first and second

The night was like ink, and in the dark night sky, lightning and thunder swayed one after another, as if to tear a hole out of the sky.

In a majestic mansion in the capital, a man was lying on a red sandalwood bed. His eyes were closed, his eyebrows were frowned into a Sichuan character, as if he was having a nightmare, and his shirt was soaked in sweat and stuck tightly to his body. Showing off his tall body.

The scene in his dream appeared in a trance in front of his eyes. There were corpses all over the place, rivers of blood, wailing and wailing, and countless people fled in panic. He hurriedly grabbed a man who was fleeing in a hurry and asked, "What happened?"

The man sighed: "Run quickly! The Tatar cavalry is coming in." After speaking, he fled in a hurry.

Before he could react, suddenly, there was a sound of horseshoes from behind. He looked back and saw that the man in the front line was strong and mighty, and he was drawing a heavy bow with a "whoosh" sound. shoot out.

Looking in the direction of the arrow, he was dumbfounded, the cloud-piercing arrow hit Liu Mingxiao's chest, he ran over like crazy, picked up Liu Mingxiao who had fallen to the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "Mingxiao, hold on! Brother, I will take you to the imperial physician right now." He tried to lift Liu Mingxiao who was on the ground, but Liu Mingxiao remained as motionless as Mount Tai.

Liu Mingxiao suppressed his hand with pain, forced a smile, and said, "Brother, I..." Before he could speak, he closed his eyes.

The scene in the dream seemed to happen in real life. The person on the bed opened his mouth, but couldn't make a sound. In an instant, he fell into a dream again.

The setting sun was like blood, reflecting on the resplendent palace, he squinted his eyes, the Tatar cavalry had approached the city, but the Chinese emperor Li Changshuo was still leaning on the singing girl, drinking and singing happily.

The leading Tatar stepped into the palace. Seeing this scene, he couldn't help laughing wantonly, and said to the people around him: "I heard that the emperor was the number one rich man in the capital when he was still the crown prince. The rumors don't lie to me, hahaha!"

This remark made his subordinates roar with laughter, and a sturdy soldier on the left said: "Khan, should the emperor be killed or captured?"

While Khan was thinking, Li Changshuo came over and knelt down in front of Khan, saying, "I would like to order Zen to be in your place, and to recognize you as the emperor of China in front of the world."

The leader put his feet on Li Changshuo's back, with his elbows on his knees, and said with high spirits: "Did you hear that, this is the emperor of Huaguo. Think back then, how mighty Tai/zu Li Yan was, single-handedly Take the head of the leader of our army, and it has only been a few decades. How could such a cowardly grandson be born? If Li Yan knew, even the coffin boards would not be able to hold him down, and he might be able to be revived by you !"

There was laughter in the hall, and the singing girls were still babbling and singing.

Suddenly, there was a commotion outside the hall, and the sound of weapons colliding and fighting and beating could be vaguely heard.

The door of the palace was opened with a bang, and a man covered in blood and red-eyed broke in, and said in a hoarse voice, "Ah Wanlie, you alone are worthy to be the emperor of our country."

Ah Wanlie kicked Li Changshuo away and mocked: "Hua Guo is already in my pocket, and the dozens of remnants of your defeated generals are also trying to defeat me. It's just a dream. You might as well learn from your good brother, maybe Ben Khan can save your dog's life."

"Bah! The head can be broken, the limbs can be broken, and the knees can't be bent. As long as I have one breath, I will fight you to the end." While speaking, a long knife stabbed Ah Wanlie.

Ah Wanlie managed to dodge the blow, but still suffered flesh wounds. Ah Wanlie touched his waist and got blood on his hands. He said angrily: "Let's go together, whoever can take his head, I will kill him." Whoever is rewarded by the Empress of Hua, a limb can be exchanged for a concubine, and a piece of meat can be exchanged for a court lady."

Next to him, seven or eight strong and fat people rushed towards Li Chengyun, surrounded by a pack of wolves, more wolves but less fleshy, all of them looked like hungry wolves, with green eyes shining faintly.

In the chaos, Li Chengyun's voice came out: "Although my body is dead, my soul is immortal. I will put it on the nine heavens and watch you perish."

Moments later, an unknown person shouted loudly: "I got the head..."

"no, do not want……"

Liu Wenchao opened his eyes suddenly, sat up from the bed, panting heavily, his temples were wet, and when he touched his eyes, there were still tears.

A gust of wind blew in, making him shiver from the cold.

Outside the window, there were thunder and lightning, wind and rain, and in the middle of the night, he couldn't fall asleep anymore, so he got up with his clothes on, thinking about the scene in his dream, his heart ached.

Li Changshuo can no longer continue to be willful, and must find a way to keep Huaguo.

Liu Wenchao, as the chief assistant of the cabinet with mixed reputations, has worked hard in the court for thirteen years and made outstanding achievements, making Huaguo prosperous and strong.

After the court was over the next day, he said to Tang Weizhen, Minister of the Ministry of Officials, "Master Tang, are you going to the Wanqing Building tonight? I have booked a box."

Tang Weizhen cooperated: "Master Liu, or the one in Xiyue Pavilion?"

Liu Wenchao joked with a smile, "Those who know me can be compared."

Tang Weizhen and Liu Wenchao are both from Lingzhou. They played together when they were young. Liu Wenchao was a well-known child prodigy in Lingzhou since he was a child. He was able to read and write at the age of three. .

Tang Weizhen's parents both died when Tang Weizhen was a teenager, so Tang Weizhen and his younger sister Tang Yiqing lived directly in Liu's house.

Wanqinglou is a solitary building, built by the water, with cornices and corners, the scenery is excellent, at this moment, under the twilight of the waning moon, it seduces souls.

Looking around, there are three floors, each floor is full, and most of the people who come here to eat are dignitaries and dignitaries with status, and the private room with the best view in Xiyue Pavilion is reserved for Liu Wenchao for many years. of.

When Tang Weizhen arrived, he saw Liu Wenchao standing in front of the lobby of Wanqing Building from a distance. He took off his court clothes and was wearing a snow-white wide-sleeved gown.

Tang Weizhen said while walking: "Qingchuan, I kept you waiting for a long time." Then he walked over quickly.

Liu Wenchao pulled up his sleeves and went into the lobby, saying, "Tomorrow, I'll take a bath, and I won't return tonight if I'm not drunk."

When the shopkeeper in the lobby saw the two of them, he greeted them with a smile on his face, and then dragged his fat body to take them up to the Xiyue Pavilion on the third floor, and asked with a flattering smile if the food was served now, and got an affirmative answer. Afterwards, he turned around and ordered softly to Xiaoer behind him: "Ask the chef to serve the dishes from Xiyue Pavilion first."

After a while, the dishes were all served, and Liu Wenchao picked up the jug and filled Tang Weizhen with wine, saying: "Those who arrive late will be punished with three glasses of wine."

Tang Weizhen didn't shirk, he raised his head and drank it, and after drinking several glasses, he said with a smile, "Let's have a drink together?"

Liu Wenchao raised his wine glass to clink with him.

To say that the greatest pleasure in life is to have two or three confidants, have wine and meat, have a long talk, and talk about each other's life.

Unknowingly, the night was already deep, and the sound of insects in the distance could be heard quietly, and the room was full of joy. After a few rounds of drinking, the faces of both of them were a little rosy. It took away some of the drunkenness of the two of them.

Liu Wenchao looked out the window at the willow tree that was swaying and then silent, and said melancholy: "Yuzhi, what do you think about the abolition of the crown prince?"

Tang Weizhen's blurred eyes were instantly clear, staring at Liu Wenchao's solitary back and sighed: "The court is divided into the 'Princeling Party' and the 'Chu Royal Party'. Except for the prince, everyone is most optimistic about the Chu King. You want me to join 'Chu Royal Party'?"

Liu Wenchao looked back at Tang Weizhen and said, "If we two are in perfect harmony, I'm afraid Zhuge Liang will have to give up three points when he is alive."

Tang Weizhen leaned back on his chair and laughed loudly, "I don't know how to kill people, and I don't know how to borrow east wind."

Liu Wenchao said calmly, "Tang Yiqing has reached the age of marriage, right?"

Tang Weizhen's laughter stopped abruptly, and after a moment of confusion, he suddenly realized: "You want the king of Chu to return to Beijing to marry? Then you are looking for a reason to keep him in the capital?"

Liu Wenchao thought to himself that it was Yu Zhi who understood me best: "She won't suffer from being a concubine if she married in the past. If we can help the King of Chu to be the crown prince in the future, will Tang Yiqing's empress position be far behind?"

Tang Weizhen clasped his hands in front of his chest and looked Liu Wenchao up and down: "You haven't married a wife yet, is it because of the King of Chu? When the King of Chu was still in the capital, he was always clinging to you, and the male style prevailed in the capital. It is hard to guarantee that the two of you will not marry each other Love for a long time."

Liu Wenchao picked up the jug on the table and drank it, and said, "It's nothing, don't talk nonsense, Yu Zhi, why haven't you married yet? It can't be that other girls look down on you!"

Tang Weizhen pinched his chin, thought for a moment, and said, "I'm afraid it is."

Liu Wenchao was surprised and said, "Huh? Who took away the soul of our Yu Zhi, presumably she is a peerless beauty."

Tang Weizhen supported Liu Wenchao to sit down: "He is indeed a peerless beauty, please give me a trick to make him understand my intentions."

Liu Wenchao smiled gloatingly: "I'm not an expert in this area, so you can ask the sister in Qingying Hall when you're free some other day."

Tang Weizhen took the jug from Liu Wenchao's hand and drank it naturally: "No." After a pause, he said, "Qingchuan, have you thought it through? As a civil servant, you have reached the top now, and you can also be called Under one person, over ten thousand people, do you want to toss any more?"

Liu Wenchao said slowly: "Yu Zhi, have you ever thought about what will happen to us after the crown prince succeeds? Chen Xueliang is the crown prince's tutor, and Chen Xueliang and we are political enemies."

Tang Weizhen sighed, full of helplessness: "You! You always think so much. Putting aside these interests, I will stand by your side without hesitation based on our 20-plus years of acquaintance. "

"It's easy to describe."

The two of you quickly drank the last bit of wine in the jug with one sip and one sip.

The drunken two supported each other downstairs. Outside the Wanqing building, two carriages were quietly waiting for their respective owners. After Tang Weizhen sent Liu Wenchao to the carriage and was about to leave, Liu Wenchao lifted the curtain. Pulling Tang Weizhen's arm, he was talking nonsense.

Tang Weizhen showed a doting smile, stretched out his hand to pin Liu Wenchao's messy hair behind his ear, pulled his arm back from Liu Wenchao's hand, whispered something to the coachman, and then staggered away.

It was already Yin time when Liu Wenchao returned to the mansion, and the housekeeper was still waiting at the door. When he saw Liu Wenchao's carriage, he immediately went forward to greet him, but no one came out of the carriage, so he shouted: "My lord, I'm home."

There was still no response in the car, the housekeeper opened the curtain to take a look, only to find that Liu Wen had fallen asleep with his head on the side, the housekeeper had no choice but to go back to the house and call out Liu Mingxiao.

Liu Mingxiao complained while carrying Liu Wenchao back to the bedroom.

-

Day two.

The sun was rising, and Liu Wenchao slowly opened his eyes. The muscles all over his body were sore, and he was more tired than not sleeping all night.

The door was pushed open rudely, and Liu Wenchao knew who came in without even thinking about it. In this mansion, Liu Mingxiao was the only one who was careless and frivolous.

"Brother, father told you to get up and go to the study to find him." Liu Mingxiao gloated and said, "Teach me!"

Liu Wenchao wondered, "You brat, are you happy that I'm going to be scolded?"

Liu Mingxiao proudly said: "Who made my father only train me, this time it's finally your turn."

"Go!" Liu Wenchao looked at the smug man in front of him, and suddenly an idea popped into his head. He knew that Liu Mingxiao had been coveting his bloody horse that the emperor rewarded him for a long time, so Liu Wenchao said, "Boy, let's make a bet." Well, if you win, the bloody horse that the emperor rewarded you will be yours, if you lose, you let Ling Ran follow me, do you want to bet?"

Liu Mingxiao asked: "What are you betting on?"

"Just bet I won't be punished today." Liu Wenchao looked at him quietly.

Liu Mingxiao agreed without hesitation, he knew his father best, after all, family rules were bigger than the sky.

After a while, Liu Wenchao tidied himself up, and the two walked to the study room, only to see a man wearing a 'Zizhan hat', three long beards, and a gray cloak with wide sleeves, sitting behind the desk. On the chair, he looks hale and hearty, but just sitting there has the majesty of a superior.

Liu Qingyuan frowned, and asked Liu Wenchao who was standing in front of the case: "Where did you go last night?"

Liu Wenchao smiled slyly, and said without blushing and heartbeat: "Father, the boy was with Yu Zhi last night and talked about the important things in his life, so he came back late."

As soon as this statement came out, everyone in the room was shocked.

Liu Qingyuan, who was sitting on the chair, looked at Liu Wenchao in surprise, and pretended to be calm and said, "Why don't you discuss with your father about the important matters in your life? Which girl do you like? How old is she?"

Liu Mingxiao laughed loudly: "Brother, your iron tree is finally about to bloom, hahaha."

Liu Qingyuan took a sip of tea from the case table: "Tell me what's going on with that girl?"

Liu Wenchao had already figured out how to answer in his heart, so he said, "I've only met this girl once. She has a light body, bright eyes and teeth, and most importantly, she is talented. She is 24 years old."

Liu Qingyuan nodded with satisfaction: "Usually, a woman is 24 years old." After speaking, he glanced at Liu Wenchao in front of him: "But she is more than enough for you."

Liu Mingxiao slapped the table without warning: "You can't be the daughter of Chen Xueliang's family!"

"You know her?"

"24 How many unmarried women are there in the capital? Only his daughter from the Chen family." Liu Mingxiao sat down on the chair next to him.

Liu Wenchao glanced at Liu Qingyuan quietly, seeing that he still wanted to say something, he immediately interrupted: "Father, I'm so hungry!"

Liu Qingyuan looked at the burning incense, and without further words, he stood up and left the study, and a crisis was skillfully avoided by Liu Wenchao.

After finishing the meal, Liu Wenchao wrote an encrypted letter. As soon as he sealed the envelope, Liu Mingxiao broke in through the door carelessly. He sat down on the chair next to him, holding two pieces of watermelon in his hand, and asked while eating: "Brother, What you just said is a lie! I don't believe it, you like Chen Xueliang's daughter."

Liu Wenchao smiled and said, "She's quite suitable."

Liu Mingxiao finished eating one slice of watermelon, then ate the second slice, and said calmly, "Brother, those are old girls."

Liu Wenchao shook his head, took out a handkerchief from his bosom and handed it to him: "Stupid, wipe it quickly, I'll leave it to you." After finishing speaking, he picked up the letter from the table and handed it to him: "Let Ling Ran hurry to deliver it personally To the hands of the King of Chu, remember, you must deliver it to the King of Chu in person.”

Liu Mingxiao wiped his hands, threw the handkerchief on the table casually, and said unwillingly: "Although you cheated on the bet in the morning, you are willing to admit defeat, and you tell him yourself."

Liu Wenchao shook his head: "Ling Ran has been with you since childhood, and he has a deep relationship with you. I still won't take away your love."