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As mentioned above, Zhu Wenran escaped from the gangster country with Zhai Shili in disguise.As soon as the two went out of the country, they arrested the imperial physician and guards sent by Shao Renjun to accompany them. Zhai Shili ordered the guards to be bound and thrown into the Luo River, while the two imperial physicians were sent back to the Mang Kingdom by young and strong entourages on a small boat.

A Luo River runs across the country of Qi, and the water of the Luo River can be called the spring of the country.Zhu Wenran stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the surging river, speechless for a while.Zhai Shili picked up a cyan cloak from the cabin, handed it to Wen Ran, glanced at the front of the boat, and said, "When you arrive at the shore, you will be greeted." Zhu Wenran put the cloak on his shoulders, without moving his eyes, and said, "I'm leaving It's been 16 years in Qi State, I don't know if Huaigao City is still what I was when I was a child." Zhai Shili sighed slightly after hearing this.Zhu Wenran knew it in her heart, and without waiting for the adults to say anything, she smiled wryly and said, "With Bian Wusi doing nothing in the city, I don't have to think about it." Then he turned around and asked, "Father, really don't ask about court affairs at all?" Zhai Shili shook his head lightly and sighed again.Wen Ran said, "Although Bian Wusi confuses the public with clever words, his father will not let him cause trouble and ignore it." Zhai Shili said, "In the past, although the king loved and trusted treacherous ministers, he still did everything by himself. It was only three years ago The King's illness is actually not a serious illness, but just an occasional cold, and this Bian Wusi took advantage of the topic to make waves. First, he colluded with the doctors of the Imperial Hospital and said that the King had a serious illness. Speech. Seeing that the king’s illness seemed to be getting better, he found a group of Taoist priests from nowhere and preached around the king. After the king recovered from his illness, Bian Wusi preached in front of the king that it was the merit of cultivating Taoism. In the year of the king The matter is already high, and I highly respect this kind of Taoism for self-cultivation. Since then, I have studied Taoism with this group of Taoists in the bedroom every day, and gradually became obsessed with the longevity technique. Bian Wusi took the opportunity to monopolize the power, and one or two people with lofty ideals went to petition to see the king, but they were all blocked from outside the palace. Soon after, he asked for trouble to remove him from office, ransacked his house, and killed him. At this time of desperation, the humble minister With this bad strategy, His Highness will be rescued at risk."

Wen Ran looked suspicious, and asked, "My lord, do you know the identity of this group of Taoist priests? Are they really just Taoist priests?" Zhai Shili cupped his hands and replied, "There are nine Taoist priests in total, and the leader is Liu Yi, an old Taoist master. He must hang down his chest, but his complexion is rosy and his steps are vigorous. He doesn't look like an elder. Except for Li Wencheng, the other eight trailblazers can't be named. Weichen and several officials of the court have also secretly investigated, It’s just that there are no results.” Wen Ran said, “If there are no results, why do you know Li Wencheng’s name?” Zhai Shili said, “This happened two years ago. Several officials and I are suffering from no results, but these But the Taoist priest and Bian Wusi started arguing with each other." "Oh? That's strange, the Taoist priest was found by Bian Wusi." Wen Ran clasped her chest in puzzlement.Zhai Shili said, "I heard Taoist Liu Yi's words, saying that the art of longevity has been taught to the king, and he only needs to practice on his own in the future. He will take the little Taoists and leave. Bian Wusi refused, forcing Liu Yi to continue to teach Taoism , and even imprisoned all the Xiaodao to threaten Liu Yi. Then Liu Yi shook his head and meditated in court, and the Xiaodao also meditated. When everyone saw this, they would not disturb them. When they saw that there was no movement for a while, those who had good deeds would be punished. Probe Liu Yi's back with his toes..." Speaking of this, Zhai Shili looked at Zhu Wenran and said, "Your Highness, don't think that this subject is talking nonsense here. Although this subject has not seen it with his own eyes, it is just that this miracle has already been spread throughout the court. Everyone knows." Wen Ran waved his hand and said, "My lord, please continue." Zhai Shili said, "The old Taoist named Liu Yi was poked by someone, and he fell down, and his whole body was lifeless. And look at the other seven Xiaodao, also It’s like this.” Wen Ran squinted her eyes and asked for a moment, “Sir, you said there were eight people in Xiaodao?” Zhai Shili said, “That’s right. It’s just that there were only seven people present, and the eighth person disappeared for no reason. Bian Wusi sent soldiers to search for months but still no trace. And the missing Taoist priest is Li Wencheng."

Zhu Wenran was startled when he heard that, and said after a while, "Leave aside that Li Wencheng, Liu Yi and other Taoists who were present have really gone back to the west?" Zhai Shili nodded and said, "It is true that there is no breath. When His Highness arrives in Huai, the old minister can invite His Highness to kiss him." Go and confirm." Zhu Wenran's voice changed, and said, "How... how to confirm it in person, could it be that the corpses of these Taoists have not been buried for two years...but even so, the corpses may have already decayed..." Wenran suddenly felt At the sound of the middle, he asked sharply, "Although these monsters have passed away, their bodies have not rotted yet. My lord, are you as I said?" Zhai Shili sighed, "I don't know what magic these Taoists have used to make their bodies Permanent residence. When the king heard about this, he worshiped Liu Yi as his teacher and built the Hetian Palace on the top of Wanhua Mountain. He vowed to break away from the mundane world, collect the energy of the sun and the moon, and live with a few corpses day and night." After finishing speaking, he sighed again. One sound.This conversation made Wen Ran feel chills in his heart. He had been away from the country for more than ten years, and he never expected that King Qi had become so stupid. Arrive at the shore and try to treat this dying country.

Zhai Shili's big ship carried their prince back for ten days before arriving at Huaigao City.

The sailors pulled the reins, and the tip of the boat slowly approached the shore, and finally hit the rocky mud on the shore lightly.Wen Ran stabilized her body and came out of the cabin, only to see that the pier was in a depression, only a few skinny poor people were bent over by the sacks on their backs, sending goods to the boats on the shore.Seeing that Wen Ran did not disembark, Zhai Shili said in embarrassment, "The old minister did not publicize this mission to the country, and no one in the court knew that I was here to rescue His Highness, so there is no team here to welcome you." Wen Ran Seeing Huai Gao's desolation, where can I take care of him.Seeing that Wen Ran was silent, Zhai Shili said that he was dissatisfied with no one to greet him, so he called two followers, "Hurry up and report to the court that His Royal Highness has returned to the country safely!" The two of them were about to leave. Zhu Wenran stopped her with a wave of her hand, and said calmly, "It's just right, you don't need to make it public." After saying that, she jumped off the boat.

Zhu Wenran walked all the way from the outside of the city to the inside of the city, neither taking a sedan chair nor taking a boat.The scenery in front of him only made him feel shocking. There were homeless beggars in every corner of the royal city, children who sold themselves to bury relatives, shops were half open, and all the money was looted by the government. How could the people still have copper coins? Come out to buy wine and eat meat.Wen Ran put her hands behind her back, clenched her fists, and said nothing.Seeing this, Zhai Shili didn't dare to say anything, and just followed him quickly.

There was a road and an alley, and a child was crying loudly at the corner.Wen Ran's heart trembled, and she couldn't help walking towards the crying sound.It was only recently that she was a girl of six or seven years old, with sparse yellow hair, and a pair of black and thin hands kept wiping her tears, wiping her whole face black and yellow.Zhai Shili said, "I'm afraid this girl is hungry." Wen Ran asked, "My lord, do you have any silver on you?" Zhai Shili said, "There are dozens of taels of silver." Wen Ran said, "This child is pale and thin. Like dry firewood, I'm afraid I haven't eaten for several days. My lord, can you give her some silver for me?" Zhai Shili said with a look of embarrassment on his face, "It's a blessing for the people to have such a kind heart. It's just that in this situation, Your Highness If you give this girl money, you will kill her." Wen Ran was puzzled, "I can't bear to see her go hungry, and I gave her money to save her, why did your lord say you killed her?" Zhai Shili said "This girl is only six or seven years old, and she has been hungry for a few days. Let alone an adult, even a wild dog can hurt her. If His Highness gives her money at this time, once we leave, there will be a lot of people in this dark alley." A few hungry men are going to rush out to take away the money, so how can this helpless child survive?" Wen Ran nodded, "In that case, my lord will go to the bun shop next door to buy some food Give it to her, we'll watch her finish eating here before leaving." Zhai Shili shook his head and said, "What's the use of His Highness giving her a full meal now? Isn't her fate starving to death?" Wen Ran Said, "Then bring her back to the palace and become a palace maid, that should be fine, right?" Zhai Shili still shook his head, "She is not the only one who is complaining about starvation, Your Highness treats all people equally, why only save this girl? I don't care about others." Wen Ran said angrily, "Hmph, my lord is neither this nor that, so according to what my lord said, what should I do?" Zhai Shili said, "The old minister means that His Highness doesn't need to do anything at this moment, just Keep what you have seen and heard in your heart, and when you go back to the court to meet the king and take over the throne, why are you afraid that you will not have a chance to save the people?" Wen Ran suddenly glared at each other and said, "If I wait until then, I will have starved to death How many people have been killed. Although I can't save all of them at this moment, why don't you help me when I can. Don't say too much, sir, just do as I say." After finishing speaking, he taught people to go to the steamed stuffed bun shop Bring ten drawers of steamed buns, and call out the hungry people in the alley, and prepare to distribute them to them.It's just that when those hungry men saw the white and soft steamed buns, they didn't listen to his words, they swarmed towards each other like wolves, scrambling and squeezing.In such a commotion, several people were injured.

Zhai Shili and others protected Zhu Wenran and escaped.Wen Ran was still in shock, pinching the corner of her torn robe, and said, "Why are these people so fierce?" Zhai Shili said, "There is no humanity and dignity in a dying person. Your Highness, let the old minister hire you for you." Just a carriage." Wen Ran said, "If I sat in a carriage, how could I have the opportunity to understand the people's sentiments to this extent." So he still insisted on walking along the street.

After a few people walked for half a day, Wen Ran pointed to a stone bridge in front of the water, "I remember that the best wine in Huaigao City comes from the wine shop behind this bridge." Zhai Shili said, "Your Highness has a good memory. , that shop is Liangsheng Wine Shop, and they used to supply all the fine wines in the palace." Wen Ran smiled lightly, and asked, "I don't know what's going on with that wine shop now?" Zhai Shili bowed his head and remained silent.

Zhu Wenran walked across the Tanshui bridge, only to see that half of the Liangsheng wine shop had been replaced by a silk restaurant, and only half of the small doors were still open.Wen Ran frowned and asked, "Why is that?" Zhai Shili shook his head and said, "After Bian Wusi came to power, he saw that the wine shop had a lot of money, so he collected tens of thousands of taels of gold and silver from him every year. Several shops were closed, and now Liangsheng Liquor Store only has this side door left.”

Just as he was talking about this, he suddenly saw a few big men in white skirts and black shirts approaching.The big man in the lead, with a big knife on his waist, led several people into the wine shop.Standing not far away, Zhu Wenran heard the sound of smashing and smashing in the store, and immediately there was crying again.Not long after, I saw these big men coming out with a jar of fine wine, talking happily and laughing.Zhu Wenran couldn't bear it anymore, and stepped forward in two steps, blocking the way of the big man with the knife.Seeing Wen Ran's slender figure and delicate features, but looking at him angrily, the big man burst out laughing and said, "Master, I don't like this at first, but since you came to the door automatically, I might as well give it to you." Try it." The younger brothers who followed all laughed.Wen Ran didn't wait for him to finish laughing, and suddenly kicked up the wine jar in the big man's hand, and before he recovered, he turned around and slapped the big man's shoulder again.The big man suddenly lost his legs and fell to the ground.The younger brothers were all stunned when they saw this, and then their eyes exploded, and they dropped the wine jar and rushed towards Wen Ran.

Seeing this, Zhai Shili hurriedly said that he was not good, and called his entourage to come forward to help.These few people were just stragglers, no matter where they were Wen Ran's opponents, they were stopped within a few moves.Wen Ran ordered someone to hold down their arms, and those people screamed in pain.Wen Ran said, "These people are so bold that they dared to rob the store in broad daylight, they are looking for death!" The big man who fell to the ground heard this, looked at Wen Ran and forced a laugh, and said, "You dare to do it without knowing who we are, I think you are the one who is looking for death!" Zhai Shili knew that they were Bian Wusi's men when he saw them dressed up, but it was too late to persuade Wen Ran, so he hurriedly said in a low voice, "Your Highness, these people are Bian Wusi's men Doorman." Wen Ran sneered, and said, "This is the best, I didn't look for him, he came to the door automatically." So he put his foot on the big man's back and said loudly, "Where is Bian Wusi? ?" The back of the big man was creaking from being trampled on, and he begged for mercy, saying, "Prime Minister...he has entered the palace early in the morning."

Wen Ran ordered people to tie up the big man and others, and said to Master Zhai, "Master Zhai, I have seen most of the sufferings of the people in Huaibao City, and now Bian Wusi let his subordinates do whatever they want, so I just went to the court to question them." Let him go." So he ordered him to prepare a carriage and drive quickly to the palace.

A group of people hurried to the gate of the palace, and the guards crossed their halberds to block the way.One person said, "Who is in the car? How dare you trespass into the palace!" Zhai Shili rode up to him.The guards hurriedly put away their weapons, knelt down and kowtowed, "Damn the little one, I don't know if it's Master Zhai." Zhai Shili held the rein with both hands, glanced sideways, and said, "Hurry up and let go?" The guards looked at each other, still kneeling on the ground, Unmoved.Zhai Shili said impatiently, "Could it be that even the old man can't enter the palace now?" One of the guards said, "Master Zhai, please wait here for a while, let me go and report." "Bastard!" Zhai Shili shouted loudly, " Report? Hmph, Bian Wusi is too conceited!" After he finished speaking, he whipped and beat several people, the guards screamed again and again, "Don't dare, dare not!" Then they opened the palace gate and let the carriage enter.

Zhai Shili said to Wenran in the car, "Your Highness, the guards in the palace today are not as strict as in the past. I am afraid that the situation will be different. I hope that Your Highness will wait in the side hall first. After I find out the facts, I will take you to the main hall." Zhu Wenran opened the curtain of the car , jumped out of the car, raised his eyes to look at the Taiming main hall in front of him, and said, "This is the end of the matter, there is no need to hide. I'd better go into the hall with you, my lord." Zhai Shili gritted his teeth and said, " You guys protect the crown prince, follow me into the palace!" The accompanying several strong men clasped their fists and replied loudly, "I obey!"