See Jiangshan

The last time Cheng Qianren and Gu Xuejiang met was in the Fo Guang Shan Ci'en Temple.They were surrounded by heavy siege and fought side by side. At that time, Gu Xuejiang was still dressed as a young man in purple, protecting Lin Du, making jokes and scolding the heroes.

Goodbye to Chaoguang City, General Gu is dressed in a tough and sharp manner, but Cheng Qianren appears to be calm and gentle.

They screened back to the left and right, and talked at the top of the city. Time was limited, and there was no need to exchange pleasantries, and the topic was straight to the point.

Gu Xuejiang: "Are you going to run away, or become the prince?"

The court situation is turbulent and treacherous, and the emperor is a dream of careerists. Unknown dangers are accompanied by huge treasures.But based on his understanding of his friends, Cheng Qianren has no desire for power, and being the dean and the owner of the mountain is mostly out of a sense of responsibility.

"Whatever I run, I don't take it from God, but I take the blame."

The wind is mighty, the sky is high and the ground is wide, the moat is sparkling, and the flags are flying on the top of the city.

"I can avoid it, but it will become a knot in my heart... The way of swordsmanship has reached a bottleneck. I have a deep feeling in my heart. The opportunity to break through should be in the imperial capital."

Gu Xuejiang: "Aren't you in a hurry? There are three passes and three dangerous peaks on the road to practice. You have just passed the dangerous pass, and you can't wait to climb the mountain?"

"See mountains and climb mountains, see seas and catch seas. What am I afraid of?"

If it were Fu Keji, he would definitely seriously advise him to correct his attitude, but Gu Xuejiang just patted his friend on the shoulder: "Okay!"

In the long history of fighting between humans and demons, siege equipment and city walls have been raised layer by layer.To this day, Chaoguang City is the number one fortress in the mainland. The city wall is more than thirty feet high, and it is made of extremely solid granite. From a distance, it looks like a stretch of Wanren Mountains, connecting the sky and the earth, and it is as terrifying as a steel frame.

Everyone who comes here will think of those thrilling battles in history that were related to the survival of the race, and feel very proud of being a human being.The Cangjiang River, the moat with turbulent undercurrents, the walls engraved with protective runes, the huge catapults and crossbows on the city, all witness the feats of great generals and the unyielding will of the human race for generations.

When Gu Xuejiang saw this city, she remembered her childhood ambitions.

"Qianren, thank you."

Although the general who put down the rebellion is majestic, it is not his original intention, nor is he willing to kill gods and get a bad reputation.To become the commander of the town who protects his homeland and scares the demons is his highest ideal and lifelong ambition.

The only regret is that I heard that Xu Ran has been transferred to the Imperial Guard, and left for the post the day before yesterday, but it's a pity that I can't fight side by side with my old friends.

Reward confidants with enthusiasm, but have no confidants.

"Apart from you, who else is worthy of this important task?" Cheng Qianren said, "I have to go, An Guo has been staring at me, as if I will shatter the void and disappear."

Gu Xuejiang held him back, and said in a low voice: "One last thing. Since Lin Ludong left Chaoguang City, he has lost the news. The person I sent to follow him may have been discovered by him, so he deliberately threw it away. I guess He doesn't want to have anything to do with me anymore, but..." He said here, his voice lowered, as if this kind of request was too much, "If you have news about Lin Lu, please let me know. I didn't want to disturb him, just Worry about him."

Cheng Qianren: "No problem."

They clapped hands and bumped shoulders.

Seeing Gu Xuejiang entering the city, Xu Ran packed her luggage and prepared to leave.In fact, there is nothing to deal with. There are two knives at the beginning, and the storybook depends on buying.

She was wiping the knife right now.

Bai Xianhe helped her conceal her whereabouts this time, barely counting her accomplice: "Aren't you going to see him? You haven't seen him since you left Shenwu Army."

"Should I advise him to take care, or scold him? It's meaningless. If he gets into trouble one day, I'm willing to risk my life to save him. Let me see him now? Forget it."

At the beginning of the troubled times, Xu Ran and Lin Duzhi joined the army with Gu Xuejiang.At that time, the college had just closed classes, and the ambitious young people went their separate ways, and with a few friends, they felt that the future had infinite possibilities.The three of them did have a high-spirited and happy time.

Bai Xianhe: "...Why is this so?"

"Lin Duzhi and I have seen with our own eyes that he persuaded him to surrender before the war. If the enemy did not surrender, he would massacre the city. Qianren just heard that this is different." Xu Ran spoke slowly while wiping his knife. I don't know when she started. There is no urgency in any action.

"We used to have a course called the basics of military theory. One day, my husband asked, 'During the Eastern Expedition, if you were a demon general, how would you capture Chaoguang City as quickly as possible?', guess what he answered."

She calmly recounted Gu Xuejiang's answer. After many years, she did not expect that she could remember it clearly.

After hearing this, Bai Xianhe sighed, "It's something he knows how to do. He doesn't need to take this course at all."

"This is a sub-course. He majored in 'Natural History'. He is familiar with the customs of various places, the direction of each mountain range, and the flood season of each river. When he first joined the Shenwu Army, he would not have enough soldiers. He often dug canals to divert water, build Dam blocking the river, and then planting blasting talismans, causing rocks to collapse, using the terrain for flooding and fire attacks. The Nanyuan spirit originally advocated "learning by doing", but the teacher who taught natural history wrote to him, saying that he did not have him. This kind of student." Xu Ran withdrew his knife and sheathed it, "I'm telling a joke, why don't you laugh?"

Bai Xianhe coughed lightly, thinking this was colder than Fu Keji's cold joke, how could I laugh.

Xu Ran suddenly changed the subject: "The eldest princess asked you to stay and work with him? How do you feel?"

"The marshal of the flowing water, the general staff of the iron, I am very proud."

He thinks he is the person who is most familiar with Zhendong Army and Chaoguang City except Princess An.

Xu Ran snorted: "I heard you had a feud with him before?"

"It's a big festival. Just wait for him to charge on horseback. I'll hide from the top of the wall and shoot him coldly. I don't believe I can't kill him." Bai Xianhe shook his fan: "Okay, don't tempt me with words, use my position to plot As for the administration, since I stay here, I will do my best to assist the new Marshal."

Xu Ran didn't flinch when he was exposed: "I don't count on the assistant, you urge him to take medicine on time every day, smoke less, as long as he doesn't die."

"I think you still care about him, why don't you tell him yourself, lest you regret it."

Xu Ran stood up with two swords on his back, his red hair was like jumping flames, and his posture was chic:

"Walking in the rivers and lakes, there are so many regrets."

Cheng Qianren took the cloud boat to the imperial capital, accompanied by two princesses and the elite Zhendong army, judging from the rituals of the prince's return to the capital, the scene was quite impressive.

But Gu Xuejiang and Fu Keji stayed in Chaoguang City to sit in the sect alliance, Xu Ran didn't go with them, he didn't have a single friend by his side, only two disciples Huai Qing and Huai Ming accompanied him, so he was considered lonely.

Huge monsters walk through the sea of ​​clouds, and the mountains and rivers are fleeting. Cheng Qianren stands on the deck and looks down through the clouds.

Wen Le chatted with him like a chirping little sparrow.

"Spring is the best. The willow trees in the palace are flocking, and there is whiteness everywhere, sticking to my skirt like velvet flowers. There are often wild cats running into my palace, climbing on the flower stand to bask in the sun, and they are not afraid of people. They know me You come to bully me because you have a good temper. There are no other people in the palace. When the warm wind blows in April, the weather is clear and perfect for playing polo. On your 11th birthday, your father gave you a stick called 'Keel', the pattern is very beautiful. It's a pity that I broke it, and you haven't used it once..."

She has grown into a big girl, and Cheng Qianren can't pat her on the head anymore, so he can only smile broadly: "I really can't remember."

Wen Le was silent for a moment: "It's okay, brother."

A black mass burst out of the cloud, startling her.The raven's wings slapped the invisible barrier outside the cloud boat, making a slight sound.

Wen Le was slightly surprised: "What kind of bird is this, it can fly so high, and it hasn't been frozen to death yet."

Cheng Qianren thought for a while, then stretched out his hand to lift it into the boat: "If it travels through the snowstorm every day, of course it won't be afraid of the cold wind."

Wen Le didn't know why.

"Qianren, seeing a letter is like a face. I left Ci'en Temple and haven't seen him for several months. An old acquaintance invited me to be a guest to discuss the Dharma. I will live in a quiet place and don't ask about human affairs for the time being. Everything is fine, so don't worry about it. "

Lin Duzhi's handwriting is full of charm and elegance, and a few words are enough to keep the author's mind at peace.Before Cheng Qianren could reply, the extremely spiritual raven fluttered its wings and disappeared among the clouds.

The writer does not need his reply, but only informs him unilaterally.He thought, apart from fellow disciples of Baohua Temple in Penglai and friends in the college, does Lin Lu have other old acquaintances?

The day Cheng Qianren entered the city was a sunny day.

In spring, all kinds of flowers are in full bloom, and the people of the imperial capital crowd the long street with flower baskets and bouquets. From Gongji Gate to Zhuque Street, the avenue is like a beautiful brocade.

Princess Anguo, the first god general of the dynasty, leads a mighty division who has been fighting against cruel demons for many years. Whenever she returns to Beijing, she will welcome the warm welcome of the people.This time, apart from the soldiers of Zhendong Army, people lined up on both sides of the avenue at dawn in order to see the demeanor of Dean Nanyuan, Lord of Jiange Mountain, and His Royal Highness the future Crown Prince.

Cheng Qianren was sitting on the tall chariot, with the palace guard of ceremonies and music leading the way in front of him, the sound of the roaring gun salute made him dizzy, and he had to mobilize his true energy to resist.

His three-layer dress today was worn by Huai Qing and Huai Ming.Chaoge Que taught him how to wear complicated dresses in Jiange, but he was so restless at that time that he didn't learn it.

The crowds along the road followed the chariots and cheered wave after wave. In the bright spring, the umbrella canopy swirled and flowers and leaves danced all over the sky.Huaiqing and Huaiming on the chariot have a wide field of vision, and they can see the continuous palace city connected with the skyline at a glance, and they can't help feeling excited, as if they are floating in the clouds.

"This is the imperial capital."

The literati wrote and wrote, and they couldn't write half of its charm.The three-foot-square black-gold bricks and stones pave the avenue can accommodate eight carriages in parallel, and the ancient trees beside the road can't see the top, which props up the sky and the earth even higher.The chaos of war, poverty and disease are like the misery of another world.And it is always glorious and majestic.

"Is that the Star Picking Terrace?" Huaiqing asked in a daze, "It's really high. Is it higher than our Guanyun Cliff..."

When Cheng Qianren won the first place in the double-academy fight, he also rode a horse through the streets, and the horse's hooves were stained red with flower juice.At the beginning of that year, he showed his sharpness, and no matter how old he was, his eyes also showed a flying look.Now it's really complicated, and it's hard to say.He traveled thousands of miles to the imperial capital, looking for answers that could not be found on the battlefield, and witnessing the wider world.

After an unknown amount of time, the guard of honor finally approached the gate of the main palace. Cheng Qianren got up and waved his hand to send the crowd away, throwing cheers outside the palace wall.

The prince returned to Beijing and stayed in the East Palace.It is reasonable to go to the Taiji Hall to meet the Holy One first, and then hold a banquet in the Jile Pool, and invite all the officials to have fun.

But Cheng Qianren is not an ordinary prince, and the current situation is not an ordinary time either.

The Holy Majesty is delirious, if the crown prince goes to the Chaoci Palace to meet the chief assistant, the royal family will lose face, and the eldest princess will be the first to refuse.Fortunately, Chao Ge Que arranged a banquet in the East Palace to cleanse the crown prince, and Anguo breathed a sigh of relief.

The chariot was driving on the open and deep square, Huai Qing Huai Ming looked around curiously, only felt that in front of the majestic palace, he was as small as a wild goose in the sky.The main hall is located on a three-story high platform at the end of the square, and you can't see it clearly even if you look up. It seems to be covered with a layer of golden light.The ceremonial guard of honor knelt down and asked to resign, the ears finally became quiet, the carriage started to move again, and slowly circled around the three main halls before heading towards the inner court.

The front hall is the place where government affairs are handled, with white walls, red pillars, and blue-black glazed tiles.Turning to the inner court is like going home. The flowers are red, the willows are green, and the Pinghu rockery has a human touch. Wen Le's carriage immediately catches up with them, and the little princess shouts: "Go play in my palace!" Anguo, who is riding a horse, pushes her back.

The carriage went around one bend after another, and countless palaces and palaces were left behind.There is a flood of water in front of you. The Bliss Pool is equivalent to the size of four Taiye Pools. In spring, willow catkins fly by the lake, reflecting the sun and glazed tiles, like gold dust and jade chips, flying one after another.

Cheng Qianren looked at the willows by the lake, and suddenly said, "Stop."

The servant who was driving the car hurriedly stopped, and a group of people rushed up, spreading the pedals to support the canopy.

Cheng Qianren waved his hand, flung off his dress robe, and jumped out of the car.

Anguo caught up, not knowing why.

"Go back and rest, I'll go by myself."

Everyone showed worried expressions.

Princess An Guo was worried that he would be nervous facing Chaoge Que alone, Huai Qing Huai Ming was worried that he would not be honored at the banquet, but Wen Le's worry was simple and pragmatic: "You won't get lost, will you?"

Cheng Qianren smiled: "I have traveled all over the world in the past few years, and I haven't lost myself."

I heard that the East Palace is just behind the Bliss Pool, so it's not far away. There are still three hours before the dinner, so there is plenty of time.

Huaiqing: "Since the owner of the mountain wants to go for a walk by himself and exercise his muscles and bones, Huaiming and I will wait for you in the East Palace."

Cheng Qianren sent them away: "Let's rest in peace."

The spring breeze was blowing, Yangliu Yiyi, Cheng Qianren took a small boat by the lake, propelled by his true energy, and moved forward slowly.

When he came ashore, he heard the neighing of war horses. He searched for the sound and found an open field with compacted soil.It is said that there are more than ten polo fields in the palace, and the one next to the East Palace is the largest.

In the age of singing and dancing, energetic young people are obsessed with playing polo to show their confidence and unruliness. Now most of the elite children of the dynasty go to the battlefield to experience more thrilling and severe tests.From the palace to the outskirts of Beijing, the stadiums were empty.

He wanted to see the imperial horses, but first he saw the relief corridor outside the stadium.The murals are engraved on the stone wall several feet high, and the complex protective runes and the marks of carving knives are integrated into one, flowing and lifelike.

The cavalry rushes, the arrows are like the sea, and the towering border city... Every classic battle in the Eastern Expedition is engraved here, which was once the glorious feat that the emperor was most proud of.However, compared with today, when the people of the East moved south and the dynasty lost Baixueguan, it would seem desolate and helpless.

Cheng Qianren walked along the wall, looking at the murals, when the maid of the palace saw him, he bowed and bowed from a distance, not daring to approach, for fear of bumping into the nobleman.

By the time he finished reading the long scroll of reliefs, it was already dark and it was almost time to light up the lights.With seven turns and eight turns, there was no one around, let alone where I was.

The palace is really beautiful, and he is really lost.

The pride of going to the meeting alone has long been wiped out, Cheng Qianren exhaled deeply, calming down.

Not far away, there was a figure standing under the corridor. When he approached, he saw an old man in linen clothes and a bamboo stick in his hand.

The temperament is mediocre, the appearance is ordinary, and there is no extravagance at all.In the market, there are uncles who drink tea and play chess. In the palace, they may be craftsmen from the House of Internal Affairs, old cooks from the Imperial Dining Room, and old musicians from the Ritual and Music Workshop.In short, he lived within the palace walls for many years.

"Excuse me, may I ask how to get to the East Palace?"

The old man turned his head, looked straight at him with old cloudy eyes, and didn't speak.

Cheng Qianren thought that the other party might be deaf, so he repeated the question immediately. Just when he couldn't help frowning, the old man finally spoke with a hoarse voice:

"Go thirty feet, go through the Feiyan Corridor, ten feet to the east, and then pass the Xihuayuanmen, the highest hall is here. It's dark, you just came here, and no one took you, just go all the way with courage How can you get out in the dark?"

When people are getting old, the common problem is to criticize the younger generation, Cheng Qianren didn't think much, thanked him and left.

An old voice came from behind: "Don't look back. Turn back and go the wrong way."

The old man was referring to a short-cut path. He walked through the flowers and brushed the willows. After a while, his eyes suddenly brightened.A number of glazed palace lanterns are hung high, and the Donggong Palace of Bliss is resplendent.The attendants who had been waiting for a long time ran forward to meet him, Cheng Qianren waved his hand, and walked up the steps like flying.

"Bang!"

Pushing open the Linghua Gate alone, he thinks that he is probably travel-laden, confident and domineering at this moment.

But in the eyes of the person in the hall, the visitor's hair crown was slightly disheveled, his dress was not neat, and his cheeks were flushed by the warm spring breeze, like a rabbit who couldn't figure out the situation and broke into the den of a beast.

So he backed away.Palace people filed out one after another, and the hall was instantly empty.

The door of the hall was closed, with a deep muffled sound, the air current stirred up the curtains and fluttered, and the candles on the copper crane lamp stand flickered.

"Nice to meet you."

Cheng Qianren was startled.

The man's robe was dragging on the floor, and he walked towards him through the curtain, while taking off his mask, he said with a smile: "Brother."

The smile is blinding.

Cheng Qianren felt like being struck by lightning: "... Chasing the flow?!"

Zhu Liu responded, and fell into his arms like a boneless: "Brother with this expression, are you unhappy seeing me?"

He held back his words and waited to question Chao Geque, ready to fight a tough battle, but in front of him was only Cheng Zhuliu, who was coquettish and cute.Opening their mouths, they scolded Chaoge Que together with him, which made him lose his temper at all.

Cheng Qianren shook off his younger brother: "Stand up straight and talk."