Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 447: Cicada, Falcon, Mantis, Yellow Bird, Donkey Hoof, Six Thousand Associations
The dinner at "Luoyuantang" was very sumptuous.

In this era, the dietary pattern of sweet food in the south and salty food in the north has been initially formed.

As for cuisine, although the eight major cuisines have not yet appeared, the outlines of the four major cuisines have been completed, among which Shandong cuisine is of course the most prominent.

Since the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, the political and economic center of the world has always been located in the Central Plains.

The gathering of dignitaries here inevitably led to the enrichment and rapid growth of the food culture in this area.

The Shandong region in particular is blessed with unique natural conditions, with rivers, lakes, seas, mountains, and plains, so the variety of food is particularly rich.

There was only one fish in the center of Yang Yuan's table.

A five-foot-long golden-winged carp from the Yellow River that weighs more than fifty or sixty kilograms.

Old man Xin Zan told Yang Yuan that this was not the biggest carp ever caught in the Yellow River.

But it is not common to see them grow to this size.

Such a fat Yellow River carp will probably only be a legend in the future generations.

However, in this era, there were no powerful fishing methods like those in later generations, so it was not surprising to see giant carp in the river.

Of course, due to the inherent genetic limitations of each species, Yang Yuan does not believe that there are carps weighing three to five hundred kilograms or even a thousand kilograms.

At the banquet, people drank and toasted each other. The upper class of the Jin Dynasty particularly liked to show off their culture, so when they were drunk, it was natural that they would recite poems and compose essays.

Yang Yuan was most afraid of writing poetry and prose. He did not have the foundation for it. Although he could recite a few good poems by his predecessors, he should hide his shortcomings for safety reasons.

Therefore, in the Song Dynasty, his main focus was on "poetry, a minor art."

I don't think highly of you. Who among you would dare to bother yourself by studying poetry with me?

Anyway, he had the halo of "three top scorers in the imperial examinations" and had recited one or two poems before, so others would not doubt that he could not write poetry.

But here, he is trying to portray himself as a man who despises warriors and is proud of his literary talent.

So showing off his poetry and acting complacent would obviously be very helpful in establishing his character.

Besides, he could not remember many poems to begin with, and he had to use them where appropriate, so the conditions for use were already very harsh.

This is Baotu Spring, this is "Luoyuan Hall", and he happened to remember a poem called "Baotu Spring". If he doesn't pretend to be cool, he will be struck by lightning!
In his previous life, Yang Yuan had traveled here before. It was a short vacation.

He accompanied his master Sister Min, who had just broken through the deep relationship and was in the intimate period, and they lived together by the Daming Lake.

At that time, there was a couplet hanging outside the "Luoyuan Hall", which was taken from a poem about Baotu Spring.

Yang Yuan therefore remembered the poem, and that night he read this ethereal poem to Sister Min, who was twisting and turning under him like a white python.

In this era, this poem has not yet been published, and naturally there is no such couplet hanging outside "Luoyuan Hall".

Therefore, Yang Yuan naturally became a "plagiarist".

"The source of Luoshui is unparalleled in the world, and a white jade pot gushes out from the flat ground.

If the valley is empty for a long time, I am afraid that the vital energy will be lost. If there is drought, I don’t worry about the East Sea drying up.
Clouds and mist moisten Huabuzhu, and waves roar over Daming Lake.

When the time comes, I wash away the dust on the spring, and the ice and snow fill me with pure joy and loneliness. "

This is a masterpiece by Zhao Mengfu, a great talent from the Yuan Dynasty.

Zhao Mengfu was the eleventh-generation grandson of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin. During the Yuan Dynasty, he served as Minister of the Secretariat of Jiangsu and Zhejiang and was granted the title of Duke of Wei. He was an accomplished calligrapher, painter and writer.

This poem of his is considered the best among all the poems written about Baotu Spring.

As soon as the poem was recited, it naturally won applause from the whole audience, and people began to copy it on the spot.

Xin Zan even suggested that the lines from the poem "Mist and clouds moisten the Huabuzhu Lake, the sound of waves shakes the Daming Lake" be made into a couplet and hung outside the "Luoyuan Hall".

The officials and gentry of Jinan came forward to toast Yang Yuan. Their attitudes were even more respectful than before, as if they were paying homage to him.

Fei Yuye was standing at the main entrance of "Luoyuan Hall" and could see everything in the hall.

Upon hearing that Yang Yuan had composed such a stunning poem in one go, Fei Yuye couldn't help but admire him.

This little thief... I really didn't realize at first that he was so talented.

But...but is that thief Li Ganniang really him?

……

Wanyan Darui and Wanyan Luti had something on their minds, so the two, who usually loved drinking, were more restrained tonight.

However, this moderation cannot be noticed.

So the two of them walked around the venue with wine glasses in their hands, livening up the atmosphere.

No one knew how much they had drunk.

As long as the two of them move in an erratic manner, it would naturally give people the impression that they are drunk.

One of Wanyan Darui's trusted followers walked in from outside the "Luoyuan Hall" with light footsteps and quietly came to his side.

"Your Majesty, our people..."

The man whispered a few words, Wanyan Dari nodded slightly, and the man quietly retreated again.

In a short while, Wanyan Luti came over with a wine glass.

Without waiting for him to ask, Wanyan Darui said, "Don't worry, our people have been successfully sent out by the Six Thousand Society."

After hearing this, Wanyan Luti immediately felt relieved.

Wanyan Lvti said with emotion: "Da Rui, it seems that we have underestimated this 'Six Thousand Associations' before.

Jinan Prefecture is now under blockade, and they can still send two living people out easily."

Wanyan Lvti licked his lips and whispered, "Tell me, if we rebel against Wanyan Liang, can we recruit the Six Thousand Association..."

Wanyan Darui said: "We don't know the details of this 'Six Thousand Association', let's wait until we understand it in detail.

Besides, they are here for money. If they join us in rebellion, what can we give them?
High office and generous salary or a rich and prosperous future? If we rebel against Wanyan Liang now, what are our chances of success? "

Wanyan Lvti said angrily: "You are always afraid of wolves in front and tigers behind. People have put a knife to our necks. What do you think we should do?"

Wanyan Darui said: "I said, now all of this is just speculation between you and me. Of course we have to be on guard, but try not to tear each other apart now. If we must resist..."

Wanyan Darui sneered: "We have to get the people in Shangjing to rebel together."

"Hmm..." Wanyan Luti thought about it carefully and nodded in agreement.

The two have known each other for a long time, and he knows that he tends to be impulsive, while Wanyan Darui is thoughtful and careful, so he still has to listen to him on important matters.

"Hahaha, what are the two kings talking about here? They are so speculative." Pushan Zhongyi came over with a smile.

Since that afternoon, Yang Yuan and Kou Heiyi accidentally mentioned at the tea table that Wanyan Liang had sent out 5,000 cavalry to escort them.

Pushan Zhongyi became particularly enthusiastic towards Wanyan Dari and Wanyan Luti, never letting them out of his sight.

Wanyan Lvti grinned and said, "I am envious of Scholar Yang's talent.

What's wrong with that guy's head? I know all the words he wrote, but why can't I put them together to form a poem? "

Wanyan Darui smiled and said, "My daughter is fourteen years old this year, and I am looking for a husband for her.

If Your Majesty is willing to keep Scholar Yang in our Great Jin Kingdom, I will recruit him as a county lord. "

Wanyan Lvti immediately asked, "How come your Lord Zhongyi also has a daughter to marry?

I'm sorry, the main room has been reserved, so your daughter can only be the mistress."

Pushan Zhongyi's face darkened: "I don't have a daughter."

Wanyan Lvti sighed, "What a pity. Do sisters have it?"

Pushan Zhongyi didn't want to continue discussing this issue with this bastard, so he forced a smile and said, "Master Yang is going to toast the officials and gentry in Jinan. Can we go over and join him?"

Wanyan Lvti said cheerfully, "Of course I have to accompany you. You are the host, so we two can't be short of courtesy. Let's go."

The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, pulled Pushan Zhongyi and went to meet Yang Yuan.

……

In a corner of the bustling banquet hall, Kong Yanzhou stood with his hands behind his back, smiling.

Beside him stood the cavalry general Yan Shiduo, who had just arranged his troops and was going into the city to report.

Yan Shiduo said: "Your Majesty, my men have already been deployed according to the locations designated by Liu Tuiguan.

If there is any accident in the city, the four cities of Jinan can be blocked by us at any time."

Of course, five thousand cavalrymen could not be used to attack the city.

According to their plan, Kong Yanzhou suddenly launched an attack in Jinan City and killed Wanyan Dari and Wanyan Luti.

After Kong Yanzhou took the heads of the two men, he immediately dispatched cavalry to raid their homes in Liaocheng and Tai'an.

As long as they can catch them by surprise and wipe out their entire family, their followers and servants can be directly taken into their own pockets.

Kong Yanzhou nodded with satisfaction and said, "Tomorrow, we will take action. You will guard the four cities and prevent them from escaping.

Once we succeed in taking the city, you can take their heads and immediately attack Liaocheng and Tai'an.

The day after tomorrow morning, I want to hear that everything is settled.”

"I obey your command!" Yan Shiduo agreed and quietly retreated.

Kong Yanzhou looked at Wanyan Dari and Wanyan Luti, who were chatting and laughing with Yang Yuan and several Jinan gentry, and a sarcastic smile flashed across his lips.

Over there, a group of Jinan gentry were surrounding Yang Yuan and toasting him one by one.

As the deputy envoy, Kou Heiyi had the responsibility to step forward and block the wine for him.

"Everyone, everyone, our scholar Yang really can't hold his liquor. I can't refuse your kindness. Let the man in black drink this glass of wine for him."

It’s impossible not to drink this wine, the people of Shandong are really good at drinking!

Moreover, their toasts are so varied that you would feel guilty if you didn't raise your glass after listening to them.

But Yang Yuan, as the chief envoy of the delegation and a person who is in the limelight and in the spotlight of everyone, absolutely cannot drink too much.

If Yang Yuan behaved improperly in public, it would be a huge joke.

Therefore, Deputy Envoy Kou Heiyi had no choice but to step forward.

Kou Heiyi didn't know how many glasses of wine he had blocked for Yang Yuan. Shandong people were really too particular. They didn't toast in groups, but one by one.

Then, Kou Heiyi fell down and was carried away.

"Yu...Judge Yu..."

When Kou Heiyi was carried away, he was still looking at Yu Jiguang with a distracted look.

Got it, it’s my turn!
Yu Jiguang then stepped forward, holding up the cup with a smile and said: "Everyone, if our Yang Xue Shi gets drunk, wouldn't this welcoming banquet tonight be ruined?
I am not talented enough to be the judge of the Song Dynasty delegation. Let me drink this cup of wine for Mr. Yang."

After Yu Jiguang finished speaking, he drank the glass of wine in one gulp, his eyes lit up, and he praised: "Li Bai's poem says that Lu wine is like amber, and Wen fish has purple brocade scales. It is indeed a good wine.

But I don’t know whether this is Qingzhou Jianmi Wine, Qizhou Shunquan Wine, Yanzhou Lotus Wine, Dezhou Bilin Wine or Caozhou Yinguang Wine?

I have heard of these famous wines from Shandong for a long time.”

Immediately, a local gentleman said, "Judge Yu, what we are going to use to entertain you today is Laizhou Yuye wine."

"Good, great wine!" Yu Jiguang praised and drank it in another gulp.

Soon, Yu Jiguang also fell down. He called out unwillingly: "Da Chu~~"

Da Chu swallowed his saliva and stood next to Yang Yuan.

He couldn't speak either. After holding it in for a long time, he could only utter one word: "Drink!"

He took a gulp and finished the wine.

Kou Heiyi was carried back to where he was staying, and the maidservant took off his outer robe and wiped his face.

Because the weather was hot, there was no need to cover him with anything. He just lit a plate of incense for him, closed the door, and went out.

As soon as the servant left, Kou Heiyi suddenly opened his eyes. It's not that his eyes were extremely clear. Although he deliberately concealed his strength, he did drink a lot of wine, and there was still some drunkenness in his eyes.

He went down barefoot, went to the window first, and looked out through the green gauze window.

There was no one nearby, but in the distant jungle, there were lights and sounds of talking and laughing.

Kou Heiyi walked quietly to the washstand, scooped up water from the copper basin, and immersed his face in it.

Kou Heiyi tried to lower his voice as much as possible, washed his face repeatedly, and wiped his face with a towel.

Then he tightened his trouser legs and sleeves, and wrapped his feet carefully with a pillowcase.

Then he quietly opened the green gauze window, jumped out lightly, closed the gauze window tightly, lowered his body, and disappeared into the bushes.

……

Xin Qiji took Fei Tianlu and a guard and rode fast to the outside of the "Luoyuan Hall" garden.

This place is guarded by Jin soldiers and officials.

Xin Qiji got off his horse, walked forward, looked at the man guarding the garden gate, and laughed loudly, "Brother Nineteen!"

Liu Shijiu, the magistrate of Jinan Prefecture, took a closer look and saw a tall boy who still looked childish standing under the dim light.

Liu Shijiu recognized the young master Qi Ji of the Xin family, and said with a smile: "So it's Brother Qi Ji, what's going on? Are you here to pick up your ancestor, the old governor Xin?"

Xin Qiji said: "Yes, I am worried. If Grandfather gets drunk, I am afraid that the people around him will not be able to take good care of him.

Judging from the weather, the banquet should be almost over, I will come to pick him up."

Who is Xin Zan?
Before retiring and returning to his hometown, he was the Yin of Kaifeng, which was the same official position as Pushan Zhongyi's Yin of Jinan, but with even more seniority.

The Xin family's status is naturally different from ordinary ones.

Moreover, although the young master of the Xin family is not very old, he is generous and chivalrous, has a wide range of friends, and is already a top figure in Jinan Prefecture.

Therefore, although Liu Shijiu was the magistrate of Jinan Prefecture, he did not feel that he was lowering his status by calling him a brother.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the young master of the Xin family was no ordinary person.

Maybe I'll need someone's help in the officialdom in the future.

Therefore Liu Shijiu was very polite to him.

Hearing this, Liu Nineteen waved his hand nonchalantly and said, "The envoys from the State of Song are being entertained in Luoyuan Hall, and the place is full of distinguished guests. We shouldn't let anyone in.

But your brother Qi Ji is certainly not an outsider. Besides, it is getting late and the road in the garden is winding and uneven. The old governor cannot afford to make any mistakes.

You can go in, but wait aside until the banquet is over before you go to meet the old governor. Don’t go to the hall and disturb the distinguished guests.”

Xin Qiji smiled and said, "Thank you for your care, Brother Nineteen. I will meet you for a drink some other day."

Xin Qiji said to his guard, "Stay here and watch over the horses."

After saying this, he waved to Fei Tianlu and led Fei Tianlu into the garden.

When the guards saw that it was the person whom Liu Tuiguan had greeted, naturally no one stopped him.

Xin Qiji had been here before. As he walked along, he saw several pavilions, all with lights and laughter.

He ignored her and walked towards the largest "Luoyuan Hall".

When the two arrived outside the Luoyuan Hall, Xin Qiji slowed down his pace and whispered to Fei Tianlu, "Uncle, just wait outside the hall.

I will go in and talk to my master first, and then find a way to inform Master Yang."

Fei Tianlu agreed and said to Xin Qiji: "Little brother, be careful.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t get in touch tonight, just don’t let anyone know.”

Xin Qiji was bold and careful, and had already thought it through. He chuckled and said, "It doesn't matter. Unless I go directly to that scholar Yang, no matter what my expression and behavior are, who can guess the truth?"

Fei Tianlu thought so too, and his nervous mood, which had been somewhat uneasy about Xin Qiji's age, finally relaxed.

Xin Qiji crossed a stone bridge and walked to the door of "Luoyuan Hall". He tidied his clothes a little and walked in.

There were several banquet halls around here, and the guests were originally moving around.

Xin Qiji was taller than an ordinary adult, and was dressed in the robe and hat of a rich young man.

If you don't notice the childishness in his face, you would think he is an adult.

Besides, the guards in front of the door were only Kong Yanzhou representing the Jin side and Yang Yuan representing the Song side. They were just standing in front of the door and would not check the guests coming in and out.

So Xin Qiji walked in with a grand manner.

Fei Tianlu stood by the bridge, looking relaxed, like a follower waiting for his master.

He was originally a veteran soldier who had experienced many battles on the battlefield. Later, he entered the Privy Council and was in charge of the Skinning Office. The work he did was even more dangerous, and his mind had long been tempered to be as hard as a rock.

Even though he was standing there openly, with a Jin soldier guard only a few feet in front of him, he was very calm and not panicked at all.

Fei Tianlu glanced at "Luoyuan Hall" through the open door.

There were fewer guests sitting and more standing, and even more walking around staggeringly with wine glasses in their hands.

Many people gathered in groups of three or five, chatting and laughing. It seemed that the banquet was indeed coming to an end.

Fei Tianlu breathed a sigh of relief. Based on his understanding of his daughter, he knew that once Yuye learned of his whereabouts, she would definitely come to the Kingdom of Jin to find out.

Now the envoy of Song State is Yang Yuan, and the deputy envoy is Kou Heiyi. One of them is Yuye’s former subordinate, and the other is Yuye’s current subordinate.

There is no need to ask, my daughter must be among their group.

As an old father, of course he was very pleased that his precious daughter heard that he was in trouble and rushed to rescue him regardless of her own life.

Even men don't all have the courage and determination to do so much for their fathers.

Although Fei Tianlu has no son, he has such a precious daughter, so he doesn't feel any regrets in his life.

However, no matter how relieved he was, his daughter was worried about his safety, and he would also be worried about his daughter going into a tiger's den.

Oh, this child...

Fei Tianlu sighed and withdrew his gaze from the noisy and bustling "Luoyuan Hall".

When he accidentally glanced past the Song soldiers standing at the side of the door, his heart suddenly moved, and his gaze that had already passed by was cast back.

At first glance, I didn’t recognize him!
At another glance, it seems familiar.

One more look...

Fei Tianlu was shocked.

Kanon and Kona's disguise technique is quite advanced.

However, all they needed to do was to prevent Fei Yuye from being seen as a woman, rather than making her look unrecognizable.

Therefore, Fei Yuye's eyebrows, facial features and facial contours have not changed much.

It's just that her skin color, eyebrows, lip corners...all the parts that are too feminine have been trimmed.

So Fei Tianlu didn't recognize him at first glance.

But when he looked more closely, he realized that this was his precious daughter. His daughter had turned into a man!

Fei Yuye saw him earlier than Fei Tianlu.

As soon as she saw it, Fei Yuye was so surprised that she almost jumped up.

She had imagined a thousand situations of her father and ten thousand possibilities of finding her father, but the one she was experiencing now was not one of them.

However, right opposite her, stood a soldier from the Jin Kingdom who was accompanying the envoys.

Not only could Fei Yuye not talk to her father, she couldn't even look at him too much.

Fei Tianlu quickly concealed his shocked expression, turned around and looked at the Baotu Spring under the night lights not far away.

Only his slightly rising and falling chest revealed the excitement in his heart.

……

Kou Heiyi walked through the jungle silently, his figure passing by quietly like a ghost in a summer night.

Occasionally, there would be a rustling sound of grass and branches, but even if someone passed by nearby, they would simply think it was the wind.

How could the waiters and servants in this garden possibly discover Kou Heiyi's trace?

As for the soldiers patrolling the periphery for protection, they stayed far away from the wall with the mark and did not go there at all.

Because there was a man standing there, leading a horse.

They had already experienced the identity of that person, that person was a "Blood Pagoda" from Yanjing.

Of course, they would stay away from the "Blood Pagoda".

"Sand~"

There was a rustling sound of clothes, and a black shadow jumped out from the wall and landed lightly on the ground like an nimble eagle.

Ma Hao held the knife and said in a deep voice: "Take the reins and attack!"

"Wang Ji Gull returns!"

Kou Heiyi agreed, and stood up from his position, ready to strike at any time. "I have limited time, speak quickly!"

The smile that Ma Hao had just revealed suddenly froze.

He had heard of the name of "White Falcon".

It is said that "White Falcon" is the most successful of the "Blood Pagoda"'s overseas spies.

Among the spies sent by the Privy Council of the Great Jin Dynasty, there was one named Wei Hanqiang, who successfully became the head of the Tailouyuan of the Great Song Dynasty.

Although the official position was low, he was in the waiting room serving tea and water to the ministers who were preparing to go to court.

Therefore, he was able to hear the ministers of the Song Dynasty discussing state affairs and learn some secrets of the Song Dynasty.

The Privy Council of the Great Jin Dynasty was very proud of this.

However, that person has now been investigated and executed by the State of Song.

The "White Falcon" sent by the "Blood Pagoda" directly under the Emperor of the Great Jin Dynasty has now reached a more critical position than Wei Hanqiang.

This made "Xuefutu" feel very proud in front of His Majesty.

Ma Hao has been the "Blood Pagoda" for only a short time, and he wanted to make friends with this great senior, but he didn't expect Kou Heiyi to be so cold and arrogant.

This is probably the style of a senior spy, right?

Ma Hao was not annoyed, but more awed. He hurriedly bowed and said, "I am Xuefutu Ma Hao, nice to meet Bai Falcon."

Kou Heiyi glanced around, then retracted his gaze and said calmly, "Let's talk about the matter."

Ma Hao became more and more adoring and said hurriedly: "'Xue Fu Tu' means that it is not easy for 'White Falcon' to sneak into the confidential place of Song Dynasty.

This time you are able to represent the Song Dynasty on a diplomatic mission to the Jin Kingdom. After you return, with this qualification, you will definitely be able to make further progress and take charge of more confidential matters.

Therefore, when you come to the north this time, you don't need to do anything that is disadvantageous to you personally.

To ensure the safety of your identity, you can take the easy way out and pretend to be a Song person.

In addition, 'Xuefutu' will also help you create opportunities, so that you can stand out as the deputy envoy of Song State and make more contributions, so that you can go further and higher in Song State."

Kou Heiyi felt extremely desperate after hearing this.

He really wants to go back to the Kingdom of Jin to go undercover!
It’s not that mastering the secrets of the Song Dynasty will be of no use to the Xia Dynasty.

However, compared with the Jin Kingdom, which directly bordered Daxia, the importance of Song State's secrets was ultimately lower, but what could he do?

Ma Hao added: "Besides, besides me, there are eight 'Blood Pagodas' who have also come to Jinan Prefecture. Tomorrow, on Daming Lake, we are going to..."

(End of this chapter)