Tao and Heaven

Chapter 52: The second level of Taoism?

Gu Wen got off the carriage and saw that the palace was surrounded by heavily armored guards, equipped with spears, crossbows, swords and shields.

The average weight of the Daqian armor was 40 jin, while the imperial guards generally wore iron armor, which could weigh up to 50 jin. Under normal circumstances, it was impossible to wear it on a daily basis. The imperial guards in Bianjing City wore cloth armor and chain mail on a daily basis. Those who could wear iron armor on a daily basis must be the elite of the imperial guards and the most loyal soldiers of the emperor.

One of the three imperial guards, a palace guard.

Gu Wen approached, and cold eyes were cast over him immediately. Some imperial guards had already pulled up their crossbows. Compared with the foreign troops stationed in front of Bianjing and the central army stationed in the city, the momentum of these palace guards was obviously several times higher, revealing the aura of a strong army inside and out.

This is normal. No matter how stupid the Dog Emperor is, he would not fail to value his own personal safety. Moreover, Emperor Daojun is only stupid, but definitely not mediocre.

If immortality is not a delusion, then the absurd thing that he could create famine in three consecutive years of plenty in order to refine the elixir for so many years would not be so absurd. Emperor Daojun is just a pure tyrant and a traitor to the people.

"Put down your weapons and do not be rude to Lord Wen."

A deep voice was heard, and then a general wearing golden armor, a red feather on his head, and with a dignified demeanor walked out.

Gu Wen knew this man, Jin Liang, the leader of the Cavalry Guard, one of the palace guards. He was a descendant of a general and his ancestors were founding heroes. Two years ago, he was still a playboy. He liked to visit brothels and pursued Yang Shanyu, the then courtesan of Qianfeng Tower.

Perhaps it would be embarrassing for the family if he told others about it, so Jin Liang was put in solitary confinement by his family. He escaped halfway and had no money to enter Qianfeng Tower. Gu Wen happened to meet him and took him out for a meal.

Jin Liang stepped forward, clasped his fists, and said enthusiastically, "Wen Hou, I haven't seen you for a long time. I miss you very much."

Gu Wen also said with a familiar look on his face: "Gu has not seen the general for many days. I wonder if you can do me the honor of having a meal with me someday?"

"How dare I refuse the invitation from Marquis Wen?"

The two of them had a pleasant conversation, like old friends who hadn't seen each other for many years.

They had indeed not seen each other for two years, but in reality they were not even close friends. Jin Liang was a descendant of a general family, and he became the commander of the palace guards, so he was also considered a young general.

With such a background and identity, he would look down on Gu Wen, a mere businessman. The reason why he can talk to him now is probably because of the title that has not yet been passed down and the personal guards around him.

These Bian Jing nobles are all shrewd people, and what they are best at is changing their attitude according to the situation.

Gu Wen looked down on the title, but the parasites who lived on the hereditary title didn't think so. Even if Gu Wen was originally a peasant, as long as he had the title, they would accept him and even admire him. This was also to maintain their interests and define a circle that outsiders could not touch.

The merchants of Longqiao are one circle, and people like He Huan, Lu Chan, and Zhao Feng are another circle. This world is a big circle within a small circle.

"I heard that Marquis Wen is going to be conferred a title of Marquis?"

"It's not that I was conferred the title of nobility, but the emperor's grace."

"I still have a younger sister who is not married yet. I wonder if Lord Wen is interested?"

Gu Wen's answer made Jin Liang even more eager, and he began to matchmake for him. Marriage alliance was the most common method used by aristocratic families. The other party liked his marquis, but he didn't like the other party's aristocratic daughter.

"I have heard about the noble lady of the Jin family a long time ago. If there is a chance, I will definitely come to visit you." Gu Wen flattered her. Then he asked, "But now I am more worried about the safety of Your Highness. I wonder if the general can reveal something?"

Jin Liang looked around and saw that there was no one around. He also thought that Gu Wen was the Ninth Prince's confidant, so he lowered his voice and said, "It's not convenient to talk about this, but since Master Wen asked, I can only take the risk and answer."

Gu Wen understood and said, "I just happened to receive a can of tea worth five hundred taels of silver recently. I will deliver it to the general's mansion tomorrow."

Gifts are not considered bribes, this is the rule in the officialdom. Although there is a high probability that there is tea inside, it is still considered a gift. And you can't just give it whenever you want. If you don't have a relationship with someone, giving it to them will only arouse suspicion.

"Thank you very much, Master Wen."

Jin Liangxi smiled happily, and then continued in a low voice: "At noon, there was a strange noise in the study of His Highness the Ninth Prince. The guards went in to check and found the assassin and then fought with him. The noise attracted more guards, and a servant from the palace rode out to report to the authorities. But at that time, all the nearby imperial guards had gone to Longqiao, so he ran outside the palace and shouted. When I arrived with my men, there were only corpses left."

"How is His Highness the Ninth Prince?"

Gu Wen asked anxiously.

He's not dead, is he?
"When I arrived, the Ninth Prince was covered in blood, but he was still breathing. Now he has been sent to the Imperial Hospital of the Palace, and I don't know how he is doing." Jin Liang sighed, "Now is a turbulent time, Marquis Wen, please be careful when you travel in the future." So is he dead or not?

Gu Wen was very anxious, but he didn't let on. He said, "I am indebted to His Majesty the Ninth Prince. If the general has any news, please inform me. I will certainly send you a generous gift."

"Easy to say, easy to say."

Jin Liang agreed readily. As a close confidant in the palace, it was normal for Gu Wen to inquire about the safety of the Ninth Prince.

Although it doesn't comply with regulations, it shouldn't be a problem.
-
Gu Wen drove out of the palace, stopped by the water room to get some medicinal fruit, and then returned to his home.

It was already late at night when we got off the trip.

In the carriage, he suddenly thought of something. Yu Hua lived in the palace. In order to avoid suspicion, he did not go to find her, but since Yu Hua was in the palace, she should know whether Zhao Feng was dead or not.

Unfortunately, I have no means to contact her, and she has always come to me on her own initiative.

Gu Wen returned to the room carrying the medicinal fruit. He opened the door and found Yu Hua, dressed in plain clothes, sitting on a chair with a book in her hands. She was reading by candlelight and moonlight, adding a few strokes with pen and ink from time to time.

When she saw Gu Wen, she smiled and said, "You're back? It seems like you've gained a lot today."

Gu Wen subconsciously hid the sack behind him and said calmly, "I found it on the roadside."

"You are very lucky. This medicinal fruit is a rare main ingredient for alchemy. Each one is worth a fortune. Its medicinal properties are strong, so don't take too much."

As usual, Yu Hua did not delve into the matter further and simply lowered his head to write a few more words.

Gu Wen put the medicinal fruit away and came to the side to watch the other party copying the poems of his ancestors. The handwriting was beautiful and the strokes were smooth, which was much better than his own dog-crawling handwriting. It was pleasing to the eye just by looking at it.

He said: "Zhao Feng was assassinated and has now been sent to the palace for treatment. It is unknown whether he is alive or dead."

Yu Hua did not stop writing, and his expression did not pause at all. He said, "I have not been in the palace in the past few days. I just returned to Bianjing, so I don't know about this."

After she confirmed that Lu Chan would not attack Gu Wen, Yu Hua went out on a boat to look for water veins. As for Zhao Feng's life or death, she didn't care. Zhao Feng was not necessary in the current plan to find the immortal medicine.

And he has not provided any substantial effect so far, just buzzing like a fly.

"Put your hand here, I will teach you another technique."

Could she see that I had mastered all the techniques?

Gu Wen had some doubts, but he still held Yu Hua's hand obediently, which was as delicate and cool as always.

Yu Hua frowned slightly, sensing Gu Wen's wounded body under his clothes, and said, "I'll help you heal your wounds first."

"Some minor injuries."

"Meditate and enter a state of concentration."

Yu Hua was unusually stern, so Gu Wen had no choice but to sit cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed and meditate. He was then fed a pill and a soft voice came into his ears.

"The injury is not serious, it's just the deficiency of Qi and blood. But a thousand-mile dam is breached by an ant hole. A qualified cultivator should never put himself at a disadvantage. No matter what treasure you have obtained, you should treat the injury first."

“I have no cure.”

"I will teach you all about it later. And this is not an excuse. Your meridians are already exhausted, which means you have not stopped to recover your mana, even a little bit."

Suddenly Yu Hua paused. She did not try to find out what level of cultivation Gu Wen had, but when she guided the medicinal properties through the meridians to the whole body, she could clearly feel that it was not what a first-level Taoist should be like.

Is this the second level of Taoism? !
(End of this chapter)