In the first year of Xianqing (656 AD), October 21, three quarters of the hour.

In the front yard of the Wuzhou Governor's Mansion, there is a lonely round stone table, with four dishes and two pots of wine. Cui Xiaoqing breastfeeds her daughter, and Wu Kang feeds her daughter-in-law, which is very warm and harmonious. When the mother and son were full, they began to storm the clouds, ate all the meals, drank two pots of wine, and burped comfortably.

The daughter-in-law kept hitting her chest, and the daughter-in-law rolled her eyes, hugged her arms and whispered: "I am two years old, I pester my mother every day, and I want milk every day, depending on how long you eat." There is only a pot of wine left at home, does my husband still drink, I'll go get it? ”

Wu Kang nodded again and again, the last red sorghum, that is the most original, must be drunk as soon as possible. Xiaoqing hugged and left, disappearing into the moon gate, her steps slightly heavy. A figure appeared at the Moon Gate, with a large bag in his hand, and it was Wu Yuan's family of five.

Yonghui came to Wuzhou for three years, and they served by their side, and five years have passed in a blink of an eye. Wu Kai wanted to cry, came to the stone table, and kowtowed three times. Wu Kang helped them up, and said with a pleasant face: "Ten miles to set up a tent, all the banquets will be dispersed, and you will live well in the future." Don't cry, I won't send you, leave quickly. ”

The five of them saluted again, Wu Kai stopped talking, sighed lightly and turned to leave. I watched them go out until the figure disappeared, and I couldn't come back to my senses for a long time. has really become a lonely person, Nuoda's Thorn History Mansion, except for Xiaoqing and Trouble, there is no one to accompany him.

I don't know how long it took, I couldn't help but sigh, and just as I was about to retract my gaze, two more people appeared at the door. The red-faced big fat man turned out to be an old acquaintance, the British Gong Li Tao; A man of about forty wears a purple prince's suit, and looks like a prince.

A quick recollection of who's who brings information to my mind: Li Yuanjia, the king of Han, the eleventh son of Gaozu, is the current assassin of Zezhou. Flattered and frightened, he arrested the little Wu Kang, and actually sent Sikong Li Tao to unite with Prince Yipin, which has a lot of face.

Xiaoqing appeared at the moon gate, holding the noise in one hand and the wine jug in the other. Seeing the two people at the door, his eyes quickly turned red, and his delicate body trembled slightly. No matter how good you usually behave, when it comes to the end, you are still dominated by emotions.

He walked to the table, put down the flask in his hand, and sat down beside his husband. Wu Kang didn't get up either, put the two teacups on the opposite side, filled with three glasses of water and wine, and looked up at them: "The most authentic red sorghum, brewed by Xia Guan himself, buried in the cellar for four years." This is the last pot, Li Sikong, Han Dawang, how about drinking two cups? ”

The two of them looked at each other, sat across from each other at the table, and the three of them raised their glasses and drank together. Li Tao put down the wine glass, and King Han was surprised: "It is really a good wine, sweet in the mouth and soft in the stomach, better than jade liquid elixir." Only the second person Wudu Du can make such a fine wine, Yuan Jia is convinced. ”

Smile heartily, and since you like it, drink a few more glasses. Xiaoqing got up, picked up her daughter, and poured wine for the three of them. Push the cup and change the lamp for a while, and start the commercial blowing until the wine in the pot is empty. Wu Kang put down his wine glass and waved his hand at the two: "The wine is finished, it's time to go on the road, the two of you please." ”

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment, and the two looked at each other for a moment before walking to the middle of the courtyard. Li Tao took the holy decree, raised it high above his head, and shouted in a low voice: "General Wuwei of the right inspector, the governor of Yuezhou, and Shi Wukang, the assassin of Wuzhou, kneel to receive the holy decree." ”

Wu Kang left the stone table, walked in front of them, and knelt on the ground with his robe. Clasped his hands into fists, rushed to the northwest, and said in a loud voice: "Chen Wukang, respectfully ask for St. An." ”

"Saint, Gong'an!"

The earthy yellow holy decree was opened, and the words were sonorous and powerful. Under the door: September 30 of the first year of Xianqing; Etiquette, the foundation of respect; Respectful, courteous. Therefore, "Rites and Fortunes" cloud: the courtesy, the handle of the king, so don't be suspicious of the subtlety, test the system, don't be benevolent and righteous. The blame for his crimes is great, and there is no quiet heart, so it is said to be disrespectful.

When the state Wenshui Wukang, the displaced people surrounded Wu, there was a suspicion of great disrespect. Author: the post of the governor of Yue Prefecture, the post of the assassin of Wuzhou, and the reputation of the general of the right military guard; Author: Sikong Li Tao, Han Wang Li Yuanjia, immediately escorted to Beijing. The shackles were not up, and he took advantage of the prison to go and handed over to Dali Siqing, the Criminal Department Shangshu, and the Imperial History Zhongcheng to jointly hear and sentence.

Zhongshu Order, Ministers Come to Ji, Xuan; Zhongshu Shilang, Minister Li Yifu, Feng; Zhongshu Sheren, the minister Wang Dejian, line; In the waiting, the minister Han Ming; Huangmen Shilang, Chen Du Zhenglun; In the matter, Chen Le Yanwei and others, said. The edict is like the right, please be respectful, September 30 of the first year of Xianqing.

It's a bit interesting, the big face is actually the triage of the three divisions. Originally, I thought that it was the third division of the Ministry of Affairs, the Zhongshu Province of Zhongshu, and the Imperial History of the Imperial History, but I didn't expect it to be the third division, and it was not in vain to live this life. Thinking of this, he clasped his hands into fists and said lightly: "Sinner Wukang, take the order." ”

The holy decree was started, and he slowly got up and handed it to his daughter-in-law. Xiao Qing was miserable, turned around and ran away, and entered the moon gate. After a while, he came over with something and put it in Wu Kang's hand. The folded turtle shell purple robe, all the rags collected, stitched together with stitches and threads, is absolutely a miracle.

The golden jar is engraved with "Ten Thousand Households Altar", and it is filled with ten thousand rice. Starting from Funong chicken, to ash forests, and then to Champa rice. Wuzhou has formed a practice, every time the people have a good harvest, each household sends grains of autumn harvest rice, and puts it into the altar of ten thousand households, and the altar is filled with ten thousand rice.

Holding it in his arms, his lips twitched, staring at his wife and daughter, he squeezed out "I'm sorry" for a long time. I'm not a good husband or a good father, I'm sorry for you. Staring at the noisy little face, he grinned twice and walked towards the door.

Li Tao and King Han, when they saw Wanhu Altar, they thought of the rumors in the capital, and shook their heads slightly.

Outside the gate of the Assassin's Mansion, on the left were countless guards, neatly lined up and fully armed. On the right is a prisoner's cart, resembling a makeshift cell, with the door open. Wu Kang hugged the altar of clothes, walked over, and got into the prisoner car.

The car door was locked, and he turned back to the door and said goodbye to his wife and daughter. Xiaoqing bit her lip tightly, not letting the tears flow, and waved her right hand weakly. I don't know why I saw that the living people were very scared, and I shouted softly Daddy, and my little hands were swinging wildly.

Wu Kang grinned, turned his head with difficulty, and quickly closed his eyes. I agreed with Xiaoqing before that not letting them see them off would cause a shadow on the trouble, I hope she can abide by it. It feels a little ironic, and I have dreamed of it countless times, and the scenery has entered the capital. I really didn't expect that I would enter Beijing in this way, in shame.

As the saying goes, there are unpredictable circumstances in the sky, and people have good and bad luck, what a true portrayal. The guards shouted loudly, the prisoner cart gradually started, and Wu Kang forcibly let it go. I don't know how long it took, listening to the familiar voice, it was the three confidants, Di Renjie, Zhang Cambodia and Luo Bingwang.

All the colleagues arrived, including Changshi Changsun Quan, leaning against the wall. Lao Di's fat face was bitter, he hugged his fists and bowed to the end, and swore and promised: "Don't worry about your family, Duke Wu, when this matter is understood, the lower officials will make arrangements and send Mrs. to Beijing." ”

Zhang Cambodia held the wine jug, handed over the prisoner's sew, and thousands of words were gathered into one sentence, and Wu Gong took care all the way. Wu Kang glanced at everyone, took the wine jug and raised his head, and drank the wine in the jug in one go. The wine jug was handed out, and he hugged his fists and smiled: "Please, brothers, when this matter passes, I will send them to Beijing." ”

Everyone bowed down and shouted in unison, sending off Wu Gong. Wu Kang waved his hand, turned his head and closed his eyes, forcibly emptying his thoughts. The mother and son were not implicated, which is a very good result. Xiaoqing's Mrs. Xingyang, the noisy Jinhua County Jun, was retained, and it was Mei Niang's credit.

It's funny to say, he once had a lot of money, and at the last moment, he left only one mansion. In the capital Xiuzhen Fang, it was still sent by Mei Niang. In the whole world, only Empress Wu will take care of my wife and daughter. With her current ability, it is already commendable to be able to protect my wife and daughter.

The counterattack of the Guanlongmen valve, the counterattack of the justified and well-founded counterattack, even the saint Li Jiu was helpless. The only regret is that the marriage contract with Li Xian was not dissolved. It stands to reason that it shouldn't, Princess Lu can't be the daughter of a death row inmate.

Suddenly, the prisoner car stopped again, and Wu Kang opened his eyes, and he was dumbfounded. The prisoner car was surrounded by people, shouting Wu Gong with all their mouths, and some of them were holding weapons, which should be Wuzhou militia. Looking at Dongming Avenue again, the whole is crowded with people, and the road is impassable.

Looking at this situation, thousands of people were empty, and the people were crowded to crowd out of the ambush soldiers. Wu Kang hesitated for a few breaths, put down the turtle robe Wanhu Altar, and hugged his fists around. The uproar intensified, and people looked miserable, and some even shed tears.

Li Tao and Li Yuanjia smiled bitterly in unison, his reputation in Wuzhou was greater than imagined. Before coming to Wuzhou, Li Yuanjia proposed to go to Yiwu County in the northeast first, recruit Yiwu militia, and enter Wuzhou to maintain order. Now it's ironic that the first to surround the prisoner cart was the Yiwu militia.

The scene was almost out of control, and the guards did not dare to step forward, for fear of being affected by anger. There was shouting and scolding from the front, and in front of Feng Ji's coffin shop, the Wu people clashed with the guards. Seeing the coffin, Li Tao's pupils shrank, and he immediately sent his own soldiers to interrogate. After learning the truth, he discussed with Li Yuanjia and had no choice but to compromise.

The two-wheeled flatbed truck, the black coffin was placed, the people dodged the road, and the cart came over. Boss Feng went to the prisoner car, his emotions were extremely excited, and his words were vague: "I have done a good job for you with the longevity materials that the governor wants, are you satisfied with the service?" ”

Lao Feng's eyes were bloodshot, he should be working day and night, and there was nothing dissatisfied. It was three days ago, and the Yiwu County Commander sent his cronies to inform Qin that he had arrived in Wu. Wu Kang found Lao Feng, and the words were still in his ears: I once said, maybe one day, I need your help, maybe this day, will never come. I hope you can still help me when the time comes. Now, can it serve me?

Li Tao sent his own soldiers to take over the flatbed ox cart and put on the spare horses. Wu Kang clenched his fists around and said in a pleading voice: "Fellow villagers, I am very happy that you can come." Please get out of the way, let the prisoner cart pass, and don't embarrass the Chincha..."

The effect was very bad, and the Wu people continued to besiege it, and the scene was almost out of control. Wuzhou officials arrived, Di Renjie and Zhang Cambodia, and tried hard to persuade them, it was pointless. In the end, there was nothing to be done, and the Wuzhou officials joined hands and surrounded the prisoner car in the middle.

The three henchmen opened the way, and their prestige was also very high, and they barely let the prisoner cart move. The scene was completely out of control, and the people vented their anger and smashed all kinds of things. Rotten rotten eggs, eaten pear pits, and angry abuse.

The escort soldiers suffered, and they all held their heads in their hands, bearing the infinite anger of the people. They don't dare to fight back, they will be torn apart by anger, and they will evolve into exposure. Li Tao hurriedly gave the order, so the soldiers were calm and did not allow conflicts with the people. After giving the order to dismount, his soldiers raised their shields and surrounded him in the middle.

Li Yuanjia cried, rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs are exclusive to the prisoner car, why did they smash us? I knew it would be like this, and I wouldn't come to kill me, Wu Min is too terrible. Turning his head to look at Li Tao, the two looked at each other and smiled bitterly, regretting taking this errand.

Wu Kang begged hard, begged Wu Min to stay calm, and finally simply closed his eyes, what do you like. I was very shocked and moved, I served as the assassin of Wuzhou for four years, and I also did a lot of practical things, but they were all internal affairs. It is natural to serve as an official and benefit one party. Tens of thousands of people saw them off, and at the same time they were shocked, but they were also incredible.

The prisoner cart moved slowly, reached the city gate, and was stopped again. The soldiers who opened the way in front retreated one after another, and Li Tao scolded a few words, and suddenly shut up. The soldiers escorted them and retreated to the prisoner chariot gang, and Li Tao ordered the shield to be removed.

The soldiers used the prisoner cart as a barrier, and the herringbone retreated, revealing dozens of people blocking the way, gray-haired old men. The old dragon clock, with a rickety waist, crutches, and some are carried. The first few are known to Wu Kang, the elders of Changshou Village. Sun Qi Lao and Wang Qi Lao, the village Wusheng Ancestral Hall, are all supporters of the history of thorns.

When they came closer, Sun Qi stared at Li Tao, and his words were choked: "We old guys, we went to the city in half a month and lived in the inn. Blocking the road today, I just want to ask, dare to ask the two Qincha, can't the court tolerate good officials? ”

The words were very heavy, and the scene was soon quiet, and Qin Cha was speechless. At this moment, I finally understood that it was not overkill for the imperial court to send Yipin Sikong and the prince to Wu to escort Wukang together. But the imperial court still miscalculated, even if Sikong and the prince couldn't get out of Wuzhou City.

After looking at each other and smiling bitterly, Li Tao revealed his identity: "Back to the old man's words, Li Tao can answer, and a good official will have a good reward." We escorted the history of the martial arts, but we only went to Beijing to investigate, and after the three divisions were tried, everything was decided. ”

Li Yuanjia saluted and said with a pleasant face: "I am Han Wang Yuanjia, the son of Gaozu and the uncle of the saint. Li Sikong is right, to convict a state assassin, the saint needs to personally intervene. Without the will of the imperial court, no one has the right to dispose of the history of a state's assassination. Old gentleman, please rest assured, the saint will be clear, and the three divisions will also deal with it impartially. ”

The old man didn't buy it, he was very emotional, and Sun Qi said: "Duke Wu was killed by a traitor, he is the blue sky of Wuzhou, it is impossible to be disrespectful." The old man lived eighty-five, and he had never seen an official burn himself for rain because of the drought. I've never seen it, in order to protect the seedlings, fighting with the rats, and being bitten all over the body. ”

The more he talked, the more excited he became, and he burst into tears: "In order to prevent the plague from entering Wu, I sacrificed my life and risked my life to enter the plague area; Spring ploughing supports plows for poor households, and autumn harvest carries grain for disabled households; improve all kinds of agricultural tools, and do everything possible to collect more grain for the people; Plant ash trees, open fluorite mines, and make more money for the people. May I ask King Han, he has done his best for the Li family, why can't he tolerate him? ”

Li Yuanjia was speechless, his throat was sour, and his eyes were full of tears. On that day, seventy percent of the officials in the court forced the saint to issue an order to cure Wu Kang's capital crime. Only Xu Jingzong, Li Yifu, Yuan Gongyu and other ministers fought for him, and the rest remained silent.

The saint couldn't bear the pressure, wept and issued a holy decree, and specially sent me and Li Tao to appease him. If he is a minister, I hope that all officials will be such ministers. Li Yuanjia clasped his hands into fists and assured Sun Qi: "Old man, please rest assured, what you have seen and heard today will be reported to the truth when you return to the capital." ”

Wang Qi stepped forward tremblingly, and Li Tao hurriedly helped. Looking at each other, Wang Qi said: "When the rebellion was quelled, the militia killed and disabled in battle, Wu Gong condoled every year and sent rice, flour and cloth. Such a general can be called a loving soldier, right? ”

Li Tao nodded, and Wang Qi continued: "The remnants of the soldiers in the nearby villages, working as supervisors in the mines, are not less paid than others. The year before last, Yongkang water burst the embankment, and Wukang led people into the water, blocked the breach with his body, and finally blocked the embankment. May I ask General Li, will such an official be disrespectful? ”

Speechless, Li Tao was silent. Wang Qi was not satisfied, shook off his support, and faced the elders: "Brothers, once Duke Wu enters Beijing, he will definitely be harmed by traitors, and we can't agree." The two ministers thought that it was okay to pass through the city gate, but they stepped on the old and decrepit bodies. ”

After saying that, sitting on the ground, the elders followed suit, and the city gate was completely blocked. The people raised their arms and waved high, and tens of thousands of people shouted in unison, and the momentum shook the heavens and the earth. The escort soldiers were silent, and Li Tao simply closed his eyes, feeling like a rat crossing the street, being scolded by 10,000 people.

Li Yuanjia was anxious, begging the old people, and his face turned red in a hurry. With nothing to do, he noticed that his sleeves were being torn, and when he looked down and saw Li Tao's gesture, he immediately turned around and begged: "Nephew Xian, say something, uncle didn't embarrass you, don't embarrass uncle." ”

This donkey is poor in skills and has begun to climb relatives. Wu Kang sighed, this is not the way, so he nodded and agreed. Li Yuanjia was overjoyed, wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, took the key to the prisoner car, and opened the chain himself. Picked up the Wanhu Altar, with a turtle shell coat in his armpits, his eyes were earnest, and his face was full of pleading.

Wu Kang got out of the prisoner car, came to the elder, and slowly knelt on the ground. The old man hurriedly got up and pulled him up, Wu Kang pulled out a wry smile: "Old gentlemen, this is useless, they act according to orders, it makes no sense for them." There is no decision yet, I just went to Beijing to stand trial, and everything is still unknown. ”

Sun Qi shook his head: "Don't lie to me, the old man is not a fool, if he goes to Beijing for trial, he will not sit in the prison car." You cut off the holy robe for the relief of the victims, but is it not as good as the lives of tens of thousands of displaced people compared to a single robe? ”

Di Renjie stepped forward, clenched his fists and begged: "Mr. Sun, this is really useless, the sage will definitely see what is going on." Wu Gong's sister is the queen of the dynasty, she doesn't have to allow anyone to harm Wu Gong unreasonably. ”

The Wu officials begged bitterly, and Li Tao and Li Yuanjia also persuaded hard. Wu Kang has promised countless times that his life will not be in danger, and he will only go to Beijing to stand trial. After a stalemate for half an hour, it was still to no avail, so I had no choice but to pick up Sun Qi. All the officials worked together, hugged the old man, and finally went out of the city gate.

turned around and wanted to enter the prisoner car, but was stopped by Li Tao. Li Yuanjia directly locked the prison door, if you re-enter the prisoner car, we can't get out of Wuzhou. It's really helpless, walk in front of the team, and act as a pioneer. Soon I was shocked again, there were people on both sides of the official road, and I couldn't see the edge at a glance.

Tens of thousands of people sent Wukang to the empty alley, and there was no regret in his heart, and his life was in vain. Rushing left and right constantly, not like going to the capital to die, but like being welcomed by the middle road. Before leaving Wuzhou, go out day and night, and the province will grow branches.

Empty Wuzhou City, empty Assassin Mansion, Xiaoqing cried helplessly. There are many women next to him, who are family members of colleagues, and comfort is of no avail. Luo's mother was in tears, shouting in her mouth, and Sister-in-law Di hugged and made trouble, and kept coabling.

At this moment, the Buddha's horn sounded at the door, Xiaoqing stopped crying in an instant, got up and rushed over. Kneeling in front of the monk, he clasped his hands together and begged bitterly: "The master once said, I can save my husband, please give me guidance." No matter the sword mountain and the sea of fire, even if I lose my life, I will save my husband. ”

Everyone gathered around, and the little monk supported him and recited the Buddha's name: "Amitabha, Mrs. is exempt, and the poor monk ancestor is here for this." The people of Wuzhou came out together, the old people blocked the road and shouted grievances, and the people lined up on the official road until the border of Wuhang. ”

The monk recited the Buddha's name: "Good, good, good, such a picture, touching." As the saying goes, hearing is false, seeing is believing. Let the saints and courtiers feel the hearts of all the people, so that Wu Gong can be saved from danger. The only person who can save Wu Gong is the people, Amitabha. ”

After speaking, she turned around and left, Xiaoqing felt it carefully, and kowtowed heavily in gratitude. He got up from the ground and begged the women, "Help me, I beg you, to sew a long cloth scroll, and I kneel down and beg all the people to keep a book." Only when all the people leave their names, and only when all the people write a book, can they save their husbands and ask their sister-in-law for help..."