Along the way, the lights are bright, the shouting is endless, the hawkers along the street sell their own things, the little two downstairs welcome the young lady upstairs with red sleeves and swagger, pedestrians, men, women and children, officials and civilians, all available.

Xiao Wu's eyes were straight, and he was dazzled, and he didn't even know to take Qiu Bo, a twenty-eight little lady who came to him, so he just grinned and smirked.

"Hehe, hehe, it's so fun, it's so good, it's so good, sir, I don't want to go back to Lingshou, I want to live in Shangjing."

"What is this, sir? Like a cloud of white clouds, white clouds can also eat? What kind of sugar is rock sugar? Is sour good? It only costs a penny to burn the cake, and I'm hungry again. ”

"Sir, is this a bathing place? Strange thing, can't you charge money for bathing? I was in the mountains, and I jumped directly into the river and washed it clean, without spending a penny. ”

"Sir, look, the little lady in pink upstairs has been waving at you for a long time, why don't you ignore her? She also called you Dutou, no, she said Dutou is coming soon. ”

Xia Xiang knew that Xiao Wu was talking so much, he couldn't cry or laugh, he wanted Xiao Wu to shut up, but he couldn't bear to hit his curiosity, just passing by a high-door mansion, with a black golden silk nanmu plaque hanging on the top of the red vermilion lacquer gate, with three big characters on it: Xingwang Mansion.

There is a red pillar on each side, and the red pillar and a pair of unicorns are facing each other from afar. There are glazed tiles on the top, and bluestone on the bottom, which is solemn and solemn.

Xiao Wuyi learned a lot of words with Xia Xiang on the road, and recognized the three words of the Star King's Mansion, he looked confused: "Which king is the Star King?" ”

"The Star King is the third prince, and he is the younger brother of the current saint." Xia Xiang stared at the three words of the Star King's Mansion with a smile, and his eyes revealed an intriguing meaning, "The emperor has four brothers, if you order by age, the emperor is the second prince, and the third prince Xingwang is born to the same mother." King Jing, King Jing, King Qing, and King Yun, the fifth prince, are a branch of Taizu and a cousin of the emperor. The titles of the four princes are based on Jingxing Qingyun. ”

Jingxing, a bright star, Qingyun, is a colorful auspicious cloud. Jingxing Qingyun is an auspicious omen.

As he was talking, the closed vermilion lacquer door of the Star King's Mansion suddenly opened from the inside, and two people came out of it, one with high eyebrows and starry eyes, a cold face, tall and mighty, and the other with thin lips and white eyes, a slightly blue face, and a cold gaze. After the two went out, their vigilant eyes swept around, and they didn't find anything abnormal, so they turned over and got on their horses.

It was also a coincidence, the two of them lifted the reins and rode forward, passing in front of Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu. The person on the horse didn't know whether he glanced at Xia Xiang intentionally or unintentionally, and a cold light suddenly flashed in his eyes, as if he had discovered some secret on Xia Xiang's body.

He stopped his horse, looked down at Xia Xiang for a moment, and asked Sen Ran, "Who are you?" ”

Xia Xiang bowed his hand, neither humble nor arrogant, not in a hurry: "Back to Taiwei, in Xia Xiang, a native of Lingshou County, Zhending Prefecture, Hebei West Road." ”

"What happened to the Beijing office?" Somehow, Gao Jianyuan had a sense of déjà vu when he saw Xia Xiang for the first time, and it seemed that he had known Xia Xiang a long time ago, so he stopped his horse and asked this question, but when he heard that Xia Xiang was from Lingshou County, Zhending Prefecture, Hebei West Road, he denied his judgment again, he must have recognized the wrong person, he only went to Lingshou once, and he went to Zhongshan Village more than a month ago to arrest Li Dingshan.

"Catch the test." Xia Xiang knew in his heart that the person who came out of the Star King's Mansion was by no means an idle person, although the person in front of him was not wearing an official uniform, but his speech and demeanor were obviously not civilians. However, he didn't have too many scruples about the person in front of him, but the man next to him who didn't say a word made people feel inexplicably gloomy.

"Since you are in Beijing to catch the exam, don't wander around, go back and rest early." Hearing that Xia Xiang was a test child, Gao Jianyuan lost interest in Xia Xiang, clamped the horse's belly, and rode forward.

"Taiwei, will Xia Xiang be Li Dingshan's protégé?" After walking out of a few zhang, Yan Hao was still unwilling, looked back a few times, Xia Xiang under the light, stood calmly, his face was peaceful, he couldn't help but be suspicious, "Xia Laocheng said that Li Dingshan has been teaching in Zhongshan Village for three years......

"Yan Xiaowu, you are too worried." Gao Jianyuan waved his hand to stop Yan Hao, Yan Hao ranked fifth, he would be called Yan Xiaowu in private, and when he called Yan Hao Yan Xiaowu, it was when he was in a good mood, "Not to mention that Li Dingshan is teaching in Zhongshan Village, even if he teaches in Lingshou County, he may not be Xia Xiang's husband." What's more, Xia Xiang claims to be a Lingshou person, and it is unknown whether he is from Zhongshan Village. The important thing now is to find out the whereabouts of Li Dingshan and Xiao Jia as soon as possible, even if Xia Xiang is really Li Dingshan's protégé? The third prince wants Li Dingshan's life, not Xia Xiang. ”

"With Li Dingshan's talent, Xia Xiang is really his protégé, and he is a high school jinshi. If Xia Xiangyu is allowed to jump into the dragon gate and enter the court, it will inevitably become a big trouble in the future. Yan Hao thought longer than Gao Jianyuan, when he saw Xia Xiang for the first time, the feeling in his heart was much stronger than Gao Jianyuan, he didn't like Xia Xiang's easy-going atmosphere at first sight, and he didn't appreciate Xia Xiang's indifference at the second glance.

"Hahahaha, Yan Xiaowu, if I hadn't known you for many years, I would have slapped you firmly."

Gao Jianyuan was frightened for a month, for fear of being condemned by the third prince, and waited for a month, and he finally came to the third prince who returned from the summer. I don't want the third prince not only not to blame him, but to praise a few words, and said that Li Dingshan has already come to Beijing, just wait for the rabbit, Li Dingshan will throw himself into the net, and there is no need to arrest him with great fanfare. also regarded Li Dingshan's self-throwing into the net as Gao Jianyuan's credit, and recorded a great credit.

A month of panic and anxiety was exchanged for comfort and praise, how could Gao Jianyuan not be overjoyed? is like a person who is on the verge of drowning, and suddenly finds that he has stepped on solid ground under his feet, and the feeling of escaping death is much more comfortable than being promoted to an official and making a fortune.

Gao Jianyuan, who was still immersed in excitement, could listen to Yan Hao's groundless speculation, he didn't bother to start from an unwarranted start to speculate on the next step that was even more unwarranted, there were too many uncertainties, he didn't do things that he wasn't sure of, and he didn't think about things that hadn't happened yet.

"Yes, Xia Guan knows that he is wrong." Yan Hao didn't tell the difference, he was no longer familiar with Gao Jianyuan's temper, he only made suggestions, Gao Jianyuan accepted it, if he didn't accept it, he would stop it, and then secretly act in his own way.

Looking back at Xia Xiang again, Yan Hao firmly remembered Xia Xiang's appearance.

"The little black man is ruthless." When Yan Hao looked back at Xia Xiang, Xiao Wu's eyes were also staring at Yan Hao, his gaze was direct and hot, revealing unprecedented vigilance, "When he rides a horse, his upper body does not move at all, and a bowl of water can be placed on his shoulder without leaking, and his kung fu is very good." ”

"How so?" Xia Xiang was secretly surprised in his heart, Xiao Wu was sometimes as simple as a ten-year-old child, and sometimes as calm as a master who had been in the world for a long time, and his evaluation of the little black man was appropriate, which was consistent with his opinion on this person.

"His face is white and blue, his eyes are too white, his lips are thin and his eyes are thin, he is by no means a good person...... Xiao Wu said a few words, suddenly ran out of words, scratched his head innocently, and smiled, "Anyway, it feels uncomfortable, I don't know what's going on." ”

Xia Xiang looked at the backs of Gao Jianyuan and Yan Hao, thought about it slightly, and kept flashing the shadows of Li Dingshan, Xiao Jia, Xia Lai, and Xia Go in his heart, and couldn't help sighing: "I hope that Mr. is safe and worry-free, and I hope that Eleven Lang and Thirteen Lang will be lucky in trouble!" ”

Li Dingshan's hurried departure, Xia Lai and Xia Qu's disappearance, all started because of Gao Jianyuan, how could Xia Xiang not hate Gao Jianyuan? It's just that he really can't figure out in his heart, why is Li Dingshan a prisoner of the imperial court? Mr. is just a down-and-out teacher, he is a scholar, what heinous crime can he commit to make the court angry?

Could it be that Mr. offended the third prince? Since the person who captured Mr. can enter and leave the Star King's Mansion at will, it can be seen that if he is not the personal soldier of the Star King's Mansion, he is the person most trusted by the Star King. The star king concurrently serves as the Yin of Shangjing, and oversees the administrative, judicial, and people's livelihood affairs of the capital and Shangjing, "taking charge of Yin Zhengjidian's affairs, guiding the people with the teachings and persuading them, and the prison lawsuits in the central capital are all subject to and listened to, and the small things are dictated, and the big things are played."

Shangjing Mansion Yin is a high and powerful position, and there have been several monarchs in the previous dynasty and this dynasty who served as Shangjing Mansion Yin. Shangjing is the capital, and if it weren't for the most trusted and relied on person of the Holy Lord, he would definitely not hold such an important position. Otherwise, on the side of the couch, if there is a tiger sleeping soundly, where can you sleep peacefully?

The emperor has been sick in bed for a long time, and he has no children under his knees, and the position of the prince is undecided. The third prince is thirty years old, and he also serves as the Yin of Shangjing Mansion who can only be served by the previous princes, and he is the younger brother of the emperor's mother, following the elder brother and precedent of Taizong, the third prince is already the prince who has not edicted the world but has been decided!

The third prince and Prime Minister Hou Pingpan have a very good personal relationship. Hou Pingpan served as the Pingzhang Shi under the Tongzhong Shumen, usually called the Tongping Zhangshi, and was the prime minister.

The central organ of Daxia is the "two government system", that is, there are two institutions in the middle book and the privy council, which "hold the two handles of civil and military affairs, and are called two governments". The characteristic of the two-government system is the separation of civil and military powers. Hou Pingpan is the highest official of Zhongshu, leading the political affairs of Great Xia, and one person is above 10,000 people.

With the power of the prime minister and the royal nobles of the third prince, as well as the possible identity of the prince and the power of Shangjing Mansion Yin, the two joined forces to control the government, almost impervious to wind and rain, and no one avoided its edge.

Xia Xiang's heart fluctuated, if Mr. was really not allowed by the third prince, I am afraid it would be difficult to turn over. In case the third prince inherits the throne, it is a blessing that Mr. can save his life. At the beginning of the founding of the dynasty, Taizu once ordered the descendants of later generations not to kill the scholars and doctors in vain. There was once a lyricist Liu Qibian who wrote the words "endure the floating name, change the shallow low singing", when Taizu was in power, Liu Qi changed to the Jinshi exam, Taizu saw it, and said unhappily: "Since you want to 'shallow low singing', why care about false fame?" Then Liu Qi's name was crossed out.

It was only to cross out the fame, not to kill him and not to add the crime.

After the current emperor succeeded to the throne, in the year of the big exam, Lian Yi and his brother and his car boarded the Jinshi Department together. Lian Yi, who is young and vigorous and worried about the world, wrote in the test paper: "Today, the emperor is in the palace, there are thousands of beautiful women, singing, dancing and drinking all day long, drunk and drunk, neither caring about the suffering of the people, nor discussing with the ministers the great plan of governing the country and securing the country. ”

At that time, the chief examiner thought that Lian Yi was bullying the monarch and wanted to punish him severely. The emperor treated it indifferently: "I set up the imperial examination, which was originally a big way to speak. Lian Yi is a petty official, who dares to speak out so bluntly, and should be commended. ”

Later, there was a scholar in Sichuan who dedicated poems to Chengdu Taishou, advocating that "burn the Broken Sword Gate to the Pavilion, Chengdu is not a mess". When Chengdu Taishou saw it, he was frightened into a cold sweat, and he blatantly instigated a rebellion, and he should be escorted to the capital and asked the court to sanction him.

According to the laws of all dynasties, rebellion is a major crime, and the head is still lightly punished, and the nine clans are generally punished. After the emperor learned about it, not only was he not angry, but he smiled: "Lao Xiucai is in a hurry to be an official, and he writes a poem to vent his personal anger, how can he punish the crime?" Since you want an official, it's better to give him an official."

As a result, this person was granted the position of Sihu to join the army.

Xia Xiang is still a cloth cloth at this time, even if he is famous in the examination and awarded an official position, he is only a minor official of the seventh grade and below, and he can't enter the eyes of the three princes, and if the three princes can inherit the throne, he will have to submit to the imperial power of the three princes. If you want to save Li Dingshan's life, with his strength, I am afraid that I am powerless.

Forget it, I don't want to think so much, the imperial power is vast and powerful, I hope that the third prince will obey the last orders of Taizu and not kill the doctor, maybe Mr. can still have a way to live. Xia Xiang retracted the cranky thoughts in his heart, lifted his spirits, and continued to move forward with Xiao Wu.

Half an hour later, Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu stood at the door of the sword holding camp.

The sword camp is said to be a green building, but it is all red, and the cornices are full of red lanterns, which are as bright as day. The sound of silk music, the fluttering red sleeves, the sound of the warbler and the swallow language, a drunken gold fan.

The guests at the door are constantly coming and going, there are sedan chairs, horses, and walkers, although it is not full of Zhu Zigui, it is also considered to be a powerful person who talks and laughs, and there are endless people.

Xia Xiang stood a little closer, and was pushed by the turtle standing at the door. At first glance, he looks like a woman, and if it weren't for a pinch of hair on the mole on his chin, he would be considered a middle-to-upper beautiful man.

"What are you looking at? Get out of the way. Gui Gong pretended to be vicious, and glared at Xia Xiang angrily, "Look at your poor and sour appearance, when you enter this gold cave, I'm afraid you won't even have any bones left." ”

Xiao Wu was furious, whoever dared to move Xia Xiang was no different from taking his life, he took a step forward, reached out and picked up the collar of the turtle father, and roared angrily: "If you dare to move my husband's finger again, I will unscrew your head." ”

"Xiao Wu, don't be rude." Xia Xiang smiled like a spring breeze, patted the turtle father's shoulder, and then pulled the turtle father's hand, "Didn't you ask your Excellency's name?" ”

Gu Gong straightened his neck and refused to give in, after all, at the door of his own house, as long as he greeted him, more than a dozen people would come out of it, and there were only two people on the other side, and they could be put down with three fists and two stomachs and feet.

Before he could speak, he suddenly felt that there was an extra thing in his hand, and when he looked down, it was a trick. There are a few hard objects in the bag, and when you touch it, it should be broken silver. He immediately smiled, nodded and changed his face: "Guest officer, the little surname Wang is rich, because he ranks eighth, he is called Wang Balang." ”

Wouldn't it be better to be called Wang Ba? Xia Xiang almost laughed out loud, endured it hard to be rude, and said: "Hachiro, you must be very clear about all the green buildings in the capital, let me ask you, how many green buildings are there in the capital city?" I have come all the way from the Quanyou Inn, there are four inns, four tea houses, four restaurants, and three restaurants, but I don't see a green building, what is the reason? ”

Xiao Wu was confused, Mr. looked around like him all the way, and didn't see him deliberately pay attention to anything, how could he remember it so clearly? He never remembered a good inn, teahouse, or sprinkling along the way.

"Guest officer, you are right to ask me, looking at the entire Shangjing City, who has my king...... Lang knows the Qinglou in detail and has devoted his life to the Qinglou career? Wang Youqian hugged his shoulders triumphantly, and said mysteriously, "Speaking of good times, I'm not afraid to tell you, good times are not only in Shangjing, but also in Daxia, there is no green house, do you know why?" ”

Xia Xiang smiled implicitly: "Is it because the owner of the good times is a lady?" ”

"How do you know? You can't know, I have to tell you. After Wang Youqian was stunned, he said very dissatisfiedly, "That's right, the owner of the good times is a lady, and it is said that she is still a stunning lady, but no one has seen how much color there is." Her identity is mysterious, her means are superb, and she has created the first commercial house in Daxia in just three years, which is really admirable. Hey, guest officer, why are you so interested in good times? ”

Xia Xiang snorted and said with a half-truth: "I actually want to do a big business with Haojingchang." ”

The disdain in Wang Youqian's eyes instantly spread, and a long sneer came out of his nostrils: "It's up to you?" Guest officer, even if you have a fortune, you can't match the tea sales in Shangjing in January. It's not early, Qu'er listened to it, people watched it, went back to have a good dream, rushed to take a fame, and became a prefect, no, the prefect is not good, and when you become a four-product thing, you may be qualified to see the little lady who is always in good times. ”

When the figures of Xia Xiang and Xiao Wu disappeared around the corner, Wang Youqian took out the bag, opened it and looked at it, first with a suspicious look, and then took out a few things from it, his face changed, and he scolded: "Bastard thing, dare to use stones to deceive Lao Tzu, Lao Tzu curses you not to die!" ”

In the hands of Wang Youqian, there are a few colorful stones. The stones are colorful and sparkle in the light.

"This Rausch has a fart!" Wang Youqian raised his hand and threw the stone into the distance.

In fact, Xia Xiang did not completely deceive Wang Youqiang, the red and green stones were gems he picked up from the river beach, but no one realized the value of the gems at this time. More than ten years later, when gemstones became the jewelry worn by women in Great Xia, the value of gemstones rose thousands of times. Wang Youqian recalled the gems he threw away at that time, after estimating, the value of more than 10,000 taels of silver, he was heartbroken, although the family wealth was quite rich, but every time he remembered that if he left the gems at that time, now he should be a rich outsider, almost sad to himself.

Soon after, he died of depression in the midst of regret.