Beimang didn't have a capital until Murong Empress usurped the throne. She used 400,000 soldiers and 900,000 people to build the capital. It took nine years. The King of the Northern Courtyard, Xu Huainan, and the father and son from the Central Plains, Zhang Rou and Zhang Lue, were responsible for the planning. Immortal Qilin and many geomancy masters also participated in the planning. After the new city was built, the royal family, nobles, and civil and military officials first moved in. Now, there were 30,000 prostitutes in Beimang. It could be seen that the capital of Beimang was magnificent and not inferior to the capital of Liyang. It was just that after the capital was established, the empress still followed the ancient system of the four seasons of the tent, going out to patrol all four seasons. The Northern Mang's Painted Ash Conference, which had been criticized by the Central Plains for a long time, originated from this. This year's Autumn Tent Tiger Hunting and Deer Hunting was pushed back slightly. The influential nobles of the Northern Mang royal court were all talking about it. Many of the older nobles who had the qualifications to participate in the Tent Hunting in the past, but found excuses not to go, eagerly participated in it without exception. Unfortunately, they were greatly disappointed.
In the capital, there was a declining branch of Taoism called Chongqing Taoist Temple. After losing the competition with Tao De Sect for the national religion of Beimang, the incense was no longer as prosperous as before. Only a few old pilgrims would come to pray during the Nine Yan Festival. It was hard to believe that 20 years ago, this place was called the top of Beimang's Taoist Temple. Every festival, high officials and nobles would gather together with the common people. It was only because the Immortal in the temple had opened a Taoist temple and "immortals were willing to teach the Art of Longevity". These years, the Chong Qing Temple could only rely on some scholars who were rushing to take the imperial examinations to stay overnight. Perhaps the Chong Qing Temple's luck was really at its end. There had never been a scholar who was nominated after staying here. Over time, the twenty or so Taoists in the temple had been living more and more desolate lives. Fortunately, an old scholar came a few days ago and gave them a decent amount of silver. Only then were they able to eat. The old Confucian scholar who rented a dark and gloomy side room had a good conversational style. He often chatted with the old Taoist priests for an entire afternoon. When they were alone, the old Confucian scholar would flip through some of the scriptures that no one had been interested in for many years. He lived a leisurely and peaceful life.
One day, a tall, sleepy man came to the Chongqing Taoist Temple. He didn't even bat an eyelid as he swept the floor full of fallen leaves. The pilgrim asked twice in a warm voice. The little Taoist boy lazily picked up the broom and pointed to the old Confucian scholar's remote residence. The man walked over with a smile. After passing two courtyards, he found the old Confucian scholar sitting in the middle of the courtyard.
The man respectfully said from the bottom of his heart, "Jing Yan greets the Imperial Decree of Peace."
The old scholar came back to his senses and smiled. He gestured for the newcomer of the Chess and Sword Music School to sit down casually.
Hong Jingyan put on a posture of listening attentively.
The old Confucian scholar glanced at this proud student who had been deliberately 'suppressed' by him. He said softly, "I know what you're here to ask for. I might as well be frank with you. If I were to shamelessly ask His Majesty for the Iron Cavalry of the Rouran Five Towns, I could also hand it over to you. However, this would put you at a disadvantage. It would be disadvantageous for you to display your skills in the future. The Rouran Five Towns are surrounded by the covetous Dong Army. Even the capital and its surrounding regions are not generals with outstanding military achievements. You can't compare to them. Even if you succeed, how much empty space can you get? That's why I say that this kind of stiff robbery is not as good as a small, sharp strike without evil hands. "
Hong Jingyan asked with a smile, "Go directly to the tile-built Gentleman's Tavern?"
The old Confucian scholar nodded.
Hong Jingyan said with a bitter face, "You want me to gather tens of thousands of troops by myself?"
The old Confucian scholar scolded with a smile, "You're as thick-skinned as ever. Don't think that just because I haven't been in the Chess and Sword Music School all these years, I don't know that you have hooked up with the sons of the Northern and Southern nobles. Let alone tens of thousands, as long as you dare, even a hundred thousand wouldn't be a problem, right? Just those sons and daughters of the capital who crave military achievements would flock into Dragonwaist Province without bringing their own personal guards and forcefully gather tens of thousands of troops. I'll say the ugly things first. This time, Your Majesty was hesitant about who to send to confront the Beiliang army. Was it Huang Songpu or Tuoba? I mentioned it in passing, so you chose Huang Songpu. This is because I don't want the situation of the Northern and Southern confrontation to become a situation of war on all fronts. I know that by using this king of the Southern Courtyard, who is good at defending, Beiliang won't have a falling out and will be willing to stop while we're ahead. This way, I'll have enough time to set up a trap. Only that wicked old turtle, Huang Longshan, loves to do wicked things. As for you, you'll be the first chess piece in Beimang's new game. You'll be the most important. How about it? Are you going or not? "
Hong Jingyan furrowed his brows and did not immediately give a reply.
The old Confucian scholar, who was already the Emperor's tutor, said, "There's no rush. Let's make a decision after you've thought it through. If you feel that controlling the Rouran Cavalry is more advantageous and can give me a convincing reason, I can very well let you go to the Rouran Mountains and become the Mountain King."
Hong Jingyan softly said, "To tell the truth, whether I go to the Gentleman's Pavilion or the Rouran Mountains, right now, the Sword Qi is not by your side. I can't be at ease."
The old Confucian scholar shook his head. "I know what I'm doing."
Hong Jingyan looked around and laughed. "Are you really not going to meet those nobles in the Imperial Tent who are willing to dig three feet into the ground just to find you?"
The old Confucian scholar indifferently said, "Burning the stove in the officialdom is a great skill. Those fellows who have gone hunting to find me are actually burning a few sticks of incense to Xu Huainan right now. Only then will His Majesty pay attention to them. Those who foolishly come to me to burn incense and pray to Buddha and Bodhisattva are all carrying pig heads and meat. Even if I were a true Bodhisattva, I'd still be sick of eating them. When the stove is cold, they can give me a bowl of porridge and a plate of pickles to fill my stomach and warm my heart. "
There was a long period of silence.
Hong Jingyan suddenly stood up and bowed with his hands clasped in front of him. "I ask the Magistrate of Peace to play a game of chess with me!"
The old Confucian scholar waved his hand, ordering him to leave.
Hong Jingyan laughed at himself. He did not insist and left the Chongqing Monastery.
The old Confucian scholar slowly walked to the entrance of the monastery. The boy who was sweeping the floor was exhausted and sitting on the steps. There were already several baskets of fallen leaves at his feet.
The old Confucian scholar smiled and bent down to pick up the broom. He helped the little boy sweep the floor.
— —
The poor scholar Chen Liangxi was in a small tea house. He muddle-headedly met a rich man from Beiliang who was talking about everything under the sun. He also muddle-headedly followed the hunchbacked and lame old man into a house.
There were two jade lions in the house and a large plaque with golden words.
The little beggar who had been reading with him along the way gently raised his head and read, "Beiliang Palace."
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