The emperor died, and the entire Ming Dynasty was shrouded in a tense atmosphere, and even an ordinary person felt that an era of war was coming.

It's not just Qingyang City that has meteorites falling, Wuzhou, Xuzhou, Jizhou, Yanzhou, Meteorites fell in Yangzhou, and the meteorites in Yangzhou also fell directly into Shouchun City, killing many people; Wuzhou was flooded again, and the people on both sides of the Xijiang River were left homeless, and the crops in Wuzhou as a whole suffered heavy losses; Xuzhou was once again rampant with locusts, and all the places where the locusts passed were in ruins; Jizhou became even more arid, and many people moved to Xuzhou, and many people went directly to Luoyang, but they could not enter Luoyang City, and were blocked outside the city by Luoyang soldiers, and for a time there were corpses scattered outside Luoyang City.

Bandits and thieves are even more rampant in various places, and some bandits directly dare to attack the town yamen, which is really rampant. There were also some remnants of the Yellow Turban that suddenly popped up in various places, shouting again, 'The sky is dead, the Yellow Sky should stand', and a man named Chen Yi claimed to be a disciple of Zhang Jiao and called himself General Shengong, calling on the remnants of the Yellow Turbans from all over the country to gather around him.

The weather in the entire Ming Kingdom has been extremely gloomy recently, with constant winds, and occasionally some inexplicable whirlwinds, many trees have been swept away, the sky and the earth seem to be very chaotic, and the light of the sun and the moon is not as clear as before.

"Phew~"

A carriage stopped outside the governor's mansion, and Huang Cheng slowly stepped out of the carriage, holding a letter in his right hand. Huang Cheng is now the Taishou of Qingyang City, after Cao Yun visited Huang Cheng that day, what he said to Huang Yuexin when he left the Huang Mansion made Huang Yuexin very hurt, and forced Huang Cheng to naturally get what Huang Cheng said to Cao Yun, so he forced Huang Cheng to go out of the mountain as an official, and he was extremely strong. Huang Cheng had no choice but to go to the state pastor's mansion to visit Cao Xian in person, and euphemistically expressed his willingness to go out of the mountain as an official. Huang Cheng also recommended some protégés, which alleviated the situation of the shortage of officials in Xiaqingzhou.

When King Ming died, all states had to send people to attend King Ming's funeral, and at the same time they had to bring in a new king. King Ming doesn't seem to have left any edicts, and the candidate for this new monarch is afraid that he will be manipulated by the general He Jin. The person sent by Qingzhou to attend the funeral of King Ming was none other than Cao Yun. The reason why Cao Xian asked Cao Yun to go was to let Cao Yun go to Luoyang to gain knowledge, and second, to let Cao Yun personally visit the general He Jin and implore He Jin to approve the appointment of Cao Yun as the document of the Qingyang chief book. With an official identity, Cao Yun can really step onto the stage of history. Xiang Pang Shiyuan and Zhang Zixi are not official officials, they are just appointed by Cao Xian, and they are the private officials of the Cao family.

And the reason why Huang Cheng came to the State Pastoral Mansion so early today was to hand over a letter to Cao Yun and ask Cao Yun to hand it over to Zheng Xuan after arriving in Luoyang. The letter was written by Huang Cheng, but Pang Gong also signed it. The letter probably made a series of justifications for Cao Yun's behavior, hoping that Zheng Xuan could make it convenient for Cao Yun to go to the Zhuzi Hall of the Great Daozi Academy to have some enlightenment. Although Pang Gong didn't have a good impression of Cao Yun, as a Confucian, he still had the strength, and if Cao Yun could devote himself to practicing Confucianism and Taoism, it would be a good thing.

Cao Yun had already packed up his salutes, everything was ready, and he also brought the book "Twelve Chapters of the Machine" with him, but Cao Yun didn't dare to take the kraft paper of "Little Zhou Tian Bingjin Transformation" and "Nine Heavens Wind and Bone Technique" with him, for fear of being stolen. In Cao Yun's opinion, the Nine Heavens Wind Bone Technique and Xiao Zhou Tian Bingjin Transformation are far more valuable than the Twelve Chapter Machine, after all, the Twelve Chapter Machine is just a book for martial arts introductory enlightenment, and Xiao Zhou Tian Bingjin Transformation is an invincible attack method, and the Nine Heavens Wind Bone Technique is even more of a mysterious method, and Cao Yun can still easily tell which is more important.

Accompanying Cao Yun to Luoyang were Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan, although these two were officials in the state pastoral mansion, they were more like Cao Yun's staff. Although Cao Yun did not have an official status, he had already participated in some administrative management of the state pastoral government, and Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan helped Cao Yun deal with a lot of affairs. When he returns from Luoyang this time, Cao Xian will go to the court to recommend Cao Yun as the captain. This appointment does not want to be as casual as appointing Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan, Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan did not get the court documents, and can only be regarded as private officials. And Cao Yun is really appointed by the imperial court, and he wants to be on the stage of the Ming Dynasty in a dignified manner.

Cao Yun came to the hall of the State Pastoral Mansion, and Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan were already waiting in the hall. At this time, it was still early, and the civil officials had not yet arrived, and the hall seemed very quiet.

Cao Yun walked in lightly, "Brother Zhang, Brother Pang, it's early." Cao Yun smiled and waved his hand at the two.

"Brother Cao, it's early. Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan both smiled and waved their hands at Cao Yun.

"When I go to Luoyang, I have to go through a few storms and months, but when Brother Zhang is gone, I don't want to spoil the elegance of Brother Pang and me. Cao Yun said with a smile.

Zhang Zixi smiled lightly when he heard this, "I have heard that there are many talented women in Luoyang, and Zixi also wants to see it." ”

"Brother Cao, don't underestimate Brother Zhang, Brother Zhang is manly. Pang Shiyuan said

"Brother Pang, I see that you are looking forward to the Luoyang woman, this time I just want Brother Zhang to accompany me. Now Cao Yun and Pang Shiyuan understand each other's personalities, and they don't have too many constraints when they speak, they seem a lot more casual. Although Cao Yun knows that Pang Shiyuan is not a ** disciple, he still has an appreciation for beautiful women, which is quite similar to himself.

"Luoyang is the capital of the country, how can you not go if you have such an opportunity. What's more, I have long heard of the name of Ying'er from Luoyang, and now I accompany Brother Cao to Luoyang, just to see the beauty and smell the fairy sound. Pang Shiyuan said, his eyes shining a little.

A few people then laughed and talked a few words, waiting for Huang Cheng to arrive. Huang Cheng said that he wanted Cao Yun to bring something to Luoyang.

It didn't take long for Cao Yun to hear the sound of footsteps outside the hall, the three of them quieted down, Cao Yun turned his head and saw Huang Cheng walking in slowly.

"I've seen Huang Gong. Cao Yun and the three of them hurriedly stepped forward and bowed. Although Cao Yun was quite unhappy with Huang Cheng's words that day, since Huang Cheng had already gone to the state pastoral mansion as an official, he was his own person, not to mention Huang Cheng's Confucian identity, even if he was unhappy in his heart, he still had to have respect on the surface.

"Young Master Cao, I'm afraid it won't be very smooth when I go to Luoyang, you have to be more careful on the way, and you have to be more cautious when you arrive in Luoyang. Huang Cheng said a little weakly, if there are disasters today, there are always many thieves and thieves, and he needs to worry too much about as the Taishou of Qingyang City. Cao Yun looked out of the corner of his eye, and Huang Cheng's eyes had a lot more wrinkles than before.

"Thank you Huang Gong for reminding me, the next generation has made a lot of preparations, and there are hundreds of sergeants to escort him, so I don't think there will be any big crisis in the future. When you arrive in Luoyang, you will be more careful. Cao Yun said sincerely.

"Well, it's good if you understand, give, this is a letter, you can hand it over to Luoyang Zheng Gong for me. Huang Cheng said and handed the letter in his hand to Cao Yun. The Zheng Gong in Huang Cheng's mouth is Zheng Xuan.

Cao Yun took the letter, "Don't worry, Huang Gong, I will hand over the letter to Zheng Gong." ”

"Hmm. Huang Cheng nodded.

After Xiang Huang announced his resignation, Cao Yun took Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan out of the state pastoral mansion, and the team escorting Cao Yun was already waiting outside the state pastoral mansion, and six horses were ready.

After Cao Yun turned over and whipped his horse, the group officially hit the road and headed for Luoyang. At this time, there were already a few rays of sunlight in the sky, shining on Cao Yun's forehead, shining on the streets of Qingyang City, and shining on the place where the sky and earth were not yet clear.

Not long after walking out of Qingyang City, Cao Yun saw a lot of corpses on the road, the corpses were crawling with maggots, and many villages were lonely and desolate, with only artemisia grass and tribulus terrestris left in the vegetable garden, and ruins and broken walls could be seen everywhere. On the deserted roads, it is common to see wild mice and foxes that stand up their fur and bark at the crowd, and occasionally one or two crows can be seen perched on the branches.

The vast blue smoke and dust, dare to ask the sky and pity people.

Who collects the bones and buries them in the wilderness, and the sons and wives are separated from this tomorrow.

The poor and the hegemonic industry are rebellious, and my way does not respect heaven and earth.

Whoever reorganizes the broken mountains and rivers, the blood is full of anger.

Pang Shiyuan, who was on the side, muttered to himself on the horse, his face was full of grief and indignation, and his eyes showed a little sadness. It's still spring, but there's no life in sight.

Cao Yun was very silent, Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan were also solemn, and the sergeants who followed behind exuded a murderous aura and rushed straight to the sky. There was a strong wind blowing, blowing off the leaves, blowing the artemisia grass, and fluttering the hair of the people. That day, that day, was obscured by layers of dark clouds.

Just as Cao Yun led the group through a village and into a large mountain, it didn't take long to walk along a relatively wide road in the mountain.

"Oh~Oh"

A group of people rushed down from the mountain, and the first four were still on horseback, and the swords in their hands were dangling, although the sun had been obscured by dark clouds, but the swords still reflected some light. These four people are the bandit leaders.

Everyone stopped, and drew their swords. Cao Yun shouted loudly, and at the same time pulled out the iron sword at his waist. "Zixi, Shiyuan, you two hide in the middle of the team. Cao Yun said loudly to Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan next to him.

When Zhang Zixi and Pang Shiyuan heard this, they immediately rode to the center of the sergeants who were attached to them, although they had not cultivated martial arts, but the two of them did not show panic, and they were very calm.

Cao Yun commanded the sergeants to form a circle, waiting for the bandits to charge.

The four thieves who took the lead on horseback rushed to Cao Yun and the others first, and stopped at once.

"Listen, the people in front of you, leave your armor, weapons, and money on your body, and we will let you go safely, otherwise, hum. One of the four bandit leaders who stopped his horse was very stout Da Ming said sharply, shaking the big knife in his hand as he spoke. As soon as the words fell, the rest of the bandits also rushed to stand behind the four bandits.

"In broad daylight and bright weather, you dare to rob the sergeant, but we are the Qingyang sergeant, and you don't retreat quickly. Cao Yun said sharply with a calm face.

"Hahaha. The youngest of the four bandit leaders laughed when he heard this, "Do you see that there is still light in this day, do you see that this world is still bright? Don't say any non-commissioned officers and soldiers in front of me, we can grab ordinary people, we can grab the sergeants and soldiers, and we can also grab the emperor's old man." ”

"Big brother, what nonsense are you talking to them, grab it, that armor is worth it!" said a black-faced bandit leader next to the young bandit leader, raising the big knife in his hand and making a charging posture.

"You better hand over your possessions as we say, for my brothers don't know how to measure if they move. The young bandit leader said slowly.

"It's just a joke, I, Cao Yun, have encountered a thief for the first time in my life, but today I want you to know that there is still a king in this world. As soon as Cao Yun finished speaking, he slapped his horse and jumped to the top of the bandit's head, the long sword in his hand was pulled horizontally, and the hand of the four bandit leaders holding the sword was stabbed with a wound, and the bandit leader all shouted in pain and dropped the weapon in his hand, and hurriedly pressed the wound of the injured hand with his other hand.

"The Sixfold Strongman of the Day After Tomorrow?" the young bandit leader was surprised, the weapon in his hand was not dropped, and he could still endure the pain and hold the long knife in his hand.

Cao Yun didn't care about the surprise of the young bandit leader, and after landing on the ground, he jumped up again, and took off a few swords, and all of the four bandit leaders were injured again except for the young leader. Cao Yun picked the three bandit leaders and jumped into the group of bandits, and killed, of course, Cao Yun was not killed, just stabbed, and none of them were vital parts, Cao Yun guessed that most of these people were forced to be bandits.

"Don't hurt my brother. The young bandit leader roared, and then rushed towards Cao Yun with a knife.

"Brother Cao, be careful. Zhang Zixi, who was in the distance, shouted loudly, his expression was a little anxious, and he was very worried about Cao Yun, "You all go and kill the bandits." Zhang Zixi shouted to the sergeants around him.

However, these sergeants turned a deaf ear, and these sergeants would never act without Cao Yun's order. can be selected to escort Cao Yun, naturally he is a person who is extremely obedient to military discipline.

Cao Yun jumped up in the air, dodged the impact of the young bandit leader, turned over and kicked in the air, and kicked the young bandit leader over, Cao Yun then stabbed a few bandits, and then jumped out of the bandit group, returned to Zhang Zixi and the others, and got on his horse after turning over.

"I think that if there are disasters today, you are afraid that you will be forced to enter the mountain as a thief, I don't want to investigate it today, you should leave quickly. Cao Yun said in a deep voice.

The bandits were silent for a while when they heard this, and it didn't take long for the three bandit leaders who were extremely seriously injured to move back, but the young bandit leader didn't move, standing in place with a knife, looking at Cao Yun with a somewhat complicated expression.

"Big brother, let's go, we have encountered hard bones, we can't gnaw on them, while the other party has no regrets, let's withdraw quickly." The leader of the black-faced bandits said hurriedly.

The young bandit leader didn't move, and the other three bandit leaders shook the young bandit leader, but there was still no reaction. The bandit leader's expression was extremely complicated, as if he wanted to make a decision.

Cao Yun saw the young bandit leader looking at him like that, thinking that the bandit leader had a grudge, and for a while, Cao Yun's eyes let out a murderous aura, "Hmph, don't think that I can't kill him." Cao Yun thought coldly in his heart.

Just as Cao Yun tightened the sword in his hand, the young bandit leader ran over and knelt in front of Cao Yun with a plop, "My lord, in Xia Ganning, he is twenty-three years old this year, and he is already the fourth day after tomorrow. He was originally a Jiangxia person from Wuzhou, but because of the continuous natural disasters, his life was really unsustainable, so he came to Qingzhou to become a thief. Now that I have changed my ways, I am willing to follow the left and right of the adults, and saddle the horse for the adults. The young thief said and kowtowed.

This young bandit leader is called Gan Ning, who is originally from Wuzhou, just because the Xijiang River was flooded, the world and the world were all submerged, and the only relative, the old mother, was also drowned in the flood, so he had no choice but to come to Qingzhou.

Cao Yun was overjoyed at first when he heard this, but his thoughts immediately turned, and he said secretly: "Since this Gan Ning is a quadruple martial artist the day after tomorrow, he can get a martial arts position in Wuzhou, but there is no reason to come to my Qingzhou to enter the mountains as a thief." ”

Na Gan Ning is also a person with a transparent mind, seeing that Cao Yun was happy at first, but now he pondered, and immediately knew that this Cao Yun must be suspecting that he was a martial arts master but still entered the mountain as a thief, and immediately explained: "My lord, although I am a person from Jiangxia in Wuzhou, but because a friend was maliciously beaten to death by the son of Jiangxia City Taishou in the early years, I swore that I would never be an official in Wuzhou, if it wasn't for the fact that my mother was still there at that time, I would have left Jiangxia a long time ago." Not long ago, there was a big flood in the whole Xijiang River, and my house was by the river, but my mother was drowned in the flood, but unfortunately I was somewhere else at the time. Gan Ning was about to shed tears when he said this, looking very sad.

Hearing this, Cao Yun's doubts in his heart were slightly relieved, and his heart moved, and he used the Humane Hope Qi Technique to look towards Na Gan Ning.