In the first year of Lin De (664 AD), the twenty-fourth day of the fourth month of the summer, the fourth quarter of the unitary hour.

Liquan County, Yongzhou, stretches nine mountains, is where Zhaoling is located. According to later generations, it is near Xianyang, Liquan County, Shaanxi. Tang Taizong and Empress Wende, many princes and princesses, and important ministers of the Taizong Dynasty, many are buried here.

The scale of the building is huge, and there are many temples nearby, and there are the most burial cemeteries. There are five grade mausoleum orders, from the seven grade of the mausoleum, countless palace people to support. Guards patrol and guard, the rank of the officer guarding the mausoleum, at least lieutenant general.

In the spring and February of each year, the imperial court appoints important ministers to come to Zhaoling to worship. On Taizong's birthday, ministers will also be arranged to serve Taizong's soul. Li Jiu is a filial son, and he often visits Zhaoling in person, puts on the biggest guard of honor, and gives out various gift bags. Such as exempting local rents, civil and military officials protecting tombs, adding officials to knights, and so on.

Occasionally, on a whim, the prisoner sacrifice ceremony will be held here. Comfort Taizong's heroic spirit, your headache enemy country is now destroyed by me. At the same time, it is also a show off, indicating that the martial arts of cultural governance will not lose to Taizong. Wu Kang's first expedition to the west, captured Ashina Helu, and offered prisoners here.

In the mausoleum area of Zhaoling, all idle people are strictly forbidden to enter and exit casually. It is strictly forbidden to damage the grass and trees in the mausoleum area, otherwise the mausoleum official will be unlucky. At this time, the general of Huling, Zhao Daoxing, the son of Tianshui County, worshiped General Zuo Jinwu and was in his early thirties.

At sunset and dusk in the West Mountain, Zhao Daoxing carried a saber and a squad of guards to carry out routine patrol tasks. Walk out of the North Sima Gate, turn right out of the Yuanwu Gate, and go to the burial area in the west. In front of the monument of Empress Wende, first inspect the bow, and then carefully inspect the surroundings.

After making sure that there was no mistake, Daoxing relaxed, looked at the Western Mausoleum, and bathed in the afterglow of the sunset. After about half an hour, he slowly turned around and instructed the guards: "You go to the East Rice Warehouse and receive another ten days' rations, and you will be patrolling around." ”

The guards left in formation, and the surroundings were quiet, and Dao Xing took a step forward and continued to patrol the east. Pass through the tomb of Princess Pu'an, make sure that the tomb lock is not damaged, and then go to the tomb of Princess Xincheng. Carefully go up the mountain, in the cypress forest outside the tomb, and sit down on your knees to rest.

Looking up at the tomb hall, I felt a lot of emotion in my heart. Xincheng is ill-fated, gathering thousands of favors, enjoying fine clothes and food, but being burdened by politics. He died at the age of thirty, his horses were killed, and the entire Wei family was exiled. There have been rumors in Chang'an that Xincheng died of illness, and the master was humiliated by it.

Not long ago, the sage issued an edict, so the horse was buried in the tomb of the new city. The rumors of domestic violence have been self-defeating, and this is an unjust case. If the horse is rude, with the majesty of the royal family, the murderer will not be allowed to be buried with the princess of the Tang Dynasty.

Thinking of this, I scoffed, and when I went home, I set up a reprimand, my descendants and grandchildren are not allowed to Princess Shang. Because the princess is too fierce, her life style is very bad, and the new city with a good reputation is also imaginary. Not long after his death, his only daughter was sent to Wukang's mansion.

Fools understand that her biological father is not the eldest grandson of the horse, but a relative Wu Bianzhi. As the saying goes, marry a woman and get a princess, start an official mansion on the ground, and live in a fire for life. was thinking wildly, and faintly, he heard movement behind him.

After hesitating for three minutes, the movement became more obvious, and he finally came back to his senses. The nerves tensed instantly, jumped up and turned around, and the head of the knife was unsheathed. glared at the person in front of him, and scolded him: "Who trespassed on Zhaoling, dared to wear a sword, and didn't want to live?" ”

The other party didn't reply, just seven steps away, his body straight and straight. He is more than six feet tall, exuding a fierce aura all over his body, unswerving like a rock, and ready to attack like a beast. He was dirty, his purple robe was messy and filthy, and his face was covered with dust. His lips were chapped and bleeding, and his eyeballs were bloodshot, as if he had gone through vicissitudes.

Seeing the scar on his cheek, Daoxing's pupils shrank slightly, and the horizontal knife drooped slightly. The impression of the person in front of him, acting treacherously, always fierce and fierce, why is he so down. didn't have time to think about it, and returned the horizontal knife to the sheath and saluted: "Zuo Jinwu Zhao Daoxing, meet General Wuda, why did you trespass on Zhaoling?" ”

Wu Kang returned the salute, his voice hoarse: "In my life, I love two women deeply, my wife and Xincheng. The princess died suddenly, and I wanted to pay homage to her and ask General Zhao to be accommodating. I pledge with my life that I will not alarm others and will not affect you. ”

After a short silence, Dao Xing sighed secretly, in fact, he also had compassion for Wu Kang. crossed the Liaohai Sea to conquer Baekje, and his sister and lover both fell ill and died. In order to avoid distraction before the battle, the court concealed it and did not report it, and it has been delayed until now. The double fatal blow, the pain in his heart, others can't understand.

It's a pity that he can't help, and Dao Xing's face is ashamed: "I also deeply sympathize with General Wu's experience." But you know that if a foreign minister enters the Zhaoling Mausoleum, he needs the permission of the sage. Take out the official document of Zhu Pi, I will personally lead the way, otherwise it will be difficult to obey the fate. ”

Wu Kang said lightly: "When the class teacher returned to Chang'an, he first went to the Wannian Palace before hearing the bad news. At that time, my heart was so dead that I didn't have time to think about it, and I didn't apply for official documents. I was pushed by guilt, ran all the way here, and asked the general to be accommodating. Wu Kang hereby promises to do his best in the future to repay the general's great kindness. ”

Daoxing decisively refused: "The general took the liberty to come here, I have the responsibility of failing to investigate, and it is a dereliction of duty to let the general go to the grave." Therefore, I am advised to turn back, receive Zhu's official documents, and act in accordance with the charter. I also implore the general not to embarrass me. ”

It was clear that the oil and salt did not enter, Wu Kang did not want to give up, and his words became more and more sincere: "From Linyou to Liquan, one hundred and fifty miles away, I came to Zhaoling on foot. It took two days, only two dry rations, and the rest of the water to satisfy my hunger, begging the general to have mercy on me. ”

Daoxing subconsciously lowered his head, saw the dirt on his leather boots, and sighed silently. After being entangled for half a minute, he shook his head resolutely: "People are not grass and trees, who can be ruthless, the general's obsession, Dao Xing admires it very much." But it's still the same sentence, without the saint Zhu Pi, you can't be let into the temple. ”

Wu Kang's brows furrowed, ruthlessness flashed in his eyes, staring at Zhao Daoxing, and the corners of his mouth sneered: "It's convenient for you, it's convenient for yourself, it's not close to people, and the future is bumpy." May I ask General Zhao, if you insist on breaking through, how do you deal with it? ”

Feeling insulted, Dao Xing became angry in his heart, and began to be yin and yang: "The general has merit in the country, and Dao Xing is polite everywhere, why be aggressive." If I insist on breaking in, I will not do my best to capture the general. Today's rights and wrongs, he is above the court, and the saint has his own public opinion. ”

Shameless, Wu Kang finally sneered: "Yonghui for three years, I am not handsome, and within two years, I will be promoted to Wuzhou Assassin History." In the first year of Xianqing, he was removed for his crimes, and to this day, he is a general of the three grades. My queen brother didn't give much help, and she can get to where she is today, and she relies on her own hard work. ”

Despised Zhao Daoxing, and continued to speak venomously: "Ling Zun's surname is Zhao Yancai, his military exploits are brilliant, he is loyal to Sui, and he worships General Wuhou." It's a pity that the tiger father and dog, your general Jinwu, don't have any military exploits, and only rely on his ancestors to come to the door. is the same general Jinwu, but they are very different, aren't you ashamed? ”

Zhao Daoxing was furious, his right hand grasped the hilt of the knife, and half of the knife was unsheathed. Wu Kang turned a blind eye and still sneered: "I haven't been on the battlefield, I haven't beheaded an enemy general, and I am not worthy of being called a general." Your showmanship, let me look down on it, there is a saying you are right, you really can't do it. ”

When the horizontal knife was unsheathed, Daoxing gritted his teeth, and his white face was flushed: "There was no injustice in the past, and there is no enmity in the near future, so why ridicule." The general has been on the battlefield for a long time, and his bravery is the best of the three armies, and Daoxing admires him very much. But what you said is too high, Zhao received the lesson today, and asked the general to draw his sword. ”

Wu Kang didn't move, shook his head and mocked: "I didn't underestimate you, what I said was the truth." I was behind you for a quarter of an hour, twice to make a fuss, and you reacted. Without the slightest vigilance, if you are put on the battlefield, you will not survive for two days. ”

The eyes are like looking at ants: "No wind and rain, no rainbow, no fighting, not worthy of general." I traveled day and night, exhausted in the morning, and thirsty and hungry. But you're just an ant, a little bit of fist embroidery, and you're not worthy of me to draw a sword. ”

An dared to deceive people like this, Daoxing lost his mind and rushed over with a knife. Wu Kang moved like a rabbit, dodging the sharp blade, and his movements were slightly exaggerated, adding to the mockery. Dao Xing was full of anger, holding the horizontal knife in both hands, completely losing his mind, and the knife went straight to the point.

A dozen or so looked at each other, and they heard a crisp click. Wu Kang turned around abruptly, kicked the golden crown backwards with one move, and kicked it in the crook of his leg. Daoxing knelt directly on the ground, his right leg was numb and sore, and he lost consciousness for a while. He screamed strangely, and his head was hit by a branch, and he was dumbfounded in an instant.

Time passed, and Daoxing's half-bent legs fell to his knees. He stared down at the branches, his face pale as paper, his shoulders trembling. It was as if it was not an ordinary branch that was cut off, but his fate, and even his head.

Wu Kang came to his side, looked at the half-grown branch, and untied his calculation bag: "Tang Lu said that some people have been convicted by the sky, and they don't know the discipline. After thinking about it, he failed to succeed, so he became disgusted and plotted to destroy the temple, the mountain mausoleum and the palace. This is a conspiracy to rebel, the second of the ten heinous, do you know how to punish it? ”

took out a large set of keys and slowly fiddled around to find them: "I beheaded and abandoned the city, father and son over 16 years old, all sentenced to hanging." Men under the age of 15, including their female dependents, were all enslaved and confiscated from their families. Uncle and brother's son, all exiled for 3,000 miles, will die in a foreign land. ”

Fiddle with each key and identify the text on it: "Prevent the strongman from entering the mausoleum, unintentionally cut down the cypress tree, and punish lightly according to the law." will be exiled for 3,000 miles, and it will not harm my family, but unfortunately I am not optimistic. Today's saint is extremely filial, and if you cut down the Zhaoling cypress tree, you are ignoring it for unfilial piety, and he will kill you. ”

Suddenly stopped moving, looked at the key in a daze: "I want to worship the new city, I don't want to climb over the wall to enter, that is disrespectful to her." So he begged bitterly, hoping that the general would be accommodating and grant the key to the tomb. But if you don't eat oil and salt, let all the good things be said, you will be indifferent. ”

Dao Xing raised his head Muran, and he was already in tears: "You are so ruthless, your evil words anger me, you don't draw your sword and only dodge, leading me to cut down the cypress tree by mistake." You and I have no grievances, I just reject you, and I am fulfilling my duties. Why did you plan to put my whole family to death, why is it so vicious? ”

Wu Kang sighed: "If this matter is poked out, I will be removed from the official position, which is unwanted." was convicted of death in Wuzhou, and after seven years of living on a horse, I owe too much to my wife and daughter. I just want to stay at home, spend time with my wife, and raise my daughter. ”

The key ring was handed to Daoxing, shook his head and said, "Your dereliction of duty, the punishment will not be too heavy, and the queen will protect you." But if you plot a great rebellion, you will go at least 3,000 miles, or you will commit suicide at home. The road is in front of you, you can choose what you want, don't make me wait too long. ”

Dao Xing was not reluctant, and after half a quarter of an hour, he took off the key and handed it to Wu Kang. wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes, and his tone was almost pleading: "I, Zhao Daoxing, swear that I will be loyal to the queen from now on, and if I break my oath, I will die with five thunderbolts." What happened today, please keep it a secret, a certain grateful. ”

Wu Kang was noncommittal, clutched the key in his hand, got up and walked away. After taking seven or eight steps, he stopped and said, "Everyone has weaknesses, and the main thing is to see who is taking advantage of them." If I meet a good person today, I won't be able to get any benefits, so learn more from him. In addition, I advise you that only by controlling your temper can you live for a few more years. ”

Dao Xing was speechless, looking at his back in a daze, and suddenly jumped up like an electric shock. Seeing that there was no one around, he quickly took out a dagger and cut through the branches of the cypress. Cut into small knots, all stuffed into a counting bag, and the branches are stored close to the body.

Lie on the ground and carefully inspect to make sure there are no traces, and then look at the broken cypress tree. Fortunately, it is not obvious, and a slight movement of the branch can cover the broken area. As long as it is not detected, it will not take long for the shoots to take shape. When the breach is covered up, the sins you have committed will sink into the sea.

As a person with Wu Kang, as long as he is loyal to the queen, he can become an ally. I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, carrying all the branches, and sneaking away. Pretending to be calm along the way, he returned to the Yuanwumen camp and went straight to the ganghead camp. I found the captain of the gang and asked, is the food ready?

After receiving an affirmative answer, he nodded and said, "My father once taught that if you want to win and be undefeated, you must first cherish your soldiers. The easiest way to cherish a soldier is to share weal and woe with them. Go out, and I'll light the fire today and experience your hard work. ”

The gang leaders were stunned, this cold general was suddenly down-to-earth, which made people uncomfortable. I didn't dare to say much, I went to be busy outside the room, ready to watch the excitement at any time. Daoxing acted immediately, quietly took out the branches and leaves, and threw them into the stove one after another.

After burning all the evidence and making sure that nothing was missing, the heartstrings that had been tense were finally relieved. The room was smoky, and he couldn't stand the choking, so he covered his mouth and ran out. Coughing on his knees, he quickly coughed up tears, looking very embarrassed.

The leader of the gang didn't dare to laugh, he felt uncomfortable in his heart, and hurriedly took over the gang room. Daoxing stayed outside, thinking back to the scene just now, and his heart was full of regret. As Wu Kang said, my father was a former Sui general, and I belonged to the Guanlong Gate. Because he looked down on him, he deliberately made things difficult, which led to falling into the handle.

The hateful cypress tree, as long as the branches are cut off, will not sprout again. The fracture will always exist, which means that this handle will always be in his hands. After thinking about it for a long time, he finally sighed helplessly. Although he was unwilling, he had no choice but to be restrained by him.

It's just that he is too insidious and ruthless, and all the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty call him a poisonous snake. Hide in the dark of the grass, cover yourself perfectly, you won't shoot easily, and you will kill with one hit. Therefore, officials big and small, including Maokeng Yushi, did not want to provoke him.

Dare to pull the eldest grandson Wuji, dare to kill 100,000 prisoners of war, dare to harm the prime minister of the dynasty, ordinary people can't do it. Make up your mind in your heart and stay away from it in the future. As a last resort, I will not have any entanglement with him, nor will I be an enemy of him.

When I went to the house again, it was normal to see the soldiers, and I didn't say much. When he returned to his tent, the guards brought him dinner and took a few bites. Then wrap the meal, use the patrol as an excuse, and lead the henchmen out the door.

Outside the tomb hall of the new city, he ordered his henchmen to guard the door and go to deliver food to Wu Kang. When I came to the door of the temple, I suddenly heard a whimper and cry, and I couldn't help but stop. Listening attentively, the voice was like crying, and it seemed very depressing in the quiet tomb. I really can't believe it, Datang kills God with iron and blood, and there is softness in his heart.

He is right, everyone has weaknesses, and his weakness is that he attaches too much importance to family affection. This is not a weakness, officials fight openly and secretly, and they must not harm their families, this is the rule of officialdom. If you break the rules, you will be attacked by a group, because everyone has a family and doesn't want to implicate their family.

At this time, the remorse was even worse, this move stinked, and I should have helped at that time. The princess of Xincheng is favored and is the sister of the saint. Buried with the queen's ceremony, since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, this is unique. If I let Wu Kang go, even if the saint knows about it, he will not blame him, and he will even be rewarded.

Thinking of this, he sighed helplessly and knocked on the door gently: "The eldest princess has gone, please mourn and change." I brought food and put it on the steps, please take care of the general. I will leave a guard, and if you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask me. ”

There was no response in the hall, the whimper continued, and Daoxing shook his head in regret. Leave the new city tomb hall, put away the key to the temple, and leave two personal guards. Hurriedly returned to the barracks, prepared pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, and wrote all what I saw and heard today.

After writing, I put down my pen and pondered, spread out the blank paper for a long time, and began to write letters. Halfway through writing, gather up a blank sheet of paper and throw it into the paper basket. Re-write, sleepless all night, ruined countless papers. Finally, before breakfast, the secret letter was written and sealed with fire paint.

shouted his confidants and guards, and lowered his voice to explain: "After breakfast, we will set off and go to Linyou Wannian Palace." First, give this letter to Mrs. Chu Guo, inform Wu Kang's whereabouts, and ask him to pass it on to the empress. Then go to the Wannian Palace, present my recital, don't mess up the order. ”

The guards promised to leave, but before they could step out of the threshold, they were stopped by Dao Xing. Write hard again, write two letters, and hand them to the guards: "Give these two letters to Zuo Qianniu Cui Zhiwen and Zuo Jinwuquan Shancai." ”

Cui Zhiwen, a close friend, is Zuo Qianniu's guard, who plays in Zuo Fengchen. Born in the Cui clan of Qinghe, it is said that he is related to Mrs. Chu and distant relatives. With Zhiwen's prudence, he must know Wu Kang, and it is right to ask him for advice.

And his best friend Quan Shancai, who can be praised by Wu Kang, must have real talent and real learning. Last time in the eastern capital of Luoyang, we were on a mission and met him unexpectedly. Afterwards, Quan Shanchang was ordered to monitor the guards of the Wu camp, presumably he also had detailed information on his hands.

The art of war is cloudy, knowing the other and knowing oneself, and not being defeated in a hundred battles. Have enough information to determine the degree of danger and choose whether to have a relationship. quickly made up his mind and found that the guards had not moved, so he frowned and asked, "What is the pestle doing here, why don't you send the letter?" ”

The guards were embarrassed and reminded him in a low voice: "Lang Jun may have forgotten that in the second half of the first month of this year, Mr. Cui was transferred to serve as Sima of the Lingzhou Governor's Mansion. It seems that since last year, the party has repeatedly violated Lingzhou, and the sage edict General Quan led the guards to support Lingzhou. ”

Zhao Daoxing was also embarrassed, covered his mouth and coughed a few times, took back the two letters, and sent the guards away. I feel a little interesting, my best friend actually gathered in Lingzhou. Knowing Wen is resourceful, good can be good at fighting, and can also listen to people's advice. They sincerely cooperate to defeat the party barbarians, and it will definitely not be a problem.

After breakfast, after explaining the military affairs, count the wheat rice in the bag, and then send it to Wukang. When I came to the tomb hall of the new city, I sighed again, and the food delivered last night was left untouched. He tiptoed in, not hearing the cry, put the wheat rice on the steps, and left with the old rice.

After two days, Zhao Daoxing couldn't sit still. Wukang in the tomb hall, three days without a drop of rice, there will be no accidents...