Chapter 20 Shangyuan Lantern Festival
The farce finally subsided.
Zhao Wumian has demonstrated his value and his unyielding character. It doesn’t matter if you play tricks, but if I find out, I will kill you!
When a common man gets angry, blood splatters every five steps, no matter who you are.
Zhu Yuanzhang also used him again to intimidate this group of arrogant soldiers and generals, and personally called Zhao Wumian "one of our own" and made his position clear.
Two sons of the marquisate, one of whom was the crown prince, were all confined to house arrest for a year just because of the "possibility" of drugging and assassinating. The two marquises were directly thrown out to quell the rebellion. Pingliang Marquis Fei Ju even had to lead an army of 100,000 to engage in a decisive battle with the remaining Yuan Dynasty forces in Yunnan.
This slap was a loud one.
Following Yichun Hou Huang Bin, two more Huaixi nobles got into trouble because of Zhao Wumian.
But after this, no one dared to move.
Even a fool can see that Zhao Wumian is the knife of the current emperor. Whoever attacks him, the emperor will take the opportunity to punish him.
What? The Taotie seal is unstable, so they ask people to come for help. This is obviously a trap!
Zhu Yuanzhang obviously knew that something was going to happen today.
If Zhao Wumian didn't discover it and was invaded by the evil spirit, with so many experts around, it wouldn't be irreparable; if he discovered it, given his temper, he wouldn't be able to tolerate it anymore and would just bring the two fathers in to see what their sons had done.
Whether to check or not, whether to read or not, all depends on Zhu Yuanzhang's thought.
These two marquises must clean up their sons’ messes!
It is important to help my old brother Hu Weiyong vent his anger, and it is also important to clear the name of the Huaixi people, but no matter how important it is, I cannot gamble with my own wealth and glory.
The most crucial thing is that the backbone of the Huaixi nobles are either guarding the border in the northwest or fighting against the Yuan Dynasty in the northern frontier. If they don't take action, there is no need for others to take the lead. It can be foreseen that Zhao Wumian's living environment will be greatly improved. At least in the capital, no one dares to target him anymore.
The problem is solved and the drama ends here.
The two marquises who came for the seal took their sons back home and prepared to go to war.
No one mentioned Taotie.
It is unknown whether they were whipped with willow branches or whips afterwards...
Zhu Yuanzhang watched them leave and walk away, his expression indifferent: "Even the Jinyiwei under the emperor's feet, they dared to attack again and again, what else would they not dare to do! Liu Bowen is right, arrogant soldiers and brave generals are indeed a disaster in prosperous times, these people are getting bolder and bolder!"
Everyone was silent.
This matter needs to be considered carefully. Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Zhao Wumian with a smile on his face: "I heard that you have gone further than Ying'er? Can you face Taotie directly?"
Zhao Wumian bowed and said, "I dare not compare myself with General Mu. I just have a special physique. Compared with General Mu who relies purely on his personal will, it is really nothing to mention."
"It's God's will, it's a gift, it's also a personal destiny, you don't have to be too modest."
Zhu Yuanzhang looked him up and down. "In a time of great strife, many talented people emerge, but few can truly say what you said. Just like those two, before you used the Nine Netherworlds, they probably thought they were born with extraordinary talents and no one could match them. From this point of view, you are a bit like Ying'er."
He tilted his head and asked Yun Qi: "Where is Ying'er?"
Yun Qi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, General Mu led the Shaanxi Army out of the border years ago to conquer the remnants of the former Yuan Dynasty in the northwest. Three days ago, the army reported that they had crossed the Yellow River and should be on the Helan Mountains now. Tuo Huochi and Zhiyuan Aizu will not be able to escape this time!"
"Ah."
Zhu Yuanzhang smiled and said, "There is nothing to say about Ying'er's behavior. If all these arrogant soldiers and brave generals were like him, we wouldn't have to worry."
Mao Xiang said: "General Mu is a rare person in this world. He is not arrogant despite his achievements and respects the wise and humble.
Zhu Yuanzhang agreed with this.
He really missed Mu Ying a little bit, and the more he looked at Zhao Wumian, the more he liked him.
Mu Ying's temperament is completely different from Zhao Wumian's. Mu Ying is serious on the outside, but he is gentle to others. Zhao Wumian looks easy to get along with, but he is actually very stubborn and will take revenge.
It's like two sides of the same coin.
Both of these people are gifted, can grow spiritual Taotie, and are loyal. The difference is that Mu Ying is filial and Zhao Wumian is smart.
A wise man knows the times.
Well...but the smartest one doesn't know the current situation.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought of Liu Bowen and felt a little angry and helpless. This old guy took the opportunity to hide before Hu Weiyong was executed, leaving behind only a letter and the mysterious "Eight Diagrams", and disappeared without a trace since then.
——He even left behind his life’s work, the [Eight Diagrams], but he just refused to continue assisting me!
——Just like how he didn’t come despite being invited many times, a stinky scholar who doesn’t know how to appreciate a favor!
Ugh.
Zhu Yuanzhang cursed in his heart but sighed.
"Nine Netherworld is not the right way, and Ghost Wind Blade is too vicious. It's ok to use it in dangerous places, but you can't use it as a foundation. Your Kanglong body can't fight for a long time, and you don't need to fight for a long time. But blindly using the sword will hurt others and yourself. There is no need to do this. Be careful when using it next time."
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Eunuch Yun has said so, and I understand."
"Well, Buddhist martial arts, which are based on softness and hardness, are suitable for you... How about what you learned from Zhou Ji? This kid is useless, but what he learned is excellent. Those bald donkeys in Shaolin are interested in getting close to him, so I dare not hide my knowledge."
"I only saw one or two moves..."
Zhao Wumian recalled carefully: "He did learn the internal skills, but he didn't read the whole "Kasaya Fumo Gong".
Zhu Yuanzhang turned to Jiang Huan and said, "That boy must be practicing the Bodhi Heart Seal Sutra."
Jiang Huan, who also learned Shaolin martial arts, replied, "Your Majesty has a keen eye. Bodhicitta is the root of all Mahayana Buddhism, and it is also the key to integrating Zen into martial arts. Only by holding on to Bodhicitta can we dissolve the evil spirit of the murderous method... Jiang Xiahou also has a lot of painstaking efforts. This skill is said to make the mind as clear as a mirror, immune to all evil, and has the effect of detoxifying and saving life. It is one of the seven secret internal skills of Shaolin, and is only below "Yi Jin" and "Xi Sui". It can not only cultivate the body and cultivate the character, but also subdue demons and monsters. It's a pity..."
"It's a pity that the message was passed on to the wrong person."
Zhu Yuanzhang sneered, "Zhou Ji lived in Shaolin for ten years in vain, so let's not talk about it! Now that you have learned it, then learn it all. It's just right to take his blood today and strengthen the seal. Jiang Huan, you take action. Let's also see how the pacification envoy of the pacification department is progressing."
Practicing martial arts is a tough job, especially when the opponent is a peerless ferocious beast like Taotie. Jiang Huan only has a basic understanding of the "Kasaya Subduing Demon Skills", but rarely uses it for fear of making a fool of himself. However, when he heard the second half of the sentence, his brows immediately lit up with joy.
Zhu Yuanzhang’s personal guidance is something others would love to have.
Yunqi and Mao Xiang showed their envy undisguisedly.
The emperor has not resorted to war since he founded the country in the early years of the Hongwu reign. No one knows to what extent his martial arts have reached with the help of the dragon energy of China, but everyone can feel the growing dragon power on him.
Everyone went deep into the beast cave.
Jiang Huan used all his abilities in the four realms to obtain the blood of Taotie, and also let Zhao Wumian learn the complete set of "Kasaya Subduing Demons Skills".
"The cloak of the flying fish suit can be used..."
Zhao Wumian exclaimed: "Let's not talk about the power first, the moves are really cool and generous, not bad."
……
The two annoying people were sent home for solitary confinement. Zhao Wumian could enjoy the ninth floor alone for the time being without having to worry about anyone doing bad things. In the following days, he lived an increasingly comfortable life. Every day he read books, practiced chess, and frantically made up for all kinds of knowledge.
Finally, on the seventh day, the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, the fourth extraordinary meridian, the Yang Qiao meridian, was opened.
Only the last four are left to achieve the innate body and cultivate the spiritual gluttony.
Zhao Wumian was in a good mood. In the evening, he brought home roast chicken and desserts. Only then did he notice that both sides of the Qinhuai River were decorated with lights and colorful lanterns.
It turns out that tomorrow is the Lantern Festival.
Until the 17th day of the first lunar month, the lanterns are lit, and the whole of Nanjing is filled with dragon and lion dances, and people stay up all night.
Today is the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. The night market has already begun and it is bustling everywhere.
The lanterns with various riddles lit up the whole street as bright as day. The streets were bustling with people playing musical instruments, singing, lantern shows and acrobatics, and steam was rising from the stoves of the vendors.
There was constant singing of operas in the teahouse, and in the distance on the Qinhuai River, there were singing girls playing the piano and the sound of the pipa.
Zhao Wumian was also infected by the festive atmosphere and bought some Yuanxiao to take home.
The parrot Xiaokui was greeting them on the wall as usual. Unexpectedly, Bai Liuli was not sleeping in the cold pond today. Instead, he was lying on the edge of the pond, wagging his tail, staring at the lights in the night sky outside, supporting his little head with his white wrists, his face full of longing.
Her identity is too special, and this Jinyiwei courtyard is her largest and only shelter.
For safety reasons, she couldn't go out, but as a little girl, it was inevitable that she longed for freedom.
"elder brother!"
Hearing the footsteps, Bai Liuli immediately swam over and shouted, "There are Yuanxiao, I want to eat Yuanxiao."
"it is good."
Zhao Wumian rubbed her head with a gentle look. Liuli's hair was blue in color and hung wetly on both sides. Zhao Wumian helped her tidy up her hair and said, "Do you want to go back to Donghai?"
Bai Liuli's eyes widened immediately: "Brother doesn't want me anymore?"
"No."
Zhao Wumian said: "I know that you have no relatives at home, but...sigh."
Zhao Wumian sighed and scratched his head.
Bai Liuli was very smart and immediately figured out what Zhao Wumian was worried about. She chuckled, stretched out her arms and hugged him tightly, saying softly, "Brother, don't worry. When Liuli's cultivation is high, you won't have to be afraid of bad guys."
Zhao Wumian said softly: "That will take a few more years."
Bai Liuli said: "Liuli can wait."
"Row."
Zhao Wumian looked at her and said, "In a few years, if my brother still has power...if he has power, I will definitely build you a palace under the lake in Xuanwu Lake. If I can't give it to the East China Sea, I will give it to Xuanwu Lake. It won't be a problem."
Bai Liuli was very moved when he heard this, but after being moved, his face turned strange: "But that is the royal garden..."
Zhao Wumian nodded: "So, there is a problem, but it's not a big one."
"Wow!"
Bai Liuli's eyes were full of stars. Brother really didn't say that casually!
Zhao Wumian was amused by her expression: "It's not good to just make empty promises. I always feel guilty about bullying a little girl. How about this, you pack up and I'll take you out to see the Lantern Festival at the beginning of the night."
Bai Liuli was surprised: "Today?"
Zhao Wumian nodded, "Today. There are too many people on the 15th day of the first lunar month, and it's a mixed crowd. Today is the 14th day, and judging from the situation in previous years, it's not so bad. You can spend half an hour in winter, and with me taking care of you, you can walk around for a while longer. I'll wear my official uniform and take you out. Now there shouldn't be anyone who's blind enough to attack me."
Bai Liuli hesitated instead: "Won't it cause trouble for my brother?"
Zhao Wumian poked her little face and said with a smile: "Absolutely not."
"Okay!"
Bai Liuli immediately cheered and swam back and forth in the cold pond: "Watch the Lantern Festival! Watch the Lantern Festival! Watch the Lantern Festival!"
When Xiao Kui heard the familiar tone, she immediately opened her mouth and followed up: "Watch the Lantern Festival! Watch the Lantern Festival! Watch the Lantern Festival!"
The entire bamboo forest in the backyard was in a mess, like two parrots chirping.
"..."
Zhao Wumian looked on helplessly and burst out laughing.
Behind them, Zhao Qi smiled. He had originally wanted to say that the daughter of Mr. Zhang from the clinic invited him to the Lantern Festival, but now, needless to say, this kid would definitely accompany Liuli.
No Huaixi nobles dared to target them again, and after many days of encirclement and suppression by the Pacification Division, the remnants of the Yipintang in the capital were basically eliminated.
With the deliberate spread of the news in the palace, now everyone knows that Zhao Wumian is a favorite, a family member, and a rising star in the eyes of the current superiors, and three marquises who targeted him have all fallen.
And the people who attacked him:
Huang Yunxuan died an easy death, but his corpse was whipped after his death, and he was charged with treason. His entire family was executed, and even the Jinyiwei who helped him to give false testimony were not spared, and all of them were beheaded; Zhou Buer, a captain of the Zhenfu Division, sent Huang Yunxuan away in order to please Marquis Yichun, and he himself took the punishment of eighty strokes of the cane in the court while in a sealed meridian state, and his cultivation was completely destroyed, leaving him half-dead; the two sons of Marquis Jiangxia and Marquis Pingliang were confined to their houses and dared not go out. They reflected on their mistakes for a whole year.
The wind direction has clearly changed.
This is the case even for high-ranking officials, let alone ordinary people.
If we continue to target him, we will be giving new evidence to those in power, which is simply courting our own death!
At times like this, it really wouldn't hurt to go out for a walk for an hour or two.
Bai Liuli was so excited. This was her first time watching a lantern festival. She didn't even want to eat a proper meal. She just wanted to eat the hot snacks freshly baked on the street.
In the past, the more people there were, the greater the possibility of something happening. Although Zhao Qi loved her, after all, his cultivation was insufficient, his job was small and the tasks were numerous, so he was powerless.
Zhao Wumian is different. He rose to prominence in a high-profile manner and became a sensation in just a few days. Although his realm is low, he has unparalleled supernatural power and a bright future. His voice and importance are far beyond what Zhao Qi can compare to.
Naturally, you can do what he can't do.
In the blink of an eye, it was the hour of Hai.
Bai Liuli changed into ordinary women's clothes, looking pretty and charming. She looked at Zhao Wumian with sparkling eyes.
Zhao Wumian was also straightforward. He put on Feiyu, held Xiuchun, and led her out the door.
Zhao Qi warned: "Dad won't get involved, go have a drink with your Uncle Zhang. Liuli, have fun."
"Uh-huh!"
On the banks of the Qinhuai River and in Wuyi Lane, it is extremely lively and brightly lit.
"So beautiful..."
Bai Liuli looked at the lanterns of various shapes that could be seen everywhere with a look of shock on her face. Zhao Wumian also bought a lantern with a little tiger painted on it, and bought two trays of freshly baked crab roe soup dumplings for her to eat while walking.
"Brother, spiced beans!"
Bai Liuli pointed at the snack stand excitedly.
Zhao Wumian took out the money.
"Brother, brother, sesame dumplings!"
Bai Liuli looked down at the scene with shining eyes.
Zhao Wumian then took out the money.
"Brother, brother..."
Zhao Wumian thought to himself, he is indeed leaving some food in his belly.
Soon, she couldn't hold any more. There were buns wrapped in oil paper, spiced beans in porcelain cups, and large and small bags of candied fruits, shortbread, and spiced eggs...
Bai Liuli's mouth was full of oil while eating.
At this moment, she suddenly sensed a familiar aura. She turned her gaze towards a certain place in the market and asked with some surprise, "...from the same tribe?"
(End of this chapter)
