Chapter 240: Water Cold and Wind Like a Sword (Part 2)
At the beginning of Zi Shi.
"Report!"
"The imperial army has passed the border of Yishan County, and with the imperial guards as the vanguard, they are heading straight for Jizhou City!"
When a messenger soldier hurriedly knocked on the door of the tea room and said these words in a hurry, Wei Yanyu's expression did not show panic, but a sense of relief.
"Master Wei..."
She took a deep look at Wei Changtian and said calmly: "I am no longer with you."
"Mrs. Wei, it's okay to go."
Wei Changtian smiled: "I'm waiting for your good news."
"I hope I won't disappoint you sir."
Wei Yanyu replied meaningfully, bowed slightly and gave a half-blessing, then turned around and walked out of the tearoom with the messenger soldiers, obviously to arrange the defense of the city.
"This woman is quite calm..."
Watching the two people leave, Wei Changtian smacked his lips and whispered to himself:
"Although I don't know who the court spy in the Xu family is, I think Jizhou City can be defended."
"Unless Ning Yongnian has a backup plan."
"Oh, it's really troublesome."
"The son of luck and the king of a country, this is too much to worry about."
"But fortunately I have a bigger problem than him..."
"..."
The fragrant tea in the cup was already a little bland. Wei Changtian raised his neck and poured the last cup of tea into his mouth, stood up and walked out of the tea room.
Probably because Wei Yanyu had given instructions in advance, the guards guarding outside the house did not stop him, but allowed him to walk in Xu's residence, only following him from a distance.
There are many flowers and plants planted in the courtyard, which is neat and quiet. In front of it is a small building with unknown purpose, with gray walls and black tiles giving a strong quaint atmosphere.
The imperial army was approaching, but at this time there was no panic in the Xu Mansion. Except for a few guards in the mansion, not even a single soldier was seen.
Maybe Wei Yanyu really had no intention of leaving a way out for the Xu family.
After standing in the courtyard for a while, Qin Zhengqiu also walked out of the house.
"Changtian, where is Mrs. Wei?"
"I'm leaving, probably to make arrangements to defend the city."
"So the imperial court is indeed coming straight to Jizhou City?"
"Um."
Wei Changtian nodded: "Grandpa, there is a high probability that the imperial court will not be able to break the city tonight. We will leave as soon as they retreat."
"good."
Qin Zhengqiu had no objection. He thought for a while and then asked: "Where are the grandfather and grandson who live in Luoguo Lane? Will they also come with us?"
"this......"
Wei Changtian hesitated for a moment: "Let me ask them. If they are willing, we can go together. If they are not willing, forget it."
"Okay, I'll go with you later."
Qin Zhengqiu suddenly remembered something, and then said: "By the way, what you asked me yesterday...I just suddenly remembered someone."
"Galaxy Sword, Zhang Benchu."
"This man's surname is Zhang. He is a swordsman. He once reached the second rank. He seems to be of the right age."
"but......"
"But what?" Wei Changtian suddenly turned his head.
"But he died fifty years ago."
"died?"
Wei Changtian's first reaction was to fake his death or something like that, but Qin Zhengqiu seemed to have guessed what he was thinking, shook his head and explained:
"Well, he is indeed dead."
"At that time, there was a swordsman who claimed to be from the far north and wanted to challenge the swordsmen in the world."
"He killed more than a dozen kendo masters in Daning, and finally faced Zhang Benchu."
"The two fought all night on the Tianshan Mountains in Liangzhou. At dawn, Zhang Benchu showed a flaw in his move and was beheaded by the swordsman."
"There were many people who saw this scene at that time, and there is absolutely no way it can be faked."
"..."
The vegetation around me is full of shadows, and the wind blows through the deep corridor with raised eaves.
After Qin Zhengqiu finished speaking, Wei Changtian was silent for a while.
It sounds like Lao Zhangtou really can't be that Zhang Benchu.
After all, my head has fallen off, and even my systematic self cannot save it from this situation.
"Forget it, forget about it for now."
Shaking his head, Wei Changtian didn't ask any more questions.
He raised his head and glanced at the night sky, and suddenly the words Lao Zhangtou said while eating yesterday came to mind.
"As a teacher, I once killed Yama with one sword."
Although I still don’t quite believe it.
But I have to say that Lao Zhangtou's aura when he said this was indeed quite bluffing.
...
Half an hour later, Luoguo Alley.
"Old Zhangtou, the imperial army will be approaching the city soon."
"The city will be in chaos by then, and you probably won't be able to set up your chess stall."
"If nothing unexpected happens, I will leave the city and return to Shuzhou tomorrow..."
There was not even an oil lamp in the dilapidated house that was leaking from all sides. Facing the old man and the young child who kept yawning, Wei Changtian rolled his eyes and issued a "sincere" invitation.
"If you and Agou are willing to come with me, then hurry up and pack up now!"
"Ha~"
Another earth-shattering yawn broke out. Lao Zhang lay half-lying on the bed and muttered vaguely: "It's so late at night and I can't let anyone sleep."
"Aren't you leaving tomorrow? Then you can just ask again tomorrow."
"Obviously I didn't sleep all night last night..."
"Sigh, those three young ladies were too proactive. I think it must be because the teacher's demeanor is still as good as before..."
Good guy, can you look in the mirror before you say this?
"You..."
Wei Changtian resisted the urge to curse, and patiently asked again: "Will you leave or not? Please tell me!"
"Not leaving."
"..."
If you don’t leave, why are you saying you don’t have these things?!
Wei Changtian felt angry for a while, turned around and asked Agou who was rubbing his eyes next to him.
"Agou, do you want to come with me?"
"Ha~"
Agou opened his mouth and yawned: "I listen to grandpa."
Okay, you two can just stay here.
"Okay, if you don't want to leave, forget it."
Wei Changtian had no intention of persuading him: "But don't blame me for dying in this war-torn Jizhou."
"Disciple, you underestimate me as a teacher."
Lao Zhang glared and seemed a little unhappy: "I think it was the same when I was a teacher..."
"Stop it! You guys can keep it to yourself..."
Wei Changtian waved his hand, took out a thousand-tael silver note from his arms, and threw it on the kang.
"Old Zhangtou, you and I are destined to be together, but I don't think we will have a chance to see each other again in the future."
"Save some of this money and don't waste it on those brothel girls. Save some of it to buy some dowries for Agou in advance."
"Also, if you die early and there is no one to take care of Agou, then ask someone to take her to Shuzhou to find me."
"But make sure you agree in advance, don't expect me to come to Jizhou to visit your grave. I don't have that spare time."
"Okay, you can go on to sleep, I'm leaving."
After speaking, Wei Changtian stood up quickly and prepared to leave.
However, Lao Zhangtou suddenly stretched out his hand.
"Disciple, wait!"
"What? Changed your mind?"
"That's not true... Disciple, can you call me master again?"
"..."
Since we were going to say goodbye forever, Wei Changtian didn't care about being taken advantage of by Lao Zhangtou again, so he replied perfunctorily.
"Master."
"Hahaha! Good!"
Lao Zhang responded with a wide-eyed smile. His smile made the criss-crossing wrinkles on his face bunch up, like an ancient tree that had gone through countless years of wind and rain.
Wei Changtian didn't know why he was so happy, but he didn't bother to think about it. He just asked one more question before leaving.
"By the way, Old Zhangtou, have you heard of the name Zhang Benchu?"
"Zhang Benchu?" Old Zhangtou looked confused.
"It's okay, just pretend I didn't ask."
Wei Changtian shook his head, and the next second he was distracted by a sudden loud noise from the distance.
"boom!"
"Boom!"
"Boom boom boom!!!"
From one or two sounds to one after another.
The incessant roar was accompanied by the tremors of the earth, and even the tattered beam above the head was shaking and scattering sawdust.
There is no doubt that fighting has begun on the other side of the city wall.
Through the broken window, Wei Changtian turned to look at the "fireworks" exploding in the night sky, and did not observe Lao Zhangtou's situation.
Not to mention the intense pain and struggle in the latter's eyes.