The bright moon hung quietly in the sky, looking down on the vast land. The moonlight is like water, and a few night birds chirp from time to time in the treetops, which sets off the silence of the night.

Breaking away from the conflict with the White Rakshasa, the group continued to hurry non-stop, and at this time they were already sleepy and tired. Yang Baihua picked a vacant lot on the side of the road and let everyone rest here.

Hui Ze lit a bonfire, and Xu Jin was running over from the grove not far away with a bundle of branches. After arranging for his entourage to be on guard in shifts around, Yang Baihua came to the frame, opened the car door, and helped the two female dependents get out of the car.

The three of them gathered around the fire, and Xu Jin and Hui Ze hurriedly got up to greet each other. Yang Baihua introduced, "Two little brothers, this is clumsy. ”

Xu Jin bowed, "Xu Jin has seen Mrs. Yang. ”

Hui Ze also folded his hands and saluted, "Little monk Hui Ze, I have seen Mrs. Yang." ”

Mrs. Yang has an elegant temperament and a dignified demeanor, although she is slightly tired because of the rush, she still smiles and curts her knees.

Yang Baihua pulled over the somewhat shy woman hiding behind her, "This is the little girl Yang Yanran." ”

The girl looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old, but she was already born with bright eyes and picturesque eyebrows. Where had Xu Jin seen such a delicate girl, he unconsciously blushed, hurriedly bowed his head and saluted, trying to make his tone appear calm, "Xu Jin, I've seen Miss Yang." ”

Hui Ze was very calm, after the two sides met the ceremony, an attendant put two futons on the ground for Mrs. and Miss to sit down, and Yang Baihua and Xu Jin Huize sat on the ground. Another attendant offered some dry food, snacks and dried meat, and Yang Baihua said apologetically, "On the journey, there are no good drinks and food to entertain the two little brothers, so I really don't want to go." ”

"Brother Yang, what are you talking about! Hui Ze and I have long been accustomed to the life of eating and sleeping in the open, and we are already grateful to be able to walk with you. ”

"Yes," Hui Ze accosted, "we usually live like this, but Madame and Miss have worked hard. ”

"It doesn't matter if the concubine is a concubine, as long as she can follow her husband, she will nibble on these dry foods every day, and it will be fragrant." After Mrs. Yang finished speaking gently, she took a small bite of dry food.

Yang Yanran held dry food in her hand, bowed her head and was silent, but she didn't eat a bite.

Yang Baihua looked at her daughter and sighed softly. Mrs. Yang also said distressedly, "It's just that it's hard to be Yanran, we are in a hurry all the way, and we don't invest in the store, where can this kid endure the pain of running around like this......"

"Dad, mother, my daughter is also behind the door, I can still stand this hardship!" After speaking, he nibbled on a large mouthful of dry food and tried to squeeze a smile out of his parents.

"Why don't I go hunt some game tomorrow and change the taste for Madame and Miss?"

"We're going to be busy on the road, where is the time to hunt." Yang Baihua did not agree with Xu Jin's suggestion.

"It doesn't matter! Tomorrow you just have to go as usual, I will catch up, and tomorrow night I promise to have fresh game for everyone! Xu Jin patted his chest and said.

"Really?" Yang Yanran blurted out, her tone full of expectation, "What you say counts?" ”

"Wrap it up on me!"

After a humble dinner, Mrs. Yang and Yanran went back to the frame to rest. Except for the night watchman, the rest of the entourage also rested on the spot.

"Brother Yang, you are the son of General Yang Dayan, and you must also be the general of the unified army, right? Why go to Nanliang, and be in such a hurry? The three of them gathered around the fire and continued to chat.

"Alas! It's hard to put into words, I was forced to be helpless, so I made this act of treason against the king, I am really ashamed of the ancestors of the Yang family......"

"What happened to force Brother Yang to such a point?"

"Some things can't be explained in a few words, so let's tell the two little brothers slowly when I have a chance in the future."

Xu Jin still wanted to ask, but Hui Ze beside him pulled his sleeve and shook his head lightly, Xu Jin had to swallow the words.

"Xu Jin, why did you go to Nanliang?" Yang Baihua threw the question back.

"Don't hide it from Brother Yang, my family was originally a town household in Huaishuo, I was avenging my father and mother and killing the town general's wife and brother......" Xu Jin didn't hide it, and told Yang Baihua what happened to him in 1510.

"It's a common occurrence in Six Towns now. At that time, Emperor Taiwu set up six towns, which was the barrier of my Great Wei and had a noble status, but since Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, the power of these six towns has gradually declined, and they have become the abandoned sons of the imperial court, and the powerful nobles there are also dissatisfied with the imperial court. In addition, the imperial court has long ceased to allocate military funds for the six towns, so it often happens to plunder the towns' civilians. Yang Baihua said worriedly, "In the long run, I think these six towns will cause a catastrophe sooner or later." ”

The next day, the group got up and continued on their way.

Xu Jin rode away alone on the black thunder, until the evening, and sure enough, he caught up with everyone with more than a dozen pheasants and hares he had hunted.

The night was a great time for everyone. Yanran gnawed on the chicken leg contentedly, completely ignoring the dignified etiquette of everyone's ladies. Mrs. Yang saw it in her eyes, and although she reminded her, she did not force interference.

"Brother Xu Jin, thank you so much." After eating, Yanran got up and curtsied to Xu Jin to thank him.

"Miss doesn't need to be polite," Xu Jin hurriedly got up, his face unconsciously turned red again, "I have been hunting in the mountains and forests since I was a child, and it is a small matter, a small matter, a small ......."

"It's a trivial matter, why worry about it." Hui Ze looked at Xu Jin, who was a little speechless, and jokingly helped him finish his words.

Yang Baihua laughed when he saw this, and Mrs. Yang also covered her mouth and chuckled. This made Xu Jin even more at a loss, standing there. Hui Ze also grinned, grabbed Xu Jin's sleeve, and pulled him to sit down, so that he could be considered to have relieved him.

"In the future, if you all continue to travel, I will still go hunting, and I can use the prey to find the villagers in exchange for some food." Xu Jin tried his best to relieve his embarrassment.

"Then there's Little Brother Lao." Mrs. Yang smiled and nodded in thanks, and that smile made Xu Jin feel a lot more at ease.

After eating and drinking, Xu Jin said to Yang Baihua with a serious face, "Brother Yang, you are strong in martial arts, and your younger brother is also a person who practices martial arts, can you please give me some guidance?" ”

"I don't dare to be a guide, I just have more experience than you, and I can share these experiences with you."

"Great!" Hui Ze on the side jumped up, "The little monk has wanted to talk about this for a long time, but he has never dared to speak. Now that Jin has already said it, the little monk will also join, with the guidance of Brother Yang, my stick method will definitely improve! ”

"The two little brothers have lifted Yang, let's learn from each other and exchange experiences......"

Before Yang Baihua's words were finished, he was interrupted by Xu Jin impatiently, "Brother Yang, let's stop saying these polite words, let's start directly!" ”

After a few autumn rains, the weather is getting cooler. The fallen leaves are scattered, the autumn grass is yellowing, and there is a gloom between heaven and earth.

Yang Baihua and his entourage finally found a big boat and crossed the Huaishui with carriages and horses.

Even after stepping on solid land again, Xu Jin and Hui Ze still struggled with the pain of motion sickness.

"Ah, I don't want to be on a boat again!" Xu Jin complained, "When I crossed the river, I was unconscious, it was too uncomfortable!" ”

"It's not," Hui Ze echoed, "Although the little monk has taken a boat with his master a few times, this is really the taste, and he will never want to take another boat......

"No way, we have to cross the Huaishui." Yang Baihua said with a smile, "After passing the Huaishui, you will almost reach the boundary of Nanliang." ”

"It's finally here!" Hearing this, Xu Jin perked up a little.

"The land of Nanliang should not be small, let's get to Nanliang, where should we go to settle down if we have no relatives?" Hui Ze asked with some concern.

"Go to Jiankang! There is the capital of Nanliang, it is said to be very prosperous, I have a friend in the Nanliang court as an official, we can go to him first, and then make plans. ”

"Wow! Brother Yang, you still know the officials of Nanliang, and the people are really wide, so we don't have anything to worry about. Xu Jin's tone was full of admiration.

"Where, my old friend was also forced to flee to Nanliang because of some changes a few years ago, he was originally a clan relative of Great Wei."

"The royal family is actually going to flee?" Xu Jin and Hui Ze both had incredible expressions.

"Things in this world, how can they be as simple as they think, many times they are just involuntarily......" Yang Baihua pondered for a while, raised his head and said to the two, "We have to go to Jiankang, and we have to cross the river by boat again, you two must be mentally prepared." ”

Crossing the rolling river, along the wide and flat avenue, the Jiankang City in the distance can already be imprinted in the eyes of everyone.

The blue sky is refreshing, the white clouds wander leisurely in this blue, and occasionally the southbound migratory birds fly overhead, making bursts of chirping, as if they are also rejoicing to arrive in the south where they can spend the winter.

The closer you get to Jiankang City, the more you can feel the atmosphere of prosperity.

Even in the suburbs outside the city, there is an endless stream of pedestrians and carriages on the road, and there are many small tea shops on both sides, providing tea and snacks for pedestrians and merchants.

The horse walked briskly all the way through the south fence gate and entered the city of Jiankang.

The mutual conquest between the north and the south for many years seems to be a matter of another world for Jiankang, and it is like a scene of peace and prosperity.

The stone-paved streets are flat and wide, stretching straight from the south fence gate to the north. Along the street on both sides of the neatly planted maple trees, the autumn color will dye the crown of the tree a piece of red, from time to time falling red leaves, and the refreshing autumn breeze singing, a piece of gentle and beautiful branding into the hearts of the people.

The streets are lined with shops and colorful shops boasting of the prosperity of the city. The streets were full of traffic and people, and Xu Jin and Hui Ze were dizzying, completely immersed in this prosperity. Even Mrs. Yang and Yanran couldn't help but lift the curtain and happily watch the surrounding scene.

After traveling north along the street, the sparkling Qinhuai River was like a jade belt in front of everyone. The weeping willow branches on both sides of the river are swaying, and the slender and soft branches are like green silk, swaying gently with the wind, graceful and colorful, showing their softness to the fullest.

A wide and solid pontoon bridge connects the two banks of the river, and a huge plaque at the head of the bridge is engraved with three large red characters - "Vermilion Bird Voyage". Behind the Suzaku Hang, the magnificent and tall Suzaku Gate stands impressively in front of you, overlooking the entire bridge and both sides of the river.

Beyond the Vermilion Bird Hang, an atmospheric and luxurious pavilion is located on the bank of the river at the head of the bridge, on the plaque hanging high, the three gilt characters of "Vermilion Bird Stack" are quite conspicuous.

"This is where we stay." Yang Baihua dismounted and said to everyone.

"Let's ...... Do we want to live in such a nice place? Xu Jin and Hui Ze stared at their big eyes, so surprised that they couldn't close their mouths.

"After a long journey, almost all of them are sleeping in the wilderness, and it's time to recuperate. This Vermilion Bird Inn, the largest residence in Jiankang, is quite famous among the merchants who come and go from the south to the north. Most of the people who fled from the Northern Wei Dynasty also settled here. Yang Baihua said, opened the car door, and helped his wife and daughter out of the frame.

A few handymen at the door smiled and ran over to greet them enthusiastically, "Is the old lady going to stay in the hotel?" Yang Baihua nodded, and the handymen hurriedly took the reins for everyone.

One of the handymen ran straight over to pull the reins of Hei Lei, but Xu Jin pushed him away and asked sharply, "What do you want to do?" ”

Seeing this, the entourage around Yang Baihua couldn't help but cover their mouths and snicker. Hui Ze's face was flushed with shame, and he hurriedly explained to Xu Jin in a low voice, "They want to help us bring the horses to the stable." ”

When Xu Jin heard this, he scratched his head embarrassedly, and went over to pull up the handyman who was pushed to the ground by him, "Little brother is reckless, brother, forgive me." ”

When everyone entered the store, the lobby was quite spacious, and it was very lively and full of merchants. The junior who ran the hall greeted him warmly and led everyone to a few empty seats.

"Little Er, let's have some good wine and food first." Yang Baihua commanded.

Xiao Er nodded and ran away. After a short rest, the wine and meat were set on the table. Yang Baihua and his wife motioned for everyone to be free, Xu Jin and Hui Ze were already hungry, picked up the meat, stuffed it in their mouths and chewed it.

Xiao Er, who hadn't left yet, shouted in shock when he saw this, "Hey, hey, hey!" That little monk, how did the monks eat meat? ”

Hui Ze looked at Xiao Er suspiciously, chewing in his mouth, and asked vaguely, "What do the monks have to eat, why can't they eat meat?" ”

"The emperor has decreed that monks are not allowed to eat meat, you little monk, how can you still eat so comfortably?"

"Oh, Xiao Er Xiao Er," Yang Baihua stood up and played a round game, "We are merchants from the north, and we don't understand the rules of Daliang, now that we know, let the little monk not eat in the future." ”

Xiao Er just wanted to say something more, but Yang Baihua asked first, "By the way, Xiao Er, do you know where King Ye's mansion is?" ”

"I'm a runaway, how do I know the mansions of these dignitaries. However, after entering the Suzaku Gate, walk along the royal road, and after passing the salt market and the Taimiao, it is the Baiguan Mansion, you can go to the vicinity to inquire by yourself. ”

"Thank you, little two. We also have to stay overnight, and there is Lao to help us prepare a few rooms. After speaking, Yang Baihua stuffed a few copper coins into the small second-hand hand.

Full of wine and food, Xiao Er also cleaned up a few rooms for everyone. Yang Baihua took out a letter, handed it to a confidant, whispered a few words, and the entourage quickly left.

Yan Ran didn't want to go back to the room to rest, and said to Yang Baihua with great interest, "Father, it's still early, this Jiankang is prosperous, why don't we go for a tour together?" ”

"I have ordered someone to find King Ye, I must stay here and wait."

"The old friend that Brother Yang said is this King Ye, right?" Xu Jin asked tentatively.

Yang Baihua nodded, "He was originally the grandson of Emperor Wei Xianwen, but he was implicated in the rebellion of his father and brother, and was forced to flee to Southern Liang, and was named King Ye by Emperor Nanliang. I was a good friend of him when I was young, but now that we are new to him, we have to go to him first. ”

"Would it be nice for my mother to go on a tour with me?" Yanran was still unwilling.

"I want to go for a tour, but I'm really tired today." Mrs. Yang looked at Yanran with a smile, "If you really want to go, ask Xu Jin and Hui Ze if they are willing to accompany you, and I can rest assured that they will accompany you." ”

Before Yanran could ask, Xu Jin nodded vigorously, "Yes, we also want to go out for a walk!" ”

Hui Ze saluted Mrs. Yang and said, "Madam, please rest assured, we will definitely take care of Miss." ”

Mrs. Yang smiled and nodded in gratitude.

Yang Baihua handed over a small string of coins, "Go out and play, bring some." Then he solemnly admonished, "Just remember, don't cause trouble!" Don't go too far, just walk around the neighborhood; Don't play too late, come back early......"

It wasn't until the early days of the lanterns that Yanran, Xu Jin and Hui Ze returned happily along the Qinhuai River in the direction of the Vermilion Bird Stack.

The banks of the river are lit up like stars, and the river reflects the lights, gently shining with a cool light. Out of nowhere, there is a slight sound of pipa, if it is about to leave, it is graceful and melodious.

"I really can't imagine that we really arrived in Nanliang." Xu Jin couldn't help but sigh.

"Yes, I have been in Dawei with my master for many years, and I have never seen such a prosperous scene, even if it is Luoyang, I am afraid that it is not as good as this Jiankang City."

"Now that you're in Jiankang, what are you two going to do in the future?" Yan Ran asked the two of them while fiddling with the handful of carefully selected red leaves in her hand.

"Yikes! I really didn't think about that. Xu Jin scratched his head and looked at Hui Ze beside him, "Have you thought about Hui Ze?" ”

"I'm a monk, so don't I just continue to be a monk."

"But the monks of Nanliang can't eat meat! You unscrupulous monk, which temple dares to ask you? Xu Jin quipped.

"I think you two should just stay with my father, so we can hang out together often."

"How can we do that, so we won't be idle meals!" Xu Jin categorically rejected Yan Ran's proposal, "Hui Ze, why don't we go to join the army, maybe we can make a name for ourselves!" ”

Hui Ze's eyes widened, "I am a monk, how can I join the army?" ”

"Who said that monks can't join the army? If you don't go to the army, wouldn't it be a waste of your good martial arts. ”

"Okay, go and join the army! When the time comes, your life will be gone, see what you have to do! A nameless fire rose in Yan Ran's heart, and she fiercely threw the red leaves in her hands towards the faces of the two.

"Miss is angry, and Xu Jin just talks casually." Although he didn't understand why Yanran was suddenly angry, Hui Ze still tried his best to appease.

"yes, yes, I'll say it casually." Xu Jin was also busy smiling, "Let's accompany Miss to tour this Jiankang City first, and then talk about it when we have fun." ”

When the three of them returned to the Vermilion Bird Inn, they met Yang Baihua and a gorgeously dressed man saying goodbye at the door. Seeing the three of them coming back, Yang Baihua hurriedly called them over, "This is the little girl Yang Yanran, I've seen His Royal Highness King Ye soon." ”

Yan Ran curtsied, "Yan Ran has seen His Royal Highness King Ye." ”

King Ye seemed to be older than Yang Baihua, but he still respectfully returned the salute to Yanran.

"These two little brothers are what I met on the way and came together. I went out with the little girl just now. ”

After the two sides greeted each other, King Ye was ready to leave again.

At this time, a young man leaned over, "Oh, it's His Royal Highness King Ye, you actually met here, and your majesty is polite." He bowed as he spoke.

The young man was dressed in plain clothes, wearing a scarf on his head, with a delicate face, dressed as a Confucian student, looking a little weak, but there was a heroic spirit between his eyebrows. When King Ye saw the comer, he hurriedly returned the salute, "It turned out to be Lord Chen's book, it's polite." Why did Master Chen come to this market? ”

"Xiaguan was born in cloth, and the shopkeeper here is my fellow villager and my family, so I often come here to visit. However, His Royal Highness King Ye is a prince, and he actually met here, which really surprised the lower officials. ”

"Oh, this is my old friend in the Northern Dynasty," King Ye explained, pointing to Yang Baihua, "because he was forced by a traitor to come to me, and he just arrived today and stayed here, so this king has come here to meet him." ”

Yang Baihua stepped forward and saluted, "In Xia Yang Baihua, I have seen adults." ”

"Under Chen Qingzhi, Ziyun, I have seen Brother Yangtai." Chen Qingzhi bowed in return.

"By the way, Master Chen, you are a person close to Your Majesty, can you help me recommend Brother Yang in front of Your Majesty, so that he can have the opportunity to serve my Daliang?" King Ye said half-jokingly, half-seriously.

"King Ye has an overreputation, and the lower officials have just followed His Majesty since he was a child, where do he dare to call him close. But if he can be a virtuous person for the big beam, how can he shirk Qingzhi. ”

"Then there is Lord Lao!"

"Where, then the lower official will not be spared, and he will leave."

"This Chen Qingzhi, at a young age, is actually in the position of the main secretary, which shows that he is really a young talent." Looking at Chen Qingzhi's departing back, Yang Baihua couldn't help but admire.

"Eh, you don't know the details. This Chen Qingzhi has been His Majesty's scholar since he was a child, and because he is good at playing chess, he is quite popular with His Majesty, and often accompanies His Majesty to play all night. After His Majesty ascended to the throne, it was natural that the chicken and dog ascended to heaven, and when he was a teenager, he sat in the position of the main secretary, and he has been until now. For this reason, there are many people who are angry in the court, and they all ridicule him as the master of chess boys behind their backs. ”

"But I don't look like a mediocre person when I look at his words and deeds?"

Speaking of which, he is also conscientious and conscientious in his position, and his style is simple, humble and low-key, not good at silk and bamboo, and does not fight for personal gain, but he has not left any truth for those who are dissatisfied. Especially for those of us who are subordinate to the Northern Dynasty, we never despise and neglect and treat everyone equally, which is indeed commendable. ”

"Listening to His Royal Highness King Ye's words, I want to have a good acquaintance with this Chen Qingzhi."