In the first year of Linde (664 AD), the 24th month of the summer month, the fourth hour of You.

Liquan County, Yongzhou, is located in the Jiuji Mountains. According to later generations, it was near Liquan County, Xianyang, Shaanxi. Emperor Taizong of Tang and Empress Wende, many princes and princesses, and important officials of the Taizong Dynasty were buried here.

The building is huge in scale, with many temples nearby and the most burial cemeteries. There are five-rank magistrates, including seven-rank magistrates, and countless palace servants. Guards patrol and guard the officers who protect the tombs are at least lieutenant generals.

Every February of the spring, the court appointed important officials to come to Zhaoling to worship. On Taizong's birthday, he would arrange ministers to serve Taizong's soul. Li Jiu was a filial son. He often visited Zhaoling in person, set up the greatest ceremonial guards, and gave out various gift packages, such as exempting local rent, civil and military officials who protected the tomb, and awarding titles.

Occasionally, on a whim, the ceremony of offering prisoners will be held here to comfort Taizong's heroic spirit. The enemy country that you have a headache about has now been destroyed by me. At the same time, it is also a show-off, indicating that the civil and military achievements are not inferior to Taizong. Wu Kang's first expedition to the West, captive Ashinahelu was offered to prisoners here.

In the mausoleum area of ​​Zhaoling, all idle people are strictly prohibited from entering and leaving. The grass and wood objects in the mausoleum area are strictly prohibited, otherwise the mausoleum officials will be unlucky. At this time, General Huling, Zhao Daoxing, the son of Tianshui County, was appointed as General Zuo Jinwu, and was in his early thirties.

At dusk when the sun sets in the west, Zhao Daoxing takes the sword and takes the guards in a squad to conduct a routine patrol mission. He walks out of the North Sima Gate, goes out of Yuanwu Gate and turns right to the tomb area in the west. In front of the Queen Wende Monument, he will first bow his head and then carefully check the surroundings.

Confirm that there was no mistake, Daoxing relaxed, looked at the west Zhengling, bathed in the afterglow of the sunset. For about half a quarter of an hour, he slowly turned around and ordered the guards: "You go to Dongmi Cang and get another ten days of ration. I will patrol everywhere."

The guards lined up and returned to quiet around them. Dao Xing took a step forward and continued to patrol eastward. Passed by Princess Pu'an's tomb, confirmed that the lock of the tomb hall was not damaged, and then went to Princess Xincheng tomb. Be careful to go up the mountain, and sit cross-legged in the cypress forest outside the tomb hall, rest.

Looking up at the tomb and hall, I felt a lot of emotion. Xincheng had a tragic fate, gathering thousands of favors, enjoying wealth and food, but was burdened by politics. He died at the age of 30, and the prince-consort was killed and the entire Wei family was exiled. There were rumors in Chang'an that Xincheng died of illness, and the Master was killed and humiliated by him.

Not long ago, the saint issued an edict, so the son-in-law Wei Zhengju was buried together in the tomb of Xincheng. The rumors of the son-in-law's domestic violence were resolved without any attacks. This is an unjust case. If the son-in-law was rude, with the royal majesty, the murderer would not be allowed to be buried together with the Tang Dynasty princess.

Thinking of this, I sneered at it and made a reprimand when I got home. My descendants were not allowed to Shang Princess. Because the princess was too fierce, her lifestyle was very bad, and her reputation was also a sign of her. Not long after her death, her only daughter was sent to the Wukang Mansion.

The fool understands that her biological father is not the son-in-law Changsun Quan, but the foreign relatives' martial arts revolution. As the saying goes, marrying a princess, starting a government official on the ground, and being angry all his life. He was thinking randomly, and he heard the movement behind him.

After hesitating for three minutes, the movement became more obvious, and finally came back to his senses. His nerves tense up instantly, he jumped up and turned around, and his head was pulled out of the sheath. He stared at the person in front of him and scolded him with a sharp expression: "Who is trespassing in Zhaoling, and dares to wear swords and weapons? Don't you want to live?"

The other party didn't reply, just seven steps away, his body was straight and upright. He was more than six feet tall, and his whole body was full of hostility, like a rock, and like a beast ready to go. His whole body was dirty, his purple robe was messy and dirty, his face was covered with dust. His lips were dry and chapped, and his eyes were covered with bloodshot, which seemed to have experienced all the vicissitudes.

Seeing the scar on his cheek, Daoxing's pupils shrank slightly, and the horizontal knife drooped slightly. The impression of the person in front of him was that he acted sinister and treacherously, and was always fierce. Why was he so depressed? He didn't have time to think about it anymore, so he returned to the sheath of the horizontal knife to salute: "Zuo Jinwu Zhao Daoxing, I paid homage to General Wu, why did he trespass into Zhaoling?"

Wu Kang bowed back and his voice was hoarse: "In my life, I love two women deeply, my first wife and Xincheng. The princess suddenly passed away. I want to worship her and ask General Zhao to be kind. I guarantee with my life that I will not alarm others or implicate you."

After a brief silence, Daoxing sighed secretly, but in fact he also had compassion for Wu Kang. When he crossed the Liaohai Sea to conquer Baekje, his sister Yuan and his lover both died of illness. In order to avoid distracting the situation, the court kept secret and refused to repay him until now. The double fatal blow was a pain in his heart that others could not understand.

Unfortunately, no one can help him, Daoxing looked ashamed: "I also deeply sympathize with General Wu's experience. But you know that if a foreign minister enters Zhaoling, he needs to obtain the permission of the saint. I will lead the way myself, otherwise I will not be able to obey my orders."

Wu Kang said lightly: "I went back to Chang'an and went to Wannian Palace first before I heard the bad news. At that time, I felt ashamed, I had no time to think, and I did not apply for official documents. I was pushed by guilt, and I ran all the way here, and asked the general to be compatible. Wu Kang promised here that he would do his best to repay the general's great kindness in the future."

Daoxing refused decisively: "The general takes the liberty to come here, and I am responsible for the inquiries. If I release the general into the tomb, it is a dereliction of duty. Therefore, I advise you to turn around, receive the official documents of the red certificate, and do things according to the regulations. I also plead with the general, don't make me embarrassed."

It was obvious that the oil and salt were not invaded, and Wu Kang did not want to give up, and his words became more and more sincere: "From Lin to Liquan, one hundred and fifty miles, I hiked to Zhaoling. It took two days to eat only two meals of dry food, and the rest were filled with water. I beg the general to pity me."

Daoxing subconsciously lowered his head, saw the mud on his leather boots, and sighed silently again. He struggled for half a minute and shook his head firmly: "Who can be ruthless than plants and trees? Daoxing admires the general's obsession. But the same thing is still said, without the saint's red criticism, you cannot be put into the palace."

Wu Kang frowned, his eyes flashed with cruelty. He stared at Zhao Daoxing and sneered: "It is convenient to others, convenient for yourself, unkind, and the future is bumpy. General Zhao, what will you do if you insist on breaking through?"

Feeling insulted, Dao Xing became angry and began to be sarcastic: "The general has made contributions to the country, and Dao Xing is polite everywhere, so why should he be aggressive? If I insist on forcing myself, I will overestimate my ability and capture the general. Today's right and wrong, and in the future, the saints will have their own opinions on the court."

To be shameless, Wu Kang finally sneered: "In the third year of Yonghui, I was a bad commander, and within two years, I was promoted to the governor of Wuzhou. In the first year of Xianqing, I was expelled for crimes. Today, I am a third-rank general. My queen and brother have not given much help. I have to work hard to achieve my current status."

He despised Zhao Daoxing and continued to say viciously: "Ling Zun's surname Zhao Huicai, his military achievements are brilliant, he is loyal to Sui and is appointed as General Wuhou. Unfortunately, his father and son are the tiger, and your general Jinwu has no military achievements, but only depends on his ancestors' cuteness. He is both Jinwu, but he is different from the world. Are you ashamed to feel ashamed?"

Zhao Daoxing was furious, holding the hilt in his right hand, and half of the blade was unsheathed. Wu Kang ignored it and still sarcastically said: "I have never been to the battlefield or killed an enemy general, so I am not worthy of being called a general. Your erotic posture makes me look down on you. There is a saying that you are right, and you are indeed overestimating your ability."

The sword was unsheathed, Daoxing gritted his teeth, and his white face turned red: "There was no grievance in the past, and there was no grudge in the near future, so why bother to ridicule? The general has been through the battlefield for a long time and is braver than the three armies. Daoxing admires it very much. But what you said just now is too high. Zhao has learned about it today, so he asks the general to draw his sword."

Wu Kang didn't move at all, shook his head and mocked: "I didn't underestimate you, what I said was the truth. I was just behind you, and I stayed behind for a quarter of an hour, and made noise twice before you reacted. Without any alertness, if I was put on the battlefield, I would not live for two days."

His eyes were like an ant: "I don't have the wind and rain, I don't see the rainbow, I don't have the fight, I don't deserve to be a general. I'm going through day and night, exhausted and hungry and thirsty. But you are just an ant, a little bit of flirting, and I don't deserve to draw my sword."

How dare you deceive others like this? Dao Xing lost his mind and rushed over with a knife. Wu Kang moved like a rabbit, avoiding the sharp blade, his movements were a little exaggerated, and he added a sense of sarcasm. Dao Xing was full of anger, holding the horizontal knife in both hands, completely losing his mind, and the knife went straight to the vital point.

After more than a dozen people met, they heard a crisp sound. Wu Kang suddenly turned around and kicked Jin Guan with one move, which was kicking the bend of his leg. Daoxing knelt directly, his right leg was numb and sore, and he lost consciousness for a moment. He screamed strangely in his mouth, and his head was hit by a branch, and he was stunned for a moment.

Time passed by, and Dao Xing's half-curved legs knelt on the ground. He lowered his head and stared at the branches, his face pale as paper, and his shoulders were trembling. It seemed that what had been cut off was not ordinary branches, but his fate, and even his head.

Wu Kang came to him, looked at half a big branch, and untied his bag of calculation: "Tang Lu commented on saying that someone was guilty of the heavens, but he didn't know how to tell the truth. He thought about it and explained his regrets, and he became disgusted and planned to destroy the ancestral temples, mountain monuments and palaces. This is a great rebellion, and two of the ten evils are unforgivable. Do you know how to punish them?"

He took out a bunch of keys and slowly fiddled with them to search: "I beheaded and abandoned the market. My father and son were over 16 years old and were sentenced to hang. The man under the age of fifteen, including the female family members in the family, was all slaves, and his property was confiscated. Uncle and brothers' sons were all exiled for three thousand miles and were all killed in a foreign land."

Flirt with each key and identify the text on it: "Punish a forced person into the tomb, cut off the cypress tree without intention, and punish him lightly according to the law. He will be exiled for three thousand miles and will not harm his family. Unfortunately, I am not optimistic. Today's saints are very filial. If you cut off the cypress tree in Zhaoling, you will be unfilial, and he will kill you."

Suddenly he stopped moving and looked at the key in a daze: "I want to worship Dianxin City, but I don't want to climb over the wall, that's disrespectful to her. So I begged hard, hoping that the general would be able to be able to be able to grant the key to the tomb. But if you don't enter, you will be indifferent if you let the good words say it."

Daoxing looked up, and tears were already flowing like a spring: "You are so cruel. You are so cruel. You are angry with me. You don't draw your sword but just avoid it, and you lead me to cut down cypress trees by mistake. You and I have no grudges and no grudges. I just reject you, and I am performing my duties. Why are you deliberately trying to kill my whole family? Why are you so vicious?"

Wu Kang sighed, "If this matter is exposed, I will be removed from office and removed from office. It is a plea. I was sentenced to death in Wuzhou and lived in a military life for seven years. I owe too many things to my wife and daughter. I just want to stay at home, accompany my wife and raise my daughter."

The key ring handed to Daoxing, shook his head and said, "Your dereliction of duty will not be too severe. The queen will protect you. However, you will be punished for a great rebellion, at least three thousand miles away, or commit suicide at home. The road is in front of you. You can choose what result you want, don't let me wait too long."

Daoxing was disobedient. After half a quarter of an hour, he took the key and handed it to Wu Kang. He wiped away the tears in his eyes and begged almost: "I, Zhao Daoxing, swore to be loyal to the queen from now on. If I violated the oath, I will die by thunder. What happened today, please keep it confidential, and I am grateful."

Wu Kang did not comment, grabbed the key in his hand, stood up and walked away. He took seven or eight steps, stopped and said, "There are weaknesses in people, mainly depending on their weaknesses and who are exploited by them. If you meet the power and talent today, I will not get any benefits. Learn more from him. In addition, I would like to advise you that only by controlling your temper can you live a few more years."

Daoxing was speechless, looking at his back in a daze, suddenly jumped up like an electric shock. He looked around and took out a dagger quickly, cut the branches of cypress trees. Cut them into small sections, stuff them all into a bag, and store the branches closely.

Lean on the ground and check carefully, make sure there is no trace, and then go to see the broken cypress tree. Fortunately, it is not obvious. You can cover the broken tract by gently moving the branches. As long as you are not discovered, the branches will be fixed in no time. When the broken tract is covered, the sin you committed will sink to the sea.

As for Wu Kang's character, as long as he is loyal to the queen, he can become an ally. He can't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and leave sneakily with all the branches. He pretended to be calm along the way, returned to Yuanwumen Camp and went straight to Huotou Camp. He found Huotou Captain and asked seriously, is the food necessary?

He received a positive answer and nodded and said, "My father once taught that if you want to win and never defeat, you should first cherish the soldiers. How to cherish the soldiers is the easiest way to share the joys and sorrows with them. You all go out, and I will burn the fire today and experience your hard work."

The leader was stunned. This cold general suddenly became down-to-earth, which made people uncomfortable. He didn't dare to say much, and went outside the kitchen to work hard and was ready to watch the fun at any time. Daoxing immediately acted, quietly took out the branches and leaves, and threw them into the stove.

After burning all the evidence, he confirmed that there was no omission. The heartstrings that had been tense were finally relieved. The kitchen was in a mess and he couldn't stand it. He covered his mouth and ran out. He pressed his knees to cough, and soon coughed out tears, looking very embarrassed.

The leader of the army did not dare to laugh, and felt uncomfortable in his heart, so he quickly took over the kitchen. Daoxing stayed outside, recalling the scene just now, and felt full of regret. As Wu Kang said, my father was a former general of Sui, and I belonged to the Guanlong family. Because I looked down on him, I deliberately made things difficult for him, which led to a handle.

The hateful cypress tree will not sprout again as long as it is cut off the branches. The broken mouth will always exist, which means that this handle will always be controlled by him. After thinking hard for a long time, he finally sighed helplessly. Although he was unwilling to accept it, he had no choice but to be restrained by him.

But he was too sinister and too ruthless. All civil and military officials in the court called him a poisonous snake. They hid in the dark grass, protected themselves perfectly, and would not take action easily, and would kill with one blow. Therefore, officials of all sizes, including the Censor of the Hut, were unwilling to provoke him.

He dared to lead the chief Sun Wuji, dared to kill 100,000 prisoners of war, and dared to harm the prime minister of the dynasty, which ordinary people could not do. He made up his mind and stayed away from him in the future. He would not have any entanglements with him or become enemies with him unless he had no choice.

When I went to the kitchen to inspect the house, I saw that the soldiers were normal and didn't say much. When I returned to my tent, my personal guards brought dinner and took a few bites. Then I wrapped the food and used the inspection as an excuse to lead my confidant out.

Outside the Xincheng Tomb Hall, I ordered my confidant to guard the gate and deliver food to Wu Kang. When I arrived outside the temple gate, I suddenly heard the sobs and cries, and I couldn't help but stop. I listened carefully, and the voice was like crying and complaining. In the quiet tomb hall, I seemed very depressed. I really couldn't believe that the iron-blooded killing god in the Tang Dynasty was also soft in my heart.

He said rightly that people have weaknesses, and his weakness is that they value family affection too much. This is not a weakness. Officials fight openly and secretly and cannot harm their families. This is the rule of the officialdom. If the rules are violated, they will be attacked by groups because everyone has family members and do not want to implicate their families.

The regret is even more serious at this time. The chess move is terrible, so I should help you. The princess Xincheng is favored and is the sister of the saint. She was buried with the Queen's ceremony. Since the founding of the Tang Dynasty, this is unique. If I let Wukang go, even if the saint knows it, I will not blame it, and even reward it.

Thinking of this, he sighed helplessly and knocked on the door: "The eldest princess has gone, please forgive me. I brought food and put it on the steps. Please take care of the general. I will leave my personal guards. If you have any needs, please give me instructions."

There was no response in the hall, and the sob continued. Daoxing shook his head and felt regretful. He left the Xincheng Tomb Hall, put away the keys of the hall door, and left two personal guards. He quickly returned to the barracks and prepared his pen, ink, paper and inkstone. All he saw and heard today were written into the memorial.

After writing, I put my pen to meditate, spread out the white paper for a long time, and began to write a letter. Halfway through the writing, I rolled up white paper and threw it into the trash can. I wrote it again, never sleeping all night, ruining countless papers. Finally, before breakfast, I wrote the secret letter and sealed it with fire lacquer.

He called his confidant and guard, lowered his voice and explained: "After breakfast, leave and go to Linwen Wannian Palace. First, hand this letter to the wife of Chu, inform Wu Kang of whereabouts, and ask him to pass it to the queen. Then go to Wannian Palace and submit my memorials, don't mess up the order."

The personal guard Yingnuo left, but before he could step out of the threshold, he was stopped by Daoxing. He wrote again and wrote two letters and handed them to the personal guard: "Please these two letters to Zuo Qianniu Cui Zhiwen, Zuo Jinwu Quan and Shancai."

My close friend Cui Zhiwen is the guardian of Zuo Qianniu and works for Zuo Fengchen. He was born in the Cui family of Qinghe. It is said that he has a wife of Chu and a distant relative. With Zhiwen's prudence, he must know Wu Kang, so it is absolutely right to ask him for help.

If your close friend Quan Shancai is praised by Wu Kang, he must have real talent and knowledge. Last time, when we performed a mission in the eastern capital Luoyang, we met him unexpectedly. Afterwards, Quan Shancai was ordered to monitor the personal guards of Wuying. I believe he also had detailed information on his hands.

The military strategy is full of knowledge, know your enemy and be victorious, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Master enough information, determine the degree of danger, and choose whether to interact with each other. Soon, he made up his mind and found that his personal guard had not moved, so he frowned and asked: "What are you doing here, why don't you send a letter?"

The guard was embarrassed and whispered to him: "Mr. Lang may have forgotten that in the late lunar month of this year, Mr. Cui was transferred to serve as the Sima of the Lingzhou Governor's Office. It seems that since last year, the Dangxiang people repeatedly invaded Lingzhou, and the saint ordered General Quan to lead the guards to support Lingzhou."

Zhao Daoxing was also embarrassed, covered his mouth and coughed a few times, took back two letters, and sent his guards to leave. It felt interesting that his best friend actually gathered in Lingzhou. He was resourceful and capable of fighting, and could also listen to people's advice. They cooperated sincerely and defeated the Dangxiang barbarians, which was absolutely no problem.

After breakfast, I assigned military affairs and put wheat rice in my bag, and then delivered it to Wu Kang. When I arrived at the Xincheng Tomb Hall, I sighed again. The food I delivered last night was kept intact. I tiptoed in, but I didn't hear any crying. I put the wheat rice on the steps and left with the old rice.

After two days of this, Zhao Daoxing couldn't sit still. Wu Kang in the tomb hall had not been in the rice for three days, so there would be no surprises...
Chapter completed!