With the "Bao" sign, Mu Daocheng's business was much more convenient. He followed all the way and arrived at the Yangzhou Branch Pavilion near Haishi. However, he learned that around three o'clock at Youshi, Long Congyun and his two men abandoned their horses and headed towards Runzhou.
, because they abandoned their horses and left, making it impossible for the arrow guards to follow them.
Yangzhou is seventy or eighty miles away from Runzhou, and it takes at most half an hour to get there if Baodan Xiu is there. However, sometimes there is a war in Runzhou and the city gates are closed early. Judging from the fact that Long Congyun and the two abandoned their horses and walked, Mu Dao
Cheng had already confirmed that their destination should be Runzhou, so he abandoned his horse and rushed off.
They had traveled more than forty miles, but on the road they found two groups of officers and soldiers riding fast towards Yangzhou. Each group had fifty or sixty people. When they were two miles north of Runzhou City, they saw another group of people.
Coming at a gallop, the leader was an old man with a small level of cultivation holding a boat, accompanied by two people with spiritual skills, and behind him were more than ten people dressed as guards, among whom Bufan had the cultivation level of Return to True Realm.
Based on his experience, he could tell that these men and horses should be the guards from the royal family. Mu Daocheng was surprised. He rushed to the city and saw the light of fire swaying on the city wall. There was a soldier standing guard every few meters.
, as if there was an enemy attack.
Mu Daocheng secretly guessed that if there was not a war with Wu Yue, then something big happened in the city. He thought that Long Congyun had entered Runzhou City, and the garrison on the city was probably related to him. He sneaked onto the city wall and used his
It was difficult for the guards on the city to notice his skill. They only saw a flash in front of their eyes, but no one was there. They all felt dazzled.
When they arrived in the city, they saw officers and soldiers walking around in the streets and alleys holding torches, as if they were patrolling from house to house. Mu Daocheng thought in his heart and rushed to the government office in the city. He had rich experience and guessed that there must be officials in the government office.
It was worth it, so I wanted to find an official to find out.
As expected, the hall of the government office was brightly lit. A man dressed as a civil servant was walking back and forth in the hall. There were several guards standing on both sides of the door. Mu Daocheng did not hesitate and jumped into the courtyard. The guards had not yet reacted.
He knocked him unconscious and walked into the hall. The civil servant was frightened when he saw this. He took a few steps back, supported the table behind him, pointed at Mu Daocheng with trembling fingers, and said in a trembling voice: "You
…who are you?”
Mu Daocheng smiled lightly and said, "Don't be afraid, sir. I'm just here to inquire about something, and I don't mean any harm."
The civil servant was startled when he heard this, and looked at Mu Daocheng in surprise. He calmed down and stood up straight, "You, do you know that this is..."
When Mu Daocheng saw him speaking in an official tone, he snorted and said: "It's the palace. I can go there whenever I want. Don't show off your authority. I ask you... what happened in the city? Why are you searching every house?"
"
When the civil servant heard what he said, his heart trembled, and he stammered: "You... old gentleman, why do you want to inquire about this matter?"
Seeing Mu Daocheng's eyes widen with a cold glare, he couldn't help but swallowed his saliva and said in panic: "I asked the wrong question, asked the wrong question..."
He raised his sleeve and touched his forehead, hesitated for a moment, glanced behind Mu Daocheng, and then whispered: "It's King Yan. His Royal Highness was... kidnapped."
"King Yan? Was he kidnapped?" Mu Daocheng recalled his inference with Chu Nanfeng that Long Congyun and others should be working with the Southern Tang Dynasty. He was greatly surprised when he heard this, "When did this happen?"
"My officer... I learned about this matter half an hour ago, when the Longwu Army was searching the city."
"Do you know who did it? Where was he kidnapped?"
"His Royal Highness King Yan was...captured in the Longhu Army Si Yamen. It is said that he was captured by two masked men."
"Two masked men?" Mu Daocheng thought that the men and horses he just saw outside the city were very skilled and could kidnap people from their hands. He guessed that it was Long Congyun and Zhiguang who did it. After thinking about it for a moment,
Asked: "This King of Yan ranks among the Li family..."
He was not familiar with the royal family of the Southern Tang Dynasty, so he asked. The civil servant was stunned. He did not expect that Mu Daocheng did not know that King Yan was the relegated eldest son. Hearing him refer to the royal family as the Li family, he guessed that he was not from the Southern Tang Dynasty.
, seeing that he was very skilled, but guessing that he was an assassin sent by another court, his face looked horrified for a moment and he did not dare to answer.
But when Mu Daocheng said "huh?" and looked at him with bright eyes, the civil servant couldn't help but tremble and said in panic: "His Royal Highness King Yan... is the relegated eldest son of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty."
"Oh? If you are relegated to the position of chief, then this King Yan is also the future crown prince?" Mu Daocheng frowned, but he cupped his hands, "Then I'm bothering you, sir..."
Before he finished speaking, he had already reached the outside of the hall, then jumped up to the roof and headed towards the Chuzhou branch. Based on his inference, Chu Nanfeng and his wife should stop in Chuzhou.
As Mu Daocheng expected, it was already dark when Chu Nanfeng arrived in Chuzhou. Considering that the city gate must be closed before rushing to Yangzhou, he rested in Chuzhou. Mu Daocheng went back and forth, but it was
We arrived at the Chuzhou branch at around 9:00 in the morning.
Chu Nanfeng didn't expect that Mu Daocheng would find him so quickly. He knew that he would definitely not return empty-handed. After receiving the notice from the arrow guard, he washed up briefly and went to the living room. When Mu Daocheng saw his arrival, he laughed.
"Brother, I woke you up so early in the morning."
"I think the seniors have gained something from this trip...are they aware of their purpose?"
Mu Daocheng's smile faded and he shook his head, "The purpose of Long Congyun and the two of them makes it even more difficult for me to guess." Then he told Chu Nanfeng what happened in Runzhou.
"Long Congyun and others injured the people of Liao and Zhou Chaotang, and then kidnapped the prince of the Southern Tang Dynasty..." Mu Daocheng stroked his long beard and frowned and said: "The dispute between the eldest brother and the elder brother infers fate.
, I’m afraid there is another court, is it Shu? Or Lingnan?”
Chu Nanfeng was also stunned for a moment, and said in deep thought: "The younger generation rarely sets foot in the world, and has never paid attention to the affairs of various dynasties... It was only when I was looking for Luyi that I saw a little bit. Now Fujian and Chu have been lost, Wu Yue, and the Northern Han Dynasty
Each has its own dependencies. Although Shu, Lingnan, and Jingnan are independent of each other, they are not enough to unify the country."
Mu Daocheng nodded, "Brother, I think so too. Yanbei once told me about the general trend of the world. He believed that none of the emperors of the dynasties had the talent to be a hero. He once said that he would be like the great Tang Dynasty.
The unification of the world may not be visible for another hundred years."
"Brother, when I was born, the Yellow Peril began. From then on, the world was in chaos... It was like a martial arts sect split. Everyone took away a martial arts secret book and each considered himself orthodox. If you don't obey me, I won't obey you..."
Mu Daocheng sighed, "In the past seventy or eighty years, how many people know what home, country and world are? Wherever you move, there is home and there is country."
After a pause, he looked at Chu Nanfeng, "The reason why Mr. Yi retired to Taibai Mountain is probably known to me..."
Chu Nanfeng sighed in his heart and nodded.
When Yi Wuwei followed the Huang Chao uprising, he saw that Huang Chao's people had changed their original intentions and allowed the soldiers to burn, kill and loot. They even killed innocent people alive to use as military rations. In a few years, they killed hundreds of thousands of people. Yi Wuwei was deeply moved. I thought it was hateful and shameful to associate with him, so he retired from the world.
"When Senior Yi was at Mingyue Villa, I talked about the past with my brother, and talked about human flesh and military rations... Alas, Senior Yi still hates him so much." Mu Daocheng shook his head, "Senior, he founded the academy because he wanted students to They will be able to achieve something in the future, bring peace to the people and help the world...but they are also afraid of giving birth to people like Huang Chao, so they have established many academic rules."
Chu Nanfeng grew up in Taibai Academy since he was a child. He knew what Mu Daocheng said about the thoughts of Yi Wuwei and others. Hearing this, he felt emotional and continued: "The teacher decided that students should leave the academy. After that, everything you do has nothing to do with the academy, and you are not allowed to report to others as a disciple. This is to stop students from thinking of bullying others."
"And students come from different dynasties, and they have different sense of belonging, so they will kill each other... In the future, it may also cause conflicts between the teachers and teachers of the college. As time goes by, like many sects, they may be used by various dynasties to induce them to fall apart. And die."
Mu Daocheng nodded when he heard this, "In the past few decades, there should be hundreds of disciples from Taibai Academy, right? There should be many talents among them. If they are willing to give their names, Taibai Academy will be famous in all the courts. .But if there is a bad student who takes advantage of his power to do evil outside, and the people who are bullied are afraid of the reputation of the academy, they will swallow their anger... It will definitely lead to some students who are weak-minded to follow suit, and it will be really bad..."
"Senior Yi, Brother Wu and others are all extremely talented in studying heaven and earth, and the students they have taught... Big brother, how can you be like a thing in the pond? Although there is a saying that there is no dispute in the world, It is really the teaching of keeping a low profile and biding time.
"But if the time comes, it will be useful... As long as the teachers of the academy are united in teaching, so that the students do not have the desire to be their own masters in the Central Plains and Jiangnan, there will be no problem."
Chu Nanfeng's heart trembled, and he raised his hands and said respectfully: "This junior has learned a lesson."
"Big Brother is so polite, but it makes people uncomfortable." Mu Daocheng shook his head and smiled.
He paused for a moment and then said: "Brother, I have no great ambitions. I have accepted three disciples, but I just ask them not to do evil... Xingkong is herding horses in Xinzhou, and many of the good horses in the Yanbei Army are bought from him. However, Yan Bei was born into a royal family and joined the military due to his status. However, I was the strictest to him. A war is a war, and no matter whether he wins or loses, he must not hurt innocent people. Yan Bei did this, and the soldiers under his command No innocent person was harmed..."
Looking at Mu Daocheng who said that Xiao Yanbei had a smile on his face, Chu Nanfeng was filled with emotion. He dared not imagine how heartbroken Mu Daocheng would be if he knew about Xiao Yanbei's death.
"Zhuo Wu's family has a large population. They only know a few superficial things passed down by my elder brother. They have no other talents. They were left by Yan Bei in the army to serve as worshipers. The two brothers and sisters share the blessings and share the hardships. Haha... Three Whatever one does, one’s reputation will be fulfilled.”
At this time, Ma Xilan and the steward of the branch came to the hall together. After greeting them, he invited them to have breakfast. Mu Daocheng had been running around all night. Although he was not tired due to his cultivation, he was already hungry, so he and Chu Nan The Feng couple went to the dining room to have dinner.
After breakfast, the three of them returned to the hall. Mu Daocheng said: "Right now, I don't know where Long Congyun and the two took the prince of the Southern Tang Dynasty abducted, and I can't guess what their intentions are. Why don't you go first and don't forget it?" Island, what do you think, big brother?"
Chu Nanfeng nodded, "This junior also has this intention. In three months, Monk Mingwu will go to treat Brother Luo as promised. At that time, he will ask Brother Luo what is in the stolen box. It should be able to cut off the dragon.
Yun and their real purpose..."
"Hmm." Mu Daocheng said with a smile: "Then please send Fei Ge, the steward, to send a letter to the Youzhou branch, invite people to Mingyue Villa, and ask Xiao Muyun and Xiaoyao to gather at Moforget Island, and I will spend more time on the island.
Senior Yi for a while."
Before waiting for the branch manager's reply, Chu Nanfeng continued: "When Youzhou went south, Lu Yi had ordered the Sikong Manager to inform Xiaoyao and the others. They must be on Moforget Island now."
"Oh." Mu Daocheng was overjoyed and looked at Mahilan and said: "The princess is still very attentive, haha..."
Chu Nanfeng and Ma Xilan looked at each other, sighing secretly in their hearts, and finally did not dare to reveal the news of Xiao Yanbei's death.
After the three people agreed, they set off in a carriage. Considering that Mu Daocheng had not slept all night, Chu Nanfeng and his wife asked him to rest in the carriage while they rode along with him. Mu Daocheng could not refuse.
I had no choice but to meditate in the car, adjust my breath, and rest my mind. Half an hour later, I got out of the car and said, "If I am not injured, I don't like being bored in the car anyway. Princess, can you let me go with you, haha..."
Mahilan knew that people in the north like to ride horses. Seeing that he was in high spirits, he smiled and said, "Senior's orders, how dare Xilan disobey."
After changing trains, Mu Daocheng rode his horse side by side with Chu Nanfeng and said with a smile: "Brother, apart from Senior Yi, there is one person I admire very much in my heart... Mr. Feng Daofeng must know that, right?"
"
Chu Nanfeng nodded, but he didn't know much about Feng Dao as a person, so he said: "This junior has heard of his name..."
"Mr. Feng Daofeng has served in the Later Tang, Later Jin, Daliao, and Later Han Dynasties, and is still serving the Central Plains court. He can be said to be a veteran of the Five Dynasties... Not only does he have self-awareness, but he also has the ability to take advantage of the situation to benefit the people. He knows that he can use his own power to help the people.
Although I have no power to change this troubled world, I have never given up my original intention of helping the people..."
Mu Daocheng sighed: "The world ridicules him and laughs at him for coveting the position of prime minister, but they don't know that he is doing it for the poor people and promoting virtuous people as officials so that good governance can survive."
"In the past few decades, if someone else had been the prime minister, I am afraid that the people of the Central Plains would have been in another miserable situation. When the Liao people went south, they asked him to join them. At that time, some people ridiculed him for being a minister and having no moral integrity.
Hehe... At that time, I don’t know how many military generals defected to the Liao people for fear of death, but he ruined his reputation, but saved many people in the Central Plains from war disasters..."
Chu Nanfeng knew that Mu Daocheng liked to preach, especially about martial arts, but he had never heard him talk about the prosperity of the court and the prosperity of the world. He was surprised when he heard this.
Mu Daocheng saw his expression and smiled, "Mr. Feng served as the Khitan ambassador for more than a year. Yanbei was deeply impressed by his knowledge and insight. He often mentioned it in front of me. I know that Yanbei has a very high spirit.
If there was someone he admired and praised, he would go out of his way to learn about Mr. Feng’s past.”
"But I know how many times he has served as prime minister, brought talented people, and helped people's livelihood. Compared with those Huang Chao people who rebelled and seized power under the pretext of thinking about the common people, and used power to kill recklessly... But he gave birth to me too.
Out of admiration, when he was passing through Yunzhou on his way back to the Central Plains, he invited him to Mingyue Villa for a chat."
"My brother asked him at that time. Some people ridiculed him and called him a traitor, but he was still unyielding. Mr. Feng did not answer. Instead, he asked me how a martial arts figure is called a knight..."
He paused for a moment, shook his head and said with a smile: "Brother, I always act according to my own preferences. Although I have never done evil to others in my life, I have never seen injustice. I draw my sword to help. When I see him asking, I dare not answer.
, it’s just a courtesy to ask for advice.”
"But I heard Mr. Feng say: 'Civil officials and military generals who use the law as a rope, can not be disturbed by the imperial power, redress the grievances of the people and solve problems, are upright. People in the public, who are not afraid of violence and fight against injustice, are chivalrous.'
'In the world, chivalrous people are divided into big and small, but I don't think so... A chivalrous person is one who has the blood of righteousness and awe-inspiring spirit. He can shine with the light of a grain of rice and dare to shine in the sun and the moon. He can make justice clear, regret people's hearts, and make them righteous.
It will last forever and be passed down through the hearts of people.”
'Dividing the size of a chivalrous person based on the impact of his actions and the identity of the person who fights the injustice are all ignorant opinions of people who are seeking fame and reputation...Traffickers and foot soldiers in the streets and people in the mountains and villages also draw their swords to help them when they see injustice on the road.
Generations, who dares to say that they are not chivalrous people?'
'Nowadays, the heroes are divided and the world is in chaos. Many people do not know where the country is and what country it is. When there is trouble in the Central Plains, flee to the south of the Yangtze River, which is the country... The dynasties and states have different voices and laws, and they have different laws. How are they different from the Jianghu gangs?
?Being in this chaotic world, my heart must have been in the arena... Mr. Mu, looking at what I have done, can I be worthy of being called a chivalrous man? 'Brother, I felt ashamed at that time...
…”
Mu Daocheng paused, spoke quietly for a moment, and said slowly: "I am fortunate to be ashamed, but I have gained something. As Mr. Feng said, the foundation of a chivalrous person is the passion for righteousness, the awe-inspiring spirit, and the pursuit of justice.
How can one's heart be divided into big and small... But to pass on the spirit, one must never look back, regardless of success or failure."
Chu Nanfeng's heart was shocked, and he heard Mu Daocheng say: "Some people ridiculed Mr. Feng that it is not sad when a king dies, and it is not painful when a country is broken, hehe... I just think about the kings of the dynasties he has experienced, which one can be regarded as a wise king? For the sake of the whole family,
There is a dispute over surnames, and a foolish king who does not care about the lives of his people is dead. There is nothing to be sad about."
"The country is broken? Think about the time of the Tang Dynasty... Jiangnan, Shu, Chu, Lingnan, Wuyue, which one is not the territory of the Tang Dynasty? These princes, who hold heavy troops to separate one side, have no ability to compete in the Central Plains. When the Central Plains are conquered by the Liao people,
Instead, he laughed at an old man who was unarmed and had no soldiers. It really made people laugh out loud, haha..."
At that time, the Khitans sent their troops south to attack Kaifeng and destroyed the Later Jin Dynasty. Yelu Deguang, Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty, wanted to carry out the strategy of burning, killing and looting, but was blocked by Feng Dao's desperate efforts. Emperor Taizong of the Liao Dynasty cherished his talent and made it a condition for him to join the Liao Dynasty. Feng Dao
In order to prevent millions of people in the Central Plains from being plunged into dire straits and war disasters, I agreed, but ended up being called a traitor.
After laughing, Mu Daocheng looked at Chu Nanfeng and said seriously: "If there is a wise king who has the ambition to unify the world in the future, the students of the academy of the eldest brother should help him."
Mu Daocheng's impression in Chu Nanfeng's mind was that of a man who had no idea of the country, did not care about the powerful, and was content in seclusion. After hearing his emotional remarks, he guessed that he must have suffered from Yi Wuwei, Feng
Affected by the Tao, he was so surprised that he fell into deep thought and forgot to urge the horse forward.
Mu Daocheng rode his horse forward for a few feet and realized it. He glanced back at Chu Nanfeng and said with a smile: "I think this is the most powerful martial arts in the world. It can make a big brother with Yuanying cultivation forget his mind."
,Ha ha……"
Chu Nanfeng gave a startled smile and urged his horse forward. Mu Daocheng seemed to understand his thoughts and said with a smile: "Haha, I'm used to freedom. As long as I don't offend you, I won't object to whoever becomes the emperor..."
"Senior Yi and Mr. Feng are pursuing their ambitions openly or covertly in this troubled world. This is what I admire... I asked you to let your students enter the official career. I think the eldest brother should understand."
Chu Nanfeng nodded slowly, guessing that when Yi Wuwei stayed at Mingyue Villa, he told Mu Daocheng his true intention of establishing the academy, and he was filled with emotion in his heart.
"As for you, eldest brother..." Mu Daocheng looked at the carriage in front of him, "It's not easy for you and the princess to meet each other. If you don't want to be involved in the affairs of the court, you don't have to worry about it. Xiaoyao and the others are young.
People's aspirations should follow their own heart."
Chu Nanfeng originally did not want to participate in the affairs of the court. He only wanted to take revenge by killing Liu Gongwen and return to Moforget Island with Ma Xilan. It happened that something happened to Luo Hanshui, so he got involved. Hearing this, he nodded and said, "Senior said,
, junior took note of it."
"That's so good, ah, haha..." Mu Daocheng laughed heartily.
Three days later, a group of people arrived at Fairy Lake. After saying goodbye to the Tongbao Pavilion Arrow Guards for sending them off, Chu Nanfeng and his wife led Mu Daocheng to the east bank ferry. Old Yang, who was waiting for the guests to ferry on the lake bank, came up to them and smiled.
He said: "Sir, you are back. The old man just sent two guests to the island this morning."
"Oh?" Chu Nanfeng was very surprised, "Two guests?"
"Yes, there is a strong man, and there is also a young master who is worthy of the Xu family's girl." Yang old man said as he greeted the three people on the boat: "But he has a glum look on his face, so he should be the Xu family's girl's child.
There’s no reason for retrieval…”
Chu Nanfeng and his wife were shocked, looked at each other, and Ma Xilan said: "Uncle Yang, what do you mean?"
"My wife and husband have been out of the island for a long time. I think they don't know about it. A few days ago, someone kidnapped the children of the Xu family. I heard that the young master also went to look for them. The old man also asked about the young master in the morning. Haha, the young master looked like this.
It turned a deaf ear, so the old man didn't dare to ask again." Old man Yang had already learned from Xu Wenxiang's mouth that the relationship between Ma Xilan and Chu Nanfeng was naturally called wife.
"Then smell the fragrance? Have you ever seen it?" Mahilan asked doubtfully.
"I saw, but it's strange to say that when the old man set up in the lake, he met the Xu family girl setting up her own fishing boat, carrying a man who looked like a scholar...Old man, I wanted to follow him in the boat, but the young man
But he told the old man not to come near..."
Chu Nanfeng and his wife were even more surprised when they heard this. They couldn't understand why Luo Xiaoyao and Xu Wenxiang wanted to go boating separately, and who was the man next to them? Where was Xiao Muyun?
Mu Daocheng said anxiously: "Old man, have you ever seen anyone else waiting on that boat..."
Mu Daocheng missed Xiao Muyun in his heart, but he thought she was with Luo Xiaoyao. Old Yang said: "There should be someone else in the cabin, but the distance is a bit far, so I can't see clearly, old man."
Ma Xilan looked at Chu Nanfeng and hesitated, "Nanfeng, could the man accompanying him... be someone from the pavilion? Maybe Mu Yun..."
Ma Xilan guessed that Luo Xiaoyao would only bring Moforget Island with him if he was from Tongbao Pavilion. Xiao Muyun might be in a bad mood and hiding in the cabin because of Xiao Yanbei's death, but she was afraid that Mu Daocheng would shut up if he realized it.
Say nothing.
Chu Nanfeng knew what she meant, and was about to answer when he heard Mu Daocheng laugh and say: "Princess Princess said that Mu Yun played off the young lady's temper? He bullied Xiaoyao? Haha..."
Chu Nanfeng and Ma Xilan knew that Mu Daocheng would be wrong. They looked at each other and smiled bitterly. Chu Nanfeng responded: "Mu Yun is gentle and elegant. He should not be a burden to Xiaoyao. I think it's because Wen Xiang's child has not been found."
, Qi Zhousheng cannot spare him."
Mu Daocheng had heard about his visit to Mahilan, and he also knew what happened between Qi Zhousheng and Xu Wenxiang. Hearing this, he said in a deep voice: "Such an ungrateful person should not be merciful. He was raised by Xu's mother and did not think about it."
In return, abandoning his wife and seizing his son, how is it any different from murdering others? When the whereabouts of this guy are found out, my brother will take action and kill him. How can he be allowed to harm others..."
Hearing this, Chu Nanfeng shook his head and smiled bitterly, "I thought he was Wen Xiang's husband, so I let him go... I didn't expect that such an incident would happen again. His martial arts should really be abolished."