A house at the junction of Chongwenmen South Branch Street and Chongwenmen Outer Street, from the outside, is no different from those ordinary houses in the south of the capital at first glance, at most the house is more spacious, and there are two servants inside. The old man who is the head of the family is very amiable, and when he has nothing to do, he often doesn't even bring a servant, and walks around the neighborhood with his hands behind his back. The neighbors were still a little curious about this old man with a bearded jaw at first, but listening to his natural voice and crepe speech, they naturally thought that he was an old pedant. There were even a few adults who discussed pooling money to invite the old man to open a private school to teach children, but the old man refused with a smile.

The old man has one or two juniors who come to visit from time to time to ask for teaching, and the young man who often goes in and out is also familiar with the neighbors, and even some of them will call Brother Xin, or Shiro, and although this young man is already a talent, he is extremely polite and polite, and even those who are well-off have come to inquire about his relatives, and the old man laughed and slapped him. In addition to the Shinshiro, there is a more shy teenager who often comes and goes, with a tender face and reluctant to speak, but he is also polite to people, and occasionally takes out some rare candied fruits from his sleeve for children to eat, which is naturally liked by everyone.

However, on this day, a rare guest came to the old man's house. This guest came in a carriage, not extremely ostentatious, and when he stepped out of the carriage, he was already trembling and even walking unsteadily, how could he be seventy or eighty years old. Although the neighbors had seen this family of rare wealthy guests in the past, this was the first time that this old man had seen it, and he had to take a few more looks.

For the surprised and suspicious gazes of outsiders, Li Rong didn't care at all. At this moment, he took the hand of a boy next to him into the courtyard, and saw Xiao Jingzheng taking the soft towel handed by an old servant and wiping his hands, and then walked forward with a smile. Even though it has only been more than a year since he officially retired, looking at the other party's energetic appearance, he has completely become old. He still had a kind of envy in his heart.

"Father-in-law Xiao, your hermit life is really like an idle cloud and a wild crane, and you are very free."

"The big is hidden in the court, and the middle is hidden in the city. Xiao Yin is hidden in the wild, and I can only be regarded as a middle hide at most. What's more, in three days, there are nephews and nephews in the family who come to ask for peace and talk about learning, what is leisurely, that is, happy and comfortable. Speaking of this, Xiao Jing looked at Li Rong thoughtfully, and then waved his hand and ordered the old servant to retreat. Only then did he ask calmly, "I heard that Gonggong Li was originally going to Nanjing, but he never left, but he has never been able to see him again, and today you are ......."

Li Rong broke free from the hand of the boy beside him and sent him outside to wait, he took two steps forward on crutches, and saw that he was only two steps away from facing Xiao Jing face to face. He took a deep breath and said, "Gonggong Xiao, since you left the palace, although Ruisheng is the leading celebrity in front of the emperor. But for your old people who stay in the palace, let alone reuse, even take care of very little. It is said that people go to tea and cool, I heard that your nephew Xiao Xin also failed in the township test this year, and now, how much did you cultivate Xu Xun's kid back then, but what is the result now? ”

Xiao Jing didn't want Li Rong to enter his door rarely, but for such a thing, he suddenly raised his eyebrows. Then he smiled dumbly and said: "I didn't expect that a junior in my family would still be so tired of Gonggong Li's concern." It is the common sense of officialdom for people to go to tea and cool, and since he wants to go to the science field, he has to rely on himself, and he is still young, so it is a good thing to suffer a little setback. ”

I have worked with Xiao Jing for decades. Regarding his personality, Li Rong has already figured out seven or eight points. Knowing that this alone could not arouse Xiao Jing's resentment and spirit, he said in an accentuated tone: "Gonggong Xiao is really high-spirited, but now it's not that you can completely stay out of it if you want to do nothing." Liu Jin and Xu Xun are no longer like the usual honey and oil like glue and paint, but they are like water and fire, and they are bound to distinguish a winner and loser. There is a saying that two tigers must be injured when they fight, although we are already seventy or eighty people, but there are so many juniors and future generations, are you willing to really let them be bullied? ”…,

Seeing that Xiao Jing seemed to be moved, Li Rong talked again: "The people who presided over the Shuntianfu Township Examination in this section are Liu Chun, a bachelor of Hanlin Academy, and Wu Yan, a bachelor of waiting. Wu Yan needless to say, he is the deputy chief examiner and has shallow qualifications, while Liu Chun has always had a literary name. And his teacher is Wu Kuan, the champion of Chenghua for eight years, Wu Kuan and the first assistant Li Xiya have a gentleman's friendship, and there are often poems and songs, so Liu Chun is also a person who walks around very diligently under the Li family, do you say that this matter has Li Xiya's meaning? And not long ago, when Xu Xun was spitting in the Shuangta Temple, he also ridiculed people with the township test, and knew that he was not making trouble in it? Grandpa Xiao, you believe in this slippery boy too much, and you also believe in Ruisheng too much, although he walks around with you diligently, how much can he take care of? ”

Hearing Li Rong say so much in one breath, Xiao Jing gradually put away the smile that was still hanging on his face. It wasn't until the other party finished speaking that he said lightly: "Gonggong Li, the back waves of the Yangtze River push the front waves, and a generation of new people replace the old ones." We are all seventy or eighty years old, why don't we want to tease Sun Yi at home to raise our days, but we still want to fight with others? I know that you were violently overturned last year, and you can't help but give up, but instead of being involved in the camp of the two sides wrestling and falling to pieces, it is better to retreat bravely in the rapids. You and I have worked together for so many years, even if I give you one last piece of advice, sometimes, it's good to get out of the way, don't be blinded by hateful interests! ”

Hearing that Xiao Jing actually left such words, Li Rong suddenly changed color, knowing that his hope that Xiao Jing would have any remaining manpower in the palace was in vain. A hideous expression appeared on his face for a moment, and although he immediately pressed down, he knew that he couldn't hide his purpose. After staring at Xiao Jing for a long time, he finally clenched his fists.

"Xiao Meidong, I just hope you don't regret it one day!"

Seeing that Li Rong turned around directly after saying this, and walked out step by step with a cane, Xiao Jing couldn't help but show a hint of pity. However, when the person walked out of the door, he still couldn't help but sigh again. From the master of ceremonies and eunuchs who everyone in the palace tends to worship, to the old and decrepit people who are no different from ordinary old men in the capital, this gap is indeed unbearable, but it is something that people who have been in high positions must get used to. Otherwise, how would those old scholars who returned to their hometowns live?

"Li Maochun. You don't want to be like Wang Yue......"

Before the words in Xiao Jing's mouth faded, he only heard a sudden commotion outside the door. He frowned at first, and then he changed color, and he didn't even bother to call a servant. Take three or two steps straight to the door. Seeing that there were already twenty or thirty more big men in Xuanyi next to Li Rong's carriage, and Li Rong, who was a lot of age, was twisted by two of them, one left and one right, he was shocked and angry, and immediately opened his mouth and shouted angrily: "In broad daylight, what do you want!" ”

"Xiao Meidong, have you seen it, this is the way of the world today!" Li Rong had already recognized that many of these were the clothes of people in the East Factory. Thinking of Wang Yue, who relied on mastering the East Factory in the past. He was able to transfer these Xuanyi fans at will like a finger, but now it is such a group of people who have come to tie himself up, he only feels ridiculous and remorseful, and seeing that people have taken a rope to tie himself, he raised his voice for a while and said, "Today is me, and the next one will be your turn!" ”

I saw that there were many people around watching the excitement. Wei San, who led the team out today, suddenly shouted at a sharp voice: "The inner factory and the east factory are doing things, and the idlers retreat, otherwise don't blame our family for being polite!" ”

Although looking at these people at first is not a good number. However, when they heard that it was the factory guard, everyone immediately scattered. At this time, Wei Sanfang looked at Xiao Jing with a smile and said: "Grandpa Xiao, our family just took the orders of Gonggong Liu and brought the people from the inner factory and the east factory to arrest the thieves who were confusing the public, not intentionally disturbing. As he spoke, he waved his hand to signal someone to plug Li Rong's mouth, but he didn't have the slightest respect for the elderly, and stretched out his slap and patted Li Rong's wrinkled face gently, and then said with a pun. Gonggong Liu spared your life, who knew that you were so restless, who is to blame? ”…,

Even though Xiao Jing has long lost the heart of competitiveness, he still has deep anger in the face of such a rampant character. He and Li Rong fought openly and secretly back then, and they were not small. But after all, he never completely tore his face, so even if Li Rong didn't have good intentions when he came to the door today, he couldn't sit back and watch being treated like this in front of his door. Thinking of this, he said in a deep voice: "Even if Gonggong Liu sent you to do something, he shouldn't have let you use such rude means!" You must know that when the emperor was young, he was always serving Gonggong Li before and after, and even Gonggong Liu couldn't compare to this feeling! ”

Wei San suddenly turned around, and after a moment of surprise, he showed a look full of ridicule: "Gonggong Xiao, our family respects you as a senior in the palace back then, but we are not afraid of you!" At this time and at that time, the good man was brave back then, thinking about how majestic Wang Yue and Xu Qing were at the beginning, but now it is not a few piles of dry bones on the mass grave! Come on, take them away for me! ”

Bang Bang Bang -

Just when Xiao Jing only felt angry and angry, and even his chest was depressed for a while, he suddenly heard an unhurried slap. Following the prestige, when he saw three or five people turning out unhurriedly on the street outside Chongwenmen, he immediately recognized the person who was the leader, and the nerves that had just tensed suddenly relaxed. While the whole person relaxed, he couldn't help but reach out and help him by the door, and then he smiled.

"So majestic, so domineering!"

While walking slowly, while applauding gently, seeing that Wei San and everyone around him were first facing the enemy, and then they all showed a surprised expression, Xu Xun glanced around these people unhurriedly, and finally his eyes fell on Li Rong: "I didn't expect it, the former eunuch who was in charge of the seal of the celebrant eunuch, and even the emperor wanted to call Li Companion, but now a few little minions in the East Factory and the Inner Factory are regarded as thieves, and I don't know what the emperor's expression would be if he knew." ”

Wei San didn't want to know how this matter could alarm Xu Xun, let alone why Xu Xun, who had never heard that he was not dealing with Li Rong, would come forward in person, he only knew that if this matter broke out, he would not be able to explain it to Liu Jin, let alone deal with the aftermath - the biggest possibility was that he was thrown out by Liu Jin as a scapegoat and consumed the anger of all the emperors. However, his bright future has only just begun, and he naturally doesn't want to be completely buried, so he almost stepped forward with his most courteous and respectful smile and the most groveling attitude and said: "Hou Ye, Hou Ye, this is just a misunderstanding......

"Misunderstanding?"

"Yes, yes, yes." Wei San swallowed a mouthful of saliva, and then said softly, "Hasn't Master Hou always been not dealing with this Li Rong?" I heard that he slandered the emperor again in private. Trying to drive a wedge between the emperor and you, such a thief ......"

"Oh, so Grandpa Liu is thinking about me?" Xu Xun saw that Wei San's head was like a chicken pecking rice. He suddenly raised his eyebrows and sneered, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old child?" Okay, I'm not going to talk nonsense with you little minions, since this happened to me, it can't be treated as if it didn't happen. Leave me behind, and you can get out! If I see you haunting Grandpa Xiao's private house again in the future, don't blame me for being polite! ”

Wei San didn't want Xu Xun to be so arbitrary and strong. didn't even consider the consequences of turning his face with Liu Jin. However, even if he wanted to order his subordinates to ignore these people and take them away, or simply clash with Xu Xun in person, however, when he saw a group of men in dark purple jackets walking towards the other end of the branch street, he immediately thought of the land in the south outside the city. It has always been the chassis of the West Factory and the avant-garde of the government army, and if it is hard, it will not be able to win no matter what. Moreover, Xu Xun did not hesitate to tear his face, and he always had an explanation for Liu Jin when he went back. Thereupon. After a moment of flickering of his eyes, he immediately made a painful decision. ..., "Okay, since Hou Ye must be like this, then I naturally don't dare to disobey my fate!" Let go, let's go! ”

Seeing that such a group of people from the inner factory and the east factory came and went faster, they retreated like a tide. Xiao Jing looked at Li Rong, who was sitting there paralyzed by someone who had lost his hostage, and showed an extremely complicated expression for a while. He glanced at Xu Xun first, then walked forward slowly, and reached out to untie the rope for Li Rong personally. He pulled out the gagged rag again. Seeing that Li Rong was almost coughing violently on his chest, and finally collapsed to the ground weakly, he said in a low voice: "Li Maochun, listen to my last persuasion, leave the capital, a place of right and wrong!" ”

Li Rong glared at Xu Xun viciously as if he hadn't heard of it. The man with a hoarse throat asked, "Why did you save me?" ”

"Gonggong Li must have been mistaken." Xu Xun shrugged his shoulders, and then said with a cold expression, "It's just that you calculated me again and again in the past, and today someone else took you to kill or chop, that's none of my business!" It's just that since it's in front of Grandpa Xiao's door, I can't sit idly by! Today is the only time, and the last time, if you still want to kill yourself, then it is not so cheap. That's all I have to say, you're doing it yourself! ”

Speaking of this, Xu Xun turned his head to look at the dozen or twenty sergeants and ordered: "From now on, Gonggong Xiao's private house will send me people to protect me, if there is another kind of goods like just now, or if you want to watch, you will all be sent away, and I will carry it if something happens!" ”

"Order!"

After saying this, Xu Xun no longer looked at the embarrassed Li Rong and the lonely carriage behind him, walked straight to Xiao Jing's side, and kindly supported the person's arm, and then said: "I happened to have time to see Gonggong Xiao today, I don't know if I can disturb a meal?" ”

"You!" Although Xu Xun was unceremonious to Li Rong, this kind of behavior was very different from Wei San's group before, plus Xu Xun arrived in time and gave him a great face, he naturally remembered his feelings, and immediately said with a smile, "Since you are here, can I still drive you out?" Sit in the house! ”

He glanced at Li Rong, and a thought turned in his heart. Taking advantage of Xu Xun's hereness, he quickly sent someone to send him out of the capital, and he could save his life!

While talking, the two of them entered the house like this, and Xu Xun's entourage of guards and others dispersed, and those sergeants of the Xichang and the avant-garde of the government army gradually dispersed. Li Rong, who was sitting on the ground, recalled Xu Xun's words just now, although the hatred on his face had not yet dissipated, he deeply understood in his heart that his era was really over. If Xu Xun hadn't been killed today, I was afraid that he would have died like Wang Yue, for no apparent reason.

The chance encounter with Zhu Houzhao was carefully designed, as long as Liu Jin and Xu Xun were on guard, he couldn't do it a second time! And Zhu Houzhao has now established a queen, which is the moment when the spring breeze is proud, even if he thinks of him Li Rong, he will be covered up. His old bones are no longer the powerful and powerful people in the palace at the beginning!

The movement outside also made the Xiao Mansion panic for a while, however, when Xu Xun came in with Xiao Jing, the two old servants who had known this Pingbei Marquis immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and after sending hot tea, they went to the kitchen to prepare food according to Xiao Jing's instructions. And Xiao Jing saw Xu Xun sitting down in front of him leisurely, and immediately asked with a smile: "My old bone was just moved for a while, but Shizhen, your rare tough attitude should not be just to save face for me, right?" ”

"Grandpa Xiao is as wise as a torch." Xu Xun didn't deny it, and nodded briskly, "What I did today was just to add the last straw to the camel that couldn't carry anything on its back, so pulling Gonggong Xiao's tiger skin will come in handy." I have rarely flaunted my might in front of people in the past, but I have had several times recently, presumably this official's temper will follow the big rumors, and it should be known all over the city. (To be continued)