Zhurou

Chapter 234: Dense

The man on the wall couldn't care less and rolled down, shouting, "It's bad! Someone cut us off!!! Hurry up and run back to stop them, or else you won't even be able to eat warm shit!!!"

At this time, no one wanted to investigate the man's heroic act of eating hot shit. Just as they were about to rush forward, they heard the man say, "Wait! Don't go forward, the patrol is coming! There is a small alley behind us, let's block it from behind, and teach those Di thieves what it means to advance and retreat!!"

He stood high and could see far, and what he said seemed very reasonable, so naturally everyone obeyed him. So they picked up the dung buckets and followed the leader to the back.

This time, I had only walked halfway when I saw a few people blocking the road in the middle and a rope around the waist.

This was originally a small alley. How could anyone pass through after the rope was pulled? The leader immediately asked, "Who are you? Why are you blocking us here?"

The man opposite took a torch from the side and held it in front of himself, revealing an old face. It turned out to be the head of a refugee shed. He waved the torch to the side and it turned out that they were all head of the refugee shed, just in charge of different areas, and now they were all blocking the way here.

"Lao Tang, what are you doing here? We are going to stand up for the princess, are you going to stop us?!"

The one called Lao Tang smiled bitterly and said, "You guys made such a big fuss this time, throwing dung and throwing stones. If we don't come, you will cause a big trouble soon. In the end, the princess will have to take the blame for you!"

Some people immediately reacted and rushed forward to say, "Don't tell us about the principles of the two countries. We talk about reason, benevolence, and conscience with the Di people. When have they ever talked to us? Today, we just want to throw feces in their faces. Let alone their lives, we don't even want to take their arms and legs. Why is it that this is not allowed? There are seven people in my family, and there are five dead bandits on my hands. Today, I can't even throw a bucket of feces?"

Then everyone behind them came forward and wanted to speak, but someone else shouted, "If you keep trying to stop me, I'll throw this bucket of water on your face if it can't reach the Di people's face!"

Seeing the situation getting more tense, Old Tang raised his hands and said, "Wait, wait! We came here because of a message from Her Highness. She also told us not to move. She said she knew what we wanted and told us not to move. The court would have its own plans and we would not suffer any loss. If we make a big fuss this time, it would be a small matter to hurt the Di people. But there are so many patrols outside. If they make a mistake, they could easily hurt our own people. It's not worth it."

Everyone had come here out of anger, but when the village head stopped them, and all he said was "Your Highness sent a message" and "Your Highness ordered", they were not discouraged, but they were a little suspicious. They were still unwilling to believe it, so they just asked, "Do you mean what you said? If we don't stop you today, and we don't have the chance to stop you in the future...if Your Highness is really forced to marry, what will you say?"

Who dares to have the final say in the future?

Old Tang laughed in anger and said, "Why are you asking this? Am I surnamed Zhao? How can I, Old Tang, have a say in His Highness' affairs?"

But as soon as he said this, he saw the person opposite him getting agitated again, so he hurriedly stopped him and said, "Wait! If you don't believe what I say, you should believe Madam Zou, right? She has always been loyal to the princess. If she hadn't received the princess's real order, why would she come to persuade her?"

As he spoke, he hurriedly called out "Madam Zou".

As expected, Miss Zou came out from the back and told the story again. It was Zhao Mingzhi who heard from someone that the people in the refugee tent were uneasy, so he sent someone to convey the message to appease them.

Seeing the familiar faces in the palace, and hearing the words spoken in Zhao Mingzhi's tone, all for the benefit of so many people, Madam Zou naturally listened immediately. She went to find the head of the village and told him about what happened today, fearing that a real mess would be caused and difficult to deal with, so a group of people rushed over and finally stopped the people.

Reciting Zhao Mingzhi's words, Lady Zou continued, "His Highness only told us to work steadily, and others will take care of the rest. Don't lose sight of the big picture for the small. Dutingyi is the seat of the imperial court, and the Hanlin scholar is also an official appointed by the imperial court. If you have anything to say, just let her know. If we gather here and hurt someone, there will be trouble, which is always bad. The city has finally been peaceful for a few days. If someone follows our example in the future, they will definitely not have the loyalty and integrity of us, and they will just use this as an excuse to make a scene, and let us take the blame, which will ruin the atmosphere. If we are not careful, it will also affect the future generations' success in the exams and fame."

After she finished speaking, everyone in the field finally fell silent, and even the manure on their shoulders was put back on the ground.

Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment, and there was another round of shouting from the front.

Everyone here couldn't help but move forward to take a look. Those standing in the front saw a crowd of people at the intersection of the two streets. They didn't know when a large crowd had gathered, and it was impossible to count how many people there were. All of them had their heads covered, so they couldn't see their faces clearly, and it was even difficult to tell their ages or genders.

Less than half a mile ahead was Duting Posthouse. Stone lions could be seen at the gate. Three or four Di people were standing at the gate. Another official in red clothes had already walked to the street. Seeing a group of people coming out of the ground, he was obviously startled and shouted, "Patrol! Where are the patrols!"

There were several followers beside him, who were also hurriedly blocking the front.

The patrolmen on the street saw the situation and heard the calls, so they naturally rushed over here, shouting and trying to stop people from approaching the Hanlin scholar.

Seeing the crowds all rushing here, the Di envoys, who were not far from the post station, had no idea what was happening and had to stop.

The one in the lead was Qi Yuan. He wanted to retreat back to the post station, but when he saw the sky turn pale, he stopped abruptly.

At this moment, a shout was heard, and the loudest voice was from someone, shouting: "Fuck the annual tribute! Fuck the marriage!!"

Someone else shouted: "What the hell is this kiss!"

"The princess is our commoner's princess. If you ask for a marriage again, I'll beat your intestines out!"

"Get back!"

"Go back to your house!"

Everyone was shouting, each with a different sentence, but the sound was getting louder and louder as more and more people were shouting. Gradually, it was not limited to the many people with their faces covered. People from nearby also came to watch the fun. Even the people in the refugee tents and the headmen who had come to stop them were infected by the atmosphere and started shouting loudly. All of them gathered together, and the sound shook the sky -

"Get lost, Di thief!"

"roll!!"

"roll!!!"

The sound came in waves, making it almost hard to breathe.

Qi Yuan and a few others were standing at the gate of the post station. No matter how calm they were, they were frightened to the point of trembling under their feet when they were shouted at by hundreds of people coming from far and near.

As for the Hanlin scholar, he was actually a real civil servant. He had very ordinary skills in riding and shooting when he was a student. This time he was walking in the front, closest to the many noises. He was so frightened that his face turned pale, and even his legs were trembling. He almost couldn't hold his urine any longer, and his mouth was trembling, and he couldn't utter a word.

In the end, thanks to the patrol soldiers and many city guards who came over and protected everyone, they were able to get out of this street.

Fortunately, those people did not chase after them. They just followed them along one street and then let them go.

Even so, even after the horse had galloped out of two streets and alleys, the deafening sound of "Get out" still did not stop.

Qi Yuan had been to the battlefield before, so he quickly recovered after not stopping people. His face was no longer panicked. The deputy envoy, who was only a horse length behind him, couldn't help but spurred his horse to a quick trot and whispered, "Should we arrest all those Jin people who are causing trouble?"

Qi Yuan snorted coldly and said, "Let's talk about it after we enter the palace!"

Their group was small in number to begin with, and when they launched the attack, they were surrounded by only ordinary soldiers and generals, so they had no way of making any moves.

But he had urged for many days to go to the palace to meet the emperor again. Today he finally got the approval. He wanted to take this opportunity to urge the marriage and the annual tribute. He must not let anything unexpected happen. However, the envoys lost face today. After all, they represent a country. How can they not take the opportunity to make trouble?

While thinking about the speech, Qi Yuanfang saw the palace not far ahead, so he turned around and looked for the accompanying envoy from the Jin court, who was said to be a Hanlin scholar. However, he could not even see his figure. After asking around, he learned that the envoy was riding a slow horse and had fallen behind halfway.

"How dare the Jin people challenge our dynasty?"

Thinking this in his heart, Qi Yuan said to his followers: "Don't wait, let's go into the palace first."

  ***

Qi Yuan had repeatedly said that he wanted to meet the emperor and had been urging him to do so for several days. Naturally, the two governments knew his purpose.

But ever since Zhao Mingzhi proposed to bring the retired emperor and a group of old ministers back to the capital, and asked several ministers to write a list of intended envoys, the court, which had originally had everyone saying "I have something to report" and "I have something to say", suddenly became much quieter. Now, after the court meeting, everyone had complicated looks when they saw Qi Yuan coming to the palace.

The latter simply bowed in the direction of the dragon throne, and then angrily told what he had experienced today, and finally questioned: "My dynasty is kind enough to negotiate with the Southern Dynasty, is this how you respond? It is said that the Southern Dynasty is famous for its courtesy, how can there be such a word of 'courtesy'?"

Qi Yuan, who didn't realize that he had dodged a lot of shit, was still angry when he spoke, and his voice became louder. He asked again: "If the Southern Dynasty has no intention of seeking peace, then tell our Dynasty clearly that they were able to fight for so many years in the past, so why can't they fight again in the future?!"

Such words sounded like a shout in the court of the Great Jin Dynasty.

Someone couldn't help but stand out and said, "Let the envoy know that the Northern Di have been fighting for decades, and every family in our dynasty has been hurt and every household has lost a life. This time we are just venting our anger."

"Since we can't win, it's always a fight between you and me on the battlefield. Don't you Jin people have a saying, 'We are not as skilled as others'? Since we are not as skilled as others, what's wrong with them dying?" Qi Yuan sneered.

"In the past, our dynasty lived by the water and grass. When we encountered wild beasts, the winner would eat their meat, and the loser would become meat in the mouth of the other beast. Even animals understand this principle. Don't you southerners understand it?"

Without waiting for the other party to answer, he stepped forward again, raised his head and said loudly: "Your Majesty, last time the emperor of our dynasty wanted to marry the princess of the Southern Dynasty, but I don't know how you guys are going with the discussion this time!"

Before Zhao Hong could speak, Yang Ting, who was standing at the steps, said in a cold voice: "How can we be careless about such a major event as the marriage between the two countries? Since the Northern Dynasty wants to marry our princess, they should follow the local customs and obey our arrangements. Does the Northern Dynasty eat meat like wild beasts and marry like wild beasts?"

Seeing that it was Yang Ting who was speaking, Qi Yuan sneered and said, "If the emperor of our dynasty wants to marry, he must follow the rules of our dynasty. Today, we should still give some face to the Southern Dynasty. If you keep talking too much, I don't know if our emperor will change his mind - by then, the princess may not be married."

He never said it out loud, but the threat was impossible to ignore.

"you!"

Before Yang Ting could reply, Zhao Hong on the steps was already furious and was about to curse, but Zhao Mingzhi on the side stopped him and said, "The marriage between the two countries is a matter of state affairs for the officials to discuss. I have always been a person who would not marry blindly. How can I not know the appearance and talent of the Northern Dynasty emperor?"

The beggar never expected to be asked such a question, and he immediately smiled and said, "My emperor is brave and handsome, and he is a perfect match for the princess. You will know when you marry her, but there is no need to be so anxious, right?"

"Are you Zonggu?"

Qi Yuan's smile froze on his face.

Zhao Mingzhi said coldly through the screen: "Since you are not a member of the royal family, how can you speak for him? I want to know his appearance and talent. It is a private matter between him and me. What does it have to do with you? Are you going to marry me?"

She avoided state affairs and only talked about marriage, which caught Qi Yuan off guard and he didn't know how to answer.

  Although they were separated by a screen, everyone knew that the eldest princess had an outstanding appearance. Not to mention other things, just her voice was enough to win people's hearts. It was said that she was also very capable in doing things. When the marriage was really carried out, if she could please the new emperor - which was possible, it was not impossible - what would she do if she tried to deceive herself?

Qi Yuan, who had been speaking without restraint and not taking the people of Jin seriously in the court, suddenly felt a little panicked.

Originally, Nan Chao seemed unwilling to let the princess marry north, and he never took the princess seriously. He just wanted to get things done casually and count it as his own achievement. But today, after listening to the princess speak and her talk about marriage, it seemed as if she really wanted to be a proper couple, which made Qi Yuan change his mind all of a sudden.

I am most afraid of pillow talk.

There is a saying in the Southern Dynasties that goes, "Even a hero cannot resist the temptation of a beautiful woman."

It's not possible that in this marriage between the two countries, the princess will gain the upper hand and get the advantage, right?

Before Qi Yuan could say anything, Zhao Mingzhi continued, "I will send someone north. Our dynasty wants to bring back the emperor and his old ministers. My attendant will follow the Jin Dynasty delegation to Xingqing Prefecture to meet the emperor of the Northern Dynasty on my behalf. You can write a letter or send someone to inform them. It's up to you."

Such a statement made Qi Yuan stunned for a moment, and he didn't know which question to ask first.

However, as Zhao Mingzhi said just now, he is not a clan member, so he cannot make the decision easily no matter what.

Qi Yuan stood there in a daze, not knowing what was going on. He had clearly had the upper hand a moment ago, but now nothing had happened. How come the situation seemed to have turned around in just a few breaths?

Just as he was about to speak, a eunuch suddenly trotted in from outside the palace. The eunuch looked nervous and went to the side of the emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty. He didn't know what he said. The little emperor looked surprised and seemed to have asked a question. The eunuch then turned to find the princess behind the screen. When he finished speaking, the princess said, "I will come here first today. If there is anything, please inform the envoy."

But he seemed to have encountered an urgent matter and had to see the guest off in a hurry.

As soon as he said this, a eunuch came forward and wanted to drive Qiyuan and his group out.

Qi Yuan didn't know what was going on, but when he saw the little emperor's appearance and pondered the princess's words, he felt uneasy. He didn't want to keep her, so he walked out.

He had just walked out of the palace gate, and had not taken more than ten steps, when he saw a group of three people walking towards him, followed by two eunuchs.

The one in the lead had thick eyebrows, round eyes, a square face, big fists and long hands. He was very tall. He was carrying a wooden box in one hand and walked with great vigor.

Qi Yuan had been on the battlefield for many years and could sense at a glance that the other party still had murderous aura. He also smelled a strange fishy odor, so he became alert and could not help but take another look at him and guess his identity.

The two sides passed each other.

Qi Yuan could not help but look back, and saw that person walking to the door of the hall from which he had just come out. He suddenly turned back and saw Qi Yuan's face, showing eight white teeth. He raised the box in his hand slightly higher and smiled sinisterly.

He had a handsome appearance, but this smile inexplicably made Qi Yuan feel cold. He caught a glimpse of the corner of the wooden box and felt that there seemed to be several dark spots.

I will correct the typos tomorrow.