After Wu Zetian finished speaking, he asked with a smile: "After listening to this story, you should understand why I have been talking to a farmer for so long!" Most of them bowed their heads and were silent, apparently not thinking clearly. Only Shangguan Wan'er raised her eyebrows and said, "Tell the master, the maidservant girl understands!" Wu Zetian said with a smile: "Wan'er, if you don't know, people will laugh at you for being a talented woman." Alright, it's time to go! She seemed to glance at the three of Feiyun intentionally or unintentionally.

Although the three of Feiyun didn't read much, they also understood what Wu Zetian meant. Wu Zetian just wanted to show her concern for the people, suggesting that the three of Feiyun should not judge her arbitrarily. But the three of Feiyun will not forgive Wu Zetian's evil deeds because of some of her good deeds. He didn't want to argue with her, so he had to remain silent.

Wu Zetian didn't say anything more, and with the support of Wan'er and Zhang Changzong, he turned around and got into the carriage and entered the carriage. Wu Yuan returned to the front of the car, the horsewhip was raised, and the carriage moved slowly again. The guards were still guarding the carriage, and the three of them also mounted their horses to follow.

After walking for more than an hour, I entered a village and town. The streets are lined with shops and crowds. It can be seen that this is a relatively prosperous town, and Wu Zetian's carriage stopped in front of a restaurant.

The guy in the restaurant saw the pomp and circumstance, and knew that the person who came must be a rich and noble family, so he hurriedly greeted him. Wu Yuan said, "Man, we're going to dine here with you. You go and tell the shopkeeper that you are not allowed to receive any other guests for an hour. Those who are already inside will leave immediately, and we will compensate you. ”

The man nodded in agreement, turned around and went back to tell the shopkeeper. Wu Yuan waved his hand, and the four guards followed. After a while, several people hurriedly came out of the restaurant and scattered. Wu Yuan jumped out of the carriage and invited Wu Zetian and the three of them down. Under the guidance of Wu Yuan, Wu Zetian took the lead. The two guards who guarded the carriage were left behind, and the others entered the restaurant.

There are more than a dozen tables of eight immortals in the restaurant, which have been cleaned up. Two of the guards who came first stood at the door to the backyard and two by the door to the kitchen. The shopkeeper and the four guys stood aside nervously, glanced at Wu Zetian and the others, hurriedly lowered their heads, and remained silent.

Wu Yuan respectfully invited Wu Zetian to sit at a table against the wall, with Shangguan Wan'er and Zhang Changzong on either side. Wu Yuan asked Feiyun and the three of them to sit at the window table on Wu Zetian's left, and the remaining six guards sat on Wu Zetian's right. Feiyun saw that his arrangement was also suitable, and it was very convenient to deal with emergencies.

After Wu Zetian sat down, he said, "Shopkeeper, please come over!" The shopkeeper of the restaurant hurriedly came to Wu Zetian's side, bowed down, and said, "May I ask the distinguished guest, what are your orders?" Wu Zetian smiled slightly: "It has affected your business, please forgive me!" The shopkeeper hurriedly replied, "Don't dare to be!" It is our honor for you to visit our restaurant. Our restaurant is the largest restaurant in town, with a full range of dishes from the north and south, and exquisite taste. Whatever the guests want to eat, the small ones will arrange it immediately! ”

Wu Zetian thought for a moment and said: "Since you have both northern and southern dishes, you can pick up the best ones, five northern and southern specialties, and the three tables are the same." After you explain it, come and talk to me again! The shopkeeper replied and turned to leave.

Wu Zetian turned his head to Feiyun and said, "Lin Shaoxia, are you willing to sit opposite me?" Feiyun waved his hand and said, "Mrs. Li, we can better protect you by sitting here, so we won't sit down!" Wu Zetian was not reluctant, and said: "That's fine." I'm a northerner, and I don't know anything about your tastes. What kind of food do you like to eat, please tell the shopkeeper yourself! Feiyun thanked him and stopped talking, looking out the window warily.

Wu Zetian said to Wu Yuan: "Wu Yuan, you arrange for someone to buy a carriage for those injured people to ride." Buy some more horses for the guards so that we can speed things up. Wu Yuan hurriedly said: "Thank you for the grace of the master, the subordinates will die in return." He immediately ordered the two guards to buy it.

At this time, the shopkeeper came over and said, "Distinguished guest, the small one has been explained to the kitchen, and the dishes will be served later." I wonder what else your guests have to say? Wu Zetian waved his hand and said, "Don't be in a hurry to serve the food, just wait for my orders." I see that this town is very prosperous and lively, and you must have a prosperous restaurant. ”

The shopkeeper said: "This town is the largest town within a radius of fifty or sixty miles, and there are many vendors. Our restaurant is cheap and good, so the customers are like clouds, and the business is not bad. Wu Zetian continued: "If the business is so good, will it cause jealousy from peers and extortion from officials?" ”

The shopkeeper said: "Don't worry about the jealousy of your peers, who makes them not good at learning." As for the officials, even if they take advantage of a small advantage, they don't dare to go too far. Wu Zetian asked strangely: "It seems that there are people above you, so the officials dare not be excessive?" ”

The shopkeeper said, "Your guest has misunderstood. I am a restaurant owner, where did I know a big official? However, I heard a lot from the guests who came and went. If the official does too much and I can't survive, I will go to the capital and falsely accuse him and his boss of rebellion. As long as the cool officials in the capital hear about the rebellion, like a greedy cat seeing a fish, they will inevitably fabricate charges against them, put them in prison, and avenge me. ”

Wu Zetian pondered for a while and said, "Although you are angry, your approach is too much. It seems that the cool officials really can't stay, lest they leave behind endless disasters. The shopkeeper said, "That's not what I want to think about, I just want to do my business with peace of mind." As for what I just said, it's just a matter of thinking. ”

Wu Zetian immediately asked: "Shopkeeper, we are going to Dangyang, how many days will it take?" The shopkeeper thought for a moment and said, "If you all ride horses, it is estimated that you will be there in five or six days." If you walk, it's hard to say. The shopkeeper was very enthusiastic and told Wu Zetian in detail about the path to Dangyang.

At this time, the guard, who had gone out to buy carriages and horses, came back and said that he had bought a carriage and eight horses. The owner helped deliver the horses, and after the settlement was completed, they left. Wu Yuan went out to take a look, and his heart was overjoyed. With horses, it only takes a few days to become a sun.

Wu Zetian didn't say anything more, and ordered the shopkeeper to serve the food. Soon after everyone finished eating, Wu Yuan handed the shopkeeper a gold ingot and said, "If someone comes to inquire, they will say that we went to Yichang, and we are not allowed to say that we went to Dangyang!" When the shopkeeper saw the gold, he was overjoyed, and naturally he was busy agreeing.

When the group left the restaurant, Wu Yuan let the five injured sit in the newly bought carriage to open the way, and he personally drove the second carriage in which Wu Zetian and the three of them were riding. The rest of the guards rode on either side of the second carriage, and Feiyun and the three followed. The group hurried out of town.