Happy trip to the Tang Dynasty

In the early years of the Tang Dynasty, in the Erhai area in the southwest of the Central Plains, there were originally six small Nanman kingdoms, namely the Mengzhao Zhao, the Yuexi Zhao, the Langqiong Zhao, the Bizhi Zhao, the Shi Lang Zhao, and the Mengshe Zhao, known as the "Six Zhaos" in history.

In the 26th year of Tang Kaiyuan, Piluoge, the lord of Mengshezhao and the father of Ge Luofeng, annexed the other five kingdoms, unified the six zhaozhao, changed the name of the country to Nanzhao, became the first generation of Nanzhao king, and moved the capital the following year Taihe City; at the same time, the Tang Dynasty recognized his rule and granted him the title of King of Yunnan.

After the unification of the six edicts, the national power was greatly strengthened than before, and Taihe City by the Erhai Lake gradually developed into a bustling and prosperous place not inferior to the big cities in the Central Plains.

But the Nanzhao Imperial Palace is not located in the center of the downtown area, but on the top of Yuju Peak outside Taihe City and between Cangshan Mountains.Yuju Peak is extremely steep. From a distance, it looks like a giant pillar rising from the ground. The top of the mountain is covered with golden palaces.

Yuju Peak is surrounded by rushing rivers, and the mountain walls are so steep that it is difficult for even agile apes to climb.The main entrance of the palace is carved into the shape of a huge elephant head. The long elephant trunk is the suspension bridge connecting the inside and outside, and it is also the only way to enter the palace.Once the drawbridge is retracted, the entire imperial palace will be isolated from the outside world.

After Tang Ying and his party arrived in Taihe City, the other nine people wandered around the market, infiltrating teahouses and restaurants, Goulan tile houses, and salt merchants' water transport, to collect information about the Nanzhao Palace.Tang Ying himself climbed the cliff on a starless and moonless night and reached the Nanzhao Palace at the top.

For the next ten days, he lurked in the palace, and found out all the posts and secret posts in the Nanzhao Palace without disturbing the other party at all. Looking at the entire Ni Zhantang, there is no one other than him who can do this. others.

It was the June rainy season in Nanzhao. Ten days later, Tang Ying took advantage of a dark shower and jumped off the palace wall.After falling down the cliff for a few seconds, when he was about to hit the turbulent river, a pair of white mechanism wings suddenly opened behind him with a bang, strangling him to a stop on the water surface, and the surging waves hit his face. Drenched him.

But the force of the fall was too great, and the wing of the mechanism broke as soon as it was opened. The strong tearing force acted on the shoulder strap, which instantly broke the shoulder strap, and Tang Ying almost vomited blood.

Fortunately, being blocked by the wing of the mechanism, the force of the fall was offset by seven or eight, and Tang Ying fell into the rushing river and dived away.The fragments of the white organ wings were not obvious in the white torrent, and the sky was dark and rainy, and the palace guards were at a high place, so they didn't notice the noise here.

Tang Ying drifted downstream for a long time, and after confirming that no one was following him, he sneaked ashore at night, treated his trauma at a hidden spot prepared in advance, changed his makeup, and returned to Taihe City a day later.

In the kitchen cellar of an inn, he finally joined the other nine people, one table, one lamp, and a group of people exchanged information with each other.

The disciples of the Tang sect who were investigating information in Taihe City were the first to speak: "After the Nanzhao rebelled against the Tang Dynasty, the guards in the palace were really strict.

First of all, ordinary outsiders are not allowed to enter, and the daily necessities are all transported outside the palace, and then transported into the palace by the palace staff.The inspection of the things entering the palace is extremely strict, even if it is a small vegetable, the heart of the vegetable must be broken open for inspection.

There is a communication officer at the gate of the palace, and all incoming information is conveyed by the communication officer; if there is any confidential matter, it will be handled by the Nanzhao king's cronies.

All the officials who entered the palace to have an audience were subject to extremely strict inspections, undressed, bathed, washed their hair, put on the toga provided by the palace, and finally entered the palace under strict surveillance, not even a speck of dust could be brought in. "

Another person also said: "As early as a month ago, all the dancers and musicians in the palace were dismissed, and all singing, dancing and entertainment have also stopped. The only extraordinary event that is still going on in the palace today is the memorial ceremony for Mrs. Xianghua .”

The third person said: "Speaking of Mrs. Xianghua, she can be called a legendary beauty of Nanzhao.

Legend has it that 16 years ago, when Ge Luofeng was just a prince, he fell in love at first sight with a woman of unknown origin, Mrs. Xianghua.In order to be able to marry her as a concubine, Ge Luofeng not only rejected the political marriage proposed by the other five imperial edicts, but also fought bravely in the war to annex the six imperial edicts. Prince.

It is said that Geluofeng is very fond of Mrs. Xianghua. She has never accepted other concubines in 16 years, and even let her rule the country with her. Geluofeng specializes in force and coercion, while Mrs. Xianghua specializes in gentle methods. Useless things can sometimes be solved by finding Mrs. Xianghua.Over time, no one dared to underestimate this woman.

Now Nanzhao is spreading Buddhism on a large scale. Mrs. Xianghua spreads good deeds, but her origin is unknown, so she is said to be a Bodhisattva. "

The fourth person went on to say: "It is said that Mrs. Xianghua has been ill for several years, but because of Zhang Qiantuo's rude collision, she was frightened and died of a disease. This incident has aroused the anger of the Nanzhao people; The barbarians in the Southwest have suppressed their trade and exchanges, which has already caused dissatisfaction. Therefore, after our observations in Taihe City in the past few days, the people's emotions are very stable, and they even feel a little bit like "it should have been like this" meaning."

"These are not important, what else did you find out?" Tang Ying still wore a mask covering his entire face, standing in the darkest part of the cellar, looking like a ghost.

The fifth person bowed to him and said: "From the date of Mrs. Xianghua's death, three days later will happen to be the last day of the 'Last Seven', which is the 49th day of the seventh seventh day. After the 'Last Seven', the soul of the deceased will be completely It belongs to the underworld, and there is no possibility of returning to the sun. Given Geluofeng's 16-year favor to Mrs. Dexianghua, there is a high possibility that some special activities will be arranged in the palace on this day."

"How did you know?" Tang Ying asked.

The sixth person replied: "Two days ago, the incense and candle shop and silk and satin workshop in the city received orders from the imperial palace at the same time, buying a batch of dragon and phoenix candles and ten bolts of red silk."

The seventh person said: "Yesterday, the imperial palace's internal affairs ordered a pair of Pisces pearl cups from the largest antique store in the city. It is said that they are Hebei wine cups used by the court of the Western Han Dynasty."

Then the eighth person said: "Today, the imperial dining room ordered a wedding banquet at the largest restaurant and pastry shop in the city, a jar of carousel wine and several snacks, and they will be delivered to the palace in three days."

"According to the chef of the restaurant, Mrs. Xianghua loved their dishes the most during her lifetime. Not only did she often send palace people to order food boxes, but she also made private visits in secret from time to time, so that the restaurant has a secret and elegant private room specially set up for Mrs. Xianghua. "

Tang Ying walked to the table from the darkness, tapped the table lightly with his slender fingers, and suddenly asked, "The palace only booked one banquet table? How many dishes are there?"

"There is indeed only one table. There are 36 dishes of different sizes, but the portions are very small, probably only enough for two people to eat. There are only two sets of dishes prepared, and they are pairs of golden jade dragon and phoenix bowls."

The little junior sister asked curiously, "Are they going to hold a wedding in the 'last seven'? Brother Ying, what did you see in the palace?"

Tang Ying closed his eyes and recalled, and said: "Lady Xianghua's mourning hall is located in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which is very heavily guarded and difficult to approach, but you can often see King Nanzhao entering the mourning hall from a distance.

But two days ago, in the rain-listening Pavilion next to the pool in the imperial garden in the palace, all the original screens, tables and chairs were moved out and replaced with festive mahogany furniture.The white streamers used for funerals are hung on the outside of the waterside pavilion, but the inside is decorated with a large number of red silks, and the number of them is exactly ten.On the shore not far from the water pavilion, an extremely huge wooden tower was built with wood coated with sesame oil. "

"What is this wooden tower for?" one person wondered.

"I know! It's cremation!" Another person replied.

"I'm afraid the king of Nanzhao has a broken head! How could he burn his own princess on fire?"

The disciple of the Tang Sect who was rushing to answer replied: "This is a well-known story. There are storytellers talking about Mrs. Xianghua in any teahouse and tavern. Therefore, at the time of Nirvana, you must be cremated like a Buddha, so that you will not lose your body and keep your Buddha nature forever."

"My sister, you have a leg! The King of Nanzhao is shocking the world! Doesn't anyone object to him?" Another question was raised.

"Of course there are, but who dares to bring it up to him? Nanzhao originally believed in ghosts and witches, but in order to marry Mrs. Xianghua, he exterminated all the ghosts and witches who opposed him. Now this Nanzhao says he's the same, who dares to oppose him ? Anyway, what he wants to burn is his own wife, so no one will find it boring!"

At this time, another person coughed a few times and said, "You guys are far away, okay? We are discussing what the king of Nanzhao will do in three days."

Several Tang Sect youths said in unison: "Burn his wife!"

"..."

At this time, Tang Ying slowly analyzed: "Listen to the slender style of the tables and chairs moved out of the Yushui Pavilion, with exquisite materials, they should be used by noble women, and listen to the daily words of those palace people, it should be Mrs. Xianghua's favorite place A place to escape the summer heat. In addition to her favorite food, flower candles, a cup of wine, happy clothes..."

Tang Ying raised his head and murmured: "King Nanzhao, this is going to have another wedding ceremony with Mrs. Xianghua..."

There was a sudden silence in the room.

And a dead man's bridal chamber?

Everyone was terrified, only the younger junior sister clasped her hands together, her eyes glowing with longing: "Wow! The King of Nanzhao willingly risked the world's disgrace for Mrs. Xianghua. As the overlord of one party, his love is as deep as the sea. It is simply admirable!"

Except for Tang Ying, the other eight people rolled their eyes in unison.

"However, what's the use of knowing this? How will it help us assassinate the King of Nanzhao?"

Tang Ying spread out the map of the imperial palace and pointed to one of the directions: "Ting Yushui Pavilion is located by the lake in the Imperial Garden, and it goes deep into the lake. There is only a nine-curved stone bridge connected to the shore. It is difficult for others to approach, but it is also difficult for the guards in the palace." Arrive immediately."

"The banquet ordered by the palace is only enough for two people to enjoy. The King of Nanzhao probably won't let people watch his bridal chamber. That night, he should be the only one in the house."

"Listening to the Rain Pavilion is much smaller than the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and it is decorated with ten bolts of red silk. There are many places to cover, which is more convenient for us to do things."

"Therefore," he slammed his fist on the table, "the night of 'Last Seven' is the best time for us to do it!"