Section XX

The crackling sound of firecrackers came from the end of the long street, and for a moment suppressed the mourning. At the end of the long street, a Taoist priest with a disheveled hair led a funeral procession to swagger by.

In this Hanshui siege battle, Yang Xiong's troops played the role of attacking the fortifications, and the casualties were naturally heavy. Most of these soldiers have been newly recruited in recent years, and the proportion in Nanning City is also large. So two days have passed since the battle, and you can still see the mourning procession from time to time.

The air was filled with the smell of firecrackers, a smell of sulfur, and the afternoon sun shone obliquely on a corner of the restaurant, freezing on the stunned face of the left shadow. He was holding the cup, but his eyes were on the street, motionless. A pair of chopsticks were placed across from him, but the seat was empty.

Seeing that the person who was waiting had not yet arrived, Zuo Ying poured another glass of wine, but he couldn't drink it anymore. Damn, he thought. In the past few years, the sea has been up and down, what kind of big battle have you not seen? I have wandered between life and death several times, why is it that I am so uneasy just to see someone today?

This is an elegant room on the street side of Baihe Tower. This building was originally the private property of the prince of Beimeng, now Simon the Great Nayanda. Later, the identity was pierced by the Southern Han Dynasty, and this building was also taken over by Prime Minister Zhu Huai, after he fell, Tao Ziqian naturally became the master of this room because of the relationship of the Queen Mother. This building is very luxuriously designed, because of its political background, the people who come here to drink are either gentry or high-ranking officials, in order to show their unique identity.

After the Queen Mother came to power, there was a purge, and hundreds of officials trembled, and no one dared to do a crime against the wind at this time, and made a big show. Therefore, most of the people who come to Baihelou for recreation are some foreign merchants.

Although there was a sad voice outside, these merchants traveled from south to north, and they had long been accustomed to seeing life and death, so they could naturally ignore it. In the middle of the lobby, a slightly fat businessman called a large group of people and called a pot of liquor for everyone outside, and the scene suddenly boiled, and a bard took advantage of the excitement to talk about the recent popular Hanning war. Zuo Ying listened to it a little, and couldn't help but laugh dumbly, although it was said beautifully, it was tampered with beyond recognition, and it was far from the truth. For example, the Queen Mother tried to beg for fog, Wu Ming was able to pinch and calculate, and even attracted thunder and fire in the heavenly court, and destroyed the water army of the organ city in one fell swoop.

The more Zuo Ying listened, the more it was not tasteful, but the people outside were not interested, and the more they talked, the more excited they became. The onlookers cheered even more. At this time, the bard spoke of the pleasure, put himself in a posture, and spoke of the book in the harmony of the lute. His voice is hoarse, his pipa skills are even more mediocre, Zuo Ying has been in a high position in recent years, and the court musicians have also seen a lot, how can this kind of singing skill be in the ears, and he is waiting to send a few people to send these people away, at this time, the stairs sounded, and a white-clothed beauty walked upstairs with a fragrance.

The woman is so beautiful, with long black hair reaching her waist, like a shining black satin, wearing a plain white skirt, no fat powder on her face, but she has a graceful and noble appearance.

The scene was a little colder, and everyone looked at the cold and beautiful young woman in white in surprise, the woman did not speak, but sat opposite the left shadow with her head bowed. No one was embarrassed to stare at it anymore, so they laughed and laughed, and those who should play the pipa continued to play the pipa and continued to be lively.

"Long time no see."

"yes, it's been years, seven years."

"Sister Xiaoyi, you are still as beautiful as ever."

"It's a pure nonsense, they are all mothers of three children, so they can be as beautiful as ever, even if they can really maintain their faces, but how many people know what their hearts are? The most important thing for people to live in this world is to be tired, only when they are tired, people are really old. ”

Zuo Ying stared at He Yi's beautiful plain face, stunned for a long time, and saw He Yi frowning slightly, only to realize that the other party was a married woman, and it was indeed a little abrupt to do it by himself, so he hurriedly picked up the cup and took a sip of wine to hide his embarrassment, and said: "Although I have lived in Nanning in the past few years, the name of Our Lady of Northwest Bailing is like thunder. I sometimes wonder what it is like to be a beautiful little sister Yi, who is as beautiful as a fairy, to be incarnated as a virgin, and I finally saw it today, which is really a blessing for three lives. ”

He Yiduan sat opposite, just chuckling: "The war is over, the Minister of Power is riddled with everything, and he can take the time to come to see him, and the lower daughter is too late to be grateful, how can he be so praised, I really say that I am fortunate in three lives." ”

Zuo Ying sighed and said softly: "Actually, as long as you can have an appointment, for me, I will have to be empty at any time......" Halfway through the words, he felt a little abrupt, and quickly changed his words: "Yes, did Wu Ming ask you to come to see me?" ”

At the mention of Wu Ming, Zuo Ying couldn't wait to slap himself a few times. The embarrassment and unnaturalness between the two are actually mainly because of Wu Ming. Now that I take the initiative to mention it, isn't it uncomfortable? Left Shadow, Left Shadow, now it's not attacking Xinhe City, nor is it fighting the prime minister, why are you nervous like this, you, who have always been cautious and subtle, are a little incoherent.

He Yi was natural, and said lightly: "Seeing the minister of power today, it has nothing to do with the clumsy husband, only on behalf of myself and the Bailing Sect." Seeing Zuo Ying frowning, she couldn't help but say, "What, isn't the Prime Minister unhappy?" ”

Zuo Ying shook his head and said, "No, it's just that the sound of the pipa outside is so bad that it's really hard to hear, and it's far from your pipa skills." I went and had them drive him away, and it was a filthy thing. ”

He Yi was stunned for a long time before he said, "Xiaoying, you have changed a lot." In fact, although the pipa skills of this lyricist are not very good, his voice is hoarse, and he has a sad meaning when he talks about books, which is more in line with the artistic conception of the current war. The reason why you don't like him is probably because of the lyrics, after all, you have touted the clumsy husband too much. ”

She picked up the cup on the table, poured a glass of wine for Zuo Ying, and then sent it to him, and said softly: "I am not familiar with Nanning, and the place I know is only Baihe Tower." I really didn't expect you to be so disliked about this place, but the spring color of Nanning here is a must, it is said that not only the entrance is smooth, but also has the effect of peace of mind and calm, which is a rare wine in the wonderful product. Taste it. ”

The private room is very small, and the white porcelain cup is also very exquisite, small and exquisite, holding it in He Yi's slender palm, but there is a rare harmony. Left Shadow picked up the cup and sniffed, but did not drink. The aroma of the wine was steamed out by the heat, quietly diffused, mixed with the fragrance of He Yi's body, slightly moist, and vaguely with the banana fragrance of Jiyu Forest, which made people intoxicated.

"In the past few years, have you been okay in the northwest?"

"Fortunately, I lived a very fulfilling life, but there were wars everywhere, and it was not possible to think about peace. In fact, in troubled times, how many people can really be stable? He Yi said with some bitterness.

The left shadow glanced at the still delicate and beautiful face on the other side, and sighed in his heart. Time has passed, she is not only a married woman, but also the Holy Mother of Bailing, asking herself out, most of them have important things, it may be stormy, and she has too much heart. But knowing that it was delusional, he was still willing to think in this direction. He shook his head vigorously, as if this was the only way to get rid of this ridiculous idea of self-deception, he smiled and said, "Sister Xiaoyi is looking for me, I don't know what is going on?" ”

"Well," He Yi nodded and said bluntly: "You also know that in this Hanning War, although the imperial court won, it was only a tragic victory, and many people died. Especially in Hanshui, due to Xiahouba's strategy of full resistance, many civilians were ruined, and if they were not properly resettled, these people would have no way to live. ”

Speaking of this, she turned her head to look out the window, the afternoon sun, slightly smoky, and the slightly warm wind lifted the curtain and blew on the face, warm and intoxicating. But He Yi's voice was unspeakably heavy: "Nanning in April is a good time to plant rice, but on another level, just after winter, the civilian grain is almost exhausted, and it is the time when the green and yellow are not harvested, if the imperial court does not take measures, many people will have no food and clothing." ”

She turned her head, looked at Zuo Ying and said, "You are now the minister of power, and the Queen Mother has entrusted you with many things, don't you want to think of a way?" ”

Those eyes were large, and the clear and bright eyes seemed to be precipitated with a layer of water. It is also one of the reasons why he thinks about it for a long time. But Zuo Ying only glanced at her, and then lowered his head a little weakly.

"These embarrassments, I naturally see it in my eyes, but there is really no way, the imperial court has been fighting everywhere in the past few years, so there is still surplus food to adjust?"

He looked at the fingers of his right hand, like a child who had done something wrong, drooping his head.

He Yi sighed again: "I naturally know your difficulties, but the imperial court is not without food, such as the Northern Expedition military food, which can be used for temporary emergencies." ”

Zuo Ying was taken aback: "Military rations are the top priority, once they are called, it will be a big hole, and in the future, the Northern Expeditionary Army will have no food, and this hole will be exposed sooner or later." The Queen Mother will not spare me, this will not work. ”

Life is at stake, but he is still thinking about his career, He Yi is even more disappointed in Zuo Ying, but he doesn't say much, just said: "These grains, when the clumsy husband returns to China and the West, I will let my father and him work together to make it up." It really doesn't work, and you can use livestock to top the number. We must fill this hole, and we will not make it difficult for the minister. ”

If this is the case, it is equivalent to China and the West paying money, and the imperial court has earned this reputation of benevolence, even if it is reported to the Queen Mother, there is no reason to allow it, this kind of steady profit and no loss business, who does not want to? Zuo Ying thought about it for a while, and immediately agreed: "Yes, but you still need a warrant from the state and the government, after all, the deployment of military food is not a small amount, there must be a voucher, and I have to give it to the Queen Mother." ”

Although he was not happy with Zuo Yingbiao, He Yi was also relieved to be able to end such a major event, and a relieved smile appeared on his face. In just a short moment, her beautiful face showed a girlish expression, euphemistic like a tender yellow spring, and even the spring sun in the window was correspondingly discolored.

Zuo Ying looked at the beautiful face, unconsciously, vaguely, he understood something, but he felt that he had lost something.

At this time, He Yi drank all the wine in the cup, and looked down at the cup: "In fact, although the spring color in Nanning is beautiful, compared with the Northwest Ma~** wine, it is a little less free and natural. ”

He Yi is not good at drinking, a cup of pure Nanning spring is in his stomach, and his face has a round of attractive red. Zuo Ying raised his glass and invited him to drink, "Would you like another drink?" ”

"Nope." He Yi stood up: "I have to go, I will arrange a few sect members to be in charge of this matter." It's time for me to go back to China and the West. After all, that's my home, it's the root of Bailing. ”

"Do you want me to send you?"

"Nope." He Yi was blessed, and suddenly became much more polite: "Thank you Minister Quan for the convenience you have given me, and I thank you on behalf of the people." ”

She didn't say more, turned around and left the private seat, and when the curtain was raised, Zuo Ying suddenly said, "Sister Xiaoyi." ”

"Is there anything else going on with the Prime Minister Kwon?" He Yi stood still and did not look back.

"That day, if I really catch up with you, I am really willing to leave a qiē behind, even if Lang traces the end of the world."

What he said was that on the second day of the Lantern Festival Rebellion, he led troops to pursue Steward Hu. He Yi's body shook slightly, and his tone faded: "Lord Quan, you drank too much, and you are a little drunk." ”

She sighed, and the coldness in her tone couldn't be hidden: "The Tao is different, and they don't conspire with each other." Even if they do, they are just passers-by. ”

After speaking, she lifted her skirt and walked slowly downstairs under the gaze of the guests. Only the left shadow was full of pain, and he sat in place.