The first snowfall of the first year of Taiping came earlier than previous years. The snow was so heavy that the entire city of Shangjing turned into a world covered in silver, so beautiful that it was both dignified and generous.
It is said that auspicious snow heralds a good year, and the people in the city are somewhat festive and looking forward to good luck in the coming year.
The koi in Chunchao Lake seem to be different from what Dugu Sheng saw in Yuanxing. In other words, the people or animals in Tianzheng Continent are very tenacious in terms of vitality, even on such a winter day.
Inside, those koi fish were still in good spirits and did not show any signs of depression.
In a lakeside pavilion by Chunchao Lake, Ruan Shi spread bait, and the fish that came up to grab food suddenly bloomed like a large colorful flower, which was very beautiful.
These days, feeding these koi fish has become one of the daily tasks of the two of them in the Imperial Master's Mansion.
Looking at the stirring fish, Ruan Shi suddenly said: "Master, how about we take over Dabai and Xiaobai. They haven't seen each other for a long time, and Mr. Shi won't take care of them. I don't know if those two little guys have lost weight."
Already."
"good."
Dugu Sheng responded, looking up at the falling white snow, his thoughts were a little distant. That year, the snow seemed to be this heavy in Linjin Academy, but I wonder how she, who likes to wear white clothes, is doing now?
Ruan Shi looked at Dugu Sheng and wondered what she was thinking. For some reason, she suddenly felt that there was a feeling of loneliness and loneliness in Dugu Sheng. She didn't know why it was like this, but this feeling made her very distressed.
He walked to the wheelchair and removed a few snowflakes that fell on Dugu Sheng's hair.
"Master, do you want to go out for a walk today?"
His thoughts came back from all the past events, and he no longer thought about Shengxue in white, and nodded: "Let's go out for a walk."
——
This sudden snowfall caused the temperature in Shangjing City to drop a lot. But on the contrary, the atmosphere in Shangjing City became even more lively.
On the street, there were many children playing and having snowball fights. Along the way, Dugu Sheng also heard many literati, enjoying the snow and writing poems in groups. In the taverns on both sides, many warriors drank heavily.
Drinking wine, chatting about their legendary experiences.
All in all, this snow has made Shangjing a little less busy and a lot more rare comfort.
Ruan Shi pushed Dugu Sheng into a restaurant, put away the yellowed grease umbrella, and briefly dusted the snowflakes off Dugu Sheng and herself at the door, then pushed the wheelchair toward the building.
This restaurant is called Daoxiangju. Although it is not the best restaurant in Shangjing City, it is still a somewhat famous restaurant.
However, the chef at Daoxiangju is quite good, the dishes are very good, and it is relatively close to the Imperial Master's Mansion, so it has become the restaurant that Dugu Sheng and Ruan Shi visit most often.
As soon as he saw Dugu Sheng and Ruan Shi coming in, the shopkeeper of Daoxiangju hurriedly walked out from behind the counter, greeted Dugu Sheng and Ruan Shi, and greeted them with a smile on his face: "It turns out that the emperor's master is here.
The store is really beautiful! Mr. Ruan, please come over here."
It has been more than half a month since the Imperial Master's Mansion appeared in Shangjing City.
During this period of time, the originally mysterious imperial master Dugu Sheng gradually emerged from the fog. Everyone in Shangjing now knows that Dugu Sheng, the imperial master of the dynasty, was a very handsome young man, but he was disabled.
Bad at doing things.
Next to the young Imperial Master, there was always an extremely beautiful woman. There were rumors that this woman was the Imperial Master's fiancée. The two of them loved each other, respected each other as guests, and envied others.
Ruan Shi pushed Dugu Sheng to a table near the window.
This seat was deliberately left vacant by the shopkeeper, because
Due to his wheelchair, it was inconvenient for Dugu Sheng to go upstairs, so the shopkeeper of Daoxiangju left a seat in a corner near the window.
The people in the restaurant didn't feel too burdened after seeing Dugu Sheng and Ruan Shi come in.
These days, they have become accustomed to this low-key Imperial Master. Although he looks serious, he is not as domineering as those high-ranking officials. Therefore, after the initial surprise, calm returned to the restaurant again.
Dugu Sheng's injury was still very serious. It was difficult to even lift his arms, let alone walking. After Ruan Shi ordered a few side dishes, he ignored the looks of others and fed Dugu Sheng while eating.
few.
After eating something, the snow outside still didn't stop. The two of them had nothing to do now, so they looked out the window and watched the snow.
As time goes by, guests continue to come in Daoxiang Juli. Moreover, the number of guests on the second and third floors, which were originally more elegant, has become less and less. However, there are more and more guests in the lobby on the first floor.
Those who had finished eating did not leave, and those who had just come in had no place to sit. Finally, seven or eight people gathered at a square table and began to call each other brothers.
In the hall, there were both literati and military men.
As soon as these people came in, although they did not directly go up to greet Dugu Sheng, the emperor's master under one person, they had a tendency to gradually gather at the table where Dugu Sheng was.
The literati began to recite poems and write poems, discussing the current general trend of the world, and discussing the shortcomings and shortcomings of the systems of various dynasties.
The martial artist is also talking about his various legends, his understanding of martial arts, his knowledge and his wide range of friends.
Whether they were civil or military, what they said was unique in the sky and nothing on the earth. And as they spoke, they began to shout at the top of their lungs, for fear that others would not hear them.
Dugu Sheng admired the snow. How could he not know what these people in the restaurant were thinking? It was just that he had no interest in these people. In other words, there were fewer and fewer people who could interest him.
However, as the saying goes, drinking makes a hero brave. After drinking several large bowls of strong liquor, a middle-aged man with a broad sword behind him strode to the table where Ruan Shi and Dugu Sheng were sitting, and directly clasped his fists.
He introduced himself: "I, Fan Tong, have met Lord Imperial Master and Lord Ruan!"
"Fan Tong? A loser? Hahahaha!!!"
Although everyone in the restaurant seemed to be chatting about their own affairs, in fact everyone's attention was focused on Dugu Sheng's table.
As the imperial master of the current dynasty, Dugu Sheng is a very powerful person in Huajian Kingdom. Moreover, Dugu Sheng has just taken office and must be very hungry for talents. Therefore, in the eyes of these people, this is definitely a great opportunity for the carp to leap over the dragon's gate.
.
Therefore, when they found that someone actually came forward to recommend themselves, they immediately cheered up. However, when they heard Fan Tong's self-introduction, they immediately exploded!
"Rainbag!! Hahaha! No, I'm going to die laughing! Ricebar! There are actually people called ricebags in this world!" A young man patted his chest, bent over and started laughing. Looking at him,
It seemed like he was about to burst into tears.
"Idiot! I really learned a lot today! Wow, hahaha!"
"Fan Tong! Haha, you actually dare to register your own number!"
With bursts of laughter, Fan Tong's face became darker and darker.
He knows his own family affairs, and his name has been laughed at since he was a child. In normal times, he would never say it so openly. It's just that he drank a little too much today, and with such a good opportunity,
Someone didn't pay attention and reported it anyway.
Like everyone else in the restaurant, Ruan Shi was also a little surprised by Fan Tong's name. She moved her eyes away from Dugu Sheng and focused on Fan Tong.
After looking at it for a while, Ruan Shi could easily see the opponent's strength with Ruan Shi's current strength. However, after feeling the opponent's strength, Ruan Shi was still a little surprised.
This Fan Tong's cultivation has reached the peak of the Nine Heavens. Although the vitality of heaven and earth in Tianzheng Continent is rich, there are only a few innate masters. Those who can reach this level are still very good.
The most important thing is that the current Jianghu forces have been suppressed by the imperial court. Within the human race, no matter which country it is in, the supremacy of imperial power is emphasized.
Therefore, a large number of masters have actually been recruited by the imperial court. In a small country like Huajian Country, it is indeed rare to have such masters.
Ruan Shi knew it and asked, "Fan Tong, right? What's the matter with you?"
At this moment in the restaurant, there were at least more than two hundred people gathered around the restaurant. Being able to be the first to stand up among the crowd, Fan Tong naturally did not just rely on his passion.
There are only a few innate masters scattered in the rivers and lakes in Huajian Kingdom, and as a person at the pinnacle of the Nine Heavens, he naturally has his arrogance: "Sir Ruan, I don't tell secrets, I wonder if your house is missing a disciple?"
guest?"
"Are you going to join the Imperial Master's Mansion?"
"You can say that." Fan Tong nodded.
Ruan Shi shook his head: "The Imperial Master's Mansion does not need disciples, what we need is obedience, absolute obedience, and loyalty to the death. Can you do it?"
Ruan Shi's words were very direct and without any cover-up, and everyone on the first floor of Daoxiangju could hear them very clearly. However, it was precisely because Ruan Shi said it very clearly that there was no room for discussion.
There were still some people who were ready to make a move, but they immediately fell silent again.
Hangouts are very common in Huajian Kingdom. Anyone with some status in the court will attract a large number of hangers-on in their own house. Talking about hangers-on, it is more like a kind of cooperation and transaction. The two are closer to
An employer-employed relationship.
Ruan Shi's words made it very clear that the Imperial Master's Mansion does not need followers.
According to what Ruan Shi said, once you enter the Imperial Master's Mansion, you have signed a contract of betrayal. This is basically a master-servant relationship. In this way, the nature of the two is completely different, and they cannot help but
Thought deeply.
With the expansion of the power of courts and armies in various countries, the power of sects has become increasingly difficult to sustain. For a warrior, in addition to hard work, resources are also extremely important.
Compared with the sect forces in the world, the imperial court has great advantages in terms of treatment and resources.
Moreover, if you join the imperial court, you are more or less a person of status. In the Jianghu sect, no matter how good you are, you are still just a 'grassroots'. Others may call you a 'hero', but no one will call you a 'hero'.
Call you 'Sir'.
The difference between them cannot be explained clearly in one or two sentences, but in today's Tianzheng Continent, where temples are paramount, it is a broad road for the grassy rivers and lakes to leap over Longmen!
For many civilian masters who are not bound by power or who are separated from various sects, as long as they embrace the thigh of the imperial court, it basically means that they have no worries about food and clothing.
But this kind of joining is also divided into categories.
If you join the army, you will not only have more constraints, but you will also have to face wars that may happen at any time, which is undoubtedly inconsistent with the original intention of these idle people.
And becoming a disciple of a powerful court boss is the most ideal destination for these people.
Ruan Shi looked at Fan Tong, who was struggling, and his expression remained unchanged: "What? No? If it doesn't work, then go back."
After hearing this, Fan Tong also understood that this was his last chance. He gritted his teeth and finally agreed: "Okay!"