Chapter III

Zhu Ziyi saves Han Zhongliang (1)

When Wang Mang heard that Emperor Cheng's widow had been rescued, he was furious, and the eunuch who reported the matter saw that the emperor was angry, so he didn't even dare to come out. Yunqi knelt down and persuaded each other: "The saint is angry, and finally he will personally lead the light horse and arrest this group of people." Wang Mang hurriedly said: "You immediately lead 3,000 elite soldiers, and go to chase and suppress with those who know about this in Chang'an Mansion, regardless of whether Liu Zi and that guy are caught, you will definitely execute all the officials of Chang'an Mansion who accompanied you, so as not to leak the matter of Emperor Cheng's widow." Yun Qi sang a promise in his mouth, then glanced at the eunuch in the house, drew his sword and swept it, and executed the other party. Wang Mang looked at the back of Yunqi, and said secretly in his heart: "I forgot, if I want to completely cover up Liu Zi's affairs, how can this slave survive." ”

After a long time, Yun Qi returned regretfully, and knelt down to Wang Mang and said: "Qi Shengshang, the minister led the elite cavalry to pursue, but was intercepted by Duan Feng's men and horses, although the gang of thieves has been punished, they only hate Duan Feng and Liu Zihe are not among them. Weichen found that Duan Feng's accomplices were equipped with waist cards, and the word 'Xuanyuan' was written on them. Wang Mang said gloomily: "There are too few masters beside me, otherwise I can allocate some guards to the prison, how can there be Liu Zi and the robbery." I have heard that Duan Feng was once a disciple of the Xuanyuan Sect, and if I listen to what you said, it must be the Xuanyuan Sect's ironclad mind that wants to go against me······" Later, he was silent for a moment, and continued stupidly: "This gang of thieves kidnapped Liu Zihe, and in the future, they will definitely use this as a cover to gather the old ministers of the Han family and the gangs of the rivers and lakes to rebel against the imperial court." ”

Yun Qi saw that Wang Mang's face was anxious, and said secretly in his heart: "My father-in-law treats me like a mountain, and now that he is in danger, I should go to the soup to fight the fire." Thinking of this, he immediately said: "The last general will personally lead the elite soldiers to chase the Xuanyuan faction, if you can't get rid of Liu Zi and swear not to return to the court." ”

Wang Mang pondered for a moment and said, "No, I want to issue an edict immediately, so I say that Liu Zihe pretended to be the heir of Emperor Xiaocheng, and the imperial court has executed him." Yun Qi immediately understood and blurted out: "The saint is wise, as long as the people of the world think that Liu Zihe is dead, it will be difficult for the Xuanyuan faction to use his banner to rebel against the imperial court." Wang Mang sighed and said, "This is just an expedient measure." There are many disciples of the Xuanyuan faction, and the characters in that faction rely on the two emperors of Yan and Huang as their founding patriarchs, and all dynasties have been very courteous, and they have refused to interact with me all these years, but I have to accommodate, even if you lead the troops this time, you may not be able to defeat this gang of thieves. ”

Yun Qi clasped his hands into fists, and then knelt down and said: "The Holy Lord is relieved, the last general will definitely exterminate the Xuanyuan faction, and get rid of Liu Zihe, if he does not win, he will be willing to be a military lawyer." Wang Mang said: "Chasing and killing Liu Zi should not be made a big show, and besides, if I start a war with the Xuanyuan faction now, it seems to be disrespectful to my ancestors." If you want to exterminate this gang of thieves, you need to slow down. Yun Qi thought to himself, and arched his hand and said: "What the Holy Lord said is extremely true, one day, the end will definitely eradicate Liu Zihe and the gangs in the rivers and lakes that do not respect the orders of the imperial court. ”

Wang Mang praised when he heard this: "My son's ambition is commendable. Turning to a light snort, he continued gloomily: "Those gangs in the rivers and lakes who resist Tianwei are beyond their means, and in the future, I still need to support some forces in the rivers and lakes, and ask them to be controlled by you, help me kill Liu Zihe, and let the people in the rivers and lakes fight against each other, and the court can wait for the opportunity to move." ”

Time flies, six years have passed in a hurry, Wang Mang has already deposed the name of the Han Dynasty, and then changed the Yuan Dynasty to open the country and create the Great New Dynasty. It is said that on this day, the suburbs of Chang'an are cold and windy, snow-capped, and there is a building complex second only to the imperial city in the vast expanse, which is the Taixue that Wang Mang ordered to rebuild.

"Zhan Bi Qiao, green bamboo. There are bandit gentlemen, such as cutting and learning, such as grinding······" This catchy sound of reading came from a school in Taixue.

Inside, the stove crackled, and twenty or thirty schoolchildren, dressed in white, held the Book of Songs, babbling and reciting. At the head of the school, there was an old man with a white beard twisted in his hands, half-squinting his eyes, bowing his head slightly, and listening carefully. This old man's name is Yi Mohan, he is a generation of celebrities, he originally taught Wang Mang, and when the apprentice monopolized the government, he immediately asked for his own life and transferred to Taixue to teach.

After the schoolchildren finished reading, Yi Mohan opened his deep eyes and bowed slightly: "Well, it's okay to read." As a teacher, I want you to memorize this article a few days ago, but now you can do it?"

Yi Mohan looked around, and suddenly saw a schoolchild with a sad face, so he immediately called: "Cheng Hongchuan, you recite it again." As soon as the words fell, everyone looked towards Hong. But look at him about ten years old, the appearance is very amiable, the fire mink short jacket is quite fluffy and thick, the waist hanging half of the jade dragon pendant is just like half a goose egg, excellent workmanship, the end of the gold is hard to find, and there is also engraved with a "horse" word on it.

Cheng Hong gradually got up according to his words, and finally because his throat was tight, he couldn't help coughing lightly a few times, and said, "Master······ The disciple still won't ······" Yi Mohan said: "Then how much you know, you can memorize as much as you want, and ask me to listen." ”

"Ahh······h Green Bamboo ······ Yiyi ······ There is a ····· Gentleman ······ There are cuts, rubbing, pecking and grinding······"

"Hahaha······" The ridicule of the schoolchildren interrupted the recitation, and Hong gradually felt that what he said was wrong, and immediately smiled apologetically, and couldn't help coughing a few times.

Yi Mohan stopped everyone's ridicule, and then said to Hong gradually: "If you don't know how to pour this article, it's okay, but it's like a pastime." Hong gradually waved his two small hands and explained: "No, no. The disciple heard from others that if there is an article that he really can't remember correctly, he should first write down the words in it, but the disciple only wrote down these key points, and the others forgot ······" After speaking, he couldn't help coughing lightly a few times, and continued: "The disciple is definitely not deliberately teasing, I really don't understand the deep meaning of this article, and I hope the master can tell me about ······it."

Yi Mohan looked at this situation, couldn't help but shake his head and sighed, and said, "Why are you sick again······" As soon as the words fell, a schoolboy said: "Cheng Hongjian is still strong today." ”

Yi Mohan heard this, motioned for Hong to sit down, and then said warmly: "You are usually weak, so it is inevitable to delay your studies, and you must take good care of yourself in the future." Hong gradually apologized, and immediately replied in a low voice: "The disciple knows······ When you go back, you must memorize it carefully and not let the Master down······"

Yi Mohan nodded, and then said to the schoolchildren: "For the teacher, you are still young, and it is difficult to understand the words that are too esoteric, so as long as you are familiar with it in your heart, you will explain it when you are a little older." However, since Hong gradually asked questions, as a teacher, he would first roughly understand the essence, and when he could return to the teaching, he would understand it in detail. After that, he took a sip of tea and continued: "This article is from "Wei Feng" in the "Book of Songs", which praises the good conduct and ethics of a gentleman. Cheng Hongjian stood up respectfully and said: "Back to the master's words, listen to my father, as a gentleman, you should be humble and courteous, and you should be kind to others. ”

Yi Mohan nodded and said, "This is good, but it is not comprehensive. This article mentions that 'there are bandit gentlemen, such as cutting and learning, such as grinding', which shows that a true gentleman has a good character and can certainly withstand learning and pondering. Some people, despite their goodwill appearances, can only be counted as hypocrites. For the teacher to talk about the public case, you will understand it yourself. After speaking, he paused, and then continued: "Before Wang Mang became emperor, he personally passed on his homework for his teacher. When the Han Dynasty was not dead, although this person was in a high and powerful position, he was always humble and frugal, a corporal of courtesy and virtuous, loved the people like a son, and treated him as a teacher with great respect, and never rebelled. Cheng Hong nodded gradually, and said, "That being said, the current saint is really a gentleman. ”

Yi Mohan sighed lightly and said: "At first, everyone thought so, it was to praise the people, compare him to the Duke of Zhou in the world, and the imperial court also issued a decree to canonize him. But when Emperor Xiaoping of the Han Dynasty succeeded to the throne, Wang Mang monopolized the court, and found another reason to prevent the emperor from meeting his biological mother Wei. Wang Mang's eldest son, Wang Yu, observed this situation, and thought of the great gift of humanity, so he persuaded him many times, but unfortunately Wang Mang refused to listen. Cheng Hong gradually heard this section, and blurted out: "Wang Mang should listen to these words, how sad it must be for Emperor Xiaoping to see his mother." ”

Yi Mohan said: "This is still secondary, it is really an unauthorized act for a minister to do this." That Wang Yu knew the truth very well, so according to the words of his teacher Wu Zhang, he sent someone to sprinkle some dog blood in front of Wang Mang's mansion at night to show the meaning of God's warning. Although Wang Yu's behavior was biased, after Wang Mang found out the reason, he actually gave this son to death, killed his daughter-in-law Lu Yan, and exterminated the three clans of his family. ”

"Ah!?" Cheng Hong was shocked when he heard this, and he couldn't help but be stunned, before he continued in a trembling voice: "Why do you want to execute so many people······ They ······ It's all Wang Mang's relatives······" Yi Mohan shook his head and sighed: "There were really a lot of people who were punished by this incident back then, and Wang Mang also used this as an excuse to kill the emperor's biological mother Wei, Princess Wujing, and Liu Li, the king of Liang, and so on, with hundreds of people. Later, he couldn't help sighing, and then continued: "A true gentleman will never kill innocents indiscriminately, but today's saints were often regarded as saints in the past, and they can't stand the 'scrutiny'. ”

Now is the first three years of the founding of the Daxin Dynasty, when this tragedy occurred, all the schoolchildren were not born, and they didn't know the bloody wind and rain of the year.

That Wang Mang is the Son of Heaven, no one dares to mention this matter, Yi Mohan is an upright person, and he has a feeling today, so he can say it in all fairness, now looking at this situation, he immediately came back to his senses and said: "Today's homework is taught here, you don't want to mention this matter in the future." When the schoolchildren heard this, they agreed.

Yi Mohan came to Cheng Hongji's side, took out a delicate jade bottle from his arms and put it on the table, Cihe said: "There is the Golden Winged Dapeng Health Pill in this bottle, which is a tribute offered by the envoy of the Western Regions on the day of the Double Ninth Festival banquet. Wang Mang received thirty grains at that time, and gave eighteen of them to his teacher, and you can take them. Cheng Hong gradually couldn't help coughing lightly, and then excused himself: "No, this medicine is too expensive, and the disciple can't ask for it." ”

Yi Mohan said: "If the teacher asks you to take it, I won't need it, if this medicine really makes you healthy, the teacher will be gratified." Hongjian felt nostalgic in his heart, and thanked him in a trembling voice: "Thank you, Master." Yi Mohan said: "The messenger once mentioned that this medicine is strong, if there are no extremely serious injuries, you can only take another pill every half a month." Cheng Hong nodded gradually, and said, "The disciple will take this medicine according to the master's words." Yi Mohan bowed slightly, and said: "There will be a long vacation in a few days, you should have a good life and recuperate, but don't delay your studies." ”

In the middle of winter, it is covered in silver, which is very enchanting. Taixue students are looking forward to the long vacation, and the students who are far away from home will either gather in the house and eat steaming hot pot, or go to Chang'an City in groups of three or five to hang out. Cheng Hongji's family lives in Liyang near Chang'an, and the family lives auspicious and prosperous, and two domestic servants drive a carriage to meet each other outside the Taixue Gate. But seeing that the cart was lined up front and back by five jujube red horses, pulled together, it was very extravagant, Hong's immature face was full of joy, and his body was obviously good.

"Brother Gradually, wait for me!" Cheng Hong was about to board the car, when he suddenly heard the little girl's clear child's voice coming from behind, and he was overjoyed, and then looked back, just in time to see the little girl jumping up and down.

The little girl was eight or nine years old, and although she was dressed plainly, she could not hide her beautiful appearance, and her big eyes were sparkling, revealing a look of joy. Cheng Hong gradually raised his arms and greeted him happily: "Sister Qiaoqian!"

That little girl is Yi Mohan's granddaughter Yi Qiaoqian, Cheng Hong gradually greeted the general and asked, "Is there anything wrong with looking for me in such a hurry?" Yi Qiaoqian's big dark eyes narrowed into a slit, and said with a smile: "Brother Gradually, I heard that your family is big, but it's fun, you take me to your house to play for a few days, okay?" Cheng Hong was about to agree, and suddenly saw Yi Mohan calling loudly: "Qiaoqian······ Come back soon······"

As soon as the old master Yi said, he immediately walked over with one hand and a cane, rushed over to take his granddaughter's little hand, and said angrily: "You ghost girl, grandpa taught you the Four Books and Five Classics, but you don't like to learn, you only know how to mess around, Hong gradually wants to go back to reunite with his family, and you follow to join in the fun." ”

Yi Qiaoqian stretched out two tender little hands, took Yi Mohan's arm and swayed left and right, and said coquettishly: "Oh, grandpa, Qiaoqian beg, tell me to go and have fun." It's only our grandparents and grandchildren all these years, and you still don't accompany me, so this time you will let me go to my brother's house to see some excitement. As soon as the words fell, his little mouth pouted, and Yi Mohan couldn't help but feel sour.

Let's say that Yi Qiaoqian's parents had no children and no daughters when they were young, and they didn't get this daughter until they were middle-aged, but unfortunately this daughter was not born for a long time, and her parents both passed away, and the grandparents and grandchildren have depended on each other for many years. Fortunately, Yi Qiaoqian is lively and cheerful by nature, and she likes to be lively, which adds a bit of fun to Yi Mohan's old age.

At this moment, Cheng Hong gradually clasped his fists towards Yi Mohan and said, "Master, Qiao Qian is good with her disciple on weekdays, if she comes to my house, my family will definitely be very happy." Besides, I only took one of the Golden Winged Dapeng Fitness Pills that Master gave me a few days ago, and when I woke up the next morning, my body was completely recovered. The disciple is trying to thank the master, so you can let Sister Qiaoqian come to my house for a few days. ”

When Yi Mohan heard this, he felt a little relieved in his heart, and said: "Well, that day, the envoy of the Western Regions told everyone that this medicine was first used as a medicine guide from the blood of the golden-winged Dapeng bird in the Western Regions, which is rare in the world, and then mixed with dozens of precious medicinal materials such as Tianshan Snow Lotus and put it into the alchemy furnace, and it took 100 days to refine thirty-six small pills. The kingdom was refined every thirty years, and its envoy paid only thirty grains this time, and six grains were supposed to be left by the king. The envoy of the Western Regions also mentioned that no matter how weak a person is, he only needs to take it on time, as little as one month, or as much as three months, to become strong. In addition, this medicine also has the miraculous effect of healing wounds and poisoning. In the future, you will take this medicine according to the words of the envoy of the Western Regions, and hope that you will be able to get stronger. ”

Cheng Hong gradually felt inexplicably moved, but he was not a person who could speak kindly, and in the face of such kindness, he didn't know how to say thank you. At this moment, Yi Qiaoqian took advantage of the fact that her grandfather was talking to Cheng Hong, and secretly jumped into the luxurious carriage, and urged repeatedly: "Okay, okay! Don't chatter! Brother gradually come up quickly!"

Cheng Hong gradually replied: "Here!" and turned to Yi Mohan and said, "Master, I will take Qiaoqian to my house to play for a few days, and then I will send her back, don't worry." Yi Mohan shook his head and sighed, "This ghost girl ······" After a pause, he continued, "Go ahead." Cheng Hong gradually gave up his hand and boarded the car.