After nightfall, the light spots near and far extended through the city like ribbons. Where the light was brighter, the ribbons would sway. Where the light was dimmer, the ribbons shone silently in the darkness. Occasionally, there would be a ship with its lights on, sailing past slowly.
The interior and exterior of Four Seasons Sect were brightly lit. The three buildings with hanging eaves decorated the street beautifully. The passersby on the nearby streets could not help but glance over and point at them. Inside the building, however, there was a lively atmosphere of toasts and toasts. Four Seasons Sect was having both a literary conference and a performance. The banquet in the building had yet to end. A few popular courtesans invited from the brothels in the city had already started to sing on stage.
After Hangzhou City was conquered, Fang La had decided to make this the foundation of his kingdom and restrained his subordinates. However, it was difficult to list the sufferings of the women who remained in the city during the initial chaos. The flourishing prostitution industry suffered a great blow. However, when the soldiers captured men, they tortured and killed them, but when it came to women, it was the same.
In the early days, there were countless women who committed suicide after being violated, or were killed in the midst of being ravaged. There were also many chaste women who sacrificed themselves because of the humiliation in the brothels. But in general, in this environment, the ability to bear such a blow was much stronger. After the most chaotic period, some managed to avoid the chaos, some found support, and some continued to use their skills. All in all, food had to be eaten, and people had to find a way out.
The courtesans in Hangzhou had changed from a few months ago. They felt different. They had lost their original spirituality, and were more respectful and restrained. However, as long as one did not delve too deeply into it, those who could replace them were skilled in their own fields. Their uneasiness could sometimes be seen as pitiful, which gave them a unique flavor. After a few performances, the atmosphere in the hall became more and more lively. Some people even had poems to share and appreciate.
Although today's gathering also had the atmosphere of a literary conference, it was generally different from a normal literary conference. Zhu Yanlin was an official. In Fang La's court at this time, the people he socialized with were not just scholars. Some of the martial artists he was on good terms with were also involved. Therefore, it was impossible for there to be too many rules at the party. Only the host or those who wanted to be in the limelight could do their best to arouse the interest of writing poems and lyrics. Because there were many circles in Fang La's system at this time, at the beginning of the banquet, some people were walking around with wine glasses in their hands, chatting and greeting each other. This was the time when the atmosphere was lively.
There were many people and it was bustling with noise and excitement. At a banquet table on the second floor, there was a commotion going on. The scholar who was holding a wine cup waved at someone and turned to walk forward. He was caught off guard and bumped into the man beside him.
"Be careful."
"Sigh …"
Bang, hua …
The situation wasn't too serious. The scholar didn't knock over the table, but he accidentally knocked over the plate of sauce beside him onto his clothes. He only staggered a little before regaining his balance. However, the sauce that fell onto his clothes left a mark that couldn't be wiped off in a short amount of time. The scholar spread his hands in distress. The people beside him greeted him, and someone from Four Seasons Temple came over to check on him. Then, under the orders of the manager, they arranged a room and clothes for him to change into.
After greeting the scholar in white who came with him, he went up to the third floor under the guidance of a servant.
The first and second floors of Four Seasons Temple were now used as the banquet hall. The third floor was also lit, but there were not many people. The scholar entered the room where the oil lamp had just been lit and changed his clothes. Then, he looked out the window. The night wind blew, and the lamp swayed, bringing with it a slight chill.
"… According to Young Master Ning's orders, the news that you are still safe has been sent back. Your wife and your family are all safe and sound … Your wife's unborn child is safe and sound as well …"
If someone was in this room at this moment, they might have heard the faint sounds of conversation going on in this space.
"You didn't alert the authorities or the army, did you?"
"Young Master Ning specifically reminded us, so we didn't cause any trouble. Other than your wife, this information was only sent to the top. However … I think Young Master Ning is a little too cautious …"
"We can only be careful when we can't afford to lose even once. Liu Dabiao has arranged people around my wife. If those who want to make a contribution know that only my wife and I died … Did your superior send any messages? "
"Escorting Young Master Ning out of the city is the first task, but everything will be based on Young Master Ning's arrangements … The superior also said that you must remember to take care of yourself."
The person who was having a secret conversation here was, of course, Wenren Bu 'er, the secret agent that Ning Yi and Qin Siyuan had arranged for Fang La. Ning Yi already knew the reason for setting the meeting point at Four Seasons Temple. Wenren Bu' er's identity here was the shopkeeper of Four Seasons Temple in Centennial Hall. Ning Yi already had no trust in the power of the authorities, but Wenren Bu 'er was obviously different. Ning Yi shook his head when he said that he would be given the command.
"I don't know about these things. You are the expert. How you want to act is still up to you. However, I need to know who is in charge of your next line. If something happens to you, how should I contact him …"
"Of course …"
The small system that Wenren Bu 'er was in did not belong to the official organization of Six Fan School. It was originally a Department of Secret Investigation set up to deal with the Liao people. Not many people were sent out, and they were only used to make up for loopholes in important matters. Even so, as the highest person in charge of Fang La, Wenren Bu 'er still had a lot of things to do. Qin Siyuan directly used him to be in charge of Ning Yi in this matter, which was enough to show that the old man attached great importance to this matter.
After exchanging some necessary information, Wenren Bu 'er said, "Now, the most important thing is to escort Young Master Ning out of here. According to the estimation, the situation in Hangzhou will become more and more tense in the next month. If you want to leave, it's best to arrange it within half a month. Now that we have a certain understanding of the situation in Dominator's Saber Camp, if Young Master Ning knows anything … "
"I may not be able to leave for the time being." Ning Yi shook his head and then paused. "There are many people from the Underworld in Fang La's army. I heard that there are some ways to stain people with a special smell. This smell can be tracked by trained Gu insects. They told me about it. At first, I thought it was just a myth. But later, it seemed that they were telling the truth … Brother Wenren, do you know about this?"
Wenren Bu 'er's expression changed. "In Xiangxi, there are indeed such methods in the Art of Raising Gu. But it's very difficult to raise it. It can only be used on one person, and it doesn't live long … This kind of method is only used on people who are very important …" He glanced at Ning Yi and then frowned as he pondered.
"It's not that there is no solution. As long as we know who the person is, we can kill his insect. Or we can know when the insect will die, and then we can find a chance to escape. There are also many ways to dilute this kind of tracking method … I will investigate this matter. Don't worry, Young Master Ning. "
"There are indeed such things …" Ning Yi smiled and nodded. Actually, this kind of thing was not that strange. The carrier pigeon could reach the destination from thousands of miles away. It was impossible to say that it was as accurate as a radar. But in the hands of these martial artists who were skilled in martial arts and proficient in survival in the wild, even if they could only determine the general direction, it would be very difficult for him to escape. He had been mentally prepared before this, so he did not mind at this time.
"Brother Wenren, I will have to trouble you with this matter. But if it doesn't work, I plan to send my servant girl away first. This matter should still be feasible. "
There was a moment of silence on the other side. Wenren Bu 'er obviously did not agree with this matter. "Young Master Ning, I'm afraid this matter …"
Ning Yi waved his hand. "After sending her away, I will have the mood to stay here and do something … It's not a big problem. I have calculated it before. There is a childless old doctor next to the courtyard where I am staying. He is quite famous in the Dominator's Saber Camp. Xiaochan has been helping out in the medical center during this period of time. The old doctor treats her like his daughter. If it is a normal situation, the old doctor will not help. But I have offended people. Whether it is Li Tianrun or Shi Bao, they are enough to go against Liu Dabiao. If I am in danger, it will easily affect the people around me. When the pressure is down, I will ask the old doctor to at least send Xiaochan away. During this period … I still need Brother Wenren's help. "
Wenren Bu 'er was stunned for a while. Naturally, he had checked the situation around Ning Yi. "Young Master Ning … Since more than a month ago … you have been arranging this matter?"
"It is not an arrangement. It is just a preparation. That old man is stubborn, but he understands the cruelty of the world. When the time comes, just ask him and he will help. This is currently the most mature way. If he does not help, we will think of other ways. "
"But once this happens, it will be really difficult for you to leave. You may even be in danger …"
"I will take a gamble." Ning Yi said, "It will be good if we can leave together. If not, and she stays, I will not have a chance to leave in the future. You said that the situation will become worse in a month … How is the battle in the north? "
"Jiaxing has been relieved, but the Seven Buddhas of Fang Qi have gathered their troops and pinned down General Tong's troops at the front line of Xiuzhou. The rear is constantly reaping, burning and looting. After this battle, the imperial court will have nothing between Hangzhou, Jiaxing, and Huzhou …"
"As expected …" Ning Yi nodded. "In your opinion, how long can Hangzhou be defended?"
"I don't know. But half a year to a year, I am afraid …"
These things had nothing to do with ordinary intelligence personnel. But when it came to it, Wenren Bu 'er obviously frowned. Ning Yi was also a little silent. He was not clear about this part of the history of Fang La. He only knew that Fang La was defeated in the end, but he also delayed Tong Guan's army of more than a hundred thousand in the south. Now it seemed that Fang La's conquest of Hangzhou was just in time for the grain harvest. After he plundered the grain near Hangzhou, the burden on the imperial court of the Wu dynasty would definitely be heavier. If they delayed for a year or two, the consequences would be really unimaginable.
"This matter … for the time being, let's decide like this. I am doing well in the Dominator's Saber Camp. When Li Tianrun comes back and oppresses me, I have to send Xiaochan away. As long as I don't leave, they will not kill me. If they feel that I am valuable and both sides fight, of course, it will be the most ideal situation. If not, you can tell the higher-ups that I will teach a group of more upright students here. It can be considered as a little bit of my strength. "
As Ning Yi said this, he shook his head and smiled. Wenren Bu 'er thought for a while. "Teach … upright students?"
"Yes." Ning Yi nodded and sighed. "In today's world, being upright means being the enemy of the world. Let them have a little internal strife. Anyway, I can't do more than that."
After talking with Wenren Bu 'er, Ning Yi went out and went downstairs. The hall was still lively, but he heard someone singing "Watching the Tide" on the stage. The singer was singing, "The heavy lake is clear and beautiful, there are three autumn osmanthus, ten miles of lotus flowers. Qiang Guan makes it clear, water chestnut song floats in the night, frolicking and fishing for old lotus children … "Lou Shuwan was listening. When she saw Ning Yi coming down, she said with a smile," You are singing. " In the hall, there were also people who knew him like Liu Xiyang. At this moment, they all looked over. Some people were already coming over from the crowd. It seemed that they were going to greet him.
At this moment, the sound of a disturbance faintly came from the east.
At first, it was the sound of gongs, bugles, and shouts. Gradually, it sounded like a war. At this time, Hangzhou had just experienced the chaos of war. Among the people at the gathering, there were many who had experienced the battlefield. They all started to go to the windows and look outside. Some even went up to the rooftop of the third floor. After that, there were also some servants who looked like servants who hurried over to find their respective masters and pass on the news.
In the distant street scene, the chaos quickly took shape. Smoke and red light rose to the sky. Soldiers on horses and armed with swords rushed to the other side of the street. The news sent by the servants quickly spread to everyone's ears.
At the end of autumn, on the seventh day of the ninth month, the newly established Yongle Dynasty ushered in its first rebellion.
The political advisor, Qi Yuankang, rebelled.
Ning Yi only had a certain impression of this name. Like Lou Minzhong and Bao Daoyi, he was one of the top officials in Fang La's army. At this moment, thinking back, Ning Yi once heard that this Qi Yuankang used to be one of the enlistment parties in Fang La's army.
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