Wang Lengran, who had been searching everywhere with great fanfare before, suddenly became quiet.
There was no forced entry into Prince Xunyang's Mansion.
Both parties are at peace with each other.
It's like maintaining some weird tacit understanding.
Perhaps it was because Cai Qin's troops on the front line were approaching.
The search for Wang Junzhi in Jiangzhou Hall ended in failure and ended in failure.
However, in the past few days, the entry and exit of the east and west city gates, as well as the anchorage and enforcement of Xunyangdu boats, have gradually become stricter.
The government strictly checks customs clearance documents and household registration documents.
An atmosphere that is loose on the outside and tight on the inside.
afternoon.
The sky is overcast with clouds.
After passing three consecutive inspections by Zhechong Mansion soldiers at the city gate, Ouyang Rong completed the complicated procedures and returned to the city.
Riding on Dongmei, he looked back at the city wall guarded by soldiers.
His eyes fell on a familiar figure joining the army at the top of the city.
"Mingfu, you are back."
Ouyang Rong calmly moved his eyes away from the top of the city, turned around, and saw Yan Liulang approaching with a concerned look on his face.
He nodded and said calmly:
"Let's go back to Huaiye Lane."
"yes."
The two of them boarded a carriage that had been waiting beside the city gate for a long time.
The carriage passed through Xingzifang and headed towards Chaisangfang.
Although Wang Lengran, as the governor, controlled the Jiangzhou lobby and forcibly excluded Ouyang Rong.
But Ouyang Rong still has the right to dig out the twin peaks and build the Donglin Giant Buddha, and he can move around.
Today, he also used the excuse of going to the Twin Peaks to inspect the progress of the statue, so he took a trip out of the city and walked around.
Inside the carriage.
"Mingfu, this is a letter from Master Xie. Mr. Xie just sent it back from Luoyang. It just arrived in the afternoon."
"Um."
Ouyang Rong took the letter, opened the wax seal, and started reading.
Yan Liulang glanced at Ouyang Rong's expression and suddenly explained:
"There are three groups of guards at the head of the west city gate. They change once a day. They change the defense at the second quarter of the morning. Today happens to be Chen joining the army.
"Now the manpower in the city is tight. Except for the Ming Dynasty and me, the officials of the ninth rank and above have multiple positions, and they are filled everywhere. The sixth cao and the army have to go to the city to guard the city."
Yan Liulang may have followed Ouyang Rong for too long and noticed his hidden focus, so Yan Liulang raised this topic.
Ouyang Rong nodded slightly, but his eyes were still on the letter paper without moving away at all.
Yan Liulang asked curiously:
"What did you find when you went out to Ming Mansion this time?"
Ouyang Rong was multitasking and said softly:
"The iron chains at Suojiang Tower and Huilongji have been arranged, and a pile of large iron cones are also prepared on the shore."
Yan Liulang sneered:
"Oh, although he is a little slower than the Mingfu, he is not really stupid at all. This Wang Lengran is just pure evil, and he still knows in his heart what is a good strategy to block the land and water front."
At this moment, Ouyang Rong's eyebrows gathered slightly and he sighed:
"Is there another group of emperor's personal envoys coming from Luoyang? They should have brought the emperor's imperial edict. I don't know the specific reason...the travel standards are quite high."
Yan Liulang looked curious: "What did you say?"
Ouyang Rong handed over the letter from his mentor Xie Xun. Yan Liulang read it carefully and muttered:
"Why did that saint suddenly send a team of envoys over?
"Oh, under the slogan of condolences to the front line, I think he is actually supervising Prince Xunyang's palace. Maybe he even wants to beat Prince Xunyang on the way."
He raised his head, as if remembering the chat in the main hall that day, and looked at Ouyang Rong with eyes filled with admiration:
"The Ming Dynasty was still smart and foresighted, and had anticipated the moves of the court and the saints in advance."
Ouyang Rong was noncommittal.
"Looking at the date this letter was sent, these messengers should arrive as soon as tomorrow..."
He said to himself: "It seems that Wang Junzhi's matter cannot be delayed and must be resolved as soon as possible."
"What is Mingfu talking about?" Yan Liulang asked.
"fine."
Ouyang Rong shook his head.
The carriage returned to Huaiye Lane. Before getting off the carriage, Ouyang Rong turned around and asked Yan Liulang:
"What's going on over at Zhenguang Street in Xingzifang?"
Yan Liulang lowered his voice and replied: "There is still a pot of crabapple flowers on the wall."
Originally, Ouyang Rong handed over the matter of receiving Qin Heng's code to Ye Weila, and asked the little girl to go to Xingzifang East Market every morning to purchase flowers and fruits, and keep tabs on him along the way.
But recently, he felt that the atmosphere was not right and felt a little uneasy, so he simply asked Yanrokuro, who had nothing to do like him, to go shopping often.
If the begonia flowers are switched to azaleas, report the news as soon as possible to avoid missing the window period.
I heard it was calm there,
Ouyang Rong breathed out softly.
In the evening, when he returned to the Huaiye Lane residence, Ouyang Rong walked into the study, wrote at his desk, and completed a letter, which he planned to send back to his teacher Xie Xun tomorrow, asking in detail about certain court developments.
At present, the position of Changshi is temporarily high and he has lost the channel of Jiangzhou Hall. Ouyang Rong can only rely on the letters of Xie Xun, Shen Xisheng and others to know the first-hand information from Luoyang, or the old family of King Xunyang in Luoyang.
Personal connections, such as Prince Xiang’s Mansion.
Letter communication is ultimately inefficient and requires repeated communication, one back and forth, which takes a lot of time.
I can only say it is better than nothing.
For example, the Luoyang Angel may arrive tomorrow, so Ouyang Rong just needs to be mentally prepared in advance.
Late at night.
The moon is as cold as water.
Ouyang Rong's figure appeared again in the Juxian Garden of Prince Xunyang's Mansion.
When he came to the study, he told Li Xian, Li Dalang, and Xie Xun about the news in the letter. The two of them were surprised and nervous, and they obviously only knew about it now.
After exchanging information, Ouyang Rong remained optimistic as usual and offered a few words of comfort.
He picked up the tea cup, took a sip, covered the warm cup with both hands, and said:
"We need to make a decision early on about Wang Junzhi."
Li Xian couldn't help but ask:
"What good advice does Tan Lang have?"
"Look at the attitude of these Luoyang envoys." He stared at the mist in the cup: "Whether they are angry or gentle, the prince is at ease.
"Because thunder, rain, and dew are all your kindness. Besides, it is natural for a mother to beat her and scold her for love, and for a mother to scold her son. On the contrary, it also shows that your majesty cares about the prince in your heart and treats him as one of his own family members, so he hates iron.
"This is the safest situation."
"What about gentleness?" Li Dalang was curious.
"Being gentle is not bad, but it is more based on naked interests. His Majesty reluctantly sent someone to express his attitude and protect the prince, so that the people below would not receive the wrong signal and attack the prince's palace.
"This is actually safe for the time being. I'm just afraid of the third scenario."
"What?"
"Indifferently."
Ouyang Rong lowered his head:
"If the envoy has such an attitude, then he will be imprisoned even more tightly. He will no longer be free now, or even..."
Ouyang Rong didn't say much, but Li Xian and his son looked worried.
Li Dalang looked troubled and said:
"What do you think Tan Lang should do with the person named Wang? Otherwise, I'm afraid that if the envoy comes, he won't be able to make it in time."
"Need not."
Ouyang Rong shook his head and explained:
"If it's the first two, let Wang Junzhi shine for the last time and help the prince show his loyalty.
"If the latter is indifferent... Your Majesty can immediately consider the retreat mentioned by Her Royal Highness the Princess."
The atmosphere was silent.
This small discussion ended with Li Xian sighing,
Ouyang Rong walked out of the study, did not leave immediately, turned around and headed to the living room.
In the past two days, this living room has become the most closely guarded place in the palace, and no one is allowed to enter.
Ouyang Rong saw the beautiful figure of his junior sister on the roof.
Quite unexpectedly, a certain little princess with plum blossom makeup was also there.
"Why are you here, Your Highness the Princess? Why don't you go back to rest?"
On the roof, Xie Lingjiang and Li Bao'er were sitting side by side. Ouyang Rong walked over and sat down next to Xie Lingjiang, separated from Li Bao'er.
After Ouyang Rong asked casually, Li Bao'er shook his head, holding a letter sword that had been stabbed by Wei Shaoxuan in his arms, looking at the night of the Yangtze River in the distance in trance,
The wind blew up a few strands of hair on the temples, which made this stunning little face look charming.
Ouyang Rong didn't look at it much. Xie Lingjiang took his left palm with both hands, put their hands together, and tested the temperature. She rubbed the back of his palms with her bare hands. She leaned closer and breathed out the orchid breeze.
Li Bao'er seemed to have regained consciousness and glanced.
"Here."
Ouyang Rong took out a package of pastries wrapped in oil paper from his arms and handed it to his junior sister.
"I came back in the afternoon and passed by Xingzifang. I saw that the time-honored cake shop you like to eat was open."
Xie Ling Jiang couldn't suppress the curve of his lips, but his pretty face showed an angry look, and his tone was a little accusatory:
"It's too sweet and will make you fat."
"It sounds like you will lose weight if you don't eat."
"...?"
A probing hand twisted his waist ninety degrees. Ouyang Rong straightened his waist and took a breath of cold air.
Just when Li Guo'er was about to stand up and say goodbye, a certain pair of senior brothers and sisters finally finished their quarrel.
Xie Lingjiang wrinkled Xiaoqiong's nose:
"What time has it been? Senior brother is still joking."
Ouyang Rong smiled.
Li Bao'er didn't look back and asked, "Why don't you go back?"
"Come and sit with us."
Xie Lingjiang asked in a low voice: "Is Senior Brother also nervous?"
"I am not a god. I am a mortal and have seven emotions and six desires."
Ouyang Rong replied with a smile, then turned his head and looked at the house below him.
"Thank you for your hard work, staying here most of the night."
"It's okay. This Wang Junzhi is cunning, and I don't trust the others. I have to guard it myself. But we are just working hard. Senior brother, you are working hard, and it will be even harder."
Xie Lingjiang reached out her hand gently, straightened Ouyang Rong's collar, and said softly:
"A few days ago, I saw that you didn't say much about Wang Junzhi's matter... I haven't asked Li Zhengyan, senior brother, what Wang Junzhi and the others did. Isn't Senior Brother not angry at all?"
"What's the use of being angry, it won't solve the problem."
The two girls saw Ouyang Rong and shook their heads.
"But there are always feelings."
"Do you feel it..."
He rubbed his face:
"I really hate this feeling of being plotted against."
Li Guoer suddenly asked:
"Ouyang Lianghan, Zuo Changshi of Kuangfu Mansion, one person is worth more than ten thousand people. Li Zhengyan is sincere and sincere, and the conditions of Li Xian Corporal, are you not tempted at all?"
She pursed her pink lips and said to Ouyang Rong:
"You have a saying that makes sense, chaos is a ladder, and this is not just for Wei.
"The same applies to ambitious heroes like Li Zhengyan. You said, my father and brother cannot suppress Li Zhengyan and others, and they will easily become mascots.
"But what about you?
"You didn't mention this.
"Now you are being oppressed by villains in Xunyang City. Scholars can be killed but not humiliated. You have suffered such a great humiliation.
"But now you just need to nod a little and switch there. With your talent and knowledge of the bloated local system of the Zhou Dynasty, you can help Li Zhengyan easily win Jiangnan...
"Wang Lengran is waiting for Wei's minions. They are making noise now, but in the blink of an eye they can fall into your hands and avenge their shame.
"Not to mention, you have much greater power than Jiang Governor Shi. It is not difficult for you to follow Li Zhengyan in starting a rebellion and gain the power of a feudal lord.
"Don't you feel moved at all?"
Li Guo'er took a breath and asked what he had been thinking in the past few days.
Ouyang Rong looked at her but said nothing.
Li Guoer frowned and guessed:
"Or, you have other plans in mind, and you trust our family more and are unwilling to take Li Zhengyan's dangerous path..."
Xie Lingjiang interrupted:
"Dangerous road? Now Xunyang City is like an isolated city, exposed to the front of Cai Qin's army, and your family is also on guard by the court. I want to ask, which one is the dangerous road?"
Li Baoer was silent.
The air in the triple room on the rooftop was quiet for a while.
"Want to hear the truth or lies."
Ouyang Rong turned his head and asked with a smile.
The two girls were stunned for a moment.
"Lies." Xie Lingjiang tilted his head slightly and said first.
"The lie is that I was born as a Jinshi of the Great Zhou Dynasty. I have long been favored by the emperor and am loyal to His Majesty. I am incompatible with them and other rebels. How can I defect to them? It is simply an insult to gentlemen."
The corners of the two women's mouths twitched.
Xie Lingjiang glared at him: "Then tell the truth."
Ouyang Rong smiled and his expression gradually became serious:
"The truth is...
"I am actually very moved by Li Zhengyan's request and even eager to give it a try.
"When I think about it, in the past, I would be able to do a lot of free and bold things. It would be much more enjoyable than being constrained now. The sea and the sky would be vast... I feel a little longing for it."
The two women were stunned, with complex expressions on their faces. They didn't expect that he would have such thoughts under his calm appearance the past few days.
I couldn't help but ask: "Then why do you repeatedly advise us to restrain..."
Ouyang Rong replied softly:
"Because that's just for me, it's a good choice.
"But as Her Royal Highness the little princess said, this is most likely not the best choice for Uncle Li, Da Lang, and even the thousands of people in the Jianghuai area behind him."
He looked at the two girls and whispered:
"The book says that one general's success can cause thousands of bones to wither.
"Not just me, but also Li Zhengyan, Wei Shaoqi, Du Shuqing, Wang Junzhi, and even the young Prince Teng who turned against me.
“I often think about how many ‘ten thousand bones’ are needed to achieve these ‘one generals’?
"Is it really time to do this now?"
Ouyang Rong seemed to be talking to himself, and also seemed to be asking the two girls.
"Well, let's be treasonous. Let's take what Kuang Fuli did.
"If we follow the path of Li Zhengyan's mutiny and the Northern Expedition, and the path of forbearing and seizing the heir like Uncle Li is doing now, both can be achieved in the end, so why only increase the losses...
"But to be honest, I'm just speaking from my personal point of view, don't you feel moved?
"It must be very exciting."
The atmosphere in the room between the three was silent.
Ouyang Rong suddenly reached out, picked up a piece of pastry in Xie Lingjiang's hand, and took a bite.
Glancing at the two beauties beside him who were in a daze, he shrugged:
"Didn't you expect that I can be greedy and selfish sometimes? I'm just pretending to be good. Well, just laugh if you want. It's better than mythologizing me and acting like I'm omnipotent."
Ouyang Rong laughed to himself.
Xie Lingjiang immediately shook his head.
Li Guo'er stared at him for a while and said word by word:
"Ouyang Lianghan, greed and selfishness have never been a scourge.
"You are greedy and selfish, eager to do something that will lead to success, but you still remain unmoved.
"So you're wrong, you know.
"It is precisely because of the incomparable greed in your heart that your restraint is so touching."
Xie Lingjiang tilted his head and thought for a moment, his pretty face serious:
"The truly strong are willing to use the weak as their boundary."
Ouyang Rong held the pastry hand in front of his mouth, his face turned red, and he felt a little embarrassed.
At this moment, Princess Wei Mei's voice suddenly appeared from below, and she came in a hurry:
"It's not good, Tan Lang, Bao'er, niece Xie, over in Luoyang, an informant from Prince Xiang's Mansion came over night with news. The prince and Da Lang are receiving the reception. They are all very anxious and are calling you to hurry up..."
"what news?"
The three of them stood up in an instant, jumped off the roof, and quickly followed.