Xiao Yuetan restored Xiang Shaolong to his original appearance with a solemn expression. The latter was also worried, making the atmosphere in the room quite heavy.
Xiang Shaolong finally noticed something strange about Xiao Yuetan and asked in surprise: "Brother, what's on your mind?"
Xiao Yuetan sighed and said: "I know very well what Lu Buwei is like. There is no way he will let you return to Xianyang alive. The sweeter his words, the more ruthless and cruel he is."
Xiang Shaolong was worried about Xiaopan's identity crisis, and secretly blamed himself for being an afterthought. Once Lu Buwei and Miao Du team up, they will definitely think of this flaw, and what's worse, it won't be possible to ask for help.
Xiao Yuetan continued: "Under the current circumstances, it is difficult for me to help. If Li Yuan, Han Chuang, Guo Kai, etc. want to deal with you, Lu Buwei and Tian Dan on the other side want your life.
Your situation is a hundred times more dangerous than before. As long as you cause some accidents, such as house collapse, big waves, strong winds and shipwrecks, it will be difficult for the prince to incriminate anyone."
Xiang Shaolong thought of Long Yangjun and secretly thought that he might be his only savior. But he didn't know why he still had no news. Logically, after he went to test Han Chuang, he should tell him as soon as possible. Could the situation happen again?
Variable? But he comforted Xiao Yuetan by saying, "At least I should be safe in Linzi, because no one dares to openly attack me."
Xiao Yuetan said: "It's still hard to say. If Tian Dan sends someone to kill you through a formal challenge, it will be difficult for the political prince to avenge you. How is your injury?"
Xiang Shaolong looked at the friendly yet unfamiliar figure in the bronze mirror, moved his arms and said, "I can fully recover in two or three days at most."
Xiao Yuetan said: "I shouldn't come to you often anymore, otherwise it will arouse Han Chuang's suspicion. Alas, the development of the matter is really worrying."
At this time, my subordinates came to report that Lord Long Yang was here.
Xiang Shaoneng met Long Yangjun in the east hall. After the latter knew that he was going to reveal his identity, he flashed a look of surprise and said distressedly: "This will make things much more complicated."
Xiang Shaolong didn't want to worry about this annoying matter anymore and asked him about Han Chuang's reaction. Long Yangjun pondered for a moment, then looked up at him and said, "Could Cao Qiudao happen to be stealing the knife from you?"
Where did it happen to be?"
Xiang Shaolong shook his head affirmatively and said: "Absolutely not. He told me personally that he got the news that someone stole the knife. What did Han Chuang say?"
Long Yangjun's eyes flashed with uneasiness, and he whispered: "The slave family asked Han Chuang whether he should deal with you as planned, but he scolded him. It seems that he is not betraying Shaolong, will he?
Did Shaolong forget to tell others about this?"
Xiang Shaolong thought of Xiao Yuetan, so of course he immediately deleted this possibility and said, "Is Han Chuang smart enough to know that the Lord is testing him?"
Long Yangjun said: "It seems that he is not pretending. It is difficult for him to hide this from the slave family after being friends for so many years. This matter is really puzzling."
Xiang Shaolong had hope. If Li Yuan, Han Chuang and Long Yangjun were on his side, it would be easy for him to reach Xianyang safely.
Lord Long Yang said: "Young dragon, don't worry. No matter what, the slave family will be on your side. If we leave tonight, as long as we return to Wei, the slave family will have a way to send you back to Qin."
Xiang Shaolong was greatly moved and said, "But what will Fengfei and the others do?"
Long Yangjun said: "As long as you leave a letter to Han Chuang or Li Yuan and ask them to take care of them on your behalf, then no matter what they think in their hearts, they will only act according to your instructions."
Xiang Shaolong became even more excited, and then he thought of the road problem. Long Yangjun said: "The weather has been a little warmer these two days, and it hasn't snowed. The river should have thawed. I can find any excuse and use the boat to take you there."
Send it away and guarantee that even if someone wants to chase you afterwards, they won't be able to chase you."
First, Xiang Shaolong was eager to go home, but secondly, coming to Zi was not the place to stay for a long time. He finally agreed to Long Yangjun's proposal and agreed on the details of tonight's escape. At this time, Han Jie and Dan Chu came hand in hand and said they would enter the palace.
The time has come to meet King Qi.
Xiang Shaolong entered the small city from the big city for the first time, and took a carriage towards the palace in the north of the city. The buildings along the way were more impressive than those in the big city, which were mainly residential buildings.
I saw the residences of ministers and government offices on both sides, which were indescribably magnificent and luxurious.
Danchu and Han Jie both pretended to be respectful and polite, and the former also took the responsibility of introducing the scenery along the way.
When they arrived at the palace, Lu Buwei and Tian Dan greeted them hand in hand, which was a courtesy.
After the greetings, Tian Dan, true to his heroic character, chuckled and said: "Whether they are friends or enemies of the General, they all admire the General to the point of admiration. If there were not people like the General in the world, it would be very boring."
"
Xiang Shaolong regained his former ease and said with a smile: "Life is like a game. It is Shaolong who should admire Xiang Tian for being so magnanimous." At the same time, he noticed that Tian Dan had aged and was no longer the same as before.
Brave.
Lu Buwei pretended to be sincere and cordial, and said: "We are all old friends. Your Majesty is anxious to ask Shaolong if you have anything to say, so we will leave it to you when Prime Minister Tian holds a banquet for Shaolong."
The place where King Qi Xiang met Xiang Shaolong was the most magnificent Huan Gong Terrace in the palace, and it was also the venue for the birthday banquet where Feng Fei performed three days later.
Huan Gong Terrace is the most magnificent building group in Wangdian District. It is located in the north and west of the small town. It is only more than 80 feet away from the west wall of the small town. It is a magnificent high platform. This rectangular high platform is 25 feet long from north to south and 25 feet long from east to west.
It is about ten feet, and the height is more than five feet. Its majestic momentum can be imagined. Climbing to the high platform, you can overlook the large square between Huan Gong Terrace and Jinluan Hall, which can accommodate tens of thousands of troops for training.
Huan Gong Terrace itself is very distinctive. It looks like a flat-topped pyramid. The top of the platform has two floors. The east, west and north triangles are steeply sloping, and the south side is slightly gentle. There are more than 100 stone steps to the platform. The top of the platform is surrounded by gray bricks.
There is a short flower wall. In the middle of the platform, there is a square platform about five feet higher. The platform is paved with patterned square tiles, which is elegant and noble.
King Qi met Xiang Shaolong at the "Dianjiang Hall" on the lower floor of Huan Gong Terrace, accompanied by the eldest prince Tian Sheng and the second prince Tian Jian.
King Xiang of Qi was about seventy years old. He was short and fat, and looked energetic. People worried that he would give up and return to the west at any time.
The two princes Tian Sheng and Tian Jian are both of medium build and similar in appearance. Although they have good facial features, they are both quite ordinary and do not look like kings. In comparison, Tian Sheng looks like the second generation ancestor who drank too much, while
Tian Jian is much more energetic.
The atmosphere is surprisingly relaxed and friendly.
After the ceremony, Xiang Shaolong and Lu Buwei sat under King Qi. On the other side were Tian Sheng, Tian Jian and Tian Dan.
After King Qi carefully looked at Xiang Shaolong with his dim old eyes, he chuckled at the throne on the steps: "In the past, Zhang Yi was a guest in the Chu State. During the banquet, it was said that the Chu people at that time regarded the "He's Bi" as a national treasure.
It was passed around and suddenly disappeared. Someone suspected that Zhang Yi had stolen it and beat him up. When Zhang Yi came home, he asked his wife to see if his tongue was still there. She said that as long as his tongue was still there, there was no need for anything.
Afraid. Ha..."
Everyone hurriedly laughed, but they didn't understand why he told this story.
King Qi said happily: "Zhang Yi relied on his uninterrupted tongue to become a marquis and prime minister; General Xiang became a general with the sword in his hand. Each tongue and one sword can be said to reflect each other successively."
.”
Xiang Shaolong experienced Qi Ren's absurd imagination for the first time and responded: "Your Majesty, this metaphor is really wonderful."
Tian Sheng smiled and said: "But the general has switched to his own long dagger and abandoned the sword."
King Qi glared at Tian Sheng and said displeasedly: "Don't you know? I have ordered someone to get the general's sword back."
This time it was Xiang Shaolong's turn to feel embarrassed. He wanted to speak, but he didn't know what to say. Could it be that he had stolen the knife back earlier and stabbed Cao Qiudao? At the same time, he also understood that King Qi and Da
The relationship between Prince Tiansheng and Prince Tiansheng was very bad. No wonder Tian Dan temporarily changed his mind and replaced Tian Jian. However, looking at Tian Dan's aging appearance, he would not live much longer than King Qi Xiang.
King Xiang of Qi was very interested in the conversation. He spoke eloquently: "Since the late king proposed "respect the king and repel the barbarians", we, Da Qi, have always held the ambition of bringing peace to the world and harmonizing the princes. When the merchant king of your country implemented the reform, our two countries of Qi and Qin were hidden as
Between the two great powers of the East and West, it would be beneficial to unite, but harmful to separate them. The situation is obvious. This time Father Zhong is here, and the general is here as a guest. We are even closer to each other, which is really the greatest gift."
Everyone in the hall had different expressions. Tian Sheng had just scolded his father and lowered his head in silence. Tian Jian looked at Xiang Shaolong with eager eyes. Although Lu Buwei smiled with him, his expression was not natural. Tian Dan still looked like he was hiding his chest.
The city looks incomprehensible.
At this time, a minister walked up to the throne, knelt down and presented a letter to the King of Qi, and also said a few words.
The King of Qi looked surprised when he heard this. He looked at Xiang Shaolong and said, "Gong Cao said that he has returned the treasure to the General, and there is also a silk letter, please give it to the General."
Tian Dan was surprised and said: "What is going on? Has the General seen Duke Cao?"
Xiang Shaolong felt something was wrong and nodded.
The King of Qi sent his inner courtier to deliver the letter to Xiang Shaolong. After Xiang Shaolong took out the silk and read it, he smiled and said: "Since Duke Cao appreciates it, I will go to Jixia Academy to watch the stars one day after my birthday party."
It will be a great honor for me to compete in Taiwan and compare my skills."
Tian Dan and Lu Buwei's joyful expressions suddenly disappeared. King Qi's body shook violently and his face became even paler.
Xiang Shaolong was amused in his heart. He should have arrived safely in Wei territory in three days. Even if others laughed at him for being afraid of Cao Qiudao, he wouldn't care.
The two people he least wants to meet right now are Li Mu and the terrifying Cao Qiudao.
As soon as Xiang Shaolong left Huan Gong Terrace, he was stopped by Xie Ziyuan, who pulled him aside and said, "General, I have deceived my little brother so hard. It turns out you..."
Xiang Shaolong first glanced at Xie Ziyuan, then saluted Tian Dan, Lu Buwei and others, saying: "Don't dare send me away any further, let your generals leave on their own."
Tian Dan said: "We must find time to talk about it in the next few days." After saying this, he went with Lu Buwei.
Xie Ziyuan took a closer look at Xiang Shaolong's current appearance and sighed: "Brother Xiang is really a talented person, extraordinary."
When the two of them walked side by side toward the palace gate, Xiang Shaolong said calmly: "The news about Brother Jie is so fast."
Xie Ziyuan said proudly: "There is something going on in the palace, don't even think you can hide it from me."
Xiang Shaolong smiled and said, "Then do you know that Cao Qiudao just challenged my younger brother and decided to compete at Jixia's Star Observation Tower in four days' time, but no one was allowed to watch the battle then?"
Jie Zi's expression changed and he said, "What should I do? Alas, you can still laugh."
Xiang Shaolong secretly thought that if he couldn't escape tonight, he would never laugh. Now of course it's a different matter. He comforted him: "In the worst case, I'll abandon the sword and admit defeat: can he kill me?"
Xie Ziyuan said in shock: "If Brother Xiang does this, aren't you afraid of being blamed by Ying Zheng?"
Only then did Xiang Shaolong remember that he represented the glory of the Qin people. Of course it would not work to abandon the sword and admit defeat, but running away was another matter.
It is better than being killed by Cao Qiudao, who has always been merciless with his sword. He lowered his voice and said: "Brothers have their own ways of dealing with it. Brother Xie, don't worry."
Xie Ziyuan smiled bitterly and said: "If you don't worry, you are lying. Cao Gong's swordsmanship has reached an unpredictable level. I don't know how many famous swordsmen there are, but he is like a child meeting a strong man. He can't even parry."
No."
Xiang Shaolong felt the same way. When he came to the parking lot, the attendant opened the door and let the two of them board the car.
After sitting down, the carriage drove out.
Xiang Shaolong asked: "Where to go?"
Xie Ziyuan said: "Go to see Zhongsun Long. He will personally apologize to Brother Xiang."
Xiang Shaolong felt something in his heart. The world is hot and cold, and human relationships are cold and warm. This is nothing special.
Once Xiang Shaolong's identity was restored, the whole world changed. The people in the song and dance troupe immediately regarded him as a god and came to please him.
On the contrary, when I pretend to be Shen Liang, it feels much more natural.
Xie Ziyuan added: "Zhong Sunlong and his son were very excited when they learned that you were Xiang Shaolong. They asked me to come and ask Brother Xiang to fight against Lu Buwei together. If Brother Xiang says a few words, the second prince may change his mind."
Xiang Shaolong said: "Brother Xie, can you arrange for me to meet with the second prince today? This is not for their father and son, but for Brother Xie."
Xie Ziyuan was moved and said: "Brother Xiang is such a good friend, let's make it tonight."
Xiang Shaolong looked out the window at the street. Every household was shoveling snow. The cold winter was almost over.
Zhongsunlong and his son greeted each other at the gate of the mansion with enthusiasm as hot as fire.
Xiang Shaolong has now become their only savior.
For the people of Qi, nothing is more important than maintaining a good relationship with Qin. In this way, Qi can safely annex its old enemy Yan, expand its territory, and then unify the world.
The reason why Tian Dan was able to win over Tian Jian from Zhong Sunlong was because he had Lu Buwei's trump card.
If Xiang Shaolong, who has more influence on Ying Zheng than Lu Buwei, sides with Zhong Sunlong, Tian Jian would have no choice but to switch to Tian Dan, who has always supported his brother.
Under such circumstances, Zhongsun Long was naturally very passionate about Xiang Shaolong.
After sitting down in the hall, Zhong Sunlong first apologized to Xiang Shaolong. When he was about to speak, Xiang Shaolong said first: "In public and in private, I, Xiang Shaolong, will do my best for Brother Xie and Lord Long, so there is no need for polite words.
said."
Zhongsunlong and his son were overjoyed.
Xie Ziyuan said: "Now I will go to the palace immediately to meet the second prince and arrange the banquet tonight. Where can we hold it?"
Zhongsunlong thought for a moment and said, "It would be more natural if we went to Yulan Tower."
Xie Ziyuan raised his eyebrows happily and said, "That is indeed a good place."
Zhongsun Xuanhua said to Xiang Shaolong: "Xuanhua has selected a group of top-notch swordsmen and assigned them to the general. Their loyalty is unquestionable. When the general is in Linzi, they will only listen to the general.
mission."
Xiang Shaolong said: "Brother Zhongsun is really thoughtful, but can this matter start tomorrow?" He thought that I would have already left tomorrow.
Zhongsun Xuanhua said respectfully: "Everything depends on the general's orders."
Then he frowned and said: "I heard that the master made a promise to the general to fight. This is really a headache. Xuanhua will go to see the master later to see if he can be asked to take back the order."
Xiang Shaolong shook his head and said: "There is no need to do anything unnecessary. Not even your king can influence what the master has decided. I also want to see Duke Cao's peerless swordsmanship."
Zhongsunlong said nervously: "Although Cao Ping was amiable at first, he never showed mercy after the sword was unsheathed. If there is any damage to the general, then...sigh"
Before he had ever experienced the power of Cao Qiudao, if someone like Zhongsun Long had said such words to him in a tone that said he must lose, he would have been very angry. Of course not now, he said with a smile: "I have my own rights."
There is no need to worry about it, Mr. Long."
Zhongsun Xuanhua had a flash of inspiration and said: "How about I go see the master with my junior sister? He loves junior sister the most, and maybe he will make an exception and just do it for fun."
Xiang Shaolong had a plan in his mind and said with a smile: "You really don't need to worry about it. Brother Zhongsun is a swordsman himself. You should know the swordsman's intentions."
Zhongsun Xuanhua nodded dejectedly and said: "The General is really great. Master has long been disinclined to do things like martial arts. Only the General can make him tempted. It seems that the General's sword is too tired."
Zhongsun Long said: "Brother Xiang is too famous. I think Xuanhua, you'd better go and warn Ma Chengjia and Min Tingzhang, these two people who are flirting with each other. If they come to challenge Brother Xiang, it will be difficult to refuse."
Zhongsun Xuanhua's eyes flashed with cold light, and he snorted coldly: "If they want to challenge the general, they must first pass me, Zhongsun Xuanhua."
Xiang Shaolong thought that he would leave tonight, so he said casually: "Let me try the sword. Brother Zhongsun is interested."
Zhongsun Xuanhua showed admiration and said in awe: "No wonder the general is so powerful in Xianyang. Just looking at the general's ambition, one knows how advanced the general's swordsmanship has been. Xuanhua is willing to be inferior. If there is a chance, hope
The general can also teach Xuanhua two moves."
Xiang Shaolong laughed and said, "Brother Zhongsun's hands are itchy. I still want to weigh my little brother's weight to see if I need to ask the respected master to let me go."
Zhongsun Xuanhua saw through his thoughts, his old face turned red, and he said awkwardly: "The general is joking, Xuanhua is really asking for advice sincerely."
Zhongsun Longhu said: "I, Zhongsun Longte, take this opportunity to express my feelings to the general. I don't dare to think anything wrong about Feng Fei. If you have any suggestions, please teach me, Zhongsun Long, to kill the corpse in the wilderness."
The general conveys this message on his behalf and apologizes to the eldest lady for me, Zhongsun Long."
Xiang Shaolong's heart moved and he said: "The younger brother may leave Linzi before the eldest lady. Please ask Mr. Long to take care of the eldest lady for the younger brother."
Zhongsunlong patted his heart and promised: "This matter can be taken care of by me, Zhongsunlong. Please rest assured, general."
The flower picker actually became the flower protector, which shows that things in the world are often unexpected.
Xie Ziyuan was shocked and said: "If Brother Xiang had found an excuse to return to Qin before competing with Duke Cao, wouldn't everything be easily solved?"
Zhongsun Xuanhua first agreed and suggested: "If we just say that Guiyue is seriously ill, then no one will blame the general for breaking the promise."
Xiang Shaolong agreed with his heart and secretly told the hero that he saw the same thing. He said happily: "We will wait and see how the conversation with the second prince goes after tonight."
When everyone saw that he did not refuse, they immediately felt relaxed.
Xiang Shaolong stood up and said goodbye. Zhongsunlong "reluctantly" escorted him to the gate, and then Zhongsun Xuanhua and Xie Ziyuan accompanied him back to Tingsongyuan.