Late Tang

On the morning of October [-]th, the first year of Zhenlong, there were many ox carts and mule carts parked across Xishi Street, Jinguangmen, Xicheng, the capital of Chang'an City, and some of them stopped in front of Qunxian Square in front of Jinguangmen. All the drivers get up early and arrive as soon as the dawn breaks.There was yelling and shouting there early in the morning.

Wei An is the chief manager of the Wei family in Yanshoufang, West City. Zhao Wei and Du, known as Jingzhao Weidu, are the top wealthy families five feet above the sky.Although the Wei family in Yanshoufang is a branch of Jingzhao Wei's, they are still not small. Even after these years of wars, they still retain a lot of style.Wei An, an elderly man in his fifties, had hired these mules and carriages early on, planning to take the Wei family out of the city and take refuge in the countryside.He was smoking a roll of tea, watching the coachmen feeding their animals, and joking noisily.From the cattle to the cattle's ancestors, there is nothing to say, and the joke will definitely be made on their own heads in a while.Wei An didn't know what these poor coachmen were happy about, anyway, he couldn't be happy, he stayed in Wei's house all his life, and it was not bad in the early years.But since the death of Emperor Yizong, the life of the capital Chang'an has been difficult.

This is already the third time that the Wei family has evacuated Chang'an with their whole family. The first time was when Huang Chao invaded Tongguan. That time, he withdrew in such a hurry that he didn't even have time to take a lot of belongings with him. It was the stewards of the family who pulled out a team of soldiers. Come over and escort them away. That time, they took nothing but people.The second time, it was not long after the official army regained Chang'an, they returned to Chang'an from Fengxiang with their family and the official army.But they didn't stay for a few days, and as a result, there was civil turmoil in the military town in Chang'an City, and they fled again.

This is already the third time, and the only thing that is better is that it is not as panicky as the previous two times.

A mule driver said there: "In this day and age, who knows if you can come back after driving this train?"

Wei An took a sharp puff of the tea cigarette, and the white paper rolled tea cigarette was brightly lit and bright orange.The taste of tea mixed with mint and a small amount of traditional Chinese medicine lingers in the mouth, refreshing the whole mind immediately.He reluctantly exhaled a puff of smoke, and smiled as kindly as possible: "You guys can make a lot of money by catching this train, and you can buy a lot of food with this money."

The mule driver took a few breaths of air enviously, inhaled a bit of smoke mixed with Wei An's high-quality tea smoke into his nose, smacked his mouth and said: "It seems that there is a lot of money, but now the rice in Chang'an In the industry, there has long been a price without a market. A bucket of rice is worth ten thousand yuan, and thieves and birds are just playing around. These greedy grain merchants, they hoard for odds, and they want to make a lot of money from refugees at this time. They are not afraid of earning their lives or spending their lives. Hmph No matter how much money you are greedy for, hmph, what is the use of money when a person is dead? Hmph, the swords of those Sanchuan soldiers don’t have eyes. The family promised to run this trip to pay wages, and also give two buckets of millet. Who would take such a big risk to go out of the city? You have to go outside to earn some food, right?"

Another mule driver interjected, "Who says it's not? However, once Sanchuan's soldiers and horses enter the city, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Chang'an City to survive. As for me, I'm willing to leave here."

"Of course you are willing to leave. You are single. You have no father, no mother, no wife and no children. This big horse mule is your wife. This trip for the Wei family not only covers food and drink on the way, but also earns two buckets of millet. You have the opportunity to leave the place of right and wrong again, and lie down in Fengxiang, how could you not want to. But our family, young and old, can’t just leave.”

The rising sun gushes out from the east, and the red sun reflects half of the eastern sky red, and the morning glow is brilliant.

The morning sun shone on the gate of the mansion, and the morning white dew glistened on the leaves of the huge locust tree.This is the mansion of the Wei family. The vermilion lacquered gate at the gate and the tall house number are grand and magnificent everywhere. Although the Wei family has never been an official for the next two generations, relying on Jingzhao Wei's branch, Coupled with the experience of the old lady of the Wei family who served two terms as the local governor and one term as the servant of the Six Departments, the Wei family is still aloof and unattainable.

At this time, in the compound, the old man of the Wei family, who was over 70 years old and had served as two governors and one assistant minister, was sitting on a big soft chair under the porch in front of the hall door.Although the morning light is extremely beautiful, the climate at the end of October at this time is still extremely cold in the morning.However, although the old man is old, his body is very strong.He was wearing a large cotton skirt, his hair was combed meticulously, and was tied up in a bun on the top of his head.With a lit cigar between the fingers of his right hand, he was watching the morning light very relaxedly.

One of the old man's grandsons was anxiously persuading him: "My lord, what time is it? Why are you so calm? Then Gao Renhou is about to enter the city, let's go quickly. The sixth uncle at the master's house has already I promised my father that we would go out of the city together behind their convoy. Uncle Seven of the master’s family would directly send a team of magical soldiers to escort us to Fengxiang. They didn’t wait for anyone, and if we were delayed, we couldn’t leave. "

"I'm not going anywhere, just stay here." The old man took a puff of his cigar, let the smoke circle in his mouth a few times, and then spit it out again.He enjoys this kind of cigar made of precious tea leaves, ginseng antler and other precious medicinal materials. He can smoke a few sips anytime, anywhere. good.After becoming an official, when he was old, he escaped twice.The two bad escape experiences are still unforgettable for the old man.He is old and doesn't want to run anymore.Even if he died, he wanted to die in Chang'an, in the Wei Mansion.

Wei Yun, who is over 40 years old, is the eldest grandson of the old man. After the old man, no one in this branch has ever been an official.The old man's sons don't have this talent, and they can't be successful without writing, so the old man simply won't let them get involved in this circle anymore.With the name of the Wei family, the descendants of the Wei family have the villages and shops handed down by their ancestors, and they don't have to worry about food and clothing.Over the years, the head of the Wei family has long been replaced by the eldest son of the old man, and it is the eldest grandson who is really in charge.

Wei Yun jumped up suddenly, and he said anxiously: "My grandfather, he said that the officers and soldiers in Chang'an would not be able to defend. I heard that Gao Renhou was the No.1 general of Sanchuan, the most powerful person under Tian Lingzi. A few years ago, Sanchuan There have been chaos in the local area several times, and that Dongchuan Yang Shili made chaos, but which one was not quickly defeated by him? This time he went all the way from Dongchuan to the north, broke through Wuguan, and went down to Lantian. He was unstoppable! These Sanchuan soldiers are not the masters of the king. If they break Chang'an, I'm afraid they will burn, kill and loot again like Huang Chao entered Chang'an. It's better for us to leave here as soon as the previous two times. Even if this If the courtyard of the mansion is destroyed, it will be destroyed, as long as there are people around, there is nothing to be afraid of." Wei Yun is also nearly 40 years old, and has started a business with the Wei family's signboard these years, but it is also very impressive.In the past few years, the Wei family has already established a property in Fengxiang and even Lingwu, which can be regarded as an early precaution.

But the old man said indifferently: "The sky is going to change."

Wei Yun turned his head to look at the sky, and the sky was full of morning glow in the east, no matter how you look at it, it looks like a sunny day.

The old man continued: "A storm is coming, it will be a heavy rain, and it will sweep the earth. Chang'an will be enveloped, even if you go to Fengxiang or Lingwu, you will still have to bear the rain. Since sooner or later There is no way to avoid a heavy rain, so why go to the wild to soak in the rain?"

Wei Yun was a little puzzled, and looked at the old man blankly.

The old man sighed and said: "On the way, a person suddenly encountered heavy rain and ran quickly. Halfway, I met a person who was strolling in the rain. Ask, it's raining heavily, run quickly. The man shook his head and said, the field is empty, there is nowhere to hide In the rain, what difference does it make between running fast or walking slowly, after finishing speaking, I don’t care about that person and continue to walk slowly in the rain.”

"Grandfather, it's common sense to run around in the rain, right?"

"But what that person said is right. There is nowhere to take shelter from the rain. Whether you run or walk slowly, you will still get caught in the rain. If that's the case, why bother?" The old man took a puff of the flue.

Wei Yun stood there in a daze, still not quite understanding what his grandfather meant.

After a long time, the old man said slowly: "What do you think of Qin Wang Li Jing?"

Wei Yun thought for a while, "Li Jing enjoys a very high popularity in Kanto, especially in Shandong, and his prestige is unparalleled. He is a hero in the world!"

After hearing this, the old man shook his head, "Qin King Li Jing, a true hero and king of all ages."

Wei Yun didn't expect the old man to have such a high opinion of Li Jing, he knew his old man well, he was a very old-fashioned old man with sharp eyes.Whether it is Tian Lingzi or Yang Fuguang, or even the Supreme Emperor Li Xuan, or the current Li Ye, he has nothing to say.Unexpectedly, there is such a high evaluation of Li Jing.

"Li Jing is the new king. He will create a new dynasty to replace Li Tang, and even surpass Li Tang in the future. Dalang, the times are changing, the dark clouds are about to disperse, and a new era is coming."

Wei Yun lowered his head in thought.

"My lord, you said that Li Jing will have the world?"

"Yes, and this day is not far away, it is just around the corner. Yang Fugong is indeed not Gao Renhou's opponent, but Gao Renhou is only a general, but how can he defeat the king Li Jing? A wolf fights a tiger, but a real dragon Once out, all beasts had to surrender. Yuner, Li Jing has already entered the customs, and even the four foreign towns such as Dingnan have been quickly defeated and surrendered. Just ask, how can the two eunuchs Yang Fugong or Tian Lingzi be Li Jing? Jing's opponent? In other words, the two brothers of Li Shi are still capable of turning the tide? The heavy rain is coming, and any action is just a final useless toss. Yun'er, our Wei family does not need to toss, we just need to wait quietly for the day Just come. For our Wei family, this is rain, not a disaster, and there is no need to avoid it!"

"But Li Jing is still far away by the Yellow River, but Gao Renhou is already approaching the city. I'm afraid the distance can't quench his thirst!"

When the old man opened his eyelids, his originally cloudy eyes suddenly flashed two sharp lights. At this moment, Wei Yun thought he was dazzled.At this moment, the old man doesn't have the slightest bit of old lady Longzhong, he is clearly extremely wise. "Gao Renhou is indeed a rare general in Sichuan, but the more he is like this, the more he understands the situation in front of him. He who knows the current affairs is a hero. How can a general like Gao Renhou go all the way to the dark? Don't worry. , the chaos will always come to an end, and the moment to see the blue sky has come when the clouds and mists are lifted!"

The old man said so firmly, Wei Yun pondered for a moment, finally nodded and decided to stay.However, he was more thoughtful, and after leaving, he went to his father's courtyard.In the end, most of the members of the Wei family stayed behind, only the seven or eight young children under the age of ten who belonged to the Wei family, and finally Second Uncle Wei Yun took them to Fengxiang with the people from the main family.Eggs cannot be put in one basket. This is a truth that Wei Yun has learned in the mall since he started business.

In Tongzhou, Li Jing personally led [-] elite guards to the south, and the front line defenses of Chengcheng, Hexi, and Heyang in the north of Pusan ​​Pass were almost vulnerable to the most powerful army in the world.Under the guidance of the Black Eagle Battle Banner, the Guards Corps marched forward indomitably.It only took them an hour to break through Hexi City, and then took half an hour to break through Heyang City. As for Chengcheng, even before they reached the bottom of the city, the defenders in the city had already voluntarily left the city and surrendered.It took the Qin army only one day to take this line of defense.Most of the time was spent marching on the road. In fact, it only took an hour and a half to capture the three cities.

After the three forwards of the Guards quickly took down the three cities, they left some soldiers and horses to guard the three cities.Li Jing's army continued to move southward in a dense manner, and joined Wang Yanzhang and others in Feng Yicheng.

In the distance, the outline of Feng Yicheng has appeared.

On the eve of the arrival of Li Jing's army, Wang Yanzhang and other generals from the Western Expedition had already attacked Feng Yicheng bravely.For the soldiers of the Western Expedition, no matter how strong Feng Yicheng is, His Highness must not let His Highness personally lead troops to help.They must take this city before King Qin arrives.

Although it took more casualties and more ammunition and arrows, Feng Yi was finally taken down.Although Li Quanzhong's son, Li Kuangwei, wanted to defend to the death, in the end his soldiers could not withstand the extremely fierce offensive. Facing huge casualties, they were finally broken through.

King Qin is coming soon, and Feng Yicheng, which has just been captured, has already been on strict alert.Groups of blood-stained Western Expedition soldiers took over the city as quickly as possible, and then wiped out the inside and outside of the city over and over again.Regardless of their fatigue, the soldiers set up guards and welcoming soldiers from the gate of the city all the way to the north for ten miles.And Feng Yicheng's captives were all imprisoned in prisoner camps outside the city, and even the people in the city were strictly regulated to welcome them only twenty steps away from the street.

Among those Feng Yi people who were asked to come out from house to house to greet His Highness the King of Qin, and were searched carefully, and were asked to stand twenty steps outside the cordon to greet His Highness, there were two with shaved heads and black hairdresses. The young man in the blue double-breasted leather robe, who looked gentle and steady, but with piercing eyes, was also standing in the crowd behind the soldiers and watching from afar.

The man in front was about forty, tall and strong, while the young man behind him looked sixteen or seventeen years old, also tall, strong and handsome, with sharp-edged cheeks and a slightly protruding beard under his jaw.

The middle-aged man who looked like the young man's father approached the young man and asked in a low voice, "Lang Jun, what should I do?"

The young man stared at the approaching black cavalry team in the distance, and smiled coldly: "It's better to meet by chance than to meet again. I didn't expect to meet him here. It's just in time!" As he said, he squeezed his hands Fist in the sleeve.

"Your Majesty, be careful, this is the territory of the Han people. If something goes wrong, we can't escape. The clan is still waiting for us to exchange horses for armaments to equip the tribesmen to fight the damned Uyghurs, so as to In exchange for a place to stay in the grassland. If we expose our identities here, not only will your lord be in danger, but our business may also be ruined. Your lord has always taught us to learn the culture of the Han people. The Han people have a saying that a gentleman takes revenge. Ten years It's not too late. A little patience can lead to chaos and big plans. Our Khitan finally moved westward to the foot of Jinshan under the leadership of Mr. Lang. What we need now is to gain a firm foothold under the big clans of the Uighurs and the Sharks, and gather together to recuperate. Instead of fighting to the death with Qin Mermaid!"

The young man's breathing gradually calmed down. He clenched his fists, stared forward, and said in a low voice: "Sooner or later, XX will come back and replace him!" (To be continued.)