It was late at night, and the snow was falling, accumulating, and everything was white.

Watching the snow through the window and holding fragrant tea in your hand should be considered a very elegant thing, but among the two people sitting here, only the older one is slowly sipping tea while looking at the snow outside.

"In your heart, 'Taiping'... How important is it? ”

With strange questions, Yuqing made Xiao Wenshuang sit in a daze, thinking blankly and cluelessly.

had been summoned to ask for a cup of tea, but only this one question was thrown, Yuqing never said a second sentence, until, when Xiao Wenshuang began to be a little impatient, Fang saw Yuqing turn around and said slowly: "To be specific, greedy wolf... Between 'peace' and 'lives of the innocent', you... What will be the trade-off? ”

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It was late at night, and the snow was falling, accumulating, and everything was white.

Watching the snow through the window and holding fragrant tea in your hand should be considered a very elegant thing, but among the two people sitting here, only the older one is slowly sipping tea while looking at the snow outside.

"In your heart, Young Eunuch Cao, Your Majesty... What kind of person is it? ”

With strange questions, Zhongda asked Cao Fengxiao to sit still, thinking nervously but quietly.

has been summoned to ask for a cup of tea, but only this one question is thrown, Zhong Da never said a second sentence, until, when Cao Fengxiao began to be a little impatient, Fang saw Zhong Da turn around, and said slowly: "To be specific, Cao Shaojian... In your opinion, when faced with 'affection' and 'interests', Your Majesty... What will be the trade-off? ”

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"What?!"

Completely losing her coolness, Xiao Wenshuang stood up suddenly, and almost dropped the teacup in her hand.

Unable to understand Yuqing's question, Xiao Wenshuang asked for more explanation, but received an answer that shocked her: a long-undergoing plan will be harvested recently, and right now, a large crowd of people, many of whom are also followers of Taiping Dao--- may be attacking the Bishui Pass, which is impossible to destroy with the combat power of the people.

"Of course, the result will only be a one-sided massacre."

"But, why?!"

The answer is rumors, which have long been overt and covert, and which have appeared in several counties in the vicinity, have suddenly changed like a wild storm in recent days, especially today, and have suddenly become very clear and at the same time strong rhetoric.

"However, they are two completely different forms..."

Legend among the people is that in order to cope with the possible war after the coming spring, the imperial court will begin to accumulate materials for war preparation, and for this reason, the people's grain will be collected and transported to the north by means of Cao. At the same time, it is necessary to draw strong men from the people, and after training, go north to start a big battle with Yuntai Mountain after the year.

"Of course it can't be... It is only in the later stages of the war, when both sides are consumed to the point of starvation, that these untrained men will be needed to fill the army... At present, the contact of the regular army has not yet been carried out at all, and pulling Zhuang Ding into the army will only consume food in vain. ”

For the same reason, there is no point in transporting additional collected rations to the north, Songzhou is located in the southwest, the mountains and rivers are horizontal, and the grain can only barely be self-sufficient.

However, the panicked people cannot understand such "rationality", after all, in troubled times, the degree of tyranny of the imperial court to the people cannot be overestimated in any way, and the fear of "survival" can drive people to do anything.

There are also some people who are a little calmer, and when they can't persuade the people, they take the initiative to communicate with the local government, hoping that the government can make a gesture to appease the people, for example, at least let the people see that the grain is well stored, and the government has no intention of levying Ding.

"But on the contrary, another set of rumors exploded rapidly in the government at the same point in time."

Excited by the situation in the north, and even more worried that the Liu family would strike first, Taiping Dao has decided to take advantage of this New Year, tree banner, and start an incident!

This is a long-standing statement, and few people believe it at the top of the government or the military, but there has been a concentrated outbreak recently, and there has been a strong statement.

"No wind, no waves... If there is no basis at all, why can it be passed on for so long? ”

In particular, there is a footnote that the current civil unrest is created by Tai Ping Dao in the hope of profiting from the chaos, and in such a situation, ordinary middle- and lower-level officials certainly do not have the courage to make any decisions, let alone make some concessions to the people to ease the situation. On the contrary, the control of goods and people has been strengthened, and in particular, a curfew-like order has been issued, which is undoubtedly another evidence of rumors in the eyes of the people.

"Actually, strictly speaking, this is not such a great rumor, if you have time, it can definitely be resolved peacefully, but..."

The previous rumors were so "ridiculous" that they were so ridiculous that people on both sides disdained to care, but they were "true" enough to make ordinary people and officials suspicious, especially since for a long time this rumor rose and fell, and it was even more difficult for people to feel the need to care.

But as a result, overnight, the rumors suddenly fermented, to the point that both sides had no time to deal with it, to the point that the panicked people and lower-level officials could no longer think independently..."The blind movement of the "ignorant" finally formed a powerful joint force, squeezing out the choice space of the "knowledgeable", which does not seem to be a "normal" pattern, but it is a pattern that does happen.

"Until then... I just understood... Understand what the hell is going on..."

With a wry smile, Yuqing had a helpless look, and at this time, Xiao Wenshuang finally clarified his thoughts.

"But how is this possible... Real people, I mean, who can manipulate and create rumors like this, like this? ”

Nodding heavily, Yuqing's expression was very strange, like fear and expectation.

"Yes... There is a person... There is only one person... One, able to do whatever you want... Anywhere, whoever creates any rumors ..."

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"Your Majesty... As the Ninety-Five, when you take the world as your home, take all the people as your son, and do great things, it will be difficult to be restrained..."

With a cold smile, Zhong Da interrupted Cao Fengxiao's speech, didn't look at him at all, just stared at the teacup in his hand.

"In my study, absolutely no one dares to eavesdrop, and between our brothers and sisters, there is no need to make such a detour, just say that you think Your Majesty will ignore family affection, and there is no need to praise the saint."

There was sweat on his back, but Cao Fengxiao did not bow his head, but stared at Zhong Da tightly, observing his every movement and expression.

Since the return of Guadu, Cao Fengxiao knew that his identity would be in trouble, but it was not until now that Zhongda made this relationship clear for the first time.

In the prior calculation, there were many imaginations about the development after this, but Cao Fengxiao didn't expect that Zhongda was really just a homely sentence, and he was still talking about the original topic.

"But of course you can't be blamed... The ancient heavenly family has no flesh and bones, don't talk about you, even if Your Majesty himself, you have to hear that he is a loving father and brother... It will only be ironic that it is not afraid of death. ”

As he spoke, Zhongda put down the teacup and got up slowly, still not looking at Cao Fengxiao, with his hands behind his back, pacing.

"That's why I wonder... Even the 'Guigu Wolin' can't see clearly, it's not accurate, under the account of the general king, who has such ability and eloquence, dares to bet, and can bet on this ten-out bet? ”

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"Zigong... Who's that? ”

I still didn't understand for a while, and Yuqing didn't explain much, only said that it was a very terrible person.

"A... Even the Halal people don't know how terrible a person he is. ”

But at the same time, Yuqing also said that this should be just a "warning" from the other party, because, judging from the current situation, rumors and turmoil are only concentrated in the left side of Bishui Pass, and strictly speaking, the side has been left with a choice.

"As long as we endure... Nothing happened there when the water was closed... Then, all belief will end... Blood can make people sober, and 'I will starve to death later', 'I will be hacked to death immediately' is of course more realistic than 'I will starve to death later'. ”

There is no need to explain more, of course Xiao Wenshuang can understand, but the strong sense of disgust makes her speechless, and the thought of watching hundreds of people die meaninglessly at all, she can't convince herself that she is just a bystander.

(But, if you go to war...) ）

Yuqing's prompt is actually very clear, and Xiao Wenshuang fully understands the consequences of making enemies with the Liu family.

(If it's really a war...) Of course, the Liu family can't tolerate it, if the state of coexistence can't continue, there will only be trouble... And that, it will cause a thousand times more turmoil than today, and a hundred times more Taoist friends and people will die... ）

Biting her lip tightly, Xiao Wenshuang finally bowed her head silently, indicating her attitude.

"Do you watch them die..."

With a low chuckle, it sounded really harsh, Yuqing still turned his back to Xiao Wenshuang, and said lightly: "I am very pleased to be able to make such a decision, and I can entrust the battle line in Mingzhou with peace of mind..."

It is not the first time that Yuqing has talked about the affairs of Mingzhou, and under the premise that Songzhou is relatively consolidated, I hope that Xiao Wenshuang and He Lingbing can go to Mingzhou to support. Mentally prepared for it, Xiao Wenshuang slowly got up and prepared to be ordered.

"So... One last question... Greedy wolf... Between the 'Peaceful' and the 'Undead', you... What will be the trade-off? ”

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"Your Majesty... actually sent the 'Great Black of the World' to protect the second prince? ”

Even if he had been mentally prepared first, when he heard Zhongda confirm the matter, Cao Fengxiao was still completely stunned.

"That said, the last riot on the pickaxe mountain road..."

"Well, don't ask too much, that's none of your business... Moreover, the point today is not here. ”

Fingers crossed, moving knuckles, Zhong Da said in a voice that was so thick that it seemed to be tangled: "In your opinion, junior brother... Who has the greatest benefit in this matter? ”

After a moment of silence, Cao Fengxiao said: "General King." ”

Once the taboo is broken, it is easy to speak, and in Cao Fengxiao's opinion, although the emperor is injured, no one knows how heavy the injury is. can be used as an excuse, but he lightly unloaded the matter of going north to fight against the Yuntai army.

"Yes, that's what I think... But it's very wrong, it's very difficult. ”

Therefore, no matter what the price of Yuntai Mountain is to cooperate with the general Wang Yimai, just this time, the three of them joined forces, and in the end they were still defeated, but they bought time to build up the defense, so that Sun could not retreat from the difficulty, which is of course normal, but this is just something that "happened".

"It's dark... Although I don't like him, but today, he, and the demon monk... But it is the two people closest to the 'Eight Poles of Heaven and Earth'... Even, I've always suspected that he has already broken through the door of power..."

If there is a big black in the world, Sun can't suppress the whole audience, and the emperor doesn't need to fight to the end, and even on... With the strength of the imperial army, it is possible that Sun will not be able to pay the price.

"So, I just want to know, who is... The one who can calculate the big black is not here... What kind of person can convince Sun that he can't also agree with this judgment... Who the hell is it? ”

Conceive a plan, sometimes it is not difficult, two tigers compete for food, drive tigers to devour wolves, dig pits and wait for tigers, and are inseparable... Coming and going, the strategy is just a few, but having an idea is only the first step, and it is the skill of the strategist to revise and implement it according to the actual situation to ensure that the idea can be turned into reality. For third-rate strategists, this may be an incomprehensible thing, but in Cao Fengxiao, he completely understands that there is no need for Zhong Da to explain again.

“… In short, he should be a very eloquent person. ”

had no clue, in the end, Cao Fengxiao just said it in such a general way, but unexpectedly, this answer could immediately resonate.

"Yes... And, not just eloquence. ”

At this point, Zhong Da suddenly turned the conversation away and turned to the ghost valley.

"The four of us brothers were able to get together in the world... Speaking of which, it's really an unfortunate thing in this world. ”

praised Cao Fengxiao's qualifications, and praised Tianji Ziwei unreservedly, but Zhongda's attitude towards Guigu Fulong was very interesting.

"His performance... It's a bad name for the ghost valley. ”

seems to be very emotional, Zhong Da actually began to slowly review history, one by one to list those predecessors of the Ghost Valley, those, in different time and space, with the earth as the disk, with the general as the son, the wise men who played the world, of course, most of them were already known or guessed by Cao Fengxiao.

"But the world is big, the sky is deep... For example, when the dynasty was founded, it was Pinggong, Wang Lugong, who had been serving the hidden domain for 20 years, Mr. Zhenbai, who was happy and retreating, and Mr. Changyuan, who was in charge of the world... In the toilet body, Xiangzan Zuocheng, are all a generation of romance. ”

Cao Fengxiao also knew who the person Zhong Da was talking about, but he was also a little surprised: he had always thought that at least a few of these people were also from the Ghost Valley.

(But, too...) ）

Before the train of thought was clear, Zhong Da had already said: "But... These people, speaking of which, are actually the same family... A son inherited, and the same ancient sect as our Ghost Valley. ”

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"You mean, the real target of the other party is the undead?!"

finally couldn't calm down anymore, and compared to it, Yuqing was even more obviously motionless.

"Of course, it was like that from the beginning, and it can only be that way."

Shocked, it can even be said that he is already angry, Xiao Wenshuang really can't understand Yuqing's reaction, when the other party is already trying to destroy the foundation of Taiping Dao, why can he be so calm?

And, suddenly, Xiao Wenshuang, she understood.

"So... That's what you asked me, real person, didn't you? ”

“… Right. ”

Thinking that Zigong would definitely destroy the undead, but this was by no means the same as severely damaging the Taiping Dao, Yuqing believed that he had seen the difference between the two.

"Sit back, do nothing, and watch the undead get killed... Then, the Taiping Road will develop better... Is it? ”

Xiao Wenshuang's voice was almost lifeless, but there was a strong cross-examination. But Yuqing just shook his head and said, "No... No. ”

"The undead don't die... Legend has it that Zigong, he never kills. ”

"He, he should just want to tear apart the 'heart' of the immortal."

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"Taoyuan?"

"Yes."

Nodding, Zhong Da told Cao Fengxiao that there was more than one organization that hid behind history and passed on "ideals" and "skills" from generation to generation, and strictly speaking, the "Dark Confucians" represented by Zigong could also be regarded as such an organization.

"Of course, it is not easy to pass on for thousands of years, and most organizations can only pass on for a few generations and then fend for themselves... However, there are a few that can go down for thousands of years. ”

For example, Ghost Valley, and for example, Taoyuan.

"Taoyuan, they are different from our Ghost Valley... At least, they don't have anything like 'Guigu Stone' to rely on. ”

Always adhere to the single transmission of one son, Taoyuan inherits the "dragon slaying technique" from generation to generation, so as to settle down and make a living, and it also has a significant impact on history.

"Different from the 'soldiers' in Guigu, Taoyuan, they are more of a deformation of 'legalists', and their strength lies in the study of 'human art', or 'imperial art'..."

However, just like Guigu, not every era will appear outstanding people who are enough to inherit Taoyuan, let alone a stage suitable for Taoyuan's heirs to play in every era, so in most cases, Taoyuan is unknown, quietly changing from generation to generation.

Both take the "world" as the curtain and the "emperor" as the curtain, so that the two organizations with similar purposes and inseparable abilities cannot be separated from each other, of course, it is impossible not to interact, have cooperated, and have been at war.

"In my memory, the disciples of the Ghost Valley in the past generations, more or less, will have some analysis and description of the Taoyuan, and among them, the one that has the greatest impact on our Ghost Valley and makes us the most shocked... It was they who came up with the 'footprint' claim. ”

Proficient in "human art", the study of the human heart may have reached a height that only Confucianism can reach, Taoyuan Yimai believes that anyone has their own "footprints", something that cannot be concealed. That thing is the death hole of all good strategists, and it is also their helplessness.

"Even if we knew, we couldn't hide it, and even... Instead will it make it more obvious? ”

I couldn't understand it for a while, but Zhong Da was already slowly explaining and telling Cao Fengxiao to take the ghost valley fellow in the world today as an example.

"I... What I'm best at is watching the fire from the other side, picking chestnuts from the fire... Take the initiative to create chaos to hide yourself, not caring about the process... Strive only to be the last beneficiary. ”

When the four ministers of Gu Ming moved the throne, almost everyone thought that the rule of the Zhao family would end, but in the end, it was Kaijing who became the only winner. As for the battle of "Three Fruits", the Zhu family was also arrogant, and once looked down on the world, but in the end, it could only be used as a stepping stone, witnessing another revival of the Zhao family.

"And Tianji, his master has no 'name', and he doesn't have too much 'capital', which makes him always obsessed with robbing while the fire is hot, and he should cooperate with the outside. At the same time, he is also a very patient person who makes good use of his space. ”

Cao Fengxiao's understanding of this is more profound, from the snowy region to Guadu, he has witnessed the conspiracy of Tianji Ziwei more than once, and witnessed how he used various means to ensure that he was always the last slingshot, and that the key knife to knock down the opponent was always held by the enemy's own hand.

"As for Fu Long... He, his tricks, is actually very ungenerous. ”

Despite this, he also showed a certain degree of respect for Guigu Fulong, and the resources in his hand were the weakest of the four, and unfortunately encountered the double pressure of the Xiang people to unify the south and the Taiping Road to regroup, and then there was a brotherly rebellion, in this case, he was still able to resolve the pressure of all parties one by one, and make the master he chose to become the ultimate winner, which is not easy.

thinks that he and Tianji Ziwei can be said to like to "pretend to be a pig and eat a tiger", but Guigu Fulong goes a step further, is "winning because of defeat", and always launches a strategy and makes the strongest counterattack after paying a real loss or even falling into a Jedi.

"In addition, he does not use 'between' but 'speaks', and is always able to create something out of nothing, create a rift in the strongest allies, and unite the most unlikely enemies... This is almost the legendary ability to use 'nothing' against 'infinity'. ”

But from the details, Zhong Da believes that the shortcomings of Fulong in Guigu are also obvious, in many things, he did not make the "best" ending, and in the end he was killed by his master, which can be called the Tang Dynasty of Ghost Valley.

"I can't even understand my lord, I can't control it... What kind of military advisor is such a person? ”

Listening carefully to Zhongda's every word, Cao Fengxiao became more and more nervous, because, so far, he still hasn't understood what Zhongda's intention is to find himself to talk about the ancient on such a snowy night?

"In short, these are our footprints, some of which are determined by our character, our circumstances, and the resources in our hands, which we cannot change by our own means... And such footprints, junior brother, you are still not qualified to step on them now. ”

It seems that the interest is really good, Zhong Da actually began to comment on Cao Fengxiao again, thinking that his qualifications are excellent, but he always lacks long-term vision, and is even more limited by the strength of the Cao family, unable to make an overall deployment, and unable to go to a higher place.

It's not a high evaluation, but it won't make Cao Fengxiao unhappy, but then, an idle sentence, but like thunder outside the sky, it exploded in Cao Fengxiao's ears

"Of course... It is not excluded that this is still your intention, junior brother, is... You are deliberate for the sake of Master Cao's 'great plan'. ”

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"Greedy wolf... I and the Shangqing people have exactly the same view on the same issue, in this world, if the Taiping Dao is forced to start an incident like this, it will only end in a miserable defeat, and the people's will, resources, and the strength of the enemy are all insurmountable obstacles. ”

Nodding silently, he was already clear about the general trend of Taiping, and he inherited a lot of Zhang Nanjian's memories, but Xiao Wenshuang had no illusions about it.

"But the Halal people believe that we still have a chance, and that is the immortal, an idol who can show his peerless charm and attract and inspire believers."

"But... I, I don't think so. ”

Slowly, Yuqing admits that he is a very simple person who does not believe in religion.

"I always believe that Taiping Dao can be passed down because we represent the people's yearning for 'Taiping', and because we provide a different choice from the 'emperor's surname'... It's not because we really have to inherit the will of God, and we really have some Taoist ancestor gods to bless us. ”

"Legend has it that we had a time when we had ten or eleven immortals gathered at the same time, but so what? In the end, our cause still failed. ”

Therefore, Yuqing has always believed that the cause of Taiping Dao should focus on deep cultivation and intensive cultivation, consolidate the position of "Taiping" in the hearts of ordinary people, and combine Taiping Dao with the various living habits and details of the people at the bottom.

"Actually, in most cases, the imperial court doesn't take us very seriously, especially when we don't have 'idols'..."

For example, there have been brave defenders in history who resolutely refused to ask for help, even though they had weak troops, and this really kept his subordinates and people safe.

"The slightest addition is not conservative enough, but it will be harmed... This kind of truth is actually very subtle, but it is very real. ”

With a solemn expression, Yuqing said that in his opinion, the "immortal" was the reinforcement who could not defend the city, but might provoke the enemy's main force. When the deep and broad resources of Taiping Dao are combined with an idol that can unite people's hearts, it is inevitable that it will attract more and hostile eyes.

“… At least, it has attracted 'Zigong'. ”

Raising the question, Xiao Wenshuang never understood, who is "Zigong" and why is it so terrifying?

In the memory left by Zhang Nanjian, Xiao Wenshuang knew that Zigong was one of the ancient names of Confucianism, and it was listed among the few ancient names with the highest status, and it had a very terrifying power, but because of some collective opinions from other forces and some principles of Confucianism itself, in most years, those who inherited this ancient name only studied quietly and did not take a step out of Confucianism for life.

"In short, Zigong is very terrible, manipulating the grouped 'fools', so as to form the power to force the 'wise man' to act, although many people understand this kind of thinking, but he is the only one who can really implement it..."

The language is unknown, Yuqing seems to know a lot, but he refuses to explain too much, only saying that Zigong's principle, he generally will not take action against the "forces", let alone fight the "water dogs".

"Without the Taiping Dao of the undead, it is impossible to make Zigong tempted, and even among the immortals in history, more than seventy percent cannot attract Zigong's interest... Of course, there are also strong men who have matured to the point where Ling Zigong has nothing to do, so that's another matter. ”

With a wry smile, Yuqing said that it was actually an honor to be able to let Zigong dispatch, and from this point of view, it was really worth celebrating for Yun Chongbo, but of course, this would not make Xiao Wenshuang feel better.

"Real people... Could you please explain what this person wants to do to the undead? ”

did not answer immediately, Yuqing looked at Xiao Wenshuang silently, his expression gradually serious.

"Didn't I say that?"

"Zigong's purpose is to tear apart the 'hearts' of the undead..."

Tell Xiao Wenshuang his judgment, to a certain extent, the power of Zigong is unimaginable, but once it is launched, it will also pay a huge price, and it often takes the entire Confucian sect several generations to slowly digest it.