Sapphire Warriors

Not long after winter began, the fourteenth of October was getting closer and closer, which was Miyuki's birthday.It's really a coincidence that this day is also Nan Lie's birthday.As for how Sakuragi knew, it was thanks to Mitsui.

When Sakuragi and Miyuki came to the silk shop in the city that day, they were going to buy two bolts of better silk to make new clothes for the New Year. They happened to meet Mitsui, Caizi, and the baby Yu Ang.A few people chatted and chatted about the birthday. Mitsui suddenly remembered that Nan Lie's birthday also seemed to be on this day. He knew that Sakuragi had always wanted to please Nan Lie, so he agreed to go back and review the files for Sakuragi. Let him create a surprise for this future master.

It’s okay to say that you don’t know Nan Lie’s birthday, but now that you know, of course you have to plan carefully, but Sakuragi couldn’t make up his mind after thinking about it, so on this day, he saw Haruko carrying a basket to the vegetables in the morning. The market followed, thinking that the girl's thoughts are the most delicate, maybe Haruko has a good idea.

The two chatted while walking, Qingzi said to send a jug of wine, and then treat Nan Lie to have a good meal.Sakuragi felt that it was too ordinary.

Haruko said that she should give her a golden birthday peach or a golden knife.Sakuragi thought it was too cliche.

So, Qingzi came up with a plan, saying that she would invite Nan Lie to come to Tianxiang Tower for a cool night.However, it was still rejected by Sakuragi, he told Haruko that Nan Lie's visits to brothels were only for eating and never staying overnight.

This can't work, that can't work, Haruko got annoyed all of a sudden, she didn't want to come up with any more ideas.Sakuragi was helpless, and said beggingly: "You should treat it as your own birthday. What gift is the most touching?"

Haruko stopped in her tracks, had an idea, and said, "If it were me, I would hope that on my birthday, I would wake up and see that the floor has been mopped, the table has been cleared, the water has been boiled, and even the clothes have been washed. , I was most touched when someone helped me with everything.”

Sakuragi was perplexed when he heard that, did he let him sneak into Nanlie's room in the middle of the night to help him mop the floor, wipe the table, boil water, and wash clothes?

So Haruko suggested that we go to see the snow together. She said that she was born in the south of the Yangtze River and had never seen snow.Sakuragi said that he is a mortal, how can he control the snow in the old world; Haruko was right after thinking about it, and suggested that they should watch the sunset together. Doesn't the sunset make Nan Lie suspect that he has a habit of cutting off his sleeves?No no no.

Just like that, the one on the left can't do it, the one on the right can't do it, the two of them discussed for a long time, but they didn't have any idea...

Soon the birthday will come.It is said that although this day is Nan Lie's birthday, but this kind of birthday is nothing, so he didn't take this matter to heart at all, let alone mentioned it to anyone, everything was as usual.

However, he doesn't take his birthday seriously, but some people take his birthday seriously.

No, as soon as Nan Lie stepped into the yamen, he saw De Nan running over with a smiling face, and said, "Brother Nan, we must arrive early tonight to celebrate your birthday."

Then several other yamen servants also came over one after another, saying "Brother Zhu Nan: Every year has today, every year has today", "Fortune is like the East China Sea, and life is longer than Nanshan".

Nan Lie was stunned, he didn't know who leaked the news, making everyone know that this day was his birthday.When I was wondering, I saw Sakuragi running out from the inner hall, and said to him: "Master, tonight, I invited everyone to the Yipin Building to celebrate your birthday. When the snacks are served, I will prepare A show..."

Nan Lie didn't wait for him to finish, so he interrupted: "I still say the same thing, I'm not your master, and I'm not only a birthday." After finishing speaking, he left the yamen.

Nan Lie's mood suddenly became very bad after being made such a fuss by Sakuragi. Firstly, the incident of his birthday reminded him of those unpleasant memories ten years ago. Secondly, what happened just now made him look like a unreasonable.Therefore, Nan Lie, who was extremely depressed, had to go back to Yushifu.

After returning to Yushi Mansion, he felt thirsty, but as soon as he entered the kitchen, he saw a large plate of red eggs and Xiaolian who was kneading dough for birthday buns.

For a moment, he felt that he was a dumb man who ate Coptis chinensis, and he couldn't tell what he was suffering. He didn't understand why the birthday he was least willing to mention was now known to everyone. Just when he was bored, Fujima walked in.

Seeing him, Fujima casually asked, "Are you hungry? What do you want to eat?"

"No, I'm here to pour water." Nan Lie replied.

So Tengzhen nodded and reminded: "You pour the water back, don't break the birthday bag. Xiaolian will give it away soon."

Only then did Nan Lie know that the red eggs on the table and the birthday bag Xiaolian was making were for Michelle, and it turned out that today is also Michelle's birthday.Nan Lie suddenly showed a helpless smile for his self-indulgence...

That night, Miyuki's birthday was still very lively. Mitsui, Ayako, Sakuragi, Haruko, Fujima and a few friends who usually communicated with each other all went. Except for one person, that was Nan Lie. It wasn't that he deliberately didn't give Miyuki face. , but he had just beheaded a prisoner in the afternoon, and was afraid of meeting his birthday, so he didn't attend.

During the banquet, Mitsui explained the reasons why Nan Lie didn't want to celebrate his birthday.

Only then did Fujima know that today is also Nan Lie's birthday. It turns out that Nan Lie has such a past. It turns out that every time he comes to Miyuki's place, he is not gentle, but eats rice with his head covered.This made Teng Zhenxin feel a little moved...

It was rare for everyone to get together, so it was inevitable that it was a bit late, so when Fujima returned to the Yushi Mansion, it was almost Haishi, but he saw Nan Lie sitting alone in the kitchen, with the candles flickering and dimmed. Head to eat rice.At that moment, Teng Zhen felt a pain in his heart, so he walked into the kitchen, ordered a bowl of noodles, and said to Nan Lie while ordering, "Let's eat a bowl of noodles, longevity noodles."

Nan Lie stood up and said, "I don't celebrate my birthday."

"Who said it was for your birthday. This bowl of noodles is for your mother. She was pregnant in October and endured hardships. It was not easy to raise you. She is not here now. As a son, sit down and eat a bowl of noodles for her."

Nan Lie was stunned for a moment. He wanted to refute, but he couldn't find a suitable reason.

Seeing him standing there in a daze, Tengzhen continued: "Are you really so unfilial that you have to think for a long time to eat a bowl of noodles for your mother?"

After all, Nan Lie couldn't hold back Fujima, so he compromised and said, "Okay."

After a while, the noodles came out of the pan.

Seeing Nan Lie eating delicious noodles, Teng Zhen smiled, he quietly peeled a red egg and threw it into Nan Lie's noodle bowl...

At this time, there was a "bang" outside the house, and Fujima looked up and found that there was a fire in the sky, so he got up and went to the yard, only then did he know that someone had set off fireworks outside.

He immediately turned around and said, "Nan Lie, someone is setting off fireworks."

Although Shanghe City is very prosperous, fireworks are rare after all, so Fuji really stood in the yard with great interest and watched the fireworks.

The streets are long, the fireworks are numerous, you look up;

The short pavilion is short, the world of mortals is rolling, I sigh with a smile;

Nan Lie walked to the door, looked at Tengzhen's back and showed a happy smile...

As for why there are fireworks blooming this night, of course it is not a coincidence, it is a gift from Sakuragi...

Since the Yellow River flood broke out, Xiandao has been very concerned about the disaster.

In the past few days, according to reports from officials on the frontline of the disaster relief, the flood season of the Yellow River has eased, the flood has gradually receded, and the disaster situation of the people along the coast has been brought under control. .

In fact, since the founding of Daqi, there have been frequent natural disasters. Therefore, after Xiandao became the throne, he focused on allocating funds and diligently managing water conservancy, and did not neglect the embankment and dredging projects.But this time when the flood came, it was as fast as a strong wind, and the dykes along the coast could not relieve it at all. This made him very puzzled. Therefore, on this day, he summoned Anxi Guangyi to hear his opinion.

Unexpectedly, Anxi said to him: "Although the flooding of the Yellow River is a natural disaster, but the seriousness of the disaster is really a man-made disaster."

It turned out that the progress of the river harnessing project was slow and repeatedly delayed, and most of the dams were not completed on time. The reason for this was that some people used power for personal gain and filled their pockets, which caused delays in the project and harmed the people.

"Who is so bold?" Xiandao asked.

"Prime Minister is very strong!" Anxi bowed.

Xiandao was taken aback. It stands to reason that Gao Touli was an important minister of the imperial court and ranked among the top three. When the late emperor was in power, he was conscientious. Why would he do such an outrageous thing now?Immortals don't know why, but no matter what, the first thing to do now is to find out the leaks in the water conservancy accounts, and investigate the corruption of the party.So Xiandao stood up and said to the cross-country beside him, "Show the Ministry of Industry!"

After a while, Xiandao and Anxi came to the Ministry of Industry together. After Dao explained his intentions, he saw the Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Ikegami Ryo, hesitating, saying that the construction manual was not in the Ministry of Industry.

Immortal Dao was furious, and was about to order him to be dismissed for investigation, when Gao Touli walked in, bowed and said, "Here is the booklet, Your Majesty, please have a look."

Seeing this, Anxi immediately pointed out: "Why is the account book in the hands of the prime minister?"

A sly smile appeared on the corner of Gao Touli's mouth, saying that after taking it home and checking it carefully, he failed to return it to the Ministry of Industry in time, so he made things difficult for Minister of the Ministry of Industry Ikegami.

Gao Tou's timely appearance is really puzzling, as if he already knew that Xiandao would come to the Ministry of Industry to check the accounts.

After Xiandao explained the reason for checking the accounts to him, he took the account book and sat on the seat of the minister of the Ministry of Industry to read it slowly.However, after searching carefully for a while, I couldn't find any clues. The entire account is very clear and clear. From the day when the construction started, it recorded the details of the project, the cost after closing, labor costs, material costs, and even All the money spent in offering sacrifices to the river god is recorded one by one.

At this time, Gao Tou said: "The old minister strictly ordered the Ministry of Industry to detail the accounts from the very beginning, so that they will be clear at a glance on the day of inspection, so as to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings." Having said this, Gao Tou deliberately took a look at Anxi Guangyi.

So Anxi asked: "Since the accounts are correct, how dare I ask Mr. Gao, why the project is delayed?"

"The delay in progress is due to the increase in construction materials, the wages of craftsmen, and the insufficient funds allocated by the imperial court, resulting in delays in the project." Gao Touli replied calmly.

Anxi also said: "The imperial court has reserved some allowances, which should be enough."

Gaotou replied: "The prince has lived in the palace for a long time, and the real situation of the people is inevitably unknown. The prices of folk materials and materials are extraordinary. They must be used by the people for their own use, and they must be handed over to the central government. Why is it surprising that the balance of the appropriation cannot keep up with the increase?"

At this time, Xiandao asked: "If the price rises again, the dam will not be completed in time, and the Yellow River will burst its embankment again next year, won't there be another famine and the loss of life?"

"So now, the old minister thinks that the emperor must allocate more funds to solve the urgent need." Gao Tou took advantage of the situation and bowed.

"One account is not cleared, and another account is raised. Is it really going to drain the treasury?" Anxi asked.

Gao Tou replied: "Your Majesty's holiness and blessings are endless, and the dike repairs will be completed as soon as possible, so that the people can work hard to accumulate grain and the treasury will be filled. It's just around the corner."

Anxi didn't take it seriously, and directly bowed to Xiandao: "Your Majesty, according to what I see, it's better to check the accounts of the Ministry of Industry from the beginning. The old minister is willing to check day and night..."

Before Anxi finished speaking, Gao Tou immediately interrupted: "Your Majesty, the construction manual has listed all the expenditures, and every detail is accurate. I hope the Emperor will make a decision."

Seeing that the two men were at war, Xiandao immediately stopped and said, "You and your family don't need to argue, it's really difficult to allocate funds again."

Immediately, Xiandao said, "It's an urgent matter, so we have to act expediently. The old minister thinks that the world is peaceful now. Can you consider temporarily transferring military expenses?"

"The soldiers and horses of the imperial court are the foundational pillars of the country, how can military expenses be messed with!?" A cold voice sounded outside the door, and then a thin figure walked into the hall. It turned out that it was Rukawa Feng who had returned triumphantly from the border.

Because Rukawa quickly repelled the Loulan people who harassed the border, he returned to the capital within three months. However, he was told that Xiandao had come to the Ministry of Industry when he arrived at the gate of the Xuanzheng Palace, so he rushed here immediately. He heard that someone had the guts to suggest to Xiandao that he wanted to use his military expenses, so he wanted to see who it was.At this moment, he saw that he was a high-ranking man, so there was an imperceptible smile on the corner of his mouth, and he bowed to Xiandao and said: "Your Majesty, the use of military expenditure may only affect the morale of the army and shake the foundation of the country. Moreover, once this example is opened, if other people in the future Whenever a minister encounters any problem, he always proposes to use military expenses to solve it, wouldn't there be endless troubles?"

As soon as Xiandao heard it, he said to Gao Tou: "What Da Sima said is very true. Besides, even if I am willing, the Ministry of War and other ministers in the court will strongly oppose it."

Unexpectedly, Gao Tou immediately stated that he could first negotiate with the Minister of the Ministry of War, and then go to the barracks to explain the difficulties of the court, hope that they can overcome the difficulties together, and relieve the doubts of the soldiers.

Rukawa couldn't help but sneered: "The Prime Minister is so powerful!"

Gao Tou immediately explained: "The old minister only hopes to convince the public with virtue, not to oppress with power."

This is the end of the matter, and Xiandao can't say anything more. Whether it is public or private, Gaotou is obliged to handle this matter well. Since he now expresses his confidence that he can handle it well, it is naturally the best, so Xiandao nodded in agreement... …

After the meeting ended, Anxi and Gao Tou naturally went back home.

Rukawa glanced at Xiandao, knowing that he would not be in a good mood after Gao Touli made such a fuss, so he suggested to him to go hunting together tomorrow to relieve boredom, and Xiandao immediately agreed.

After Xiandao drove back to the palace, Rukawa left the Ministry of Industry, and happened to meet Anxi and Gaotou again on the way back to Fengya Hall, so he walked over in three steps in two steps...

At this moment, Anxi and Gao Tou are arguing about something——

Gao Tou said: "Just now the emperor has looked through the records made by the Ministry of Industry. The accounts are clear and impeccable. It seems that the prince has too many worries about this official."

Anxi said: "Construction costs and materials, and craftsmen's salaries may indeed have been raised, but they will never be so high. I am afraid that some people in the DPRK and China are united in an attempt to conceal the truth."

Now Gao Tou was annoyed, and said: "I have a clear conscience, if the prince finds evidence, just go to the emperor to participate in the performance, otherwise, I will not be able to accompany you!" After finishing speaking, he left angrily.

Rukawa saw that he was gone, so he stepped forward to Anxi's side, bowed and said, "Master."

Unexpectedly, when Anxi saw him, he deliberately looked straight ahead, and said indifferently: "How can I, this king, dare to pretend to be master in front of Da Sima?"

"A teacher for one day, a father for life, Feng'er just wanted to tell Master that Feng'er fulfilled her mission and achieved a great victory at the frontier." Rukawa's tone was extremely humble, but Anxi still couldn't be moved.

Anxi glanced at him, and said: "Since you are back, please assist the emperor well." Yes, Anxi used "assistant" instead of "serve", because he never recognized Rukawa's divorce. by backslidden affections.

After Anxi finished speaking, he left, without the slightest concern in his words, as cold as a stranger, making Rukawa's heart ache at this moment!He understands that the master-student relationship between them has long been irretrievable...

Besides, why Gao Touli arrived at the Ministry of Industry in such a timely manner, it also depends on Queen Aida Yayoi.

It turned out that an hour ago, Yayoi learned that Xiandao wanted to go to the Ministry of Industry to investigate the account books.So on the pretext of being sympathetic to his subordinates, he sent someone to send a stove to Gao Tou's house.

Who is the tall head?It was the spirit of a thousand-year-old fox, and as soon as he saw the stove, he understood what the queen meant, so he immediately took the booklet to the Ministry of Industry, and only then did the good show just happen.So afterwards, he hurried to the Imperial Garden to thank the Empress for her "great kindness".

In fact, within these four red walls, no one is necessarily smarter than anyone else, and no one is necessarily stupid than anyone else.If you want to say why Yayoi wants to help Gaotou, it is also because there is a need for him.

Yayoi's family had a younger brother named Hikoichi Aida, who was just in his youth and fledgling.Yayoi found out that a minister from the official department resigned and returned to his hometown, so he wanted to arrange his younger brother as an errand in the official department, so he approached the high-ranking official.

After coming and going, Yayoi gained a helper and a protégé. There are no absolute friends or absolute enemies. The court and the harem have always only benefited each other to share a win-win situation.

The next day, Rukawa and Xiandao both wore military uniforms and came to the outskirts on horseback. After retreating from their entourage, Xiandao looked around and saw that the environment here was quiet and the air was fresh, so he took a deep breath of air, and then slowly exhaled. Immediately feeling refreshed, he said to Rukawa: "Feng'er knows me best, and I really haven't come out to hunt for a long time."

"The emperor is a majestic man with great talent and great strategy. He manages a lot of things every day. Recently, he has been worrying about water conservancy. It is really useless for Feng'er to share his worries for the emperor." Rukawa replied humbly.

Talking about water conservancy brought back the pain of Immortal Dao. As the Ninth Five-Year Master, he was not afraid of forgetting to eat and sleep, and being tired all day long, but because he was afraid of doing everything with his heart, but he was powerless.

Fortunately, Rukawa comforted him: "Feng'er has confidence in the emperor, given time, the emperor will be able to overcome all difficulties, and everything will go smoothly, as easy as flipping one's palm."

After hearing this, Xiandao's mood immediately improved a lot, and he asked: "Feng'er is serious?"

Rukawa nodded: "Well, let's go hunting today, let's stretch our muscles and show our skills." After speaking, he rode his horse and ran to the front of Xiandao.He is not presumptuous, but he knows that Xiandao likes to look at his figure the most.As for why, we have to start from their childhood...

When Xiandao was 7 years old, he suffered from a serious illness, and the imperial physicians in the palace were helpless. In the end, his father had to invite a shaman.The shaman said: "The crown prince's illness persisted for a long time because he didn't find a suitable carrier to carry the evil."

In this way, Rukawa came to Xiandao's side, and his identity was his scapegoat.

But it is also a miracle. Since then, Xiandao has slowly recovered. In order to thank Rukawa, he ordered Rukawa to go to the study as the prince, asking Rukawa to study with him, and asked Anxi Guangyi, the king of northern Hunan, to teach Rukawa martial arts in person.In this way, Rukawa finally had the foundation to settle down.The initial friendship between the two was established in this "yellow scroll facing the green lantern, with the delicate shadow beside".In front of people, they still treat each other with the courtesy of master and servant, but in private, their relationship is better than that of brothers.Xiandao called Rukawa "Feng'er", but Rukawa didn't want to call Xiandao "brother" because he had other thoughts about Xiandao.

The good times didn't last long, and later, the first emperor died, and King Cheng launched a mutiny, committing a rebellion.

In those days of fear, sleep and food, trembling, and night and night, Rukawa and Xiandao depended on each other for life, and they never left.Fortunately, in the end his master Anxi Guangyi led the army to quell the turmoil.

Rukawa always thought that when Xiandao ascended the throne, it would be his day of success, but he didn't know that there was still a play of the Empress Dowager assisting the government and supervising the country waiting for him and Xiandao.

Under the coercion of the Empress Dowager, he watched the love of his life marry Aida Yayoi. At that moment, he was resentful, he hated, and most of all, he was sad.That night, he drank a lot of alcohol, for no reason, he just wanted to let himself be intoxicated under the catalysis of alcohol.Vaguely, he saw the figure of Xiandao appearing in front of his eyes, and made a vow to him that "you will live up to this life".Afterwards, they handed over each other's body and mind, and their souls and flesh merged together. He understood that he, and only him, was the only trustworthy person in the immortal way in this treacherous palace wall.

Day by day will pass like years, and finally he will be in charge of Xiandao. When Rukawa thought he could do something, he was repeatedly blocked by the empress dowager.However, Huangtian paid off. When Loulan's army approached the city, and the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty were like rats, he resolutely put on the military uniform and killed the enemy before the battle, making great achievements in battle.So Xiandao took the opportunity to fight against all opinions, and decreed to confer him the title of Great Sima, to take over the power of soldiers and horses in the world.

All the past, floating in front of his eyes, he is relieved that his beloved has long been in power, and is no longer the puppet emperor who was held in the hands of the empress dowager, and he has finally guarded the clouds to see the moon, no longer the That rootless duckweed...

"Feng'er, look."

With a cry from Xiandao, Rukawa was pulled out of his memories, and following the direction his whip was pointing, Rukawa saw a white rabbit squatting there.

Xiandao didn't wait for Rukawa's reply, he put away his whip, put up his bow, put up his arrow, and with a sound of "嗖——", he shot the white rabbit.

Immortal Dao was excited, and immediately put away his bow and arrow, and was about to go forward. At this time, his war horse seemed to be frightened, and rushed forward crazily. He fell off his horse and passed out...