Bastards

Chapter 78

The letter Cui Yu received was sent by the Xie Mansion in Chang'an and written by Xie Wen himself.

The letter mentioned the recent Chang'an Ontario incident, gave answers to Cui Yu's previous questions, raised new questions for discussion, briefly introduced the matter of Mei Yan, and attached a Mei Yan invitation.

The invitation is very beautiful, hard, sprinkled with gold, reddish in color, silky to the touch, with black lowercase letters on it, with the time, place, and Cui Yu's name written on it, and the official seal of King Changjun.The paper is good paper, the characters are good characters, coupled with the color contrast, the good ink keeps the fragrance, and the temperament comes out at once, as if looking at it, you can feel the arrogance and luxury of the royal family through a piece of paper, unattainable.

Yang Xuan looked very displeased, and touched the invitation with her fingertips 'very casually', leaving deep scratches on it: "It's still a prince, and the writing is really not that good."

Cui Yan raised his eyebrows and looked at him quietly, with a half-smile.

"Did I say something wrong!" Yang Xuan was a little pissed, and he poked the words on the invitation card very rationally, "Look at the words he wrote, although they are horizontal and vertical, they are not ugly. It’s a compliment to write it like this, he is the prince! Shouldn’t he do better!”

"It's rare that you still have the heart to judge whether other people's calligraphy is good or not."

Yang Xuan angrily scratched another line on the invitation.

Cui Yu looked at the non-stop paw, and said calmly: "You are so smart and picky, so you should be able to guess that this post cannot be written by Prince Chang himself."

Yang Xuan paused.Then he cursed angrily: "It's not sincere to ask people not to write the post themselves!" He completely brought over the things he had neglected.

Cui Yu didn't expose him, and said with a smile: "He is a prince, and he doesn't need to be sincere to someone like me."

Yang Xuan was stunned again, and was about to say something when Cui Yan put away the post and teased him with a drawn-out voice: "How about practicing handwriting yourself when you have time to laugh at other people's handwriting?"

"My handwriting is much better than his!"

"If you continue to be tired and lazy, just play wildly on the river - old man Wang Fu will cry."

"You'll be mad at me!"

Angrily, Yang Xuan poured three glasses of water, plopped down next to Cui Yu, and asked viciously, "Why did the king of Changjun post you but not me?"

Cui Yu: "Didn't you see it all, Xie Wen said that King Chang heard about the Xie Mansion's autumn banquet, and was interested in me, a little bastard who is not afraid of death and dares to hate Li Shun in front of all the aristocratic families."

"Then I'm the first apprentice that old man Wang Fu has accepted in the past few years! The autumn banquet also made a splash on that day, so why isn't he interested?" Yang Xuan objected.

Cui Yu raised his eyelids and glanced at him: "Do you want him to be interested in you?"

Yang Xuan shook his head, of course he didn't want to confront that brat, but actively not wanting to touch him and being ignored are two different things.

Cui Mata concluded: "That's terrible."

Yang Xuan's long and narrow eyes narrowed, and a strange light flashed in the bottom of the eyes.He suddenly remembered that the fourth child and Tian Xiang were walking very close. If Tian Xiang wanted Cui Yu, would the fourth child also...Although the information in the dossier showed that King Changjun was young and had several daughters in the house, there was no trace of him. Pointing to a good masculinity, but a good-looking rabbit is so attractive, it is not impossible for others to think of it at a glance.

Otherwise, if he both showed his face at the autumn banquet, why did the fourth child want to post Cui Yu instead of inviting him?

Clenching his knuckles tightly and making a soft "click, click", Yang Xuan thought that during this trip to Chang'an, he must pay close attention to King Chang!

……

There were still ten days left before the date of the plum feast on the invitation, even including the journey to Chang'an, it was more than enough, so Cui Yu was not in a hurry.

He first went to Cui Qian and Cui Ying to clarify the family affairs, and then made an appointment at Zhang Song's teahouse to return the jade ring to him.

"Meeting is fate. If you believe in me, I will help you and become friendship. This thing is too precious. Brother Zhang—forgive me for being disrespectful, and call you brother. I can't take this jade ring."

Zhang Song's attitude was very firm, but he refused to take the ring back: "This matter may be a matter of little effort to you, but it is a great kindness to me. Don't talk about my Zhang family's property, I can give you my life."

Cui Yu didn't want to make people feel too arrogant: "It's not as simple as doing it easily..."

Zhang's eyebrows and eyes frowned: "Then it should be given to you!"

Cui Mata frowned, and tried to persuade him a few more words, but Zhang Song refused to accept whatever he said.

In the end, he had no choice but to sigh: "Forget it, if you don't take it out for use, it's just a thought, a token of friendship. This thing—" He looked at the jade ring, "I'll keep it for now, and I'll return it to you when I've had enough fun. .It’s just that you can pay it back next time, and you can’t refuse it again.”

"The next time, it must be ten years later."

"I'm afraid of losing it... Five years, no longer."

"Eight years."

Cui Yu was a little speechless, why did he start talking about business?

This day was also the first time Yang Xuan saw Zhang Song.Zhang Song has a good character and respects Cui Yu enough. Yang Xuan is very satisfied. Later, he checked Zhang Song's information and found that he is also capable.

When Zhang Song met Yang Xuan for the first time, he was shocked by Yang Xuan's extraordinary aura at such a young age. He seemed to be born with dignity and arrogance. Xuan is also very respectful...

Yujie stopped pushing each other, so Cui Yu raised the matter and asked about Yu Xiaoquan and Yu Xiaozhi.Zhang Song tightened his expression and explained in detail.He said some things in the letter, but some things were too confidential to write out, so it happened to be a secret meeting in person this time.

Because of this, Cui Mata's plan became more precise.

……

Afterwards, Cui Yu and Yang Xuan stayed in Yicheng for two more days to make all the arrangements, and then set off for Chang'an.

Because I was not in a hurry, I took the waterway.

This is also the first time that Yang Xuan has shown his strength to Cui Yu.

A five-foot-tall boat with horn lights and a long mast is big enough to ride the wind and waves.There are several light boats on the left, right, front and back, and there are many river gang men on each boat. The only difference is that these men are neatly dressed and have serious expressions. No matter their standing posture, expression, or arrangement, they have a special Energetic.

Positive, uplifting, and full of energy, instead of the violent and impulsive style of the past, they are like a righteous army, a mighty army, reborn, and the work they do is different from the usual and has special meaning.

Even the salutes to Yang Xuan and Cui Yu were uniform and well-trained.

The scene is very big, and when there are many people, everyone salutes you neatly at the same time. This kind of scene is very shocking. Cui Yu paused for a moment, amazed.

"You are very good at teaching people." He praised Yang Xuan sincerely.

Yang Xuan raised his hand, everyone saluted, and returned to the standby state: "That's right, those who are close to ink are black, and it doesn't matter who I am close to."

"Teasing me?" Cui Yu looked at him with a half-smile.

Yang Xuan pulled him onto the boat: "Oh, this is a compliment to you."

The waterway is slightly slower, but it is much more stable than a horse, and the space is also large. There are everything you need, even if you don’t use it frequently.Cui Yu said that this way of walking is very comfortable, and he can experience it more in the future.

In winter, the river wind is slightly cold, because the charcoal basin in the room is very hot, so it is just right to open the window.

Cui Yu sat by the window, held a cup of tea and looked out. The boat sailed into the main river, the water was sparkling, and connected to the sky, and birds flew across the blue sky from time to time. The wide river view made people feel open-minded. widened.

Cui Yu was very interested in such a rare leisure time.

Yang Xuan went outside to inspect it, and was very happy to see Cui Yu's expression when he came back: "Like watching?"

Cui Yu nodded: "Well, very good."

"I will bring you here often in the future."

"These people—" Cui Mata brushed his fingers over the men outside, "Are they safe?"

Yang Xuan sat across from Cui Yu, followed his example, poured a cup of tea and beat him up: "It's not safe, I won't bring it to you."

Cui Mata blinked: "There are many more?"

Yang Xuan nodded: "There are a lot."

Cui Yu looked at Yang Xuan with complicated eyes: "You really... have grown up." You are good at it!

Yang Xuan raised his sword eyebrows, his eyes flashed brightly, and he was a little proud: "Can't you always let you be more beautiful than before?"

The river breeze is gentle, and the incense burner carved with strange beasts curls up with light mist, filling the room with incense, and it is extremely quiet.

The two just enjoyed the scenery quietly, neither of them spoke, but they didn't feel embarrassed either.

"Cui Mata."

After a long time, Yang Xuan suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

"You haven't taught me anything for a long time."

Cui Yu was surprised: "Didn't you pay homage to Master Wang Laoshan? You don't think his knowledge is enough?"

"Lao Shanzhang is very good, but I still like you to tell me stories." Yang Xuan looked at Cui Yu with bright eyes, "I always feel that things that come out of my mouth can guide me more."

Cui Mata: "Is that so..."

"You have nothing to do today, you can just talk to me for a while."

Cui Yu thought for a while and smiled: "Okay." He asked Yang Xuan, "What kind of emperor do you think Liu Bang, the emperor of the Han Dynasty, was?"

"Thick-skinned and cruel-hearted. Xiang Yu wanted to kill his father, but he said he wanted a piece of the pie; Chu soldiers chased him, and when he was in danger, he pushed his own children off the chariot; when he gained power, he killed Han Xin and Peng Yue. Dead Dog Cooking... Poor character, turning his face and denying others, he doesn't care about all of it..." Yang Xuan said in a low voice, "But he started the Western Han Dynasty, became the emperor, started from nothing, and deserves respect. "

Cui Yu nodded: "It can be seen that being an emperor is not about conscience, but means."

"Although I don't want to admit it, but yes, the emperor is ruthless and ruthless enough to control everything." Yang Xuan sighed, "If Xiang Yu is as thick-skinned as him, it's okay to lose, I don't feel ashamed, Chu The dispute between Han and Han may not end like this; Han Xin can bear the humiliation of stepping down, if the heart is hard enough, it may not end like that."

Cui Yu caressed the rim of the teacup with his fingertips, and lowered his eyes slightly: "You also know that emperors are cunning enough, have enough means, and have enough self-made scenes, but have you forgotten that emperors are not always on top, There are also times when they are in danger... In this case, what do they do? For example, when Cheng Gao—"

Yang Xuan immediately continued: "He was trapped, knowing that he was invincible, let the other party's team of hundreds of people continue to abuse the cheating dog in turn, and did not make a sound, so he escaped the disaster."

"So you see, people are not only thick-skinned, but also very flexible, knowing how to avoid the edge, and waiting for the next generation."

Yang Xuan looked at Cui Yu, so - what?

When Cui Yu said this, it was over, and he mentioned another person: "His wife, Empress Lu, is also very powerful. At that time, the Huns were powerful, and his Shan Yu wrote to her, teasing her, saying that your husband is dead, and Konggui must Lonely, it happens that I am mighty and majestic, and there are countless elite soldiers under my command who can protect you, and the lonely man and widow just happen to be happy..."

Yang Xuan is familiar with history books, and of course he knows this story: "Empress Lu was not stubborn in replying to the letter, saying that it was an honor to receive the letter, and she should have gone to serve in person, but unfortunately she was too old, and her teeth were shaking, so she gave a gift to a beautiful woman. Some of them were sent to the Huns."

"But it also protected the peace of the Han Dynasty, and there was no war."

Cui Yu slowly put down his teacup, and looked at Yang Xuan quietly: "The best kindness is like water. When it is soft, it is firm. Water can take any shape. If you put it in a tank, it is a tank of water. If you are in a canal, it is a river." The creek seems to be the most temperless and softest, but it can do things that hard weapons can't do. Water droplets can pierce stones, water waves can capsize boats, and floods can roar—everyone who sees it will die."

Yang Xuan finally understood: "So...you are still blaming me, impulsiveness is wrong."

"There are many solutions to one matter, and you have many choices, why choose the most unfavorable one?" Cui Yu smiled, "Tolerance is not a big deal, and when you surpass it, wouldn't it be more refreshing? "

Yang Xuan looked at Cui Yu for a long time, before sighing: "Well, I can't say no to you, I am here to answer you this time, if there is a next time, I will not be so impulsive."

Cui Yu raised his hand and rubbed Yang Xuan's head: "Is that right... Han Gaozu can bear it, and a woman like Empress Lu can bear it, why can't you?"

Yang Xuan didn't avoid Cui Yu's hand, suddenly remembered something, squinted his eyes and asked, "If I still don't listen today, what will you do?"

"It's okay, I have the Thick Black Nine Ninja Sutra and the Thick Black Nine Soft Moves, can I tell you all of them." Cui Yu smiled.

Yang Xuan gasped: "There are so many!" Should he be glad that he gave in early!

"Do you despise Ninjing soft moves?" Cui Yu was very close to him, breathing on his face, warm and soft, "Then you should be careful, these moves are the most casual and the most inadvertent. It's not easy to stop."

Yang Xuan felt itchy all over, and leaned back a little: "You want to persuade me to endure, why don't you mention the humiliation of Gou Jian and Han Xin stepping down?"

"So you like this?" Cui Yu considered the tiger, "It's fine, I'll use this next time."

Yang Xuan: ... "I won't be impulsive next time!"

"Human beings are very good at talking back and finding reasons for themselves. Some things don't matter if you say it, but it counts if you do it." Cui Yu patted Yang Xuan's face, and Yang Xuan's reflection was reflected in his eyes, "Young man, I am optimistic about it." You."

Yang Xuan's ears were a little red: "You, pay attention, don't mess with others!"

"Oh? Are you shy?" Cui Yu looked at Yang Xuan with great interest, "A brat like you is actually shy?"

Yang Xuan didn't know whether to be annoyed by the first sentence or the second sentence, angrily grabbed Cui Yu's hand, and bit it.

Like a little tiger biting someone, it uses a little bit of force, but it won't hurt or hurt. It's not like showing anger, but more like acting like a spoiled child.

Cui Yu laughed, very loudly: "Sure enough, I'm still a child!"

Yang Xuan: ...

Unknowingly, it was getting dark, Yang Xuan and Cui Yu were quite interested in talking, and they were not tired. They ate, drank and sat opposite each other for a whole day.

What is the view of the river at night? Rao, the moon view is very beautiful, and you will get tired of admiring it after a while, but not all the rivers pass by are dangerous shoals, there are small villages, and there are larger towns.The winter moon is not far from the New Year's Eve. Red lanterns are hung up early in the big towns, and night markets are set up. It looks quite lively and full of fireworks.As long as there are many lights at night, they are beautiful.

Yang Xuan pointed out the window: "Look, the night view is quite beautiful!"

Cui Yu looked out for a while, then smiled: "It's really beautiful, it's not interesting."

"Would you like to stop and play for a while?"

Cui Yu thought for a while: "Just take a look, go out...it might be cold."

Yang Xuan gave a look of 'you are so lazy'.

Cui Yu is not ashamed, but proud: "When I can enjoy it, I am more willing to enjoy it."

……

At noon on the second day, the fleet arrived at the Chang'an section connecting with the Weishui River.The situation here is more complicated. Yang Xuan and Cui Yu changed boats before arriving at Chang'an Wharf.

The Xie family received the letter, and Xie Cong personally brought someone to pick it up. Seeing Cui Yu and Yang Xuan get off the boat, he asked the housekeeper to go and lead Cui Yu over.

"Cui Liu!" Xie Cong's expression was very excited, and he almost couldn't bear the arrogance of the aristocratic son. He was also very surprised to see Yang Xuan, "Sha San! Where have you been? I haven't heard from you for a long time, and I can't see you. Mr. Wang is so fast Jumping and scolding!"

Cui Yu glanced at Yang Xuan and raised his eyebrows: "Have you been out on business for so long, why didn't you talk to the old man?"

Yang Xuan immediately said seriously: "Although I have something to do outside, I have to show the old man the homework I wrote in two or three days, is he still angry?"

"What's the use of that, he didn't teach you himself, he didn't see you!"

Yang Xuan was defeated: "I'll go and see him later."

"Why don't you go and have a look now?" Cui Yu suggested, "Remember to be careful. I'll wait for you at Xie Mansion."

Xie Cong said that this is completely fine: "My grandfather said, you can treat the Xie Mansion as your own home, and you don't have to be restricted when you come and go, and you don't need to pay special attention to the old man, just go and talk if you have something to do."

Yang Xuan agreed.

Next, the soldiers split into two groups, Yang Xuan went to see Wang Fu, Cui Yu went to Xie's mansion.

Mr. Xie Yan spoke casually, but Cui Yan, as a junior, was not really casual. After leaving the mansion, he washed the dust and changed his clothes. After asking Xie Yan, he immediately went over to say hello.Xie Yan stroked his beard and smiled: "You are so polite, you say you are free, just like your own home, so come here."

Cui Yu looked at Xie Yan's straight and wrinkle-free visitor's clothes, and saw the elegant atmosphere, every position and posture were just right, the specially burned incense, the good tea, and smiled: "Please wait for a long time, It's the younger generation's fault."

"What are you talking nonsense, kid? I didn't wait for you." Xie Yan invited Cui Yu to sit down, chatted a few words, and gave him a meaningful look, "The matter of Yu Xiaoquan, the prefect of Yicheng, has been very troublesome recently. Great, the pleading papers have all been handed over to Master Li He, the censor of Yezhetai."

Cui Yu smiled: "Is that so? Then he must burn incense. I heard that this lord is stern and selfless, so he is not easy to provoke."

"Isn't that why? Originally, Yu Xiaoquan had a braid in Mr. Li's hands. Because he was busy with previous affairs, Mr. Li had too many serious cases, and he couldn't fit in the prison, so he postponed it. But he insisted on making a fuss. Lascivious women, robbing people with secret skills, destroying people all over the house, and their own sons don't stop, at a young age, knocking on the widow's door, digging the family's grave...Finally, he was disliked by others, and he took advantage of the little one when he was drunk. , he himself is still willing to kill people, the matter is too big, and people's grievances are boiling, this time, Master Li will not let it go."

Cui Yu was holding the teacup, his eyes seemed to be covered with mist with the curling white steam: "Isn't it a good thing to eliminate harm for the people?"

"Yes...it's a good thing." Xie Yan said something else to Cui Yu, and finally said: "If you need help, just say it."

It seems to be concerned about food and accommodation, but in fact...there is something in the words, with a preamble.

Cui Yu understood very well and did not refuse: "Then thank you."

Afterwards, Xie Yan brought up the matter of Changjun Wang Meiyan: "...the trouble has been going on for so long, and I haven't gotten any confirmation from me. You are very close to my Xie family. This time, I am afraid that we will be troubled by us. He It is necessary to target you, so be careful."

Cui Yu smiled: "Don't worry, others can't bully me."

"Anyway, remember, he is the prince, we have to respect and avoid him, but if he acts too much, we don't need to bear it, I thank the family, and I will protect you to the end!"

Cui Yu looked at the old man and said softly, "I know."

……

This time Cui Yu was the same as last time, and was assigned to the same small courtyard, everything was familiar, and the room was next to Yang Xuan.

At night, when Yang Xuan came back, Cui Yu was waiting in his room.

Yang Xuan was a little surprised: "Aren't you tired after sitting on the boat for so long?"

Cui Yu looked at him: "I forgot something, I want to tell you."

"what's up?"

"Account book." Cui Yu lightly tapped the desktop with his fingertips, "You just got it, and it doesn't guarantee safe usage, so you haven't used it yet, have you?"

Yang Xuan nodded: "I have a very well-informed subordinate. He told me that this thing is very useful, but you must be careful when using it. If you make a mistake, you will be hunted down immediately."

Cui Yu pondered: "My news is from Zhao Ji. He doesn't know how to use it. He only knows that it is my brother's belongings. It is very important. I just chatted with Mr. Xie, and after a little testing, he didn't know. It's very strange. It's amazing, most of the power in the court is in the hands of the aristocratic family, and the Xie family has a high status, as the helm, Mr. Xie doesn't know..."

The story of this account book is probably very deep.

Yang Xuan squinted her eyes: "I've been keeping an eye on the names on several ledgers, and I believe I'll get something in the near future."

"Be sure to tell me then."

"Of course." Yang Xuan looked at Cui Yu, and a strange light flashed in his eyes, "Right now, it is Chang Jun Wang Mei Yan who is the most important thing. I just found out that this Chang Jun Wang is very interested in you, Mei Yan Above, there may be any means waiting for you."

"Is that so..." Cui Yu's voice slipped from the tip of his tongue, seemingly indifferent, but also very interested, and smiled, "Don't worry, I will take care of myself."