Your Majesty will suffer

Another rainy afternoon.

Yue Ling sat idle in front of the court, watching the westerly wind and cold rain, knocking down the remaining flowers all over the ground.The sky is dim, and it seems that the rain will never stop today. . .If you want to find someone, play a few rounds of chess under the lamp, drink two cups, and the person really came.

On the wine table, while chatting, they talked about the urgency of Xiguan, and their expressions became more and more worried.

Nangong Ji said: "Wang Xianggong has always known people, and the officials he recommends can rest assured."

Yue Ling shook his head: "Du Yunzhi's loyalty is true, and he has made many achievements in foreign affairs, but in frontier affairs, I really don't know what he can accomplish?"

Nan Gongji couldn't bear to see him troubled, so he changed the subject: "I heard that Du Sijian visited the south of the Yangtze River a few days ago. When he returned to the court, did he talk about the things, land and people in the south of the Yangtze River?"

Yue Ling said: "Jianghuai River suffers from floods all the year round, he is here for disaster relief."

It caused him to worry elsewhere, Nangong Ji regretted it secretly, but he could only say: "Then how is the disaster now?"

Yue Ling looked that he was no longer worried about this, and said: "The water has receded, but the victims still need relief." Suddenly, he seemed to think of it, and said with a smile: "Du Yunzhi never talked about the customs of the south of the Yangtze River, but he brought something back to me. "After that, he ordered the left and right to fetch it.

Nan Gongji pondered, "Is it a famous tea in the south of the Yangtze River? Or Gusu Brocade?"

Yue Ling smiled and said nothing.After a while, I saw the palace servants holding a plate and offering it.

Nangongji laughed and said: "So it's eating!" After a closer look, he couldn't help being dumbfounded!There are only a few weeds in the dish, and it seems that they have been picked for a long time, and the leaves of the grass are withered and yellow.He picked up one and twisted it twice, then brought it up to his nose and sniffed it, as if he wanted to find out something new, but it was useless after all.Then he laughed and said: "Du Sijian is also considered to be in an important position, and his salary is not low. Why is he so stingy?"

Yue Ling held his chin in silence, but his gaze stayed on the grass, seemingly thoughtful.

Pei Yuanshi, who was standing by the side, poured wine and said with a smile: "Your Majesty, I don't know, this thing is unusual, and now all the six palaces will be rewarded!"

Nangong Ji wondered: "What treasure? So rare?"

Yuan Shi said: "It's not a treasure, it's something that people pick up to satisfy their hunger during the famine. Although eating it is like chewing wax, it can satisfy their hunger! Du Sijian brought this thing back and presented it, which means to persuade the officials to guard against arrogance and extravagance. , Pay attention to frugality! It’s really a painstaking effort.”

Nangong Ji nodded in agreement.Only Yue Ling didn't listen to what the two of them said, and at this moment his brows were lightly frowned, as if he was in a dilemma.After a long while, he suddenly seemed to have made up his mind, and reached out and folded a blade of grass into his mouth!

Everyone else was stunned, it was too late to dissuade them!But seeing his brows tightened instantly!Yuan Shi hurriedly handed over the handkerchief, and taught him to serve tea to rinse his mouth.

After the fuss, Nangong Ji asked with a smile, "How does this taste?"

Yue Ling pushed the plate in front of him: "Taste it and you'll know!"

Nangong Ji smiled and pushed: "I have never liked bland food."

Yue Ling raised his eyebrows: "Come here, serve the sauce and vinegar!"

For some reason, the officials suddenly decided to go on tour in subdued clothes recently, and the people suffered a lot.

Naturally, there is no great suffering under the feet of the Son of Heaven, inside or outside the capital city, but occasionally a few beggars have clothes to cover their bodies, and warm food to satisfy their hunger.But the instructors are especially disappointed.If it wasn't for the long distance in the south of the Yangtze River, it would take a long time to come and go, or I would really go there to experience the people's feelings!

Walking down the inside and outside of the imperial city that day, with little gain, but weary people and horses, I rested in the fairy building and met Li Qi by chance!Li Qi, Tianyan, never dared to forget the fate they met at the beginning; Yue Ling knew about this person because Nan Gongji often mentioned it, so he could be regarded as an acquaintance.When they met outside, Yue Ling didn't want to pay too much attention to etiquette, so they sat together and talked happily.

Li Qi heard that the Son of Heaven was going on a tour this time to investigate the sufferings of the people, so he said, "There are now!"

Yue Ling wondered, "Where?"

Li Qi said: "This spring, there was a plague of locusts along the Northwest Road in Beijing, and the people were starved of food. It was very miserable."

Yue Ling asked in surprise, "Really?"

Li Qi said: "I went out of Beijing last month to collect the medicine. I passed through Chenzhou and other places along the way. I saw it with my own eyes, so I dare not speak falsely."

Yue Ling pondered for a while, and said: "Chenzhou, it's not far away..."

Nangong Ji shook his hands and almost spilled the wine on his clothes. . .

With green clouds and yellow leaves, and autumn colors all over the sky, although the best season for sightseeing has already passed, but he lives in seclusion all year round, he can still be unrestrained in this sunny day of late autumn, riding a horse to his heart's content, Yu Yueling is considered a great blessing.

Zhaoming rode his horse and tried his best to protect the side of the person who was chasing and racing, but he was afraid that he would not be thorough, while looking around from time to time to arrange his surroundings.

Going out of Beijing this time, not to mention that no one in the outer court knows about it, but only Qin Maoxun and Zhaoming in the inner circle know about it!In order to avoid rumors from leaking out, the officials did not allow the mobilization of the army, because they did not want to disturb the people, so only a dozen people were taken away.Zhao Ming was escorted closely by Qin Du, who knew that he had a reputation for bravery, so he entrusted him with a heavy responsibility!

Chenzhou is only a few hundred miles away from Bianliang, so if you hurry up, you can arrive in three or two days!However, the officials came here to visit the people, so it was inevitable that they would be delayed on the way. Five days later, they approached Chenzhou.

At noon, I passed a maple forest.When the maple leaves were red, Yue Ling was overwhelmed by the beautiful scenery, so he stopped for a rest.

The forest is clear and open, and the birds are heard from time to time in the mountain stream. The officials are in great interest, and they go up the stream and enjoy it leisurely.

The car and horses were bumpy all the way, Nangong Ji would rather find a quiet place to rest for a while!It's really hard to figure out how the originally weak person didn't show any signs of fatigue in the past few days, and he seemed to be very energetic, which is really strange.

The stream is so clear that you can still see the small fish swimming below.Yue Ling squatted down to splash the water.

Nangong Ji smiled and said: "In this mountain stream and wild stream, if there is a water monster and fish monster jumping out, the officials should be careful."

Yue Ling sneered: "So, that monster must have fallen in love with the Nangong official, so he recruited his husband and son-in-law."

Just joking around, Nan Gongji blinked but seemed to see something flashing past the water!The narrow stream was not enough to separate a man or a beast, because he stepped forward quickly and pulled the man away from the water's edge.

With a wave of Zhaoming's hand, several guards drew their swords out of their sheaths and crossed the stream to check.

Sure enough, there are people on the other side of the creek!

The guard held the sword and forced the man out from behind the boulder, but seeing his disheveled face and ragged clothes, he could still see that it was a woman.

Nangong Ji said: "Could it be a disaster victim?"

Zhaoming didn't dare to take it lightly, he went up to question him personally, but the woman just flinched and said nothing, she seemed to be greatly frightened.

Seeing this, Nangong Ji couldn't bear it, so he whispered a few words to the attendant beside him. The attendant took the order and left, and brought a cloth bag in a moment.Nan Gongji took it, went straight to the woman, opened the bag and handed it to the woman under everyone's doubtful eyes, saying: "Eat."

Seeing eating food, a ray of light flashed in the woman's eyes, but she hesitated for a while and dared not stretch out her hand.Nangongji smiled and took out a piece of pastry and handed it over. Seeing this, the woman couldn't help herself, she grabbed it and stuffed it into her mouth, then grabbed the bag with both hands, squatted down and swallowed the contents like a wild beast, regardless of the people around her Surprised eyes.

Yue Ling had never seen such a scene before, but he was stunned for a long time, and he sighed when he saw her finish eating the snacks in the bag and then licking up the crumbs.

After eating, Zhao Ming watched her wash her hands and face in the stream before bringing her to him for questioning.

But after a while, when they looked at her again, everyone was startled again. It turned out that she was only fourteen or five years old, so she was not bad at birth.

After some questioning, I found out that she is from Chenzhou, her family was poor and faced with a famine, and she had to be sold as a concubine a few months ago, but the master's wife is very powerful, and she is used as a slave every day. I often find reasons to beat and scold!She couldn't bear it in the end, and left her alone for a day, and escaped secretly, but she didn't dare to return home, so she had to live outside.To say that God's will is really tricking people, she just came out of the tiger's den, but met a human tooth, and almost fell into the wolf's den again, but fortunately a kind-hearted person reminded her, so she escaped the second catastrophe!But now she doesn't dare to stay in this city anymore, so she has to escape to wander in this wilderness, and when she is hungry, she eats fruits and weeds to satisfy her hunger, and she doesn't know how to spend a few days like this.

Yue Ling couldn't bear it, so he taught Zhaoming to give her some money and things, and told her to go back.Unexpectedly, the girl refused to follow, she said that she would be taught to sell her if she went back, besides, the master's family and Ren Yazi were still looking for her, if the teacher arrested her, there would be no way out.

In this way, it touches embarrassment.

Nangongji thought for a while, and said that Li Qi was also collecting medicinal materials in the area of ​​Chenzhou these two days, thinking that he must have some old friends in the city, so he might as well take this girl there or serve as a maid for some kind family.

Yue Ling thought it was a good idea to come here, so he agreed.

The girl was very happy to hear this, and hurriedly thanked the two of them.

Nan Gongji remembered that he still didn't know his name or surname.

The girl smiled and said, "My name is Mier, because my father is a maker of bamboo ware!"

Seeing the innocent and satisfied expression on her face, Nangong Ji couldn't help but feel a little pity on her face.Seeing it with dazzling eyes, Yue Ling felt a little unhappy for no reason.