Luoyang City.

The first day of the first month.

It's a new year again, except for the old year, and the new one.

After ten years of war, the people finally breathed a sigh of relief, and they celebrated in the streets, and the city was full of dancing people. The princes and warlords of the whole world stopped fighting one after another and poured into Luoyang City, and even the Western Chu and Northern Zhou, which had always been at odds with the Ming Dynasty, also sent envoys to celebrate Zhao Lanjiang, which should not be the enthronement ceremony of the new emperor Zhu Yi.

The imperial court had long issued a decree that Chinese New Year's Eve would be lifted on Shangyuan Festival, and the curfew would be lifted and the city would celebrate together within 15 days.

Early in the morning, the gates opened.

Countless people from the nearby state capital also came to Luoyang to witness this historical moment when the new emperor ascended the throne. In the crowd, there are two middle-aged men, one is full of silver hair, chic and dignified, looking like Pan An, the first beautiful man in Luoyang, compared with them are inferior by three points, the other is not as good as the former, but also looks dignified, as soon as the two enter the city, they attract everyone's attention in the East Market. Even the ladies in Chunfeng Lou gave up their business of soliciting customers, and the silver-haired man threw away the embroidered handkerchief.

These two people are Xiao Jinyan and Li Chengcheng.

They mingled with the first crowd to enter the city in the early morning.

The streets and alleys are full of traffic.

Xiao Jinyan looked at these smiling people and couldn't help but sigh, "No matter how bloody the means of seizing the world are, the people don't care about the struggle of the magnates, all they want is peace." If you were going to hand him a sword, would you ever think that they would be caught up in a new round of war?"

Li Chengcheng said: "That guy deployed more than 100,000 soldiers and horses in the four neighboring prefectures of Dingzhou, and he almost gave an order to slaughter the city in Dingzhou again." He won the world, and ruined the entire rivers and lakes, this world, that guy can do whatever he wants, and you still speak for him?"

Xiao Jinyan sighed.

I came to Dingzhou, not for Zhao Lanjiang, but for 100,000 people in Dingzhou, and for you.

But he didn't say it explicitly.

Everyone knows that Zhao Lanjiang was born in Dingzhou.

But this city is not within the territory of the new Ming Dynasty, and it will not be tolerated by any emperor.

Xiao Jinyan asked, "Do you have to fight to the death?"

Li Chengcheng said lightly: "I only have one sword, if he can take this sword, I will never enter the rivers and lakes." ”

Today's Li Chengcheng has a clear sword heart, no sword in his hand, and no sword in his heart, but ten years of seclusion in the Great Snow Mountain made him realize the purest sword intent between heaven and earth.

How can a mortal be able to catch a sword from a white-clothed sword god?

Even if the dragon among people, Zhao Lanjiang, the king of the golden sword, may not be completely sure.

......

The enthronement ceremony was scheduled for three o'clock in the afternoon.

According to the regulations, after receiving the heavenly grant, Zhao Lanjiang ascended to the head of the palace and accepted the worship of 10,000 people in the square. This is the idea that Chai Gongwang came up with, what could be more exciting than standing on the highest place in Luoyang after seizing the country, looking down on the world and surrendering?

The two walked in the direction of the inner city.

A group of officers and soldiers escorted a carriage to this direction, and they were also among the nobles who went to the palace to attend the enthronement ceremony.

After the people saw the logo of the Western Chu royal family engraved on the body, they gave way one after another, lest they avoid it. Now that Western Chu has a close relationship with the Ming court, if there is a conflict with the nobles in the carriage, no one can afford this crime. Xiao Jinyan and Li Chengcheng didn't let them cause trouble, and they also let go of the way on both sides.

The carriage stopped in front of the two men.

The captain of the first guard stepped forward and said, "Which one is Xiao Jinyan and Xiao Daxia?"

Xiao Jinyan said: "I am." ”

The captain of the guard said, "Our master has invited the car to talk." ”

On the carriage, a corner of the curtain was lifted.

Li Chengcheng said, "What, do you want to meet your little lover for a while? ”

Xiao Jinyan didn't have a good air, "The dog's mouth can't spit out ivory." ”

He arched his hand to the captain of the guard and said, "Thank you for your love, just say to your master, I will never forget that night on the prairie, I heard the most beautiful song in the world." ”

The captain of the guard was stunned for a moment, but he didn't force it, and went back to resume his life.

There was a sigh from inside the car.

The carriage continued on its way, disappearing from the sight of the two.

Now the Crescent Moon Spring is already the regent of Western Chu, and his son, who is less than six years old, is just a puppet in her hands. It is said that when the Western Chu royal family was in turmoil, Li Xian suddenly died violently, and the one in the car, as well as the king of Yinyang, Zhao Lanjiang, was inseparable, of course, it was just chasing the wind and catching shadows, but in the past ten years, Western Chu and Yinyang lived in peace and had frequent trade, which provided a lot of help for Zhao Lanjiang to seize the Central Plains.

The Spring of the Crescent Moon is no longer the ignorant girl who was in love with the beginning of her love.

Xiao Jinyan is not an unruly prodigal son.

It is better to forget each other in the rivers and lakes.

The inner city is in sight.

Due to the limited space, the square can only accommodate 10,000 people. Many common people, squires, and prominent people entered the inner city with invitations issued by the imperial court, and these people were carefully selected by the imperial court, either rich or noble. Xiao Jinyan and Li Chengcheng were stopped at the gate of the inner city.

The guard said, "No one is allowed to enter without an invitation." Who knows if you're assassins with bad intentions?"

The two of them were hesitating to find a secluded place to climb over the wall when a general in armor came to the inner door and said, "Let them in!"

The person who came was really Su Zhengyuan.

I haven't seen him for ten years, and his figure is still bloated, but as one of the five tiger generals, the kind of coercion he brings out is better than before.

Nourish the body, transfer and nourish the qi.

Changes in status and environment can indeed change a person's temperament.

Who would have thought that more than ten years ago, he was just a small catcher in Suzhou City, trying his best to make money, and fighting with the people's congress for a few taels of silver, and now he has become the hottest celebrity under the new emperor, a general who commands 100,000 soldiers and horses?

The guard said, "Marshal Su, these two people are no longer invited, and their identities are suspicious. ”

Su Zhengyuan sneered, "If there is any accident, count it on my head." ”

Where did the guards dare to contradict, and hurriedly let them go.

Xiao Jinyan and Li Chengcheng followed Su Zhengyuan into the inner city.

Xiao Jinyan said, "General Su, what a big faction." ”

Su Zhengyuan was silent and did not answer.

Xiao Jinyan realized that he was no longer the Su Zhengyuan he was back then.

Su Zhengyuan led the two to a secluded place and said, "I don't know the purpose of your coming here, and I don't want to ask." But what I tell you is that as soon as you enter the city, you will be targeted by the people of Bim. I hope you can honestly attend the ceremony and then leave peacefully. ”

Li Chengcheng suddenly asked, "This."

Is that what you mean, or what Zhao Lanjiang means?"

Su Zhengyuan said: "Is there a difference?"

Although he didn't say it explicitly, Zhao Lanjiang was Su Zhengyuan's boss, and with his cautious style, he definitely wouldn't risk being impeached, so he came to warn the two. The only feasible explanation is that Zhao Lanjiang passed the word to the two through Su Zhengyuan, after all, they knew each other back then.

Li Chengcheng said: "Of course there is a difference. ”

Su Zhengyuan said: "Half a month ago, Lu Liangce and Chu Xiang went to Dingzhou. ”

After Li Bufan's death, Lu Liangce is now the number one ruthless general in the world, and everywhere he goes, there is not a single grass. Prince Xiang's soldiers and horses in Stone City are not idle people, he went together, one is to carry out Zhao Lanjiang's orders, and the other is to avoid the people of the Western Chu royal family, so as not to conflict with them, after all, Zhao Lanjiang promised Prince Xiang that one day, he will help him send troops to regain the imperial power of Chu.

Two of the five tiger generals went to Dingzhou, naturally not for sightseeing.

Li Chengcheng frowned, "Are you threatening us?"

Su Zhengyuan said, "Who in the world can threaten you? ”

Xiao Jinyan was also angry in his heart.

However, Su Zhengyuan's next words moved them.

"Since the catastrophe of the Heavenly Dao, wars and disputes have continued, the people have been displaced, the prince can't bear to sit idly by, so he sent troops to seize the world, if today is unified, the troubled times will end, can you two bear to let the war restart, so that the people of the world continue to fall into turmoil? Although Zhao Lanjiang took advantage of the two of you, this was his helpless move, and he regretted it. ”

He added, "These are the exact words of Your Majesty. ”

Su Zhengyuan kept changing Zhao Lanjiang's name, and it was obvious that he also had no bottom on persuasion in his heart. However, this was a task assigned by Zhao Lanjiang, and he had to do it. After all, among all the people in the court, his identity is the most suitable.

"Regret?" Li Tingcheng sneered, "I'm afraid I'm proud." ”

Su Zhengyuan said: "I'm just responsible for conveying, I believe you two will make the right choice." ”

In the inner city, ten cannons rang out.

The bells and drums are ringing in unison.

Obviously, the enthronement ceremony has officially begun.

While they were talking, Zhao Lanjiang had already received the power of heaven in the palace and officially changed his name to Zhu Yi. Since then, the three characters of Zhao Lanjiang will become history. And the new owner of this big tomorrow, surnamed Zhu, is named Yi.

Su Zhengyuan said: "You have two moments to make a decision. ”

Xiao Jinyan struggled inwardly.

Once Li Chengcheng makes a move, no matter whether he wins or loses, the two sides will officially tear their faces, and the 200,000 troops outside Dingzhou will definitely enter the city.

Li Chengcheng looked at Xiao Jinyan, couldn't bear him to be so entangled, and said lightly: "I have made a decision." General Su, lead the way, let's go and pay a visit to the new master of this world, our Emperor Ming. ”

Su Zhengyuan didn't get a positive answer, his back was covered with sweat, and he led them into the square.

The drums beat loudly.

The civil and military ministers marched out of the palace in a procession and came to the palace walls.

Inside the square, there was the sound of a tsunami roaring from the mountains.

At this time, a eunuch stood at the head of the city wall and read the edict of succession.

Every time a sentence was read, a group of loud eunuchs repeated it in the square, ensuring that the edict of the Mandate of Heaven reached every corner of the square. After a stick of incense, after reading the edict, the eunuch opened his throat and shouted: "The Son of Heaven has arrived!"

Zhao Lanjiang, who was wearing a five-clawed nine-dragon robe and an imperial crown, appeared above the city.

Drums and cannons rang out.

"Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

On the square, 10,000 people knelt on the ground one after another, kowtowing and shouting: "Long live my emperor, long live, long live!"

Dominate the world, set the country, and enjoy the worship of 10,000 people.

Zhao Lanjiang's life has reached its peak.

And at this moment, in the square, there was a very discordant scene.

Everyone knelt on the ground, except for two people, who were like rocks, standing in the middle, without any evasion, frowning, and looking straight at Zhao Lanjiang above the imperial city.

Xiao Jinyan.

Li Chengcheng.

They didn't kneel, they didn't need to kneel.

Seeing this, Chai Gongwang, who arranged the enthronement ceremony, said that he wanted something bad to do, and he was so anxious that he was in a hurry.

And General Jin Wuwei, who is in charge of the security of Zhao Lanjiang, does not know Xiao and Li, today's prosperous world, the power of the Son of Heaven, no one is allowed to provoke and question, but these two people do not pay attention to it at all, he loudly reprimanded, "Come on, arrest these two guys who don't know whether they are dead or alive, and put them in prison!"

Everyone in the square didn't know why, looking at the two of them, they wondered, these two people ate the bear's heart and leopard gall, and they didn't want to die?

Su Zhengyuan looked dazed, he knew that the task given to him by Zhao Lanjiang was a failure.

Zhao Lanjiang waved his hand, "No need." ”

General Jin Wuwei looked dazed, the majesty of the Son of Heaven was provoked, but His Majesty said that he would not pursue it, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion, the emperor's grace was vast.

Zhao Lanjiang looked at the people in the arena and said: "The world has been suffering for a long time, today I have become a new treasure, and I have regained this country, relying on the will of heaven, the will of the people, and the generals who were born and died with me, and ......" Speaking of this, he paused and looked at the two people in the field, "My two brothers." ”

Brothers?

Who dares to call the Son of Heaven a brother?

Even King Yu didn't dare to say that.

But these words came out of Zhao Lanjiang's mouth.

Needless to say, it is the two masters in front of you who are not afraid of the sky and the earth.

When they looked at Xiao and Li again, their eyes had changed.

Zhao Lanjiang said again: "Over the years, I have fought in the south and the north, and I have made great achievements, and I have never failed anyone, but these two brothers are ashamed of them!"

Whether it was the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty or the people in the field, when they heard these words, they did not calm down.

When the Son of Heaven ascended the throne, on the first day of his ascension to the throne, under the provocation and questioning, in front of hundreds of officials in the world and in front of the people, he personally admitted his mistakes?

This is the first time since Pangu opened the world!

Xiao Jinyan looked at Li Chengcheng, "What do you think?"

Li Chengcheng said: "One word, true or false." ”

Xiao Jinyan crossed his fingers, calculating whether it was true or false, or two words, but it didn't matter, whether it was true or false, these words came out of Zhao Lanjiang's mouth, and it was true.

Zhao Lanjiang said again, "I know that these two people are here to kill me. ”

The crowd was in an uproar.

The two of them broke into Luoyang alone, in order to challenge the imperial power in full view of everyone, were they impatient?

？

Zhao Lanjiang said: "Li Chengcheng, I will meet your challenge in front of all the people!"

Lose your marbles!

These two are crazy, and Your Majesty is crazy too!

Although His Majesty's sword skills are invincible in the world, a gentleman does not stand a dangerous wall, let alone a son of heaven?

Zhao Lanjiang said loudly: "Take the golden knife and clear the field!"

As soon as the holy decree came out, Chai Gongwang sighed and ordered Jin Wuwei to drive the palace eunuchs and civil and military officials in the palace to the square. Zhao Lanjiang took the golden knife, jumped down from the imperial city, and came to the Taiji Palace.

The gate opened, and hundreds of civil and military officials lined up.

Li Chengcheng slowly walked towards the palace.

The crowd consciously parted to the sides and made a way.

Xiao Jinyan sighed and walked in.

In front of the gate of the city, Xiao Jinyan suddenly saw a person, it was the one from Xiaosheng Jianghu who was waving at him.

"Xiao Daxia, you promised me that no matter whether this battle is won or lost, I want to get first-hand materials. ”

Xiao Jinyan beckoned to him, "You, come in." ”

When the rivers and lakes heard the news, they were flattered, and they looked incredulous, "Really?"

Xiao Jinyan smiled, "Who dares to stop you?"

The rivers and lakes walked in according to their words, and sure enough, Jin Wuwei did not stop him.

......

Palace.

One table, one few, three glasses of wine.

Zhao Lanjiang put the wine on the table and said to the two: "Lao Tzu also gave face, but he is also the emperor, Li'er has to leave a few points, right?"

Li Chengcheng was silent.

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward and sniffed, "Good wine." ”

Zhao Lanjiang said: "Authentic Yinyang Chishui wine, your mother-in-law made it herself, you have to like it, send you a car, no, send someone to send your mother-in-law to Dingzhou." ”

Xiao Jinyan drank it all, and the bitterness was sweet.

It's still the original recipe, it's still the same taste.

He glanced at Li Chengcheng.

"Quit drinking. ”

Zhao Lanjiang said, "Lao Tzu has not drunk for ten years, if I am still a brother, I will drink this cup." ”

The rivers and lakes looked confused, wasn't it a battle between the golden sword and the sword god, why did you discuss drinking here?

Li Chengcheng said: "Don't drink." ”

Zhao Lanjiang sank his face, "Old Xiao, you help me persuade him." Don't forget, outside Dingzhou City, there is still Lao Tzu's 200,000 army. ”

As soon as these words came out, Xiao Jinyan's face also became very embarrassed.

Li Chengcheng sneered, "Both soft and hard are used, which is worthy of the emperor's mental technique." ”

Zhao Lanjiang said, "I'm doing it for your good." ”

"Keep saying that it is for your brother, but in fact it is for yourself, Zhao Lanjiang, you might as well admit it generously, so as not to make me look down on you. ”

Zhao Lanjiang let out a long laugh, "Li Qingcheng, do you really think that Lao Tzu is afraid of you?"

"Are you ready to take my sword?"

Xiao Jinyan suddenly said: "You moved the Hidden Yang Great Array to Luoyang?"

Zhao Lanjiang did not deny it, otherwise, without being completely sure, he would not have introduced the two into the palace.

Li Chengcheng said: "So what? Zhao Lanjiang, draw your sword." ”

"Where's your sword?"

"I don't need a sword anymore. ”

The atmosphere suddenly condensed.

It's like last night's snow.

The rivers and lakes approached Xiao Jinyan, "Is this about to start?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "If I were you, I would hide farther away, farther away." ”

"That's not good, if I don't see this earth-shattering battle in my eyes, how can I write for Xiaosheng Jianghu in the future?"

Xiao Jinyan said: "You can make it up." Everyone knows that you are the one who witnessed this battle with your own eyes, I don't say it, Zhao Lanjiang doesn't say it, Li Chengcheng doesn't say it, everyone can only believe you. ”

When the rivers and lakes heard the wind, it was also this reason, and they retreated to the door.

Xiao Jinyan came to him, pulled him, walked out of the palace, and closed the city gate with his hand.

Square.

Hundreds of civil and military officials, military and civilian people, are all waiting for the results of this battle.

One is the famous True Dragon Son.

One is a white-clothed sword god who moves the rivers and lakes.

The battle between the two great masters outside the Three Realms, no matter whether they win or lose, will surely go down in history.

An hour passed, and there was no movement in the palace.

Jianghu was a little impatient and asked, "How is it?

Xiao Jinyan said: "Wait." ”

As soon as the words fell, there was a thunderclap in the palace.

Like a thunderbolt on a sunny day, it shook everyone to the eardrums.

Jianghu asked, "How's it going?"

Xiao Jinyan said: "There is a result." ”

Jianghu Caifeng asked, "Shouldn't you fight for three or four hundred rounds, how can it be better than the one in Kaifeng Mansion?"

Xiao Jinyan said: "They are all outside the Three Realms, only one round is enough to distinguish the winner and loser, and the action is only limited to their own law space, otherwise, not to mention this palace, half of the people in Luoyang City will have to bury them." ”

The rivers and lakes are smacking.

"Who wins and who loses?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "See for yourself." ”

The palace doors opened.

Li Chengcheng walked out slowly, blood running down the corners of his mouth, obviously seriously injured.

He said to Xiao Jinyan, "I didn't lose. ”

Of course he didn't lose, how could the white-clothed sword god lose?

After that, in full view of everyone, he left Luoyang City without looking back.

Xiao Jinyan and the rivers and lakes walked into the palace.

Zhao Lanjiang was on the ground with a golden knife, his chest collapsed, and his injuries were extremely serious, but Xiao Jinyan knew that his life was fine.

Zhao Lanjiang looked at Xiao Jinyan and said, "I am worthy of being the number one sword god, I am not as good as him." ”

"I'm curious, how could he let you go?"

Zhao Baojiang said: "Because of you, Xiao Jinyan." In terms of martial arts, I am not as good as Li Chengcheng, in terms of character, and protecting the common people, I am not as good as you. You are the heroes you deserve. I promised him that the Ming army would never be allowed to enter Dingzhou for half a step. ”

After saying that, Zhao Lanjiang staggered up, came to the front, picked up the wine glass, and drank the only remaining cup of Chishui wine.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the table.

The second glass of wine has bottomed out.

Li Chengcheng finally drank the glass of wine.

Perhaps, this is the best ending.

(End of book)