewn from the finest silk, and the price was probably at least three times that of the brand-new official robe in his bag. And the mount that this person casually holds in his hand is also a famous Dawan good horse, and there is a folk nickname called the Night Lion, the whole body is snow-white, and there is no half a stray hair on the body.

can afford such a divine horse, I am afraid that the family assets are at least more than one million. or a powerful person in the Jingshi, whose status is not below Song Yu and others. Thinking of the word powerful, suddenly, a bright light flashed in front of Xue Jingxian's eyes. After despairing of Yang Guozhong's path, he once decided to accept the solicitation of a big man. But the big man seemed to have suddenly lost interest in him again, and after receiving the post, he was never heard from again, and no one ever contacted him again.

Now some people don't see them off outside Chang'an City, but they drive hundreds of miles away! Could it be that there is something inconvenient? Sweeping a specific position on the other party's neck, Xue Jingxian quickly jumped off the mount and slammed at the head of the family surnamed Li, "Look at my eyes!" I didn't even see who you were all the time. It's good to be expensive, Xue has always admired Guishang very much. It's just a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to meet you! ”

"Lord Xue is serious!" The housekeeper surnamed Li smiled and turned sideways, his smooth throat swaying up and down, "My master has always admired Lord Xue's ability to govern. This time, I heard that Lord Xue was ordered to go to the Western Regions to deliver the decree, and I am afraid that you will be too tired to walk and the road will be difficult. That's why I brought a few decent foot horses! ”

As he spoke, he turned back and winked behind him. All the families will immediately roll over and jump off their mounts at the same time. took the reins of the horse, and sent it to Xue Jingxian together with the night lion behind the housekeeper surnamed Li.

"I can't do it, I can't help it!" Xue Jingxian was so frightened that he waved his hand again and again, saying that he didn't dare to accept the other party's gift. The Night Lion is a hard-to-find horse, and the rest of the mounts, although they look a little worse than the Night Lion, are also first-class horses. So many good horses have been given to themselves to make foot power, and it is difficult to repay the grace, and even the fine material money along the way has to be eaten to the bottom of their own money!

"What's the point. Look at the yellow horse of the adult, I'm afraid they are at least ten years old. Adults are honest officials, and they can't be too harsh on themselves! The housekeeper surnamed Li, who did not have an Adam's apple, smiled and persuaded very considerately. My lord accepts it, the farther west you go, the cheaper the horse, and when I wait for the return trip, I will buy the foot power. By the way, there are also these books, and adults can take them to read on the road. Lest the journey be lonely, and you won't have a pastime if you want to! ”

Immediately, another attendant kindly sent a Tiran, which contained several thick books. Xue Jingxian was moved, rubbed his eyes, and took the book basket with both hands, "You keep it." Shu Xue is ......"

His original intention was to leave a book to give a better impression to the other party. Unexpectedly, his hand suddenly sank, and he almost threw the book basket on the ground. Fortunately, I have suffered a lot of sins in the past six months, and my strength has grown, so I have stabilized and barely made a fool of myself in public. But in his heart, he secretly wondered, "What book, is it so heavy?" ”

"Lord Xue is really a reading seed!" The housekeeper surnamed Li smiled and took Xue Jingxian's arm and helped him stabilize the book basket, "Although it is said that there is a golden house in the book." But there are no good mounts, and the road to the west is not easy to walk. In this way, the white horse will be left for the adults, and the other inferior horses will be ridden back by ourselves! Don't shirk anymore, otherwise, the little one won't be able to explain to my master! ”

"....... here" Xue Jingxian was still a little hesitant, but the basket in his hand was so overwhelming that he couldn't straighten his waist. The housekeeper surnamed Li has no Adam's apple, and his identity is already about to be revealed. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has been suppressed by Yang Guozhong, and his position is in jeopardy. It was easy for him to hug the thick legs of the Yang family, and when he turned his head, he was eye-browning with the prince. If there is a dispute between the two sides in the future, won't your small body be crushed?

"The poor are rich, don't shirk it. If you refuse, it's fake! Steward Li smiled again, and there was something between his words.

Recalling the sins he received along the way, Xue Jingxian suddenly became ruthless in his heart, "it, people are dead." It's a big deal to put your life on the line, and you can be beautiful for a few days." Putting down the basket, he arched his hand at the housekeeper surnamed Li, and said in a low voice: "In this way, if Xue wants to excuse himself, he just doesn't know what to do." May I ask Steward Li, this time Xue is traveling west, what is your entrustment?! ”

"Lord Xue is really happy!" Steward Li laughed, "I don't have any orders." My master just hopes that Lord Xue can bring a good message to Feng Jiedu and his soldiers for him. All the strong men defended the land for the country, and they worked hard one by one, and my master also admired it very much. ”

"Xue will definitely live up to his mission!" Xue Jingxian is also a long-term to the ground, with the courtesy of his subordinates to his boss, solemnly promised.

This time, Steward Li didn't dodge again. Instead, he really accepted him, and then returned the half-salute on behalf of the person behind him, "My master will definitely be very pleased when he hears this." Master Xue is going well, there are many people, and Li will no longer be long-winded! ”

With that, he left the night lion and a basket of "books", turned around and jumped on horseback.

"Brother Li, let's go!" Xue Jingxian stood on the side of the road and waved goodbye. It wasn't until the other party's back had disappeared on the official road that he slowly put down his sore arm. Lifting the bamboo basket containing the "book", he swayed and walked towards the snow-white BMW horse.

A group of guards also filled the tea at this moment, and under the leadership of the two gang leaders Zhang and Dong, they ran over with a smile, "The adult's friend is really righteous, and he didn't catch up with the adult, so he actually sent the housekeeper to chase him more than five hundred miles away." Look, look at this BMW. It turns out that compared to this horse, that horse is simply a meat that no one wants! ”

"Wait for Hugh to talk more!" There is a "book" in the chest, let alone a basket of treasure books with gold leaves? Carrying it, Xue Jingxian immediately judged the two of them before, "Lead my old horse, empty saddle, and follow behind the team." It has carried me for half my life, and it is time to enjoy it. The farther west you go, the cheaper the horses are, and if you think the mount under your crotch is an eyesore, and when you enter the city, you can go to the horse market. While it was not dark, each of them picked a first-class foot strength to come back. The required expenses are all borne by Xue! ”

"That's a good idea. Thank you, sir! Let's go, brethren, and get away! Don't delay Lord Xue's official business! Zhang and Dong looked at each other, and they both saw surprise in each other's eyes. There is no doubt that the miser surnamed Xue made a windfall, otherwise he would not have suddenly become so generous. As for who made this windfall, everyone is not interested. The water in the capital is deep, and the less you know, the longer you live. Otherwise, when you get up in the morning and suddenly lose your head, you won't have a place to cry out!

The reason why Xue Jingxian acted generously was to buy off a group of guards, so that no one would chew his tongue. At this moment, seeing everyone so good, my heart is even more happy. He lifted the book blue in his hand upwards and added with a smile, "Let's go." We're not staying at the hotel tonight. Go to the city and pick up the best restaurants to settle in. In the future, as long as Xue has a stutter, he will definitely not treat everyone badly! ”

As he spoke, he raised his eyes and looked around, and he was looking forward to the prestige.