At the end of the school day, it was the end of the day. Kangxi and his entourage still returned by the same route, and Zhang Wanqiang was already waiting in the Shenwu Gate. Wei Dongting saw them enter the Great Inner before he was relieved to beat his horse and leave.

The sky was very overcast, stuffy as if in a steamer, and the hideous and terrifying black clouds in the west were still coming over layer by layer, and the whole street was gloomy. The lower part of Wei Dongting is in the alley east of Hufang Bridge. A very ordinary two-entry quadrangle, except for two errand boys, a dozen servants and an old man, there was no one left. He had always had very little contact with people in the internal affairs office, and when he returned to the quiet courtyard, he felt bored, so he took off his long coat and practiced kung fu.

His martial arts were originally learned from the famous Peng Shao'an when he was in Fengtian. Although this Peng Shao'an is a master, he is actually not very old, he is a close disciple of the tenth generation of Wudang Grandmaster Yeyun Daoren, and he has been famous since he was in his early twenties. After teaching for three years, Peng Shaoan wanted to travel back to the south, and the master and apprentice broke up. Due to the hot and humid weather, after practicing Xingyi Boxing, Wei Dongting was already soaked in sweat. He was about to take a bath, but he saw the old man come in and replied: "Master Ming is here outside, I don't know where to fight with someone, my head is broken and my face is swollen, I want to see him!" ”

Wei Dongting grabbed out of the second door in three steps and two steps, Mingzhu had already entered the courtyard in front of him, his clothes were torn in a few places, his elbows were exposed, and there were a few scratches on his face, and the situation was very embarrassing. I haven't seen him for more than a month, and a graceful Jinshi master looks like this, Wei Dongting couldn't help laughing, and laughed with a "poof": "Table, what's wrong with you, a new nobleman?" ”

was joking, but saw an old man standing behind Mingzhu, his hair was already gray, the corner of his robe was lifted and tucked into the cowhide belt, and the Xuanxi lake silk bloomers were put in deerskin boots, and his eyes were blazing, very powerful. Wei Dongting's eyes lit up suddenly, and he didn't care about being polite, so he stepped forward and grabbed the old man's hand and said, "Uncle Shi, you made me find it so hard!" Where is this always? What about Jianmei? ”

"Virtuous brother!" Mingzhu waved his hand beside him and said, "Let's go into the house and talk!" Wei Dongting understood and said to the old man: "You go to Yulou Chun to get a jar of good wine, our relatives haven't seen each other for many years, and we have a good time today." The old man agreed, and went.

The three of them walked into the west wing room and sat down, Mingzhu sighed and said with a wry smile: "Brother Xian, I almost died today!" If it's not the old hero who comes to the rescue, it's over! ”

It turned out that the pearl lived in Jiaxing Lou Cuigu for more than ten days, and went out to visit guests this morning, and wanted to go back to Yuepeng Store to see. It was past noon, and as soon as I walked to the door of the store, I saw He Guizhu greeted him with a smile on his face, and said attentively: "You are here, there is a seat inside, please inside!" ”

He Guizhu pretended to be a guest and let the pearl fall, but the pearl was like falling into the fog. Just as he was hesitating, Mingzhu caught a glimpse of a few random people sitting in the front store eating wine, like people in the yamen, squinting and looking this way. He knew that something was wrong, and he said "no leisure", so he wanted to slip away.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he turned around, he collided with a person, and when he looked up, he saw that several big men had blocked the way. The leader was a square white face, his triangular eyes couldn't help twitching, and he sneered with his hands on his waist: "Master Ming, you are very smart, and Boss He is also very clever, is that Mr. Wu also so capable?" A man next to him smiled and said, "It's still the old man Nemo's eyes are bright, and he almost let this kid slip away!" Seeing that Mingzhu had been caught, several people in the store also got up and surrounded them with a smile. Nemo grabbed Mingzhu's chest violently and asked, "Say!" Where has Wu Ciyou been these days? ”

At this time, Mingzhu was heartbroken, and replied with a stalk in her neck: "Who are you?" I'm famous! ”

"Fame?" Nemo laughed, "Aren't you just a fellow jinshi?" I'm still dreaming of my mother's spring, and I've already let Ao Zhongtang get rid of it! "A few people around watched the excitement, and when they heard that they took a Jinshi master, they stretched their necks and looked in a daze, and listened to what Nemo said interestingly, so they laughed.

Suddenly, an old man squeezed out of the crowd, stretched out his hand and grabbed Nemo's wrist, and said gloomily: "Let go!" Nemo struggled twice, just like iron casting, and couldn't break free, and suddenly his face turned red, and he was shocked and angry, and shouted: "Old bastard, mind your shit!" ”

Mingzhu has an excellent memory, and at a glance he recognized the old man as Shi Longbiao, who was performing martial arts along the West River, and he broke away with an idea, pointed at Nemo and shouted: "Uncle Shi, this is a group of strongmen, please save me!" ”

In fact, there is no need for him to say it, Shi Longbiao also knows Nemo, and when he copied Suke Saha's house, it was Nemo who led people to guard the door, and he had to sneak out only when he was mixed with his family. Seeing Nemo here today, it is the enemy who is very red when he sees each other! didn't pay attention to Mingzhu at the moment, and only asked Nemo: "Why are you bullying your lover, what are you doing?" ”

"Speaking out scares your bones!" Ne Mo straightened his chest and said, "Lao Tzu is the fourth rank of the imperial guard with a knife, this son was ordered by Jun to take people, and left the prisoner, but you ask!" Shi Longbiao smiled coldly, stretched out his hand and said, "Certificate? ”

Nemo squinted at Shi Longbiao, took out a fold from his arms and threw it over, "You open the dog's eyes and take a look!" ”

Shi Longbiao took the oblique glance, his hands "snapped" together, and he tore in half with a "snort", and said lightly: "Fake!" ”

"You...... You! Ne Mo suddenly burned his chest with anger, and a black tiger pounced on Shi Longbiao with his heart. Shi Longbiao was not in a hurry, shook Nemo from the side with his left arm, slapped his right palm on the back of his heart, and said, "Boy! Learn a few more years and come to the fight! Nemo rushed out a foot away before he stopped, and shouted, "All on!" ”

A dozen plainclothes soldiers who followed Nemo heard the order and pounced on Shi Longbiao together. Shi Longbiao swept down the first three people in front of him with a "lazy tie in clothes", dragged Mingzhu with one hand, and swept out of the road with the other hand. The two of them entered the city and mingled in the crowd until now, seeing that the sun was sparsely crowded, Mingzhu pulled Shi Longbiao to defect to Wei Dongting.

Hearing Mingzhu say this, Wei Dongting was speechless for a long time. Seeing him hesitating, Shi Longbiao said with a smile: "Don't worry, nephew, I know that you are not a safe place here, as soon as it gets dark, we will leave." As he spoke, the old man had already bought wine and returned, and he laid a few snacks on the table and retreated. Wei Dongting poured wine and said with a smile: "What did the old man say!" It's been more than five years since you've been looking for you—how did you come over these years, why didn't you come to see me? ”

"Speaking of which, it's bitter!" Shi Longbiao sighed and fell into deep memories, "That time we met along the West River, you went to look for the car." In a few moments, Mulima's horse caravan swept over and searched the woods. Jianmei saw that the situation was not good, so she urged me to flee quickly...... Her face turned pale with astonishment, and until now, when I dream, it is shaking before my eyes......

"Jianmei said to me, 'If you don't run away, neither of you will be able to escape!' If you're gone, I might be able to escape! Then he went up to the tree and shook the poplar leaves with a loud noise.

"I was sweating in a hurry, and I was really helpless, and as I heard the horse team approaching closer and closer, my heart went straight to the northwest. Half a mile out of the bushes, he heard the men behind him shouting and shouting, 'Take it, on the tree!' ’

He was about to get up and flee again, when he suddenly saw the soldiers in front of him all standing up and running towards Jianmei. I realized that this forest had already been surrounded. At this time, it is useless to go it alone, no matter how high the martial arts are. I did not dare to delay for a moment, so I ran out of the river along the grass in the sand nest, and heard someone shouting behind me: 'The old fellow is over there, chase after him!' ’

"Regardless of the bitter spring water, I hurriedly jumped into the river and swam across the opposite bank, and as soon as I climbed the embankment, I heard the sound of horses' hooves chaotically, and I had already chased after me around the bridge. I performed light exercises, and jumped to the official road with a few arrows. It was early spring, the crops didn't get up, and when you looked at it, you could see a mile away. ”

Speaking of this, Shi Longbiao breathed a sigh of relief, picked up a large glass of wine and drank it without looking at it, and then said: "I was in a panic, and I vaguely heard the sound of the gong in the west. At that time, the clothes on his body were soaked, and he really didn't look like a person, thinking that this must be a passing official, rather than letting Mulima hold it, it was better to surrender to the official and ask for help, so he rushed straight to the west......"

"Who's that?" Mingzhu asked worriedly as she heard the sweat on her head.

"Sukh Saha Middle Hall." Shi Longbiao replied, full of emotion, "When he saw me running wet and kneeling in front of the sedan chair, he asked me who I was and why I was so embarrassed." I only said that it was a showman, and there were gangsters chasing after me - before I could say anything, the horse team arrived, and the leader went up to greet Lord Su, saying that he was a thief and asked Lord Su for me. Master Su asked if it was Mulima's person, so he refused to let it go with a straight face, and took it back to the mansion in a sedan chair.

"In the afternoon of the same day, Master Su interrogated me in **, asked for the reason, and groaned for a long time, and then said: 'You have martial arts, and you stay here to teach the children of the family. When I have the chance, I'll find you a place to be. Since then, I have stayed in Su Mansion as a teacher. ”

"What about Jianmei?" Wei Dongting asked eagerly, "Did you see her later?" ”

"Nope." Shi Longbiao stroked his palms and sighed, "Su Zhongtang said that Ao Zhongtang was always looking for his business, and persuaded me to go out less, and I couldn't bear to involve him. Houmen is like the sea, no matter how detailed it is, I don't know...... I know you here, and I didn't come to look for you because I wanted to bother with one more person. I didn't want Su Fu to suffer a big disaster, and almost killed the whole door, so I ran out with his youngest son Changshou. - No matter what, I have to be worthy of him. ”

Wei Dongting listened to Shi Longbiao's voice and seemed to be unsatisfied, and wanted to ask him about the purpose of entering Beijing, but he shook his head and did not open his mouth. Mingzhu couldn't help but ask, "Where is the son of the Su family now?" ”

"I'm hiding in the country." Shi Longbiao stopped talking about this, and Wei Dongting couldn't ask any more questions, so he just sat down and ate wine. After a long time, Wei Dongting cheered up and said: "Uncle Shi got rid of the big trouble and saved Brother Mingzhu, today's party is really rare, let's choose to say happily!" ”

But after all, he has something in his heart, and it is difficult to arouse excitement. Shi Longbiao thought he was tired, so he said, "You are also tired, rest in peace today!" Wei Dongting smiled and said: "I'm not tired, I'm thinking about one thing, so how did Ao Bai know that Mr. Wu was still in Beijing, and sent someone to arrest him?" ”

Shi Longbiao didn't know the beginning and end of this matter, so he naturally couldn't answer. Mingzhu lowered his head and thought for a while, then suddenly clapped his hands and said: "Ao Bai copied Su Zhongtang's house and copied the eldest brother's scroll, can you not be suspicious?" ”

With a reminder, Wei Dongting also suddenly realized. Suddenly, he thought of He Guizhu again, and his heart tightened again, "If he holds He Guizhu, won't he ......?"

His face was gloomy, and he was about to get up to deal with the matter, when the old man came in and said, "Uncle, Grandpa Zhang is here." Wei Dongting hurriedly said, "The two of you sit and drink wine, I will come when I go", and then walked out of the west chamber to the vestibule.

Zhang Wanqiang and Wei Dongting are familiar and informal. When Wei Dongting came in, he saw that he was sitting and eating tea, so he smiled and said, "There are two friends in the back, and there is good wine, why not sit and get drunk together!" Zhang Wanqiang pulled the male duck's throat and smiled: "I don't have time today, let's disturb it another day." ”

Wei Dongting sat down and said with a smile: "If you come to visit at night, there must be something important!" Zhang Wanqiang saw that the old disciple had gone to the back, so he got up, stood still facing south and north, and said softly: "Feng Mi Zhao-"

Although the words were light, it was like an electric shock and thunder to Wei Dongting, he hurriedly got up and stepped forward, and he wanted to kneel down with his robe.

Zhang Wanqiang said: "Long live the decree: listen to the announcement without etiquette - follow the secret decree: Wei Dongting, the six-grade guard in front of the emperor, will enter the palace immediately and meet him in the Wenhua Palace, and admire this!" ”

Wei Dongting was extremely surprised: "There has never been such an example!" Besides, I'm afraid that the palace door has been locked at this moment, so don't make fun of my father-in-law, right? ”

"This is indeed an anomaly." Zhang Wanqiang said awe-inspiringly, "Who dares to make fun of this!" There's no need to worry about entering the palace, let's go. Wei Dongting hurriedly took care of Shi and Ming, entered the inner room and hung it neatly, tied his waist knife, and instructed the old disciple to "take care of the guests to eat and drink", and then went straight to the Forbidden City with Zhang Wanqiang.

It was as dark as ink, and the thunder rolled from far to near. Lightning danced through the cracks in the clouds. The cool wind swept by, rolling up the floating dust on the ground and hitting the people's faces, which immediately blew away Wei Dongting's hot body. After the wind and thunder, there was silence again, only from time to time there was a bleak and long cry from the depths of the alley, which added to the mystery of the night.

A palace slave and a young guard in front of the palace, the two rode horses and walked in silence. Zhang Wanqiang glanced sideways at Wei Dongting from time to time in the dark night, but it was so blurry that he could only see an outline, occasionally drawing the sky, and the sky was bright and bright, only to see Wei Dongting's expressionless face like a stone carving looking ahead without squinting, and suddenly sank into a darker blur. Zhang Wanqiang couldn't help but think: "This person is very powerful." Compared with the iron beggar, there is its rigidity and no vulgarity, no wonder Xiong Ci Shoes, Suo Etu praise in every way, this calm spirit is the appearance of a nobleman! ”

In fact, Wei Dongting was not as Zhang Wanqiang thought at this time, he was thinking nonsense: "The choice of this audience at this time shows that it is not trivial, and it must be related to Ao Bai." What can I do with a little guard? He Guizhu is well aware of Banzai's whereabouts, is he reliable? Do you want to change places for him, or kill him? …… What would Mei think if she knew about this? She doesn't know how to do it now- ahem, how did I think of this! ”

As he was walking, he heard someone in front of him shouting and asking, "Who is it?" No sedan chair riding is allowed here unless specially ordered! Suddenly, Wei Dongting realized that he had arrived at the bottom of Wufeng, and at this time, the sky had begun to sprinkle rain sparsely, and there was a rustling sound on the blue brick ground in front of the Forbidden City.

The two dismounted, and the man had already come over with a few people carrying lanterns, and it turned out to be a middle-aged waiter. Seeing that it was Zhang Wanqiang, he hurriedly smiled and said, "Father-in-law Zhang, Liu Gui has asked you for peace." Where are you going so late? ”

Zhang Wanqiang took out the golden arrow from his arms and shook it under the lamp, and said proudly: "Long live the special purpose, announce the Wei guards." Liu Gui understood, and without saying a word, he led the two to the right door, and let them in.

Unexpectedly, when they arrived at Jingyun Gate, the two of them were suddenly called by a group of night patrol guards: "Hey! Do? The palace gate has been locked, and no one such as idlers is allowed to enter Ouchi! ”

When Zhang Wanqiang looked up, several glass lamps were illuminated, led by second-class guards Mulima and Nemo, who stood in the rain in oil clothes to block the way. Zhang Wanqiang hurriedly stepped forward and said with a smile: "The emperor reviewed the recital in the Wenhua Palace, and sent Wei Dongting's guards to various departments to transfer the expedited recital, and it took a while to delay the ......work when it rained," he said, took out another roll of things from his arms and shook it under the lamp.

"Liar!" Before he could say anything, Nemo shouted, "I was on an errand in the Wenhua Palace, why didn't I listen to the decree?" Zhang Wanqiang hurriedly said: "The emperor ordered in the Heart Cultivation Hall before dinner, how dare you have a fake!" Mulima said arrogantly: "Qianqingmen has not received a release sign, no one is allowed to pass, tell him to come again tomorrow!" ”

Zhang Wanqiang was feeling embarrassed, and Wei Dongting said coldly beside him: "The emperor summoned me, of course you don't have to let you know." Mu Lima turned around and said coldly: "A little six-rank guard, what is the emperor's message to you?" Blocking your drive, Ming'er, I will ask the emperor for guilt. ”

"You can't take it for granted!" Wei Dongting sneered, raised his voice and shouted, "Which of you dares to resist the decree?" Grandpa Zhang, let's go in! After speaking, he pulled Zhang Wanqiang and wanted to break through.

Mulima shouted: "Who dares! With a wave of his hand, more than a dozen guards dispersed with a "hula" sound, standing in a fan shape and approaching the two of them. Wei Dongting also pulled out his waist knife and put on a posture to meet the enemy. A heavy rain fell, and lightning suddenly shone on the imminent formation.

Just as he was riding a tiger, someone suddenly shouted inside Jingyun Gate: "Zhang Wanqiang, what's wrong with you?" The emperor asked you to pass on Wei Dongting, what are you rubbing? ”

Everyone was stunned, and when they looked back, it was Sun Dianchen who came panting from the rain. didn't seem to see the tension between the two sides, so he pushed aside the crowd and pulled Wei Dongting in. Mulima was angry and scolded Nemo: "Stupid thing, don't go and wait for the emperor soon!" "Nemo" chirped and disappeared into the rainy night.

The thunder in the sky was terrifying, and the lightning sometimes rushed out from behind the cracks in the clouds, and the water on the blue brick floor was blistered by the raindrops. The sound of the rain and the occasional thunderclap are intertwined, as if nothing exists in the universe, which is really scary.

The main entrance of the Wenhua Hall was ajar, and the candles were shining inside, but there were not many attendants, only two rows of guards standing motionless in the rain. Wei Dongting stepped on the Danqi, took off his oil coat and shook the water, untied his waist knife and put it under the corridor, and then knelt down and reported loudly: "Wei Dongting, the former guard of the Sixth Rank Emperor, has come to see the saint!" After a pause, I heard Kangxi in the palace command: "Come in!" ”

Wei Dongting flashed into the hall, knelt three times and kowtowed to Kangxi according to the etiquette of the audience, and then raised his head.

Kangxi sat upright and received the salute, with a solemn and solemn expression. Xiong Cilu and Suo Etu knelt beside them, but they also didn't say a word, and listened to Emperor Kangxi's edict.

Kangxi didn't speak first, and after a long time, he got up and paced between the three of them, looking at Wei Dongting who was prostrate on the ground by candlelight. Wei Dongting's clothes were all soaked, clinging to his body, and the water dripping quietly flowed on the ground, occasionally shining on his body, just like an iron-cast toad.

"Wei Dongting, how do I treat you?"

Hearing this, Wei Dongting replied with three rings: "The slave was born a lowly slave, and he has been favored by the court for several generations, and the emperor treats his ministers with more grace from heaven to earth, although the slave is full of liver and brains, it is difficult to repay in case!" ”

"I have something to do," Kangxi let out a breath and asked again, "Are you willing to risk your life to run an errand for me?" ”

"Wish!" Wei Dongting suddenly straightened up and replied categorically, "Slaves should be loyal in life, and they should be in the end of their death!" ”

"Good!" Kangxi exchanged glances with Suo Etu and said, "I know you very well. Suo Etu and Xiong Cixu use their lives to protect your heart. Wei Dongting looked at the expressionless Xiong and Suo, kowtowed and replied: "This is the emperor's wrong love, the false recommendation of the two adults, as long as there is still a breath, the minister will do his best to serve the saint!" ”

Kangxi looked back at Suo Etu and Xiong Cixu, and the two of them hurriedly kowtowed in return, then turned around and untied the sword on their bodies, solemnly held it up, and said: "The sword is given to the martyrs, may you live up to your heart!" ”

Wei Dongting choked up and replied: "Thank you!" Tears had already flowed down my cheeks, and I wanted to speak, but I felt that my chest was so hot that I couldn't say a word.

He trembled his hands and wanted to receive the sword given by the emperor, but Kangxi leaned over and grabbed him, personally put the sword on his waist, and asked, "Are you a six-grade position?" Wei Dongting wanted to reply, but Kangxi had already returned to his original seat and said loudly: "Record!" Wei Dongting's guard attendants are meritorious, and they are promoted to the third-class imperial guards with swords, and they enter and leave the palace with the Imperial Court, and the sword armor is incomprehensible! Xiong Cilu and Suo Etu were moved to tears, and they celebrated on the ground: "Long live!" "A eunuch has already brought out the color feather top of the third-class guard's uniform, and it has been awarded on the spot.

Kangxi also felt that his eyes were a little damp, so he didn't look over, got up and walked out of the hall, looking up at the unfathomable sky in the pouring rain. He pondered: Is the wrath and roar of Heaven angry at the misdeeds of this "Son of Heaven", or is it punishing the sins of the powerful ministers and evil officials? The Qingzhou mob rebelled in the Seventh, and it took a lot of effort to quell it; Wu Sangui and other Hanchen foreign vassals sat on heavy troops, boiled salt and cast copper, and their hearts were unpredictable; Zheng Chenggong's father and son were in Taiwan and refused to submit; The old men in Jiangnan stiffened their necks one by one and determined not to eat the millet of the Qing Dynasty...... This problem has been pressing on my mind for several years, and I can't get rid of it. The heavy rain washed him down gradually: "Although Wu Ciyou and Xiong Cixu have learned different ways, they both tell my heart: if the trouble of the henchman is not eliminated, the elbow and armpit disease will inevitably be in danger, and if one measure is not taken properly, the king of ten thousand times will not be able to get it for a horseman." ”

A gust of wind blew, Kangxi shuddered, subconsciously stroked his shoulder, and suddenly felt that someone behind him put on a windbreaker for him, and when he looked back, it was Aobai's servant guard Nemo! He was shocked and asked, "What are you doing here?" ”

Nemo hurriedly took a step back, and said in the rain: "Boss Yu, the master is standing outside, be careful of catching a cold!" A flash of lightning suddenly flashed, Kangxi could see clearly, Nemo actually replied with a knife on his waist, his heart throbbed, and he hurriedly said: "You retreat, I will enter the hall." When he looked back, Wei Dongting was already standing behind him. Nemono retreated in unison.

Kangxi walked into the hall, took out the gold watch in his arms and looked at it, it was the end of the end of the year, the scene of Fang Cai, which made him palpitate, but his face did not show it, and he saw that several people were still kneeling, waved his hand and ordered: "Wei Dongting, I entrusted you with an errand, you can go to Suo Etu's mansion to discuss, the palace is not a good place." So he asked them to get up and drive back to the palace. Wei Dongting still wanted to escort him, but Kangxi said loudly: "Sun Dianchen is waiting with a sentry soldier, you guys go!" Suddenly, a flash of lightning illuminated the inside and outside of the hall as bright as day, and almost at the same time, there was a thunderclap. Everything was back to its original state, only the heavy rain of brushing and pounding on the silent forbidden palace.