1

A bolt of lightning pierced the night sky, and the Weishui River reflected a flood of light.

The two figures hurried through the night, and as soon as they reached the river, scattered raindrops fell.

The two men stopped by the river.

Listen to one person whisper:

"Let's do it here, it's going to change!"

One of them lifted his robe, lifted one of the packages in his bosom high, hesitated, and threw it into the river.

At this moment, a muffled thunder came from a distance, muffling a cry.

The two men looked into the river.

I saw that the river was flowing slowly eastward in the night, and there was no other movement.

The man whispered again:

"Let's go."

The two of them turned around, one after the other, and walked back.

After only a few steps, the man in front of him suddenly screamed and slowly fell down.

Another flash of lightning reflected that the man had a dagger stuck in his back.

The man turned his face with difficulty:

"Your Excellency, you, you ......"

His eyes were wide open, his mouth was slightly open, his head drooped, and finally he didn't move.

Another thunderclap.

The remaining "adults" crouched down, reached out to probe the man's breath, shook his head, and closed the man's eyes.

Then he dragged the man to the river and pushed him down.

Then, after looking at it for a moment, he turned back and walked away, and disappeared quickly into the night.

The rain fell like a pour, crackling and falling in a moment.

It's the middle of summer.

After a few more hours, the rain stopped and the clouds fell, a few roosters crowed, and the sky brightened.

In the distance, the capital of the Western Zhou Dynasty, the capital of the city, slowly revealed the outline of the city.

2

Although the sky is light and the sun is insufficient, the heat after the rain is slowly encroaching.

In the morning light, a white horse carrying a thin boy slowly arrived from the ancient road and stopped in front of a "rest to Beijing" inn about three or five miles away from the pickaxe capital.

The boy took the horse with him, glanced around, jumped off the horse, and entered the inn.

The innkeeper was an old man in his sixties, surnamed Gongsun, who had just removed the door panel, but he didn't expect that there would be a guest in the ground, so he hurriedly greeted him.

Seeing that the young man was fifteen or sixteen years old, carrying a bag on his back, hanging a long sword on his waist, and his face was tired, he must have been in a hurry overnight, and he had never rested, so he said with a smile:

"Little brother is so early, I don't know if it's a stay or a tip?"

The boy said:

"If you have a lot of food, you can eat it indiscriminately, but if you can't live in the store, you have other plans. By the way, Xiao Ke's foot strength is also tired all night, and he hopes to give some high-quality materials to serve. ”

The old man smiled:

"Great! Rest assured, you can rest assured that you will be satisfied with all matters in your own shop. ”

After a while, the meal was laid out, and the boy thought that he was already hungry, and he enjoyed it without saying a word.

3

The shopkeeper was making tea and glanced at the sword that the young man had placed on the table.

But I saw that the sword was wide and long, and it carried a lot of weight.

Xiao Erxin said: Such a small person, but with a big sword, I don't know if I can use it.

I couldn't help but shake my head and go to work.

In fact, Xiao Er looked away this time.

Don't look at this young man, thin and small, his appearance is not amazing, but he is a young chivalrous man who has just been born.

This young man's name is Long Zixi.

His ancestral surname was Yulong, and later he took a single dragon character as his surname.

This Long Zixi's father is the first warrior in the world, known as the Flying Tiger Hero.

He studied with his father at the age of five.

After more than ten years, although he is still young, he is already profound.

This is the first time he has walked alone in the rivers and lakes, not to mention the shopkeeper, even the people in the rivers and lakes have never seen him.

So no one thought that such a thin young man was a peerless master.

Long Zixi had already seen Xiao Er's disdainful expression, and he didn't care, only smiled in his heart.

4

After a while, the number of customers came to the store.

There are two or three people staying in the hotel, but most of them come here to rest and drink tea.

Long Zixi looked up, only to find that the sun was three poles, and the heat was even stronger.

Long Zixi had not finished his cup of tea, and he saw a young couple walking towards the inn.

The man, about twenty years old, was not very burly, but he looked strong and powerful, and carried a burden.

One end of the burden is a hard bow made of mulberry wood, and the other end is a quiver made of grass, and the bow and quiver are bundled into a stack.

The woman looked slightly younger than the man, her eyebrows and eyes were a little handsome, but she was coarse cloth, and she was clearly pregnant.

The two of them came to the door of the inn, stopped and hesitated, and discussed something in a whisper.

The man seemed to be very concerned about the woman, put his burden outside the door, and carried the woman into the inn, where he asked for some simple meals.

Long Zixi saw that the couple was quite close, and thought in his heart:

If my aunt can live like this for the rest of her life, it will be like making cows and horses for people in the palace.

I can't help but envy the couple.

But I saw that the couple had finished eating in a while.

I saw the woman looking at the man faintly and said:

"I also asked my husband to be tired, go into the city and sell it, and rush home before dark."

The man is also affectionate:

"The lady's body is inconvenient, and she is also affected with her husband, which makes her husband feel guilty."

With that, the two stood up and paid back the meal.

The man went over and took up his burden, and accompanied the woman, and slowly went in the direction of the city.

5

It's getting hotter.

There was not a hint of wind.

The number of people who came to drink tea gradually increased.

After a while, I saw two old men, one tall and one short, walking into the inn.

The two of them, who were obviously regular customers here, greeted the shopkeeper Lao Er, and sat down behind the side of Long Zixi.

A small servant had already brought tea.

I heard one old man lower his voice and say to another:

"It's weird! The old man has lived for more than 60 years, and it is the first time he has heard of such a strange thing! ”

The other also said in the same low voice:

"Don't say it's you virtuous brother, it's a foolish brother, a few years older than you, and it's the first time I've heard of it, it's really weird!"

The voices of the two people were so low that ordinary people couldn't hear them at all.

But Long Zixi is a person who practices martial arts, and listening to the voice debater is a basic skill, so he can still hear it very clearly.

I can't help but be curious about that "strange and tight" thing.

The two old men did not expect anyone to hear their conversation, and continued to speak in a low voice while drinking tea.

A Path:

"In the eyes of old decay, this is a bad omen."

Another way:

"Exactly. However, this sign is not only now, and it has already begun to emerge when the family is waiting for the first emperor. And, according to the divination of the Taishi, this omen should be at the moment, but I am afraid that there will be great changes soon. ”

One took over:

"You say, why do you have to be pregnant for decades to give birth?"

Another way:

"Hehe, that's just a statement from the palace. According to the old decay, there may be another hidden ......"

The more Long Zixi listened, the more confused he became.

What bad omen?

What does pregnancy take decades to give birth?

What's the other secret?

At the moment, concentrate more and listen to the two of them.

A Path:

"Isn't that exact? Lao Yu also heard that there was a big commotion in the palace two days ago. There was a guard surnamed Chen, for some reason, who killed many people and fled the rivers and lakes......"

Another way:

"Brother Fool also heard about it, it seems to be related to the killing of a palace maid......"

When Long Zixi heard the "guard surnamed Chen", he was already shocked:

Could it be ...... Could it be Uncle Chen Du?

The palace maid was killed?

Don't be your own aunt!

I thought the two old men would continue to talk.

No, the two of them said this, but they changed the topic and began to talk about some inconsequential things.

Since there was no need to carry people, the voice became louder.

Long Zixi couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

6

After about half an hour, Long Zixi was just about to get up, when he suddenly heard the sound of shouting in the distance, mixed with the sound of running and fighting.

Long Zixi habitually grabbed the long sword and looked out.

I saw a person rushing from the direction of the capital, and more than a dozen soldiers behind him were desperately chasing after him.

The soldiers shouted, "Hugh and go!" From time to time he shot arrows at the running man.

When the man ran closer, Long Zixi was surprised!

It was the young man of the couple who had eaten here that morning.

The woman was nowhere to be found.

I saw that the man had just run to the inn, and suddenly an arrow was hit in his left leg, and one of them stumbled and fell to the ground.

Three soldiers who had already run fast rushed up, one with a spear and two with a sword, and all three weapons beckoned to the man.

The incident was in a hurry, and everyone in the inn was already stunned and couldn't make a sound.

Rao is a master like Long Zixi, and he suddenly felt very dangerous, and secretly screamed that it was not good.

But the man quickly pulled the arrow from his leg, rolled on the spot, and dodged between the gap between the three soldiers.

Then, with one leg swept to the leg of the soldier who was wielding the gun.

The soldier screamed and fell to the ground, never to get up again.

This surprised Long Zixi again:

Could it be that this person is not weak in martial arts?

Why didn't I see it?

Concentrate on the moment.

After looking at it for a while, he felt that his eyesight was right, and that person definitely didn't know martial arts.

The man fought with two knives, and he had no way to do it, but he tried to dodge.

The man's fist didn't seem to be heavy, hitting his opponent in the shoulder or arm several times, but he didn't do much damage.

But strangely enough, the man's right leg was very powerful.

During the fight, he kicked a soldier in the waist again, and the soldier also screamed and fell to the ground.

In the blink of an eye, eight or nine soldiers behind him were already approaching.

But he saw that the man kicked again, and kicked the single knife of the soldier closest to him away.

At the same time, he threw the arrow in his hand at one of the soldiers who rushed ahead.

While the soldier lowered his head to dodge, the man slammed into a gap and turned straight to Long Zixi's white horse.

The horse was tied to a stake in front of the inn.

I saw that the man dodged his sword and spear, kicked off the stake with one kick, turned over on his horse, and finally slapped his horse away before the pursuers closed the siege.

A few soldiers shot arrows, but they didn't know that the horse was a good horse, and in a blink of an eye it ran away, and where could it be shot?

Long Zixi saw that his horse was ridden away, but he was not annoyed, but greatly relieved.

If he helps, it will be no problem to send these soldiers.

But I thought to myself, if I got into trouble, it was impossible to continue my own affairs.

Now that I've lost my mount, I can slowly figure out how to do it.

Seeing that the pursuit was hopeless, the soldiers cursed as they picked up their wounded companions and went back to the city.

The whole process is only a short time.

The soldiers walked away, and the inn returned to normal.

The guests who had palpitations also let go of their nervous faces and continued their business, but from time to time there were voices of discussion.

It was nothing more than the incomprehension of the scene just now and the admiration for the man's bravery, and many people shook their heads again and again, sighing.

Long Zixi also had the same idea in his heart.

I secretly thought, I just arrived in Hojing today, and I haven't entered the city yet, and I can't understand something, I'm afraid it's not a good sign.

I felt that my things might not be smooth sailing, and I couldn't help but have some worries in my heart.

7

After lunch, Long Zixi packed up, inquired about the path to the palace, and went straight to the pickaxe capital.

Before arriving at the city, Long Zixi was taken aback again!

I saw several heads hanging on a row of wooden poles in front of the city gatehouse.

Long Zixi's eyes were sharp, staring at one of them and secretly said:

"It's a pity! Pity! Isn't it the man's insider? ”

Because Long Zixi looked at her a few more times in the morning, although the flesh and blood of the head were blurred, he could recognize it, and he couldn't help but feel a pang in his heart.

Seeing that the husband and wife were in trouble at the same time, the woman was caught and killed, and the man escaped with his life, but he didn't know what happened.

I didn't have time to think about it at the moment, and I came to the city gate.

But I saw that the sergeants guarding the door were all concentrated, and they closely checked the pedestrians.

When I entered the city, I saw a group of soldiers walking by in the streets.

Look at this pickaxe capital, it is prosperous, but it is a little deserted.

Long Zixi was confused in his heart:

Why is this so strange today?

Just as he was thinking about it, he suddenly heard a gong behind him.

Long Zixi looked back and saw a group of soldiers led by a military attache on horseback coming along the street.

Pedestrians have avoided it.

Long Zixi also flashed to the side to watch.

I saw that the group of soldiers came from far and near, and they posted something on the wall as they walked.

Looking closer, a soldier struck the gong a few times and shouted:

"The Son of Heaven has an order, all families are not allowed to make mulberry wooden bows, grass quivers, and they are not allowed to buy and sell, otherwise, they will be killed!"

The group of soldiers walked away.

Long Zixi was about to raise his feet and move forward, when he suddenly heard a long sigh from someone behind him:

"Alas! A catastrophe is coming, and how can anyone care? ”

Looking back, it turned out to be a middle-aged man who looked like a scholar, shaking his head and walking into a teahouse.

Long Zixi took a few quick steps to see what the soldier had posted.

It turned out to be a notice issued by the government.

It is nothing more than the same as the soldier shouted, it is forbidden to make and sell bows and arrows, and if there is a violation, it will be killed.

Long Zixi suddenly understood.

The couple, apparently living in the middle of nowhere, did not know about it, and went into the city as usual to sell mountain mulberry bows and quivers.

Who knew that he violated the official ban, and as a result, he was chased and killed by officers and soldiers.

The so-called ignorant do not blame, how can the official family be so vicious?

Long Zixi couldn't help but be angry.

I don't understand, why does the official family have such a ban?

was in a bad mood, and Long Zixi no longer had the interest to see the scenery.

Hurry up and head straight for the palace.

8

Turning a street corner, I saw a magnificent house, red bricks and green tiles, surrounded by high walls, which was the palace of the Zhou Dynasty.

In front of the gate of the palace, four guards held halberds and short knives at their waists, standing on both sides, and were heavily guarded.

Long Zixi stopped and said in his heart:

That's what the palace looks like!

How can ordinary people get in?

I wanted to go over and ask the guard about it, but I didn't think it was right.

After looking at it from a distance for a long time, it was impossible to imagine.

was at a loss for himself, and suddenly saw the palace door open, and an old palace man came out.

Long Zixi saw that the old palace man was carrying a basket, and slowly walked towards his side, and said in his heart:

I can't say, I can only take the risk and ask.

After a while, the old palace people came closer.

Long Zixi saw that there was no one else, and he waved at the old palace people:

"Old man, can you take a step to speak?"

The old palace man looked Long Zixi up and down, and said:

"What?"

Long Zixi is another one:

"Little is a man from afar. I saw the old man coming out of the palace just now, I wonder if the old man knows a palace maid named Long Bajie? ”

That Eighth Sister is the name of his aunt.

The old palace man shook his head:

"I don't know. You don't know, this kid, how can a palace maid use her real name? ”

Of course, Long Zixi didn't know these palace rules, and smiled:

"So, does the old man know a guard named Chen Du?"

When the old palace man heard this, his face changed sharply:

"You kid, you...... Who exactly? Then Chen Du, who are you? ”

When Long Zixi saw this situation, he knew that it was not good.

Although he is young, he is also clever:

"Xiao Ke is just an ordinary grass farmer. That Chen Du...... is Xiao Ke's fellow villager, and it turned out that his family had a message for Xiao Ke to give him. ”

The old palace man looked around and said in a low voice:

"In that case, let us go quickly. I didn't let the officials see it for a long time. ”

When you have finished speaking, you must take a step forward.

Long Zixi hurriedly stopped the old palace people:

"Old man, what happened to Chen Duduan? I hope to inform you one or two! ”

The old palace man shook his head and lowered his voice even more:

"Alas, Hugh asked, Hugh asked! But listen to the old man's words, hurry up and leave this place, the sooner the better! ”

After speaking, he lowered his head and hurried away.

Long Zixi no longer doubts:

The guard surnamed Chen who killed many people and fled the rivers and lakes must be his uncle Chen Du Chen Yiguo!

Even so, my aunt must not be much better.

The old palace man advised me to leave quickly, and everyone who was related to my uncle and aunt must be implicated.

It's a shame that I didn't go to the palace gate and ask the guards about it, otherwise, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated and turned back and left the capital.

Returned to "Rest to Beijing", packed up and stopped, calculated the tea and dinner money, and strode out of the inn.

When I got out, I suddenly remembered a question.