In the blink of an eye, the time has come to the twelfth year of Hongwu, eight years have passed since the Song Dynasty moved its capital, and Song Emperor Guo Mo also celebrated his fortieth birthday.
Guo Mo, who is already in his forties, has already grown his beard in accordance with the local customs. His face is still light silver, but there are slightly more signs of pampering.
Three locks of beard spread across his forehead, and between the corners of his eyes and eyebrows, there is a sense of nobility, and his essence is restrained, but he doesn't even look like he knows martial arts at all?
Eight years have passed by in a blink of an eye, and a new generation of people has replaced the old one.
Among the three officials in the central government, Xue Ji, the Minister of Personnel, and Zhao Rushu, the Minister of Punishment, have both passed away one after another.
He was a very popular minister during his lifetime and enjoyed great honors after his death. Zhao Rushu was posthumously awarded the title of "King of Yu".
On the other hand, Cheng Ju, the Minister of Rites, is already seventy-six years old. He can still eat, sleep, and has a cheerful temperament all day long. In this era when seventies are rare, old Cheng Ju can be considered a long life.
Although he no longer handles the government affairs of the Ministry of Rites, Guo Mo has always retained his position, and even holds the chief position in the cabinet.
The Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo, who was far away in Bianliang City, was four years younger than the old Cheng Jue, but he was also physically strong and energetic.
During this period, he went north to the capital and lived for more than half a year. Guo Mo even accompanied the old man on a trip to Juyongguan, where they walked horses, hunted, roasted sheep, and drank wine on the grassland.
The white horse is blocked by the west wind, and the apricot blossoms are misty and raining in the south of the Yangtze River.
The old man had traveled through thousands of miles of land in the Song Dynasty, from north to south, and finally returned to Bianliang City with satisfaction.
The structure of the court changed. Yelu Chucai took over as the Minister of Personnel, and Song Ci took the position of the Minister of Punishment. However, the head of the hundred officials was occupied by the old Cheng Ju, and Yue Ke, the Minister of the Ministry of Husband, was only behind the old Cheng Ju.
The four powerful armies also made adjustments, each expanded to 150,000 troops, and were stationed in the vast land of the Song Dynasty.
King Jing Guo Jing is still the commander-in-chief of the "Jingnan" army, but he is stationed in Changping all year round, guarding the north gate of the capital.
The daily military affairs of the "Jingnan" army are mostly handled by the fourth junior brother Feng Ge. It is worth mentioning that Guo Jing's apprentice Kublai Khan also served as a captain in the "Jingnan" army, with 10,000 troops under his command.
Stationed at the "Shanhai" Pass.
A few years ago, Hu Yande, Guo Mo's third disciple, was transferred to the south and served as deputy capital commander under Yu Jie of the "Loyal and Shun" army.
However, Haji was transferred to the "Tiger and Ben" Army and came under Lu Guanying's command. Today, the "Tiger and Ben" Army has expanded to 30,000 people.
However, the most powerful "Dunwu" army directly changed its commander.
After Meng Gong led the "Dunwu" army to destroy the Western Liao Kingdom, he stationed there for two full years.
In order to facilitate management, the Western Liao Kingdom was divided into two parts. The eastern part close to Ningxia was called Qinghai, and the farther west was called Huajiang, two new provinces added to the Song Dynasty.
Three years ago, Hu Ju, the Minister of War, went to Daozhezi to beg for his body due to old age and illness. Guo Mo tried to persuade him to retain his body, but to no avail, so Hu Ju went to Bianliang City to accompany the Supreme Emperor Zhao Kuo.
After much deliberation, Guo Mo recalled General Meng Gong from the West, Duke of Liao, and Commander-in-Chief of the "Dunwu" Army to the capital, and was appointed Minister of War, and was granted the title of King of Liao, becoming the second person under Guo Mo to be granted the title of King.
The commander of the "Dunwu" army was replaced by Guo Mo's eldest disciple, the 28-year-old Zhang Shijie.
Over the years, it has been rare for Guo Mo to stay in one place for so long.
Apart from accompanying his father on a trip to the grasslands, he stayed in the palace to handle government affairs and teach martial arts to his apprentices and sons. As for Guo Mo's own kung fu, no one saw him practicing it anymore.
Therefore, Guo Mo eight years later gave people the impression that he did not know martial arts, and seemed to be just a full-time emperor with a slightly stronger body.
"Jinyi" has always maintained a scale of two hundred people, but it has also been filled with two young boys, Ye Feng and Lu Bing. They are the same age as Yang Guo, but they have been closest to Guo Yi since they were young. They are Ye Qu and Lu Guanying respectively.
's son.
Now the commander-in-chief of "Jin Yi", "Iron Palm Ruthless" Lu Pingsheng, is also a first-rate player, while the second commander Wu Nantian is the most powerful among the "Jin Yi".
There are not many second-rate players in "Jinyi", there are only six of them so far, but the number of people who have reached the third-rate level has exceeded 32.
This is a force that cannot be ignored. If paired with the strongest eight-person attack formation in the "Wansheng Sword Technique", the two hundred "Jin Yi" at this time are enough to deal with ordinary top masters.
After Wu Nantian and Zhang Ting got married, they have been living in the capital. The old eunuch beside the Supreme Emperor officially resigned and became a complete idler accompanying Zhao Kuo.
The "Imperial City Division" is also divided into one south and one north, commanded by Wu Mianfeng and Nan Xiren respectively.
Thirty-two-year-old Wu Nantian's realm is still at the first-class level, but now his combat power is even more terrifying, and he can be considered to be at the forefront in the same realm.
Zhang Ting gave birth to a son and a daughter for him, named Wu Yang and Wu Luo respectively to commemorate the "Rising Sun and Setting Sun Palm" taught to him by his master.
Yang Guo and Guo Xiang, however, have been practicing with Guo Mo, and later they added Yeluqi.
The other sons, such as twenty-year-old Zhao Simo, sixteen-year-old Guo Xiao, fourteen-year-old Guo Yao, thirteen-year-old Guo Xun and just ten-year-old Guo Shi, are composed of Huang Rong, Li Mochou and
Murong Yan is teaching together.
After Zhao Simo came of age at the age of eighteen, he was named the "Southern King", but he had to travel back and forth between Guizhou and the capital.
Guo Mo also expressed his wish to send someone to take her to the capital, An Ling'er, who was far away in Guizhou, through his son. Unfortunately, An Ling'er still refused.
Let’s just regard the scene that happened more than 20 years ago as a dream.
Yang Guo and Guo Xiang are undoubtedly the most outstanding. Both of them broke through to the first-class level before they were eighteen years old.
Yang Guo, who is now 21 years old, has also reached the sixth level of "Nine Yang Magic". This progress is comparable to that of Guo Mo back then.
And Guo Xiang was even more exaggerated. Under the little girl's hard work, Huang Rong also taught her her most powerful skill, "The God of Selflessness".
In terms of age, Yang Guo even reached the first-class level a year earlier. Although the two of them were two years apart, it was difficult to tell the winner every time they competed together.
However, in any actual martial arts competition, Yang Guo would definitely be the one to admit defeat in the end.
The two grew up together, practiced martial arts together, and were the only two geniuses in the eyes of others, so they naturally had something in common.
As soon as Yang Guo turned twenty, Yang Tiexin, who was in his sixties, came to the capital in person and proposed marriage to Guo Mo.
Even if the name of the current capital city has been changed, in Yang Tiexin's heart, it is still the sad Zhongdu City that he once was. If it were not for the marriage of his own grandson, I am afraid he would never come to this sad place in his life.
Naturally, Guo Mo would not object to the marriage between Yang Guo and Guo Xiang. In other words, Guo Mo deliberately arranged for them to spend more time together since they were young. The relationship between childhood sweethearts is the most flawless.
Just because of his love for the little cotton-padded jacket, even though Guo Mo agreed to their marriage, he asked to keep Xiao Xiang'er for another year until she passed her twentieth birthday before holding a wedding for them.
After eight years of being the emperor honestly, Guo Mo also became a little restless and restless.
As the spring breeze blows and the glaciers melt, Guo Mo, as the emperor of the Song Dynasty, announces to the whole world that the "Huashan Sword Discussion" will be continued on the top of Huashan Mountain during the Mid-Autumn Festival this year.
Forty years have passed since the last sword debate in Huashan. Even Huang Yaoshi, the youngest "Dongxie" at that time, is now almost eighty years old.
The reason why he issued this edict was that Guo Mo suddenly felt something in his heart, as if he had been settling for so many years and was about to break through.
Second, he thought of the Taoist he met on the top of Mopan Mountain next to Juyong Pass many years ago.
Regardless of that Taoist or other experts who have traveled all over the world, in today's world, only Guo Mo can issue an edict and bring everyone together.
In order to achieve the desired effect, not only through official channels, posters were posted in all provinces, states, and counties, but also through the Beggar Clan and the Quanzhen Sect, hero posters were widely spread among the martial arts community.
The Huashan sword debate again allowed people to relish and admire the stories of the Jianghu from forty years ago and the contemporary "Five Arts" that were famous and famous all over the world.
However, this Huashan Sword Forum is considered a semi-official event, and all possible expenses will be paid for by His Majesty the Emperor Guo Mo himself.
Of course, not just anyone can participate. Those whose kung fu has not reached the first-class level will be blocked at the foot of Mount Hua by "jinyi".
"Dad, I want to go on a trip with Brother Yang. I will wait for you in Huashan during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
After teaching again, Guo Xiang had the courage to make a request to her father, but Yang Guo stood aside with his head lowered and did not dare to express his anger.
"Haha, the young eagle will grow up eventually. When your uncle and I were let go by the masters, we were younger than you two are now, and our martial arts skills were not up to your current level."
"However, the dangers in the world may not be solved purely by martial arts. Guo'er, you have always been smart and steady. You should take more care of Xiang'er when you are away."
"You can go to Taohua Island to visit your grandfather and mother first. If you are willing, you can also go to Zhongnan Mountain..."
After Guo Mo moved the capital, Yang Tiexin did not come with him. After living in Bianliang City for two years, he felt that the environment on Taohua Island was better, so Yang Tiexin returned to Taohua Island.
Yang Tiexin raised his head and saw that all he saw were masters in the world, but his own martial arts had always been mediocre.
Now he is in his sixties or seventies. He spent his early years in the world, especially after Bao Xiruo's blood was spilled in the capital, and his only son did not recognize his ancestors.
Although Yang Tiexin was alive, he lacked the energy that a living person should have. If it weren't for Yang Guo's presence and Mu Nianci's care, Yang Tiexin would have died long ago.
Since he was going back to Peach Blossom Island, of course Mu Nianci had to accompany him.
Mu Nianci's life revolved around three men.
Yang Tiexin was her adoptive father, who rescued Mu Nianci when she was young. Even though she slept in the open, he still raised her into an adult.
Wan Yankang was the man she "competed to recruit", and he was the only man who made her heart beat. It was this man who completely changed Mu Nianci's life.
The third one is, of course, Yang Guo. He is her son, his belief in living now, and the only thought Wan Yankang left for her.
"Master, my...grandfather won't let me go find that person. Every time I ask my mother, she only sheds tears."
Yang Guo, who is twenty-one years old, has grown up and naturally understands clearly what happened to his family in the past few decades.
However, Yang Guo's thoughts were greatly influenced by his master, and he did not hold any grudge against Wan Yan Kang, or in other words, he was more indifferent to Wan Yan Kang.
However, every time he saw his mother who was alone and crying silently, Yang Guo would be full of resentment towards Wan Yankang.
"Guo'er, your father and mother, and even your grandfather and grandmother, are all hard-luck people. No matter what they have done before, as their junior and closest relative, you should be more open-minded."
"That man is no longer the prince of the Jin Kingdom. Although he has not recognized his ancestors, he no longer uses Wanyan's surname."
"He bound his hair to become a Taoist and named himself 'Mu Taoist'. This shows that something has changed deep down in his heart. Didn't your grandfather change his name to 'Mu Yi' back then?"
"You are also an adult. I will not force you to do what you want to do in the future. I believe you will make your own judgment and decision."
"However, my teacher has a suggestion for you. You can treat him as a normal Jianghu worshiper and go to challenge him personally and defeat him, hahaha——"
After so many years of being serious, I remember the way Wan Yankang dragged him back then. If he was challenged and defeated by his own son, how would he, the current head of the Quanzhen Sect, end up?
"Master, this disciple has also thought this way. I'm afraid that so far, I am not a match for that person."
Seeing his master "gloating" about his misfortune, Yang Guo's face was neither sad nor happy, but his heart may not be as calm as he appeared.
Then he went to the harem to say goodbye to the three mistresses. After twelve years of continuous efforts, the palace in the new capital of the Song Dynasty had been built according to the sketches provided by Guo Mo.
Even some details have been added with elements unique to the Song Dynasty. The only change is that the Imperial Garden has more than doubled in size.
Huang Rong, Li Mochou and Murong Yan no longer have to squeeze into the same Kunning Palace. However, the three sisters gather together for dinner every day and spend more time together than Guo Mo.
"Guo'er, Xiang'er has always been willful. He has been spoiled by your master these years. You should be more tolerant in the future. Before leaving, go to Changping to find your uncle and ask him for a token of the Beggar Gang. He is outside.
If you really encounter any trouble, it would be nice to have someone to take care of you."
After all, she is a mother, and Huang Rong's current combat prowess is close to that of a top expert. Seeing that her daughter is going to fight in the world, she can't help but become worried.
"Mom, have you ever said that about your daughter? Dad said that with the skills of Brother Yang and I, in today's arena, except for some senior figures, it is not easy to find an opponent - "
When Guo Xiang, who was arrogant and arrogant, heard that her mother had arranged her faults, she was not happy to hear it, and her little mouth was so pouty that it would make her smile.
Although Huang Rong did not dote on her daughter as much as Guo Mo did, Guo Xiang was their only daughter after all, and her emotions were still different from those of her sons.
Thinking about it, with Yang Guo and Guo Xiang's skills, not many people can completely restrain them. If you really encounter such people, you might be wary of the power behind these two young men.
After saying goodbye to Huang Rong and the others, Yang Guo and Guo Xiang quietly left the capital. They did not listen to Huang Rong's advice and go to Changping to find Guo Jing. Instead, they went directly south to visit Peach Blossom Island first.
…
"Have Guo'er and Xiang'er left?"
In the "Yangxin Hall", Guo Mo is reviewing memorials. The cabinet has played an important role in these years, and there are not many memorials that Guo Mo needs to review personally every day.
On Guo Mo's right hand side, there is a small desk, and his eldest son Guo Yi is sitting there kneeling. Every time Guo Mo has reviewed the memorial, Guo Yi has to go over it again immediately.
Every memorial requires Guo Yi to make his own judgments and suggestions on the copy. This phenomenon has been going on for a year.
"Your Majesty, they left immediately. My subordinates have notified the 'Imperial City Department' everywhere. Any trace of them will be reported to the capital as soon as possible."
Standing in front of the royal book case were brothers Cao Shan and Cao Hai. After these two people were forced to go to Guo Mo by his father Zhao Kuo, he did not let them simply stay in the palace, but incorporated them into "
Imperial City Division".
It just opened an independent branch department. In addition to Cao Shan and Cao Hai, there are more than 20 eunuchs, all of whom are third-rate or above.
These people mainly operate in the capital and are only responsible to Guo Mo. The objects they are responsible for supervising are none other than the civil and military officials in the DPRK.
Governing a big country is like cooking small dishes, or you must not have the intention to harm others, and you must have the intention to guard against others.
There are some things that, when you really sit in that position, you will realize that you simply cannot afford to gamble. Once you lose the bet, the price you have to pay to make a comeback is very high.
"No need, just know their whereabouts. Maybe it won't be long before the people from the 'Imperial City Division' can't keep up with them. If their whereabouts can be captured by the 'Imperial City Division' from time to time, then I will really
Consider not letting them leave the army."
Guo Mo is still very confident in the martial arts and abilities of Yang Guo and Guo Xiang.
However, over the years, he has made many enemies and opponents, including people with high martial arts skills. Once they really meet them, at least they are not something that Yang Guo and Guo Xiang's current first-class realm can handle.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, the news that the Huashan Sword Competition was held again was like growing wings. In just ten days, it spread all over the country, both inside and outside the Great Wall.
Even Tubo, the Western Regions, Mongolia, Dachao and other places have received this news one after another. It can be said that one stone caused thousands of waves to rise.
"Haha, Mo'er understands me. I really miss those old friends who are above the first-class realm? It's interesting. I want to see how many more masters have been added to the world -"
…
"Humph, Guo Mo, what are your intentions in reopening Huashan Swordsmanship with such great fanfare? Do you want to take away the title I have held for many years? It's the Mid-Autumn Festival in August, I won't let you down -"
…
"Amitabha, fortunately the old monk has found his own way, otherwise he would really be lagging behind those old friends. Huashan, I have been looking forward to it for many years-"
…
"Senior, the Huashan Sword Conversation is about to start again. Do you want to go and see it together?"
"Haha, it is indeed a good place for fighting there. It's a pity that I am almost 150 years old. Why do I care about those false reputations? However, you have to work hard, you can't lose the hundreds of years of this gang.
What a prestigious reputation——"
…
"It's so fun, so fun. Forty years ago, my senior brother was able to defeat you. Forty years later, I also want to try what it feels like to defeat the others."
"Huh, it's just you? You haven't even found your son's enemy yet, and you still have the nerve to participate in the Huashan sword debate? I hate you—"
"Come again? Why can't I go? The notice said that anyone above the first-class realm can go, let alone me. There are also many places where you can go to those big bull noses, medium bull noses and small bull noses. I'm going to--
—”
…
"Master, they Central Plains people are holding a martial arts competition and holding a sword debate on Mount Huashan. Why do you want to go there too?"
A little monk of about eight years old, with a solemn appearance and a pair of wise eyes, it seems that he can see through everything in the world, and it seems that these eyes should not appear in the world.
"Haha, my disciple, I am really interested in competing for the 'Five Bests' in the world. The number one at that time is no longer there, and the other four remaining ones may be slightly higher than me. However, forty years later,
, if there is still a sword debate in Huashan, my disciple, you should be able to compete for the leader——"
…
While the whole world was talking about it, the instigator, Guo Mo, stayed in the harem every day and rarely even had the chance to go to the Palace of Nourishing Heart.
As soon as May passed, Guo Mo directly handed over almost all reports submitted by the cabinet to Guo Yi, saying that he wanted to train him first.
Only matters involving military or diplomatic relations will be sent to Guo Mo for trial after Guo Yi has finished handling them.
"Brother Mo, are you too lazy? Now you've delegated the task of approving memorials to Yi'er. Even going to court has been changed to once every ten days. You've also delegated Qi'er to us, and you've been doing it all day.
Are you going to bask in the sun here?"
Looking at Guo Mo who was lying on the rocking chair and dozing off, Murong Yan, who was outspoken, still couldn't hold back and asked a barrage of questions.
"Third sister, please don't be rude. Brother Mo is preparing for the Huashan sword debate in more than two months. Please don't cause trouble."
"Besides, the court now has Yelu Chucai in literature and Meng Gong in military affairs. Mr. Cheng and Yi'er, the young and the old, work well together. Even if we leave Brother Mo, there won't be much trouble."
The person who knows Guo Mo best is Huang Rong, who has been with him for more than 20 years.
Although she couldn't tell exactly how far Guo Mo's kung fu was now, she knew that her brother Mo wanted to leave.
More than 20 years ago, when Guo Mo and Huang Rong first met, they only hoped to travel around the world and be proud of themselves.
By some strange combination of circumstances, he exposed his identity, and then moved on to the military and political circles. Now he has been the emperor for twelve years.
Huang Rong also asked Guo Mo why he didn't just go all out and send his troops north to completely eliminate the Mongolian regime?
Guo Mo's answer was that the Song Dynasty had a strong army and strong horses. Whether it was wealth or armaments, whether it was scholars or warriors, the current reserves were enough to support the Song Dynasty for more than fifty years.
Rather than completely wiping out a nomadic nation like Mongolia, it would be better to just leave them in the grasslands thousands of miles away.
Leaving such an opponent for the descendants behind you will allow them to be prepared for danger in times of peace, and it will also allow the men of the Song Dynasty to have a training ground with real swords and guns.
As soon as June passed, Guo Mo set off.
The only people accompanying Guo Mo south this time were Queen Huang Rong, eldest brother Guo Jing and second apprentice Wu Nantian. The others stayed in the capital, and two hundred "Jinyi" were sent to Huashan by Guo Mo as early as a month ago.
With two hundred "Jinyi" soldiers led by "Iron Palm Ruthless" Lu Pingsheng, it is expected that under normal circumstances, no one will be able to cause any trouble.
The emperor was about to leave Beijing, so it was appropriate to leave the prince behind to supervise the country. However, so far, Guo Mo has not established a prince for the Song Dynasty.
However, at the court meeting before leaving, it was announced that King Guo Yi of Yan would supervise the country, Minister of War, Meng Gong of Liao, and Yelu Chucai, Minister of Personnel, would be the assistant ministers on the left and right.
He also issued an edict that if Guo Mo still did not return to Beijing before the end of the year, the cabinet could summon all civil and military ministers to gather in Qianqing Palace.
In the Qianqing Palace, behind the "Justice and Bright" plaque, Guo Mo had already placed a long box, which was locked with two locks, and one key was held by Li Mochou and Meng Gong respectively.
"Brother Mo, will we come back again?"
They chose one to leave at dusk, and before the city gate was locked, four horses, Guo Mo, Huang Rong, Guo Jing and Wu Nantian, left the Yongding Gate and headed south along the galloping road.
"Of course we will come back, but when we come back, maybe we are just two ordinary people from the Song Dynasty, just like you and I first entered Zhongdu City."
"Second brother, after working hard for so many years, are you really willing to let go?"
Guo Jing also asked from the side.
Guo Mo's thoughts and his complete plan were only told to two people.
One is naturally Huang Rong, and the other is his eldest brother Guo Jing. Even Li Mochou and Murong Yan only know a little bit about him.
"Haha, brother, why do you have such questions? You know, when we were in the desert, we only had enough to eat."
"I have a clear conscience for being able to bring the Song Dynasty to where it is today, but I still have to ask my eldest brother to stay in Changping for another three years."
"Three years have passed, and after everything is on track again, if the eldest brother no longer wants to stay in the army or the court, it will not be too late to withdraw."
Seeing the begging look in his second brother's eyes, Guo Jing felt helpless and could only nod in agreement...