Thousand Miles of Bright Moonlight

The soil is moist and hot, cicadas neigh, and on both sides of the Suzaku Long Street, there is a thick shade of Huaiyu.

A round of rising sun, glowing rays of the sky, and the morning glow pouring down, the rumbling street drums sounded from the gates of Tianjie, echoing far away, and the bells and drums of the gates from all directions followed, converging into a majestic ocean wave, shaking the sky and the earth.

However, today, louder than the drums are the humming voices.

Suzaku Street is crowded with thousands of people.

The news of Princess Wen Zhao's return to Beijing made the whole Chang'an boil.

The common people rushed out of their homes and rushed to the square frantically. The children of the rich family, the ladies, the small officials, the young people from Wuling who used to admire the princess’s face, the common people who have been favored by the princess, men, women, and children. The brightest clothes crowded the long street.

"Does Princess Wen Zhao ride a horse or a car? Can't she see us?"

"I heard that Lu Ma is the monarch of a foreign country called the Royal Court. Did Lu Ma come back with the princess?"

"I heard that Ma Ma was a monk before! It is a Buddha!"

"The horse face is like a crown jade, a character like a fairy, and a princess made in heaven!"

Amidst the noisy discussion, a hunting wind came from the end of the long street that was swept.

Everyone was extremely excited, grabbing the shoulders of the person in front, standing on tiptoes and looking around.

The morning light floated, and gray shadows came from the mist.

The first thing that caught their eyes was the flags that were fluttering in the wind, the solemn black, the icy white, with densely written texts, the soldiers carrying the flags in light armor and white robe, with a neat face.

Everyone was stunned.

This is not the Royal Court flag, nor the Western Army flag.

It was a spirit-inducing flag full of the names of the deceased, and the flag was decorated with a long streamer, and the streamer was also full of words.

The teams lined up next to each other, with a steady stream of flags resounding throughout the world.

Immediately afterwards, there was a roaring sound of horses and horses, and one after another large vehicles followed the banner team and drove into the entrance building.

When everyone saw clearly what the wooden signs on the cart were, the voices in the crowd stopped abruptly.

The solemn atmosphere enveloped the square.

Yang Qian and Yang Nianxiang were wearing armors, holding talisman festivals and maps, walking beside the carriage, walking heavy, and Ying Ting's eyebrows were solemn and solemn.

Beside and behind them, one after another carts carrying ashes and tablets were slowly walking along Long Street Avenue.

Some of these tablets were written by Yang Qian. They have different identities and different experiences. Some are members of his tribe, some are ordinary people who have knelt at his feet and asked him whether the book of ten thousand words will be delivered to the ordinary people in Chang'an, and some are fighting alongside him. Fellow friends are more of strangers who have never met him.

They have the same desire to regain lost ground and return to their homeland.

For this reason, some of them have been looking forward to it for decades, some have tried every means to fund the Western Army, and some have devoted themselves to the army, resisted desperately, and died under the enemy's long sword.

Princess Wen Zhao set up a plaque for them. Today, the princess brought them back. They will be sent to their ancestral homes for burial, and their souls will return to their hometowns.

There was silence on both sides of the avenue.

No one dared to disturb the dead, tears flickering in their eyes, quietly watching the tablets on the carriage.

At this moment, what is walking in front of them is not the carriage carrying the ashes of the spirit brand, but the thousands of people who were taken abducted in the war, far away from their hometowns, and suffered so much. They hope that they will return to their roots after death. It is tens of thousands for the people of the tribe. Returning to the east, he threw his head and shed blood, sacrificing his life's heroic soul.

Among them are old people, children, men, women, poor peasants, and young and energetic family men. They are no different from the people of Chang'an. They are forced to cut ties with their homeland, leave their homeland, and have been displaced countless times. The east worshipped far away, praying for the king to regain the lost land so that they could return to their hometown.

The soul is back.

Come back, lone souls wandering outside.

Come back, young children who died in order to resist the oppression and lead the tribe to return home.

You are home.

Look, the Western Regions have been calmed down, the rivers and rivers are unblocked, and you finally return to your dreaming hometown, and the dead souls can be comforted.

In the future, from the vast and fertile Central Plains to the bitter cold snowy plateaus, there will be no more wars and killings. Farmers carry hoes to plow the fields, merchants ride carts full of silk jewels, and herdsmen rush to make things happen. Herds of cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the boundless grassland. Han people, Hu people, northerners, southerners, Buddhists, believers, Zoroastrians, Manichaeans, all live in harmony and create a peaceful and prosperous world.

Your children and grandchildren can live a stable life. They will no longer be like you.

The long wind blows, the flags are flying high, and the streamers are flying swiftly.

The undead appeared alive in front of the people. They hooked their shoulders and walked on the crowded Suzaku long street, laughing, marveling, and sighing.

People stared at them silently.

I would rather be a peaceful dog than a chaotic world person!

Above the tower, Li De wears a crown of sky, a tuxedo, stands his flag, and looks at the fleet of flags flying in the distance.

The people burst into tears, and the noisy square just now was as silent as still water, except for the sound of horse-drawn carriages rolling across the long street and the sound of flags being beaten by the spring breeze.

Li De's complexion was condensed.

The few close attendants behind him looked at each other: They all thought that the Western army generals must be surrounded by Princess Wen Zhao into the city. Fortunately, Li De showed the strength of the Western army. They could take the opportunity to make things difficult. They did not expect that the first to enter the city was the lost and sacrificed. Soldiers. Princess Wen Zhao didn't even see a shadow.

In this kind of situation, nothing matters anymore. Who dares to risk arousing popular anger to test whether the Western army is monolithic?

Next to the ceremonial platform under the tower, the civil and military officials looked at the large cars approaching, their expressions shaking, and they were silent for a long time.

The young officials couldn't help but have a sore nose and hot eyes, blood boiled in their chests, and full of pride.

The old official exchanged glances quietly and sighed silently.

They still remember the day when the princess and her kiss, dressed in beautiful costumes, left Chang'an in a carriage, and the people wept in the road.

At that time, they all thought that if the princess was gone, she would soon die among the war-torn tribes.

After a few years, the princess returned to Chang'an with maps of dozens of states and her tribe.

The triumphant song immediately cleared the song, not when Zhaojun was out of the fortress.

Li De glanced at the hundreds of officials below the stage, and had a panoramic view of everyone's expressions.

The attendant wiped his sweat and whispered: "Your Majesty, the princess is so popular..."

Li De looked calm.

Because of this, the more he has to beware of Li Yaoying, she has a human heart, a soldier, and a rebellious brother who will marry King Tummo, and she is also Li Xuanzhen's weakness.

Officials from the Ministry of Etiquette responded quickly and immediately dispatched a brilliantly literate Shinke Jinshi to write a few impassioned sacrificial articles on the spot to commemorate the deceased.

Li De motioned to his attendant to issue an edict to comfort the states of the Western Regions.

Yang Qian and Hexi generals thanked the divine grace on behalf of the landless people.

The people in the square shed tears.

…

Yaoying rode at the back of the line, and the official of the Ministry of Etiquette greeted her, and repeatedly begged her to take a beautifully decorated carriage into the city. She shook her head and said, "I am sending the dead back home, so I don't have to show up."

The officials were a little surprised. They sang songs and indulged in alcohol during the day. The return to the city was so grand ceremony that the princess appeared in front of others. She had suffered so much in the Western Regions, and she was willing to miss this great opportunity to show off. ?

Yaoying pulled the horse and passed through them all the time.

She promised that the old men and the dead soldiers would send them back to their hometowns, and she did what she said.

Today's protagonist is the dead person.

Downstairs, after the ceremonial officer reported Yaoying's title, the young officials in the DPRK all raised their heads, looking nervously looking forward, and a few impatiently ignored etiquette, craned their necks and looked out.

Countless eyes glanced at Yaoying.

In the crowd, Zheng Jing looked at Long Street, remembering the scene when he first saw it, and smiled slightly.

Hunting with flags, the guards are obeying, Yaoying is riding a horse, with a silk tie on her head, wearing a narrow-sleeved lapel brocade robe, heroic and brave, galloping to the front, neatly dismounting, facing the gaze of civil and military officials, and climbing up the stairs. , First received the incense that Yang Qian handed over, and bowed to the altar, looking energetic and majestic.

Frightened by her aura, everyone stood still, no one dared to come forward to greet her.

The officials from the central Korean government stared at her in a daze, and looked at the cold gazes of the guards beside her, and suddenly remembered that the current princess Wen Zhao is no longer the seventh princess who was slaughtered by others. The saints are not allowed to dictate casually.

Everyone exchanged glances. It is rumored that Li Zhongqian returned to Beijing secretly, intending to assassinate, and was captured on the spot. He is the brother of Princess Wen Zhao, and his brothers and sisters have deep affection. It is no wonder that Li De did not issue an edict to kill him. With Li Zhongqian, Princess Wen Zhao will stand alone. .

After the ceremony, a banquet was held in the palace to catch the wind and dust for the Western army generals.

Yang Qian looked around and couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you see His Royal Highness?"

The official replied: "The prince is leading the troops and has not yet returned to Beijing."

Yaoying's seat was on Li De's left. She didn't watch the song or dance, she held up the wine, and stepped forward, straight to the point: "Your Majesty, where is my brother? Is he alive or dead?"

Li De smiled. After a few years, she was still direct, never imagining anything with him, and still respecting affection, willing to take risks for Li Zhongqian.

He didn't announce who the assassin was. She could execute the assassin secretly at any time. She couldn't find a way to force him to let go. Knowing that Chang'an was a trap, she could only dive in.

"You leave the Central Plains for a long time, stay a few more days, and you will naturally see your brother."

Yaoying said flatly: "As long as Li Zhongqian is okay, I can stay. You have to let me see him first."

Li Dechao gestured to the waiter beside him.

The servant retired, and soon returned with a sword in his hand, shaking the engraved place on the hilt of the sword towards Yaoying.

"Li Zhongqian is still alive now."

Just now.

Yaoying recognized Li Zhongqian's sword, looked down, drank the remaining wine in the glass, and returned to her seat. Young officials kept coming over and wandering around her seat, trying to talk to her, seeing how heavy her thoughts were, she didn't dare to be abrupt and backed away.

Only a few officials whose accents were obviously different from those of others approached Yaoying, toasted her, with a very respectful attitude, and declared themselves: "Your Royal Highness, we are from Nanchu."

They reported their official positions, and they were all ministers of Nan Chu. After Nan Chu surrendered, they were sent to Chang'an.

Yaoying was vigilant and glanced at Li De, thinking he was going to expose his life experience on the spot.

Li De didn't seem to notice the few Southern Chu surrenders. They got up and talked to Yang Qian. They did not lose affinity in their majesty, and the young generals were blushing and couldn't hide their excitement.

Yaoying didn't say much to those Nanchu officials, she said she was too strong to drink, and withdrew early.

Li De did not stop her, only sent someone to give Li Zhongqian's saber to her, saying: "The princess is now precious. Duke Wei is the princess's elder brother. The saint will not do anything to Duke Wei, but the princess has to be careful. Be cautious in your words and deeds, so as not to cause trouble and harm Duke Wei Guo."

Yaoying understood Li De's suggestion and thanked the guests behind closed doors. Everyone sent her posts inviting her to talk, drink tea, serve incense, and enjoy flowers, but she refused all the posts. She stayed in the post every day without leaving the door. Not stepping.

Li De sent people to monitor Yaoying and observed for a few days. He confirmed that Tamara Gha was not accompanying her. There was no royal guard near her, and there were no traces of the royal court near Chang'an. He would continue to send people to investigate. , Immediately replied.

He didn't send someone to send her a letter until it was confirmed that Yaoying did not arrange a contact person privately: If you want to see Li Zhongqian, go to Ci'en Temple first. Attached to the letter is a ceremonial pouch that Li Zhongqian often wears on his body. The beast on it is embroidered by Yaoying.

Yaoying took Xie Qing to Ci'en Temple, prayed to the Buddha, and talked to the host for a few words. After getting the second instruction, she left the temple and went straight to the palace outside the city.

Li De actually shut Li Zhongqian in the palace.

She followed the **** through the winding corridors, into the narrow and cramped secret passages, opened the door, and the man in the corner raised his head and pushed away the messy hair on his face.

"Brother!"

Yaoying was anxious, secretly relieved, and ran over quickly, raising her hand to beat him, "You..."

She and the man looked at each other for a moment, their expressions froze, and a cold sweat broke out on her back.

The man's eyebrows are somewhat like Li Zhongqian.

But he is not Li Zhongqian.

Xie Qing frowned and immediately drew his knife. Yaoying stood up, quickly exited the secret tunnel, raised her head and scanned around.

All exits are guarded by the Jinwu Guards, and the shadows on the top of the wall also ambush people.

Yaoying held Xie Qing's hand and asked calmly, "Where is the Lord?"

Neihuan smiled and led her to the Buddhist hall. Jin Wuwei held a long knife and followed her closely.

The icy light of the knife reflected on her face, her complexion was as usual, and her eyes motioned to Xie Qing to take the knife.

In the temple, there are Buddha statues, rich in sandalwood and incense and candles. Li De sits in front of the Buddha statue, leaning against his crypt, his head is wrapped in a scarf, his face is pale, and he describes him as old.

Yaoying walked into the Buddhist hall, "Is the Holy Master taking so much trouble to trap me? If something happens to me in Chang'an, the settled Western Regions will be chaotic again. The Holy Master can't kill me. What's the use of trapping me?"

Li De's eyes fell on her face, "If you don't trap you, how can you lead Li Zhongqian?"

Yaoying smiled mockingly.

The assassination of Qu Jiangchi was arranged by Li De. He knew her weakness and made the world think that Li Zhongqian was assassinated in public and lured her into Beijing, and then used her as a bait to draw Li Zhongqian out and threaten her with Li Zhongqian.

"How can I be sure that I will be caught?"

Li De looked at the half-rolled Xiangzhu curtain and said, "Since I angered Li Zhongqian and returned to Beijing, every step of your reaction was within my expectations. I cut off your contact with Li Zhongqian and deliberately released the news. You can’t find him. , Eager to save people, knowing it is a trap, it will come."

"Where is my brother?" Yaoying walked to the Buddha statue and threw a piece of incense cake into the bronze incense burner with the head of the beast. "Why do you have his sword?"

"When Li Zhongqian returned to Gaochang, my people followed him. He was very cautious this time. Our people followed him to Jingzhao Mansion. When they were about to close the net, they let him escape, but they got his sword. And his personal belongings trapped him in the square. He hid for many days. It's time to show up."

Although Jin Wuwei could not catch Li Zhongqian, they blocked him in the square, and he could not send out any news, nor could he receive any news. After Yaoying entered the city, Li De ordered her to take all people close to her residence away for interrogation on the grounds of her precious status. However, news of Li Zhongqian could not be found. Li Zhongqian was so calm, it was unexpected for Li De.

Now he lures Yaoying into the palace and releases the news, no matter which corner Li Zhongqian hides in, he will show up sooner or later.

From the moment Li Zhongqian decides to return to the Central Plains, the siblings will fall into his trap-Li Zhongqian must return to Chang'an, he cannot tolerate them to continue to grow, and he will not let them live in peace one day in the reign.

Father and son, kings and ministers, you die and you die, there is no other way to go.

Yaoying sat cross-legged across from Li De.

Li De looked at her: "Aren't you afraid that I will kill you?"

"The whole city of Chang'an knows that I came to the Li Palace. The Holy Master killed me like this. How can I explain to the Western Army? The Holy Master can put me under house arrest and dare not kill me." Yaoying looked at the dense plantain bushes in the courtyard. road.

The corner of Li De's lips raised, and he motioned to the waiter to serve tea.

In fact, he admires Yaoying very much. She is very knowledgeable about current affairs, knowing that she can bend and stretch, but she is the same as Xie Wuliang in her bones. Such a person has too many ties.

Unlike him, unfeeling and unrighteous, he has no scruples.

Yaoying hasn't eaten Chang'an tea for a long time, smelling the familiar tea fragrance, and said: "Holy Master, if I take my brother back to Gaochang, if I don't set foot in Chang'an in this life, will the Holy Master let us go?"

Li De said: "Let the tiger go back to the mountain, and there will be endless troubles."

Yaoying raised her eyes.

Jin Wuwei knelt outside the corridor: "Holy, the news has been released. Martial law is imposed everywhere in the inner city. The Western Army is under our close supervision. All palace gates are guarded by the Forbidden Army. Within five days, no one is allowed except the Forbidden Army. Leaving the square without authorization."

"Five days, that's enough." Li De nodded and glanced at Yaoying, "Chang'an has become a dead city. No one can get close to Li Gong, except for Li Zhongqian's desperate lunatics. Wait for him, but tomorrow night at the latest. , You can see him."

Yaoying was silent.

The heat fades, night falls, the evening breeze blows on the broad banana leaves, sending bursts of coolness, the moon is flowing, and everything is silent.

Xie Qing was taken away, Yaoying sat in front of the Buddha statue, closed her eyes and meditated.

In the silence, a panic shout suddenly sounded, and the surrounding figures were shaking. The guards in black ran out from all corners of the deserted courtyard. The sound of footsteps was like sudden raindrops, crossing the promenade, and surrounding the Buddha. Tang.

Yaoying opened her eyes.

With a few lanterns from far to near, Li De was wearing a large cloak, standing at the door, his face was pale: "Li Zhongqian will come to rescue you tonight, come with me."

Yaoying sneered and got up to follow him.

The scattered pavilions and pavilions of the palace have been shrouded in rumbling black smoke, flames are rising everywhere, and the tongue of fire is scorching the cool moon night. Everywhere people shouting, footsteps, yelling, and scolding are all in one piece, and the air is floating. The soot from the fire.

The guard flew from different directions to report: "Holy, there is a man and horse to the south!"

"There is also an enemy attack from the north!"

"There are also in the east!"

A rain of arrows fell all over the sky.

Without frowning, Li De commanded Ruo Ding, and took Yaoying to the highest Drum Tower, so that the guards ignited the court to illuminate the upper and lower Drum Tower.

The burning torch engulfed the night, and amid the black smoke, several teams rushed to the palace from three directions, and were intercepted and strangled by the ban troops that had been prepared.

Li De looked around and listened to the intermittent calls of killing in the night breeze: "It's all Han, why didn't the Wang Ting people come to rescue you?"

Yaoying stared at the few silver armors that flashed from time to time in the dark night, with a slight mockery in her eyes: "Holy Master thinks the royal court will intervene?"

Li De indeed thought so. He sent people to guard the main routes into Beijing to prevent the royal court people. As long as a royal court person appeared in the palace tonight, he would seize the matter and interrogate Tamaraga and Li Yaoying colluding. , Conceal the evil heart.

"The saints have been worrying a lot. You don't need to involve the royal court in the affairs between you, my father and son, so as not to break the covenant between the two countries."

Yao is indifferent to English.

Li De was silent for a while: "Yang Qian didn't come either. All the generals of the Western Army were still not moving. You are not surprised at all?"

Yaoying smiled: "I guess, when I came to the palace, the Holy Spirit told the Western Army of my life experience?"

He not only wanted to lead Li Zhongqian out, but also wanted to blame Wang Ting and sweep away the generals who were loyal to her in the Western Army in one fell swoop.

Li De nodded: "You are not my daughter, the Western Army will still respect you, but you are from Southern Chu, and there are still remnants of Southern Chu hiding in the mountains and refusing to submit. Just like today’s reunification, the family of the Hexi family wants Return to the court, restore the glory of the past, do not want to be with the remnants of Southern Chu, your status is no longer suitable for their leader."

"Qiniang, the world is like this, don't overestimate people's hearts."

Yaoying sneered.

The fire was blazing.

※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※※

Yinhun banners are probably a custom formed after the Song Dynasty. The description of Yinhun banners in the article refers to folklore materials. Different places and different ethnic groups have different customs and colors. Refer to one of them.

The triumphant song immediately cleared the song, not when Zhaojun was out of the fortress. Quoted from "Four Imperial Poems" (Part One)