Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling boarded the carriage, and Sister Xiao and Xiang Yushan accompanied them into the city. Su Su and Yun Yuzhen sat in another carriage with other arrangements.
Dugu Sheng was afraid that Yuwen Clan would predict the news and would prevent them from entering the palace, so he came to greet them in person.
This master of the Dugu clan, second only to Dugu Feng, has an unremarkable appearance. He is just a short and skinny old man in his fifties, but his eyes that seem to be open and closed are deep and bright, and his temples are bulging high.
Let people know that he is not an idle person.
He was polite to Kou and Xu but kept a distance from them. On the contrary, he was quite friendly to Xiao Huan and Xiang Yushan, and obviously did not take Kou Xu seriously.
Surrounded by Dugu Sheng and more than a hundred guards, the team entered Yangzhou City.
When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling returned to their old place, they immediately felt an itch in their hearts. They wished they could slip out of the car immediately to say hello to their childhood friends and foes, or to see if Boss Yan was still alive.
Xiangyushan said in the ears of the two of them: "We are so lucky. Yang Guang happened to be in the palace today, didn't you know? Since he became emperor, he has not stopped for a day, either traveling or going on expeditions, which has made the gods angry and people angry.
Don't worry, otherwise everyone wouldn't rebel."
Sister Xiao sighed: "Now he has handed over the Xijing Chang'an to his grandson Yang You, and the eastern capital Luoyang is governed by his grandson Yang Tong, the king of Yue, but he is hiding here. Even the lady of the Sixteenth Academy of Luoyang is afraid."
He abandoned it and ignored it. Who would have thought that Du Fuwei came to Liyang, and Li Zitong went straight to Jiangdu, and there was no paradise for him in the world."
Xiangyushan continued angrily: "The king of Dai, King Yue, was twelve and eleven years old, and he was actually in charge of the west and east capitals respectively. Didn't the power fall into the hands of powerful ministers such as Yang Shichong? What if Yang Guang had any shortcomings?
, the world will be ten times more chaotic than it is now."
Kou Zhong's eyes shone when he heard this, and Xu Ziling saw it. The carriage suddenly stopped.
Dugu Feng said outside the window: "Your Majesty just went to Linjiang Palace, we have to change the itinerary."
※※※
After Yang Guang ascended the throne, he ordered the construction of Yangzhou City, where he was the general manager, and renamed it Jiangdu. Not only did he expand the city outline, build palaces, and build gardens, he also built Guiyan in the north of the city near the mountains and rivers.
Return flow, pine forest and other "Shu Gang Ten Palaces".
But the most magnificent thing is the Linjiang Palace, which was built separately on the bank of the Yangtze River. Whenever Yang Guang has a whim, he will go there to enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Yangtze River, morning or evening.
When Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling paid a visit to this unlucky emperor who had destroyed his fortune the most quickly in history, he was drinking and having fun with his beloved concubines Xiao Yu and Zhu Gui'er at the palace overlooking the Yangtze River. They had forgotten that there were wars and troubles outside.
It was such a turmoil.
When Kou Zhong got off the bus at the square, he saw that the guards were extremely tight. Dugu Sheng personally searched them without weapons before leading them into the palace. However, Xiang Yushan and Sister Xiao had to stay at the palace gate.
Dugu Sheng led them through the corridor, and the sound of the surging water of the Yangtze River, faintly mixed with the melodious sound of music, came from the palace palace in front.
It was the first time for the two of them to arrive at such a magnificent place with intricate decorations, colorful flowers and colorful decorations. For a moment, they were overwhelmed and at a loss of whether to advance or retreat.
Kou Zhong whispered: "This is called glory and wealth."
Dugu Sheng in front shouted coldly: "Don't talk!"
Kou Zhong was startled and quickly fell silent.
Xu Ziling thought in his heart that ghosts want to live in this noisy, tacky and annoying place. As long as I have a hut in the deep mountains and poor valleys as a shelter, accompanied by the wind, moon, birds and beasts, that will be enough.
There are guards everywhere in the palace and in the sentry towers. Without Dugu Sheng to lead the way, it would be difficult to move forward.
When they were watching the river platform, an official came in front and stopped them.
This man was handsome and handsome, aged thirty-five or six. After being introduced by Dugu Sheng, he turned out to be the chamberlain Yu Shiji, one of the most favored ministers of Yang Guang.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling saw his sloppy steps and knew that not only did he not know martial arts, but he had also been drained by drinking and sex, so he looked extremely weak.
Logically speaking, the chamberlain should be the head eunuch, but his appearance does not have the uncanny aura of a real eunuch, which is hard to understand.
After Yu Shiji looked at the two of them, he said to Dugu Sheng, "It's them after all."
Dugu Sheng nodded yes.
Only then did Kou and Xu know that Yu Shiji was involved in this matter; it seemed that another of Yang Guang's favorites, the imperial censor Fei Yun, should also be a backbone in the action against the Yuwen clan.
After Yu Shiji looked at the two of them carefully, he said: "Give me the account book first, and you two will wait in the side hall. When the time comes, I will come and take you to see the Holy Emperor."
After Kou Zhong exchanged glances with Xu Ziling, he reluctantly took out the account book and put it into Yu Shiji's hands. Yu Shiji immediately looked through it, and when he opened it in the middle, he laughed and said: "General Sheng, we really got a treasure on this trip.
Let’s see how long Yuwen Valve can continue to be popular."
Dugu Sheng twitched his beard and smiled.
※※※
They stayed in a hall next to Wangjiang Terrace for two hours, waiting until the sun was about to set, but Yu Shiji or Dugu Sheng still did not come to take them to see Yang Guang.
There are guards guarding all sides of the palace, and they are held in the palace like prisoners.
Xu Ziling sat quietly in a corner, watching Kou Zhong pace back and forth uneasily, frowning and said, "Can you be more patient?"
Kou Zhong stopped in front of him and sighed: "Maybe we came in the wrong place. Now we have even given the account books to someone, and we still don't know how to leave."
Xu Ziling said: "Don't worry! As long as we are still useful, they will rely on us. These people are really putting the cart before the horse. They ignore the chaos outside and only want to defeat other people around them. No wonder the rebel army is growing in strength."
Already."
After a pause, he said: "What I'm most worried about is Sister Su. After meeting the Hunjun later, we will try to leave here to meet Sister Su and go so far away immediately. Regardless of whether the Yuwen Clan has been overthrown or not, this place is not suitable.
Long stay."
Kou Zhong sat down next to him and said: "You are right. If the Yuwen clan is ordered to confiscate their homes and exterminate their clan, it will definitely cause an uproar. Yuwen Wenhua and others will definitely fight back with all their strength. It will be strange that Jiangdu will be in chaos at that time."
Xu Ziling said: "Don't forget that my father and Li Butong are eyeing Jiangdu. As long as they know that Jiangdu is in chaos, they will definitely attack with their troops. Alas! It's scary to think about it."
Kou Zhong didn't know what he thought of and was speechless when Yu Shiji came. Along with him was a fat official, with narrow eyes and a wide face, and a rosacea, giving him the look of a traitor.
Yu Shiji said excitedly: "The two little brothers came to see the Censor."
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were quite flattered when they heard him call them little brother. Thinking that this was Yu Shiji's partner Fei Yun, they hurriedly followed the method taught by Sister Xiao to salute.
Fei Yun put on a kind face and said with a smile: "The two little brothers have made great achievements, and the Japanese officials will definitely report to the emperor, and they will be rewarded heavily."
Yu Shiji said: "Strike while the iron is hot. Your Majesty should have seen the account books. Now take the two little brothers to meet with the Majesty. But don't mention the account books. Even if the Majesty asks, you must pretend that you don't know about this."
thing."
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling looked at each other and realized at the same time that the great contribution of the account book had been taken by these two treacherous villains.
Fei Yun said with a smile: "You two little brothers should be sensible people. Follow us well from now on, and I guarantee that you will enjoy endless glory and wealth. Come on!"
The two looked at each other and smiled bitterly, and followed them helplessly.
Fei Yun, who was leading the way, suddenly lowered his voice and spoke. The two of them focused their ears and heard every word. They only heard him say:
"Three urgent documents came to Luoyang in one day. Wang Shichong is such a bastard. Does he want us to behead him? I burned all the documents."
Yu Shiji said: "I still have a headache. Just now, the commander of the imperial army, Sima Dekan, ignored my stop and forced his way to Wangjiang Terrace to see the Holy One. He said that the imperial guards' food and salary were being exploited by others, and the soldiers were well fed and hungry, and there were so many of them.
They are from Guanzhong. They knew that the Li clan was revolting and were worried about something happening in their hometown. They fled Jiangdu in droves and asked the emperor to issue an order to calm the morale of the army."
Fei Yun said with a smile: "Fortunately, the person who exploited the military rations is the Holy One himself, we are just executing it on his behalf and will not do anything about it. Hee!
Did the Holy One order people to beat Sima Dekan out with a stick for being ignorant of current affairs?"
Yu Shiji said: "I wonder if the Holy Spirit has changed his mind? Or maybe he knows that Dou Xian, the general of the Imperial Guard, also escaped with his men. Therefore, he knew that the situation was serious and only ordered Sima Dekan to chase Dou Xian back immediately, otherwise he would be killed.
At the expense of my own head, I really hope Dou Xian can leave quickly!"
At this time, they had already stepped onto the steps of Wangjiang Terrace, and Yu and Fei stopped talking.
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling who were behind were shocked when they heard this. Yang Guang was indeed a foolish king, otherwise how could there be such traitorous ministers as Yu Shiji and Fei Yun appearing.
"Kou Zhong, a small citizen, brought here by Xu Ziling!"
As the gate official sang "Nai", the two of them, together with Yu Shiji and Fei Yun, came to the stone steps where Yang Guang's dragon throne was located. They knelt three times and kowtowed nine times. At the end of the ceremony, the gate official sang again: "Ping Shen!"
The two of them stood up with Yu Shiji and Fei Yun, took a closer look, and were immediately stunned.
I saw that the dragon platform with a width of twenty feet was filled with the beautiful concubine Ji'e, at least fifty or sixty people. They were surrounded by stars like a moon over the dragon seat high up, and they were busy eating fruits from the concubine's hand.
Emperor Yang Guang of the Sui Dynasty.
Duhu Sheng Piaoran stood at the foot of the steps, followed by the Imperial Guards surrounding the high platform, separating Yang Guang from Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.
After Yang Guang touched the breast of the concubine next to him, he looked down the steps and seemed to turn a blind eye to Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling. He glared at Fei Yun and said with a smile: "Fei Qing's family is here, help me solve the problem at hand."
"
Yu Shiji respectfully smiled and said: "Your Majesty, these two..."
Yang Guang interrupted him impatiently and said: "I know, we will talk about other things later."
Under the illumination of the palace lantern, Yang Guang's face was even uglier than that of Xiangyushan before he was healed, as pale as a dead man. He seemed to be only about fifty years old, with tall shoulders. Although he wore a bright nine-dragon robe and a high crown on his head, he looked...
It feels like a person is wearing a shroud of decadence.
Anyone can see that his strength is exhausted and his time is numbered.
Fei Yun hurriedly said: "The Holy Spirit has given me a message!"
Yang Guang sighed: "I really don't understand, what's wrong with Jiangdu? It faces the river to the south, with undulating hills and pleasant scenery. It has been the number one resort in Jianghuai since ancient times. However, more and more soldiers are fleeing, and even Dou Xian escaped privately.
,What is the principle of Qing family’s evaluation?"
This time even Fei Yun and Yu Shiji were speechless, and the others were even more silent for fear of causing misfortune.
Fei Yun couldn't help but speak, and he coughed dryly and said: "Someone must be spreading rumors about this matter to incite military morale. The minister will definitely investigate everything and report it to the Holy One."
Yang Guang sneered and said: "Who can incite my army and want me to conquer the south and north to pacify the world? They also went to Korea three times. Their military exploits were unparalleled and the soldiers admired them. I don't believe they will listen to gossip. Please investigate this matter thoroughly.
."
Kou Zhong couldn't help but nudged Xu Ziling with his elbow, pretending that he didn't want to hear it.
Yang Guang's seemingly unfocused eyes actually saw it and shouted angrily: "Why is that kid looking so weird and being so disrespectful to me?"
Yang Guang and Yu Shiji accompanied the two of them in a panic. Of course, they were afraid that the two witnesses had been pushed out and executed by Yang Guang before they could testify.
Kou Zhong secretly made a gesture to Xu Ziling, indicating that he was ready to break out and escape at any time. He did not even kowtow and said with a smile: "Maybe the Holy One is too profound, so he only thinks deeply. We simple people
The ant people, of course, think much simpler. Just now, the ant people just couldn't figure out the inscrutable things about the Holy One, so they wrinkled up their little faces."
Everyone screamed in unison secretly. Yang Guang was most afraid of people being sarcastic. Kou Zhong really wanted to die this time.
Zhu Gui'er, who was waiting for him to eat fruit next to Yang Guang, did not dare to intervene to help Kou Zhong under such circumstances.
Dugu Sheng secretly sighed in his heart. He wanted to kill the two of them himself. He really didn't know how to explain it to the Baling Gang. Under the expectation of everyone, Yang Guang's face dropped and he said coldly: "What is profound and simple?
What exactly does the boy mean?"
On the surface, Kou Zhong was calm and unhurried, but secretly he was mentioning Ju Xuan Gong, and said calmly: "What I think of is that if everyone can hug each other here like the Holy One, he who still deserts must not be a real man."
At this time, everyone looked at Kou Zhong like a condemned criminal, because he did the last thing he should do in front of Yang Guang, which was to tell the "truth."
Yang Guang was stunned for a moment, and then he slapped the armrest of the dragon throne vigorously. He laughed so hard that he said like a child: "It's really simple! It's really simple!"
Everyone's hearts jumped up and down with his laughter, because they knew that he loved to laugh wildly before killing people.
Xu Ziling nodded slightly to Kou Zhong, reminding him that he could escape at any time.
The laughter stopped suddenly.
Yang Guang coughed twice more and let Zhu Gui'er and Mrs. Xiao wipe away the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes.
Then he looked down at Kou Zhong and said, "I am waiting for those who are emperors to work hard every day, so if they are slow in thinking, they will bring disaster to the country and the people. For now, my dear, tell me the reason, and I will immediately think of countermeasures. Come here!"
All the concubines cooed and smiled flatteringly.
Dugu Sheng thought that what he feared had finally happened, so he responded respectfully: "Dugu Sheng is here!"
Yang Guang said in astonishment: "The Qing family can't do this. Come here!"
Everyone looks at me and they don't understand why Dugu Sheng, who is famous both in the court and in the world, can't even do something as simple as executing two people.
Fei Yun and Yu Shiji braced themselves and responded in unison: "The Holy Spirit has given you a message!"
Yang Guang said happily: "Immediately send people to recruit all the widowed women here and around, and wait for the unmarried women, or nuns and Taoist priests, to be matched with my soldiers to stabilize the morale of the army."
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's expressions suddenly changed. Wouldn't many people be killed this time?
Unexpectedly, Fei Yun and Yu Shiji immediately applauded and praised the sage for his wisdom. Yang Guang was coaxed to twist his beard and smile, feeling greatly comforted.
Xu Ziling couldn't help shouting: "Your Majesty!"
Yang Guang snorted coldly: "That's enough! I have spent too much time dealing with state affairs today, so please step back."
The gate official shouted: "Quit the court!"
Yu Shiji shouted thank God, and one by one he and Fei Yun forced Kou and Xu to slip out of the palace.
After leaving Wangjiang Terrace, Kou Zhong broke away from Yu Shiji and said, "We haven't discussed our affairs yet, how can we leave?"
Fei Yun wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said angrily: "I almost got killed by a slave like you who talks nonsense, huh!"
Kou Zhong's eyes turned cold and he said, "What did you call me to do?"
Fei Yun was furious, but Yu Shiji stopped him and said, "We are all our own people, why bother arguing about the past?"
He turned to Kou Zhong and said: "Your head is still on your neck so that you can entertain the gods and do good deeds. Do you need to talk too much to show off your strong will? Now I will arrange for you to rest and select some beautiful and considerate palace ladies to serve you."
As soon as you have the opportunity, we will arrange for you two to see the Holy One."
Xu Ziling felt deep pain and hatred for these two traitorous officials, and said in a deep voice: "The account book and the two men's sharp tongues alone are enough to kill Yu Wenhuaji, what else do we have left here?"
It worked, we decided to leave."
Fei Yun still glared at Kou Zhong, looking like he wanted to eat someone. As long as he looked at his big belly, he could indeed eat half of Kou Zhong.
Yu Shiji stood between Fei Yun and Kou Xu, trying to do something evil: "It's just a small misunderstanding. You two little brothers must not act out of emotion."
Kou Zhong glanced at Fei Yun coldly and said calmly: "Xiao Ling is right, we are leaving! If my two brothers are forced to stay, then even I don't know what I will say when I see the Holy One next time.
talk."
Fei Yun sneered and said, "He actually came to threaten us."
Yu Shiji glared at Fei Yun fiercely and winked at the same time, telling him to calm down and deal with these two people later.
He put on a smile and said: "The two little brothers don't know something. Although the account book was given to the Holy One, when will he read it? Even the Holy One himself doesn't know."
Xu Ziling said in astonishment: "Didn't Master Yu tell His Majesty?"
Yu Shiji said: "Of course I said it, but His Majesty didn't seem to hear it. He was busy kissing and playing with Concubine Xiao. He only ordered us to put it down and let him watch it when he has time. So we still have to rely on you two. Hey!
I heard from Yushan that Yu Wenhuaji is your biggest enemy. We all share the same hatred, so don’t worry about such trivial matters!"
Kou Zhong asked Xu Ziling, "Just do what you say!"
Xu Ziling knew very well that unless he turned against him, he would never be able to leave this terrible place. If it was just the two of him, he could try his luck by forcefully breaking in. But because he had to worry about Su Su's safety, he could only bear this tone.
.Reluctantly said: "Okay! But we just want to have a good rest and don't need the maid to wait on us."
Yu Shiji breathed out a sigh of relief and said: "There is no problem at all, everything is as you asked for."
※※※
Kou Zhong was lying on the couch by the window, listening carefully to the sound of water flowing from the Yangtze River, and said leisurely and fascinated: "The emperor really knows how to enjoy."
Xu Ziling, who was sitting aside, was watching the starry sky in the late winter from the window, and said in a voiceless voice: "Seeing Yang Guang like this, are you still interested in becoming emperor?"
Kou Zhong jumped up, came to the side of Xu Ziling, half-knelt on the ground, and watched the night sky outside the house with him, and said: "While it is a long night in the palace, can I, Kou Zhong, express my feelings?"
Xu Ziling said cautiously: "Don't lie!"
Kou Zhong asked in astonishment: "Have I lied before?"
Xu Ziling sighed: "This is at least the second lie. The first one is that I, Mr. Zhong, only touched Master Meiren'er's delicate hands."
Mr. Kou Zhong blushed and said, "Didn't you ask that woman such embarrassing questions as where I touched her?"
Xu Ziling sneered without giving in, "Finally admitted that he had lied?"
Kou Zhong said angrily: "Of course I can't tell you all the details about the love affairs between men and women."
Xu Ziling said lightly: "It seems that I have never heard Mr. Zhong say that he likes her?"
Kou Zhong smiled bitterly and said, "I'm afraid of you! Okay! I'm a little dishonest, hee! I've never been an honest person, and you, Master Ling, should know better than anyone else."
Xu Ziling understood that Kou Zhongzhi had seen through his intentions, and secretly thought that this was enough. He returned to the original topic and said, "What do you think you need to express to me?"
Kou Zhong stood up with a smile, sat on the armrest of the chair, put his hand on Xu Ziling's shoulder, his tiger eyes flashed, staring at the starry sky in the garden outside the window, and said seriously: "Although I said that, I don't mean it.
I want to be an emperor, but I want to join the rare game of fighting for world hegemony. This is a game without rules. In these days, benevolence, justice and morality are only spoken in words, rather than used in actual actions. Who is powerful enough?
Whoever's fist is strong enough can be king."
Xu Ziling was silent for a while and then said slowly: "I understand what you mean. You have been unwilling to be lonely since you were young. What you need is stimulation and challenges; you need others to respect you and please you. You are never afraid of anyone..."
Kou Zhong interrupted him and said: "Wrong! I am not afraid of anything, but I am afraid of you. If you become my enemy, I will not be able to sleep well."
Xu Ziling said calmly: "At that time, will you use any means to get rid of me?"
Kou Zhong laughed so hard that he almost spit out his rice, and gasped: "First of all, you will never become my enemy. At most, you can ignore me! Even though I, Kou Zhong, can be ruthless to anyone, I can't be ruthless to you. Okay.
Brother, stop thinking nonsense and think about how to escape and find Sister Su! Look at the look on that damn fat man’s face. After we see Yang Guang, when we step out of the palace, we promise to kill hundreds of swordsmen and axemen on each side to kill me.
Two fools mashed into paste."
Xu Ziling winked at him, stretched and yawned: "I'm exhausted, go to sleep!"