On July 23, the weather was fine, and the father of Zhao took Zhao Wang He and Gongzi Zhang, under the protection of Xin Qi and Pang Xuan to the northeast of the Dune Palace, and surveyed the site of the mausoleum in the area of Julu County.

In this matter, the Xinwei Army was not recruited to protect along the way, but Meng Zhong handed over the Xinwei Army to Le Yi and Meng Sui, and he took Meng Hu to follow Master Zhao's team together, but no one said anything about him - who cares about such a trivial matter at such a critical time?

It is worth mentioning that the person who is really responsible for surveying the site of the mausoleum is the most trusted guest Qingguan Zi of Lord Zhao's father, and the latter's credentials are "Feng Shui", or simply family Feng Shui.

Feng Shui, derived from Taoist scholarship, refers to the vitality of "vitality" and "essence" that exist in nature, while "water" refers to the characteristics of "flow", in other words, Feng Shui, that is, refers to "flowing vitality".

According to Taoist thought, there is a "Yuan Qi" in this world that cannot be seen by the naked eye, whether it is an animal or a plant, there is a circulation of "Yuan Qi", and this Yuan Qi begins from the earth and ends on the earth, forming a "vein" on the earth, some are as slender as a hair, and then converge into a "stream", and then converge into a "river", and finally converge into one place in some special terrain. This is the converging part.

Then it is dispersed from the "hole" to the "river", then into the "stream", and finally dispersed into the slender hair-like qi veins.

Cycle.

And these special terrains that gather vitality are called "holes" in Feng Shui.

Since the advent of Feng Shui, monarchs of various countries, and even the powerful and wealthy, have generally chosen the nodes where the "leylines" flow and converge when they build mausoleums for the deceased—in the words of Feng Shui, burying the deceased at these nodes can bless future generations; And if the deceased king is buried at these nodes, it will bless the country and make it stronger.

The "acupoints", or the nodes of the qi veins in these earths, are also divided into large and small, what status of the person, and what degree of "acupoint" they are buried in, which is also particular - the flow of qi in the "acupoint" is too strong, beyond the scope of the deceased's "blessing" and "virtue", which will instead eat up his descendants, and even let future generations suffer unwarranted disasters, and even blood and light talents.

Of course, this is just a statement of Feng Shui, anyway, as a Taoist disciple, Meng Zhong is not clear about this aspect.

Although he was a Taoist disciple, Meng Zhong did not have much to do with Taoist Feng Shui, which had nothing to do with his teacher Zhuangzi, because Zhuangzi's view was that it did not matter whether it was buried or not: Zhuangzi believed that when a person dies, the energy in the human body returns to nature, and the remaining body is just a "vehicle", an "empty shell", even if the violent corpse is pecked by jackals and vultures in the wilderness, or buried in the tomb to be eaten by ants and insects, what difference does it make? [PS: Therefore, it is not unreasonable to say that Zhuangzi's ideas are not accepted by the secular people, it is too rational. 】

However, although it was not covered too much, because Feng Shui is also an extension of Taoism, Meng Zhong knew more or less.

As far as he knows, Feng Shui is the most elaborate thing, that is, "Taoism and Nature", in other words, it is necessary to choose a place where the natural environment is harmonious, after all, there are some "holes", and the topography on the ground may not be good.

When it comes to the natural environment, mountains and water are a must, after all, mountains were once considered the "holes" of the earth's leylines, and water, the flowing living water, also symbolizes vitality.

In addition to this, there are vegetation and so on.

That's all Meng Zhong knows. [PS: Actually, the author doesn't know anything else, so I won't make it up.] 】

On the same day, the accompanying guards Zhao Shu settled on the spot, and the Crane Guanzi, with Zhao's father, Zhao Wanghe, and Gongzi Zhang, under the protection of the guards led by Xinzhi and Pang Xuan, climbed the nearby hills one by one to investigate.

Yes, choosing the burial site of the royal tomb is actually to find a suitable hill, and then send craftsmen to hollow out the middle of the hill and build the royal tomb inside the mountain.

Meng Zhong followed Master Zhao and them to climb the two hills in the vicinity, and then he was not interested, after all, although he was a Taoist disciple, he really couldn't understand this.

The Taoist disciples who also can't understand it, as well as Pang Xuan, according to Meng Zhong's private communication with him, Pang Xuan does not know as much about feng shui as Meng Zhong.

Meng Zhong and Pang Xuan, the two Taoist disciples, didn't understand, let alone Master Zhao, Gongzi Zhang, Zhao Wanghe, Xinqi and others, anyway, from beginning to end, everyone was listening to Que Guanzi's comments, and then nodded confusedly and echoed the Taoist sage's point of view.

After searching for three days, because the Crane Guanzi was not satisfied with the hills around Julu County, the group returned to the Dune Palace with disappointment.

Subsequently, after resting for a day in the Dune Palace, Master Zhao and others traveled again on July 28, crossing the Zhangshui River and coming to the area of Guangzong on the other side of the river to find a hill suitable for the construction of the royal tomb.

Because the previous time was very boring, Meng Zhong and Meng Hu simply did not follow.

Also three days later, Master Zhao and his party returned to the Dune Palace again.

According to Meng Zhong's private inquiry about Pang Xuan, who protected the group along the way, there were still no hills that satisfied the Guanzi in the area (Guangzong).

After two surveys of the hills suitable for the construction of the royal tomb but to no avail, Lord Zhao's father also seemed to feel a little bored, and issued an order, as if he was going to rest in the Dune Palace for a few days, and then set off to find it.

Moreover, after returning to the Dune Palace that day, Master Zhao also set up a feast in the east hall, and I don't know if it was to relieve depression, after all, it is indeed a very hard thing to find a suitable tomb site.

It is worth mentioning that it may be that Lord Zhao's father surveyed the site selection of the mausoleum twice, and the tense atmosphere in the Dune Palace was slightly eased, so that Feiyi, Zhao Bao and other courtiers of the Xinjun faction were a little confused: Could it be that Lord Zhao's father really just surveyed the site of the mausoleum?

How can it be!

Regardless of others, at least Meng Zhong and Le Yi are very convinced that it is the purpose of Zhao's father to survey the location of the mausoleum, after all, this Zhao's father is nearly half a hundred years old, and it is common sense to choose a place for his tomb in advance, but this does not mean that Zhao's father has given up the idea of abolishing Zhao Wanghe.

Who dares to guarantee that Lord Zhao's two surveys of the site of the mausoleum are not to lower the vigilance of Zhao Wanghe and Zhao Xiangfeiyi?

On the evening of the second day of the eighth lunar month, Meng Zhong and Le Yi stood outside the military camp on the southern outskirts of Xinggong City, looking at the sand dunes palace in the distance.

"Two trips to survey the site of the mausoleum, Zhao Junshang's people, I am afraid that their vigilance will be relaxed, if Gongzizhang wants to do it, it may be in these two days......"

Looking at the Dune Palace in the distance, Meng Zhong said in an indifferent tone, making it difficult to guess what his position was.

"I think so."

By Meng Zhong's side, Le Yi crossed his arms, his face was expressionless, and he said indifferently: "If Gongzizhang wants to do it, he should find a way to hold Zhao Wanghe hostage, and it should be a bit reluctant to attack the West Palace, according to my feelings, the letter period is quite vigilant, and the West City Gate and the North City Gate are in the hands of Zhao Ping and Li Ji respectively, if Gongzi Zhang forcibly attacks the West Palace, I believe that Fei Yi and others will immediately transfer Zhao Wanghe to the army of Zhao Bao, Wenjun of Yang, in the western suburbs...... A few days ago, when you were away, I secretly went to observe the camp of the Handan army, which was quite well guarded, and I only took a few glances from a distance in the chariot, and immediately a patrol soldier came over to inquire about it...... Oh, for my Xinwei Army, Yang Wenjun is also very strict with precautions. ”

Meng Zhong smiled slightly when he heard this, and said: "Yang Wenjun, that old man can be regarded as a clear stream among the old aristocratic faction, except for his alcoholism and temper, he is still very upright...... Well, sometimes it's sleek. In addition to the fat phase and the letter period, Yang Wenjun is almost the most trusted by Zhao Junshang. …… That old man is the same as the fat minister, whether it is Lord Zhao's father or Gongzi Zhang, including Anpingjun Zhao Cheng and Fengyangjun Li Dui, they are all enemies, of course, including you and me. …… I have no doubt that if something happens, the old man will attack our army first in order to avoid being attacked by our guards......"

"I know, that's why I send people to watch it day and night." Le Yi smiled faintly: "However, before there is any change in the city, Yang Wenjun should not dare to act rashly. ”

"Inside the city, ......"

Meng Zhong looked up at the Dune Palace where he was heading.

Le Yi also silently watched the palace.

After a long time, Le Yi let out a long breath and laughed at himself with some dejection: "You and I, two little pawns who don't even enter the city, what are you sighing at here?" ”

“……”

Meng Zhong was silent.

And at this moment, a chariot came speeding in the distance, and there were three armor soldiers standing on the car, and the armor soldier Meng Zhong at the head recognized that it was the guard Sima next to Gongzi Zhang, Chen Qiu.

"Huh?"

Slightly stunned, Meng Zhong took Le Yi to greet him, and took the initiative to greet Chen Xi: "Sima Chen." ”

"Monsima, and Lezosima."

Chen Ji stood on the chariot and greeted Meng Zhong and Le Yi, and immediately after the chariot stopped steadily, he jumped out of the carriage, hugged his fists and said with a smile while approaching the two: "Meng Sima, Gongzi and Tian (Dai) thought of Meng Sima when they were drinking, so they ordered to invite Meng Sima into the city and drink together. ”

"Is there something important?" Meng Zhong asked puzzled.

Chen said with a smile: "It's nothing, it's just that the prince thinks that he is bored living in the palace, and it's not good to leave the palace at this time to have fun......"

"Uh-oh." Meng Zhong suddenly realized, and after weighing it, he decided to go to the appointment.

After all, after failing to persuade Gongzizhang last time, Zhao Wanghe gave him a bargaining chip, that is, to make Gongzizhang's son the prince of Zhao in exchange for Gongzizhang to resolve grievances with him - although after the last failure, Meng Zhong no longer had much confidence to persuade Gongzizhang, but he still hoped to have the opportunity to try again.

After all, if Gongzizhang agreed to this condition, wouldn't it be able to resolve the biggest crisis in Zhao State at present?

This is the only thing he can do at the moment, whether it is for the Zhao State or the Song State.

In view of the fact that Gongzizhang only invited Meng Zhong alone, Meng Zhong entrusted Le Yi to take care of the military camp, boarded Chen Qiu's chariot, and went to the Dune Palace with the latter.

The south gate of the Dune Palace was guarded by Sima Zhao Hao under Pang Xuan, so naturally he would not stop it, and Meng Zhong entered the palace smoothly.

Entering the Dune Palace and coming to the East Hall, Meng Zhong looked around, and still saw Tan Guards patrolling around from time to time, and felt that there was nothing unusual in the city.

Glancing in the direction of the west hall again, it was also very calm.

Obviously, Childe Zhang hasn't done it yet.

『…… After all, it's such a big thing as rebellion, so I think Gongzizhang will also have some hesitation, right?"

Meng Zhong thought secretly.

After a while, Meng Zhong rode in a chariot and came to the east hall, and immediately, under the guidance of Chen Qiu, he came to the side hall of the east hall.

In that side hall, sure enough, Gongzi Zhang was drinking with Tian Buyu in the hall.

Seeing this, Meng Zhong immediately stepped forward and saluted: "Anyang Jun, Tian Xiang." ”

Seeing that Meng Zhong used "Anyang Jun" to refer to himself, instead of calling Gongzi like before, Gongzi Zhang raised his eyebrows, and said with a smile: "Ah Zhong, I haven't seen you for a few days, why did you become so angry?" Are you still sulking about that day? ”

The incident he said was the incident that Meng Zhong persuaded Gongzizhang that day but was reprimanded by Gongzizhang.

I still remember Gongzizhang's tone at that time, and it is also thanks to Meng Zhong's good relationship with him and Tian Buyu on weekdays, otherwise if I were someone else, I am afraid that I would have been expelled by Gongzizhang's order.

"It seems that this little brother is not only still angry, but also angry? Oh, I actually called the minister 'Tian Xiang'...... Ah Zhong, this is the first time since you and I have been commensurate with each other, right? Tian Buyu joked with a smile.

Hearing the ridicule of Gongzizhang and Tian Buyu, Meng Zhong was also a little embarrassed.

In fact, he wasn't angry, he just couldn't wipe his face.

"Alright, alright!"

At this time, Gongzizhang walked over, pulled Meng Zhong to a low table, pressed him directly into the seat, and said with a smile: "Deliberately alienate me and don't have a good relationship, this alone will punish you, and I will punish you for drinking a bowl of bar!" ”

As he spoke, he poured Meng Zhong a bowl of wine and looked at the latter with a smile.

Not only could not be pushed away, but also in order to make the atmosphere more lively, Meng Zhong didn't say a word, and drank the bowl of warm wine.

"Refreshing!"

Seeing this, Gongzi Zhang praised loudly.

Drinking wine and eating the game that the guards around Gongzi Zhang were hunting nearby, Meng Zhong chatted happily with Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu.

In the words of Gongzizhang, he never thought that surveying the mausoleum was such a hard thing, not to mention that Zhao's father couldn't bear it, even he couldn't bear it.

"What is the mystery of Taoist Feng Shui?" Gongzizhang asked curiously.

Hearing this, Meng Zhong shrugged his shoulders and said with a wry smile: "Childe, it's useless for you to ask me, Master Zhuang, the old man is not very interested in feng shui, so naturally he didn't teach us disciples...... If Childe wants to understand my Taoist Feng Shui, it is better to ask Que Guanzi for advice. ”

"Forget it." Gongzizhang shook his head and said: "Taoist learning, if you want to come to the mysteries and obscurity, I won't be bored with myself." …… If it's the art of war, I can ask the Crane for advice. ”

Meng Zhong smiled slightly.

After drinking a few bowls of wine, Meng Zhong pondered that the timing was almost right, so he considered the words and said to Gongzi Zhang: "Childe, after that day, I will also invite you to see your ......."

"That day? Oooh. Gongzi Zhang was stunned for a moment, then nodded and woke up, looked at Meng Zhong with a somewhat strange expression, and asked with a slight sneer, "Did he say anything?" ”

It can be heard that when Meng Zhong mentioned King Zhao, Gongzi Zhang's attitude was obviously a little colder.

But even so, Meng Zhong still stubbornly said: "The king didn't say much about this, he just asked him to convey to the prince that if the prince is willing to resolve grievances with him, he is willing to appoint the son-in-law of the prince as the prince of Zhao......"

“……”

Gongzi Zhang was stunned, and then stared at Meng Zhong with a frown.

After looking at it for a while, he suddenly excused himself to go to the toilet, stood up and walked to the depths of the hall.

Seeing this, after Tian Buyu smiled apologetically at Meng Zhong, he also got up and said, "Brother Xian, sit down for a while, and go to the toilet for my brother." ”

Meng Zhong nodded, he didn't debunk Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu - how could he not guess that Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu had gone to the palace to discuss this matter?

After all, there are some things, and it is inconvenient for Gongzizhang and Tian Buyu to discuss in front of Meng Zhong.

In fact, Gongzizhang and Tian Buyu really went to the inner hall to discuss.

After a full moment, Gongzi Zhang and Tian Buyu returned to the side hall.

After sitting down, Gongzi Zhang said to Meng Zhong in the words taught by Tian Buyu: "Ah Zhong, let me think about this matter you just said...... In short, today you and I are only interested in eating, drinking, and having fun, and don't mention anything else. ”

Meng Zhong nodded slightly.

After sitting for a while, Gongzizhang got up again and went to the palace, and also recruited the guard Sima Chen.

Seeing this scene, Meng Zhong frowned slightly, and a few traces of confusion flashed in his eyes.

Fang Cai Gongzi Zhang went to the toilet to discuss this matter with Tian Buyu, so what was the purpose of recruiting the guard Sima Chen this time?

Thinking of this, Meng Zhong inevitably glanced a few more times into the hall.

Seeing this, Tian Buyu immediately smiled and interrupted Meng Zhong's thoughts: "Ah Zhong, what's the matter with Master Zhao?" Did you make Master Zhao unhappy? Why did Master Zhao's father replace Xinwei with Tan Wei? ”

These words just poked at the sore spot in Meng Zhong's heart, making Meng Zhong no longer have the heart to think about the reason why Gongzi Zhang recruited Chen Xi.

"It's hard to put into words." Meng Zhong smiled bitterly and shook his head.

"Why talk about it?" Tian Buyu smiled and said, "If there is any misunderstanding, you can ask Gongzi to intercede with Master Zhao on your behalf......

Meng Zhong shook his head.

Indeed, it is really inconvenient for him to explain, after all, this involves his speculation about Lord Zhao's father, and speculation about Master Zhao's true attitude towards Zhao Wang He.

Seeing that Meng Zhong refused to reveal, Tian Buyu was neither reluctant, but changed the topic and said: "A few days ago, Brother Wei received a letter from Dr. Hui......

"Dr. Hui? Could it be my brother-in-law Hui An? Meng Zhong was stunned when he heard this, and then asked with some joy.

"Who else could it be?" Tian Buyu took a sip of the wine bowl and said with a smile: "According to what Doctor Hui said in the letter, under the mediation of Master Zhao's father, my Song State has ceased war with Qi State, and at present, the King of Song is preparing to attack the land of Sihuai......"

Because it was a matter of Song Guo, Meng Zhong fell in love when he heard it, frowned and asked, "Isn't it a bit hasty?" ”

"Isn't it!" Tian Buyu also shook his head and said, "King Song is too anxious, Teng Guo...... No, Tengyi and Xueyi have not yet been thoroughly digested, so they are anxious to annex the land of Sihuai, and for this reason, Doctor Hui has also persuaded the King of Song several times......"

As he spoke, Tian Buyu told Meng Zhong about what had happened in the Song Kingdom recently, which made Meng Zhong frown frequently when he heard it.

In fact, nothing major happened to the Song State, and even, under the mediation of Hui An, the process of the Song State capturing Xue Yi was far easier than when the Teng State was captured, because the Qi people of Xue Yi were not as stubborn as the Teng people, basically the city was breached, and the soldiers and civilians in the city surrendered immediately, so the Song King Yan did not use massacres to retaliate for the stubborn resistance of the soldiers and civilians in the city as he did in Teng before.

And just when Meng Zhong and Tian Buyu were chatting about the Song Kingdom, Sima Chen, the guard next to Gongzi Zhang, hurriedly came to the West Palace, and then was stopped by the palace guards guarding the West Hall and brought to Gong Bo Xinqi.

For the people around Gongzizhang, the letter period naturally did not have a good face, and immediately asked unceremoniously: "What's the matter?" ”

Unexpectedly, Chen Yu took out the edict of Lord Zhao's father from his arms, and said: "Lord Zhao's father ordered me to invite the monarch and the fat minister to go to the east hall to discuss matters. ”

Xin Qi was stunned, took the talisman in Chen Qiu's hand, looked at it carefully, and then asked suspiciously: "Why did you ask to come instead of sending Pang Xuan here?" ”

"How do I know that?" Chen Yu shrugged and said, "Pang Xuan and I were both present at the time, but Master Zhao ordered me to come. …… If you still have questions, you can ask Master Zhao later. ”

“……”

Xin Qi stared at Chen Ji with a suspicious look on his face for a while, and then said: "I'll take you to see the fat minister, you'd better not play any tricks." ”

Chen Yu smiled.

After a while, Xin Ji brought Chen Yi to Fei Yi and told the latter about it.

After taking the talisman in Xinji's hand and taking a closer look, Fei Yi looked at Chen Yi suspiciously and asked, "Is it really Lord Zhao who sent you here?" ”

"How can this be fake?" Chen said with an oath.

Fei Yi frowned and thought for a moment, and then asked, "In addition to the monarch and Anyang monarch, who else did Lord Zhao invite?" ”

"And Meng Zhong." Chen replied.

This answer surprised Fei Yi and Xinqi.

"Meng Zhong is in the East Hall right now?" Fei Yi asked in surprise.

Chen Yu nodded and said: "Not only that, Meng Zhong Meng Sima also told Gongzi one thing, saying that if Gongzi is willing to support the king, the king will canonize Gongzi's son-in-law as the prince of Zhao State......"

“……”

Hearing this, Fei Yi and Xinqi couldn't help but glance at each other.

Fei Yi and Xin Qi knew about this matter after the fact, although Fei Yi was quite angry when he learned about it, and advised King Zhao why he should not make such a promise.

"You go back first, the old man will tell you about this matter." Fei Yi said to Chen Qiu, and by the way, he returned the order of Lord Zhao's father to the latter.

After Chen Yi left, Xin Qi said to Fei Yi: "Fei Xiang, look at this matter......

"It's hard for an old man to judge ......"

Fei Yi stroked his beard and frowned and said, "However, with Master Zhao's order and Meng Zhong's kid present, it's really ...... No way! At this time, even if it is Lord Zhao's order, he can't fully trust ......"

"You mean ......" Xin Qi said suspiciously, "Are you saying that Gongzi Zhang is very likely to have kidnapped Master Zhao's father?" Probably not, right? I look at Pang Xuan, the martial arts are not weak, how can they be so easily succeeded by Gongzizhang's people? What's more, recently I also sent someone to keep an eye on the side of the East Palace, and there is nothing abnormal, how can it be possible to hold Master Zhao hostage? ”

"What if Master Zhao deliberately let Gongzizhang hold him hostage?" Fei Yi glanced at the letter period and said in a low voice.

"......" Xinqi's face changed suddenly, and he opened his mouth and couldn't speak.

At this time, I saw Fei Yi say in a deep voice: "Later, the old man will go to the appointment alone, after the old man leaves, you will immediately strengthen the guard of the West Temple, if the old man returns safe and sound, then it will be fine; But if the old man doesn't return within an hour, you will immediately take the king out of the palace and take him to Yang Wenjun's army, there must be no mistake! ”

"Whoa!" The letter period was grim and clenched his fists to receive his life.

After the letter was instructed, Fei Yi took a few armor soldiers to the side hall of the east hall.

When he saw the side hall, but he didn't see Master Zhao's father, Fei Yi sighed in his heart.

And at this moment, Meng Zhong, who was sitting in the hall drinking, raised his head and looked at him in surprise.

"Fat Minister, why are you here?"

A surprised Meng Zhong stood up and greeted him.

“……”

Fei Yi's complexion changed suddenly.