On the eighth day of the fifth lunar month, the saint traveled westward to Guanzhong.
It goes without saying that the queen, the eldest princess, the concubines, the prince, and the palace people were accompanying them. From Nanya Zhong, Prime Minister Su Wei and below, Zhang Shizhao, Yuwen Changying and Yu Changji also went westward, while the other four stayed behind.
In Beiyanzhong, Niu Dugong, a master of the Tianbang, went to work, while Gao Dugong stayed behind.
Duan Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of War, Wei Chi, the Minister of the Ministry of Punishments, and half of the Ministry of War, were accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Punishments, the minister stayed behind, and the remaining four ministers stayed behind.
The Fulong Guards were accompanied by the Fulong Seal, the Jinwu Guards were four thousand, and the Changshui Army, the Middle Base Army, and the Shesheng Army each of eight thousand of the five armies were accompanying them.
As for the three direct grandsons of the emperor and the two underage princes, they all stayed in the Eastern Capital. Among them, the eldest grandson of the emperor supervised the country on behalf of King Cao You and was assisted by Nanya.
Finally, the guards, soldiers, horses, and officials were counted, and there were no less than 70,000 people in total.
On the eighth day of the lunar month, the huge three-story carriage on which the saint and the queen were riding went first, exited the Ziwei Palace, passed through the Duanmen, and then suddenly stopped. In front of Zhang Xing, something happened that made him, a visitor from another world, feel that
There are some jaw-dropping things. Dozens of three-story, two-story, and one-story carriages gathered in a specific order. First, they were simply connected and tied with iron ropes and hooks. Then, seven or eight practitioners, including Niu Dugong, a master of the Tianbang
The masters of the Immortal Qi worked together in formation, using the Immortal Qi to activate a vine, causing the bottom of the carriage and the three-story building on the carriage to further adhere to each other, forming a complete whole.
In the end, these huge carriages were completely integrated into one, surrounded by hundreds of livestock like trackers, forming a completely mobile palace on wheels.
It was a real palace. The nearby Bei Ya's father-in-law proudly told Deputy Changjian that this was called the "Guanfengxing Palace" and was supervised by Prime Minister Yu Wen. It was usually placed in the Ziwei Palace and could only be used by saints when traveling.
In this regard, Zhang Xing could only admit that he was a country bumpkin.
Then, the huge Guanfeng Hall turned to the west and merged with the palace people from Xiyuan and the soldiers of Shangwu further west, forming a huge ceremonial guard with Guanfeng Hall as the center and stretching for dozens of miles.
, then crossed the Guan Mountain, traced the river, and embarked on the westward journey.
Let us also say that Guanzhong is the foundation for the founding of the Wei Dynasty. Before the sage ascended the throne and built the eastern capital, the Wei Dynasty and the previous dynasties and the previous dynasties all built their capitals in Daxing, the western capital. The so-called Guanlong clan were simply named after Guanzhong and Longxi.
The saint and the eldest princess, as well as their three other rebellious brothers, also grew up in Daxing when they were young... This kind of place is a matter of course no matter how much the court attaches importance to it.
Therefore, although this western tour was due to the request of the eldest princess and the saint’s idle and bored decision, it was actually unanimously approved by the imperial court, and the imperial court must have many serious things to do in Guanzhong.
Otherwise, we would not have followed four princes, two ministers, and tens of thousands of the most elite troops at one go.
Sure enough, as soon as they left, there were adjustments in personnel and military affairs. The generals of Tongguan and the governor of Hedong immediately made transfer arrangements. This was not included. When the huge guard of honor arrived at Tongguan and faced Yin Changshi who was left behind in Xijing,
Together with Guanzhong, the fifth general manager of Longxi, the governor of Beiya who stayed behind in Daxing, and the Jinwu guards all came to greet him.
For a time, soldiers and horses, ceremonial guards, envoys, flags, and officials were present for two hundred miles from Tongguan to Daxing.
Of course, this kind of excitement has nothing to do with Zhang Xing. The saint, his wife, and the eldest princess are all in the Guanfeng Palace. Even if he went to the palace several times on duty, he just stood outside and couldn't see the saint's face at all...
On the contrary, the master Niu Dugong basically hung around outside the palace, just like the chief coachman of the palace. Zhang Xingpo met him a few times and exchanged a few words with him.
However, despite this, Zhang Sanlang did not feel lonely or hard along the way.
Firstly, the road between the Eastern Capital and the Western Capital is wide, and the Guanfeng Palace is solid and stable, so it is safe to walk; secondly, the imperial chariot is huge and it is troublesome to activate the ceremonial guard, and nobles such as the saint, his wife and the eldest princess also need to
He was summoned at local places in the morning and evening, had banquets and so on, and could not spend a few hours on the road all day long; when he came three times, he was not above or below the official position of Deputy General Inspector Zhang... but he was at ease.
In fact, the imperial court's requirements and use of the Fulong Guards are actually very simple. First, Bai Yousi, the leader, protects the Fulong Seal to ensure that it can be activated in time if something unexpected happens; the other is to require the Fulong Guards to protect themselves.
, to ensure that they will not be eliminated in advance, so as to ensure that when necessary, they can cooperate with Fulong Seal to form an absolute force that can dominate the entire battlefield.
Therefore, Bai Yousi was specially asked not to stray too far from the palace hall and Duke Niu, but at the same time, other members of Fulongwei were dispersed and placed in the queues around the palace hall and the palace hall.
Some people are in the Jinwu Guards, some are in the Xing Palace, some are in the Shang Wu Army, some are in the queue accompanying the Nanya Xianggong, and there are even people around the Beiya father-in-law. Anyway, as long as you don’t go far around the Guanfeng Xing Palace
Just fine.
Under this situation, Zhang Xing, as the deputy inspector, was really happy and at ease. He was even more happy that no one could find him and arranged to survive. Except for one who was on duty at the top of the Guanfeng Hall and couldn't escape, the rest were basically good at their job.
The autumn wind was blowing all around the palace.
I got up early in the morning and had some food with the Beiya father-in-laws, and then went to hang out with some of my husband-in-laws to listen to some information in a grand manner. When the ceremony started in the morning, I made sure to go to Guanfengxing Hall to hang out, because at this time, Niu Du Gong usually came out to use it.
Immortal Chi examines and repairs vines.
Then at noon, you can go to the military column to chat with Li Ding and Wang Daiji... Of course, you can't help but exchange some information and gossip... Along the way, Li Ding didn't say anything, these guys and Wang Daiji are really going to be close relatives.
Brothers.
In the afternoon, you can find a baggage vehicle and try to meditate or catch up on your sleep.
At night, there are more choices.
First of all, the saint will definitely hold a banquet, but Deputy Changjian Zhang will definitely not be able to reach that occasion. But besides that, Zhang Sanlang can go and eat wherever he wants, and he can also be like Wang Daiji of the Ministry of War.
Take the opportunity to carry out timely business... The difference is that Wang Daiji's business is concentrated in the army of the Shangwu Army, while Zhang Xing's business is generally near the Guanfengxing Hall.
Generally speaking, as long as you don't think too much and don't ask too many questions, you can still feel comfortable when you are on the road.
On this day, they arrived in Weinan, which was only a few dozen miles away from Daxing. There was already a palace called Bu Shou Palace. The saint took his whole family to live in it as a matter of course. Nanya Xianggong and the two ministers also suddenly speeded up and headed directly to Daxing.
Go. Perhaps because of this and the great excitement ahead, the camp became more and more unrestrained, so much so that they openly gathered people to drink while the saints were gathering to drink.
"It's not that I caused trouble when I came here." A captain of the Jinwu Guard frowned and told why he wanted to flog his subordinates while holding a wine glass. He took a sip. "The main reason is that the guy is too messy. It's a funny rumor... this
It doesn’t matter...but it depends on the occasion. That guy just spread it publicly without thinking, and almost caused a big disaster..."
"What rumors? Why is there such a disaster?" Zhang Xing, who was sitting in the middle back seat, didn't care about the disaster and asked directly. "Old Jia, please tell me."
"The rumor itself is ridiculous." Captain Jia drank a large glass of horse urine and spread the rumor openly without caring about the disaster... Of course, it was a critical rumor. "The key is not to let the father-in-law hear it.
, I'm afraid there will be some diarrhoea, and we will be left to suffer for nothing... It is said that there are invulnerable hairy monsters that come out at night, attack the villages, cut eggs and milk to refine the medicine for rejuvenating Yang."
Everyone was startled, then stunned, and then laughed.
Zhang Xing, on the other hand, started laughing first, but when he suddenly lowered his head to drink, his heart moved slightly, and then he thought for a moment and suddenly came to his senses.
You must know that these rumors, even if their content is extremely absurd, cannot be groundless... Some of them are obviously fueled by intentional people, some are the result of collective memories, and some are obscure interpretations of high-level politics and policies by the people.
As for this rumor specifically, the meaning behind it is actually very simple if you think about it seriously.
Monsters are attacking villages everywhere, which obviously refers to the huge patrol teams that have caused severe harassment and destruction to people's settlements along the way.
Invulnerability refers to the huge armored army on the outside. They bear the brunt of the attack, are the first destroyers, and are also the source of the rumors.
As for cutting breasts, it is obvious that someone raped or kidnapped the women.
Cutting eggs to make elixirs to restore Yang, this is definitely not possible, but it is the most exciting part of the whole rumor, because it is this bizarreness and absurdity that greatly increases the spread of the rumor. At the same time, it just shows that the people in Guanzhong are very politically aware and very
We know exactly who the perpetrator is, but we dare not say it, so we can only blame it on the most symbolic eunuch.
It is necessary to use the method of eunuchs cutting off the eggs of normal people to make medicine, referring to the person in Guanfengxing Palace who created all this for personal enjoyment.
Finally, the four words "hairy man monster" truly illustrate the emotions of the people.
Because only by pointing at the hairy monster can they openly vent, curse, and perform ritual actions similar to comforting their hearts.
The source of the rumor is so simple, and it is right in front of you. I just don’t know how many of the middle-level officials present are as clear as Zhang Xing. They know that it is the person in the palace who did the evil, and they know that the people are scolding him.
You, how many people are just confused?
Anyway, this kind of malicious rumor aimed at the Western Inspection Team has spread to the core of the team. This shows how far this rumor has spread, or how much damage the existence of the Western Inspection Team has caused to the folk ecology along the way.
.
However, it was just a little emotion, and Zhang Xing did not elaborate much, because he is now a well-informed person. Even in the middle and high-end cultural markets like Tongtuofang, there are strings of businessmen who have hanged themselves, let alone
Such a thing?
In fact, after thinking this, Zhang Xing raised his head and gave a fake smile, preparing to continue drinking.
Only when he laughed out loud, he was shocked to find that everyone was already sitting upright with serious faces, and only his own laughter could be clearly heard twice in the dusk.
After realizing something, Vice Changjian Zhang turned around and looked. Sure enough, Niu Du, the 36th Grandmaster on the Heavenly Ranking, was standing majestically not far behind him, staring expressionlessly at him who spoke last.
"Zhang Sanlang, is this rumor funny?" Duke Niu asked coldly.
"It's not funny." Zhang Xing stood up in embarrassment and said, "I'm just sorry for laughing. Forgive me..."
"What's not funny?" Niu Dugong asked expressionlessly.
"There are many reasons behind the rumors... This invulnerable hairy monster attacked the village at night. In fact, it was the peripheral sergeants who invaded the village, and some even robbed the village at night. As a result, the father-in-law was humiliated for nothing... It's just that everyone was laughing just now, so I had to laugh.
." Zhang Xing said one by one.
"After all, he is the brainchild that the emperor has chosen, and he hit the mark." Niu Dugong's expression remained unchanged, but he looked around again. "But in the end, he was still like some people, not ashamed, but happy, and just felt that he had found
The opportunity is taunting us eggless people, but we don’t know that we are suffering on their behalf! The common people are scolding them!”
Almost everyone present stood up and stood in awe, following Zhang Xing's example and standing with their hands tied.
Duke Niu is not just a governor. The superposition of his cultivation and his identity has caused an irreversible and wonderful reaction, making him the natural leader of Bei Ya... Before, Ma Du Gong and Gao Du
The prerequisite for the public struggle for power is that he, Governor Niu, is too lazy to take power... Even the princes of Nanya must respect him.
However, even Mr. Niu, a high-ranking and powerful figure, felt a little overwhelmed when faced with such rumors. After he glanced at everyone coldly, he replied
After a few scoldings, he could only walk away angrily.
The small banquet also broke up unhappy.
But the matter did not end there. The rumors spread more and more widely, and almost quickly got out of control among the entire Western Patrol team. They became known to everyone, and there were even variants. But generally speaking, they pointed at the father-in-law.
Mostly for joking. But finally, things got serious. One night after two or three days, when the saint was staying at the Lishan Palace and indulging in the hot springs, he suddenly bumped into the eldest princess while taking a bath early.
The female attendants talked privately and heard the rumor with their own ears.
Facts have proved that although the saint has all kinds of problems, he can never deny his intelligence. Otherwise, he would not have suddenly become furious. Not only did he immediately execute his sister's maid, he also asked the Ministry of Punishment and the Ministry of War to investigate the rumors immediately within a time limit.
source and deal with it severely.
He seems to know better than anyone who these rumors are accusing.
"Trouble."
In the camp outside Lishan Palace, Zhang Xing by the campfire felt obviously dizzy after listening to Li Ding's narration.
"It is indeed troublesome." Li Ding, who relayed the news, also shook his head with his arms crossed. "We are only one step away from reaching Xidu, and suddenly something like this happened..."
"If things go wrong, a lot of lives will be lost." Qin Bao on the side also realized the seriousness of the problem. After experiencing the Dongdu incident, he probably gained some new insights. "The Ministry of War may not be able to find anything by checking among the troops.
But the Ministry of Punishment and local officials will definitely torture innocent people outside, and the scope of torture will be very wide."
"I'm afraid it's more than that." Zhang Xingqian laughed.
"How do you say it?" Qin Bao asked seriously.
"The origin of such rumors must be vague, and the scope must be chaotic." Zhang Xing sighed. "In the end, the officials below can only give a rough scope and date..."
"Isn't that a good thing?" Qin Bao couldn't help interrupting Brother Zhang.
Li Ding, on the other hand, suddenly realized, and then his scalp went numb: "It's really troublesome."
"What do you mean?" Qin Bao became increasingly unbearable.
"It's very simple." Zhang Xing said honestly. "When a saint is angry, he bleeds for thousands of miles... I have read an example. It is said that in ancient times, a saint was traveling to inspect a place. Meteorites fell on the road, and there were dissatisfied people.
He ran ahead of him and carved words, saying that this emperor would be divided after his death... The saint couldn't catch the specific person, so he simply killed everyone within ten miles of the surrounding area.
Qin Bao was stunned and sweating profusely.
"Third brother...can you think of a way?" After a while, Qin Erlang spoke cautiously.
Zhang Xing hesitated... He was certified as a single man, so what? Can he still assassinate the saint? The key is that he can't stab him! If he had the means and ability to stab him, why would he think about running away?
Woolen cloth?
At this time, Li Ding also slowly shook his head: "When a saint is angry, he bleeds for thousands of miles. This is a common incident since ancient times... The second expedition to Dongyi resulted in tens of thousands of casualties. Isn't it true that no one can stop it? This is too much.
It's difficult, it must take human life to soothe the saint's mood."
Qin Bao was dejected for a moment.
Zhang Xing, on the other hand, was suddenly startled, as if he thought of something, but after glancing at Li Ding, he didn't say anything in public.