In the evening, as the sun sets in the west, Zhangshui is dyed with a layer of golden-red glow, which is so beautiful that it makes people feel enchanted.

Not far from Zhangshui, a small village is particularly lively.

Several people were squatting at the intersection, holding tiles and bricks, carefully painting and laying them. The village wall, which was originally in vain, was now being repaired bit by bit. Next to the craftsmen, several children squatted, curiously watching their work.

The village was not too lively, but there were people there, with smoke rising from cooking stoves, and occasionally adults scolding and children crying could be heard.

There are dogs barking from the south, and chickens and ducks are looking for food in the west.

Zhang Erlang lowered his head and stood beside Liu Taozi. Several others stood on high ground and looked at the quiet little village in front of them.

Zhang Erlang had successfully graduated from the law school. After completing his studies, he did not take part in the civil service examination. Instead, he took the initiative to apply for the position of civil servant.

For example, township and local officials usually have to be filled by local people. For one person, Zhang Erlang met the requirements in all aspects, not to mention someone from above guaranteed him, so he became the local official of Zhangjiacun very smoothly.

"I will leave a few people to help you, you have to take care of everyone."

“Always ask older people for advice and don’t make your own decisions.”

Liu Taozi gave some instructions, and Zhang Erlang said yes.

After Liu Taozi finished speaking, Tian Zili stepped forward again, pulled Zhang Erlang with a smile, and told him what he wanted to do in the future.

Kou Liu came over at some point and bowed to Liu Taozi and thanked her, "Thank you, Mr. Liu! My mother has been settled."

"Well, that's good."

"It will take a few days to travel. Now that everything has been arranged, let's get on the road quickly."

Everyone got on their horses, a total of eight people, leaving Zhang Village and galloping all the way to the official road. Looking around, the official road leads straight to an unknown distance.

Suddenly, the sharp cry of an evil bird was heard. Liu Taozi looked up and saw several pigeons flapping their wings, leaving a beautiful trace in the air, and then quickly disappeared in the air.

The pigeon flew over hills and jungles, cultivated fields and houses, and finally arrived at its destination.

Jinyang.

The entire city is like a mighty military fortress covered with spikes. The city wall is not tall, but it is very thick. Several soldiers walk side by side on the city wall, and they do not feel cramped. On the rough city wall, the soldiers

It looks extremely petite, with ballistas and armored warriors everywhere.

Even the palace looks huge and rough, like a ferocious beast.

In the palace, the soldier lowered his head, holding a letter in his hand, and walked around the corridors, passing by one soldier after another. Finally, he came to a palace.

An inexplicable humming sound came from the hall. The sound was louder and softer, and the soldiers were stunned.

The soldier didn't dare to knock on the door, nor did he dare to leave. He just stood here and listened to the sound.

"Who?!"

The sound suddenly stopped, and someone asked.

The soldier's voice was trembling, "Your Majesty, there is a letter from Prime Minister Yang, which is for you."

“Destroy my elegance!!”

Suddenly a rough roar came from inside the house.

The soldier was so frightened that he hurriedly knelt in front of the door, "Your Majesty, please forgive me! I didn't mean to do it."

"Someone is coming!!"

"Your Majesty~~~"

There was a rustling sound inside, and soon, someone opened the door.

He Shikai was wearing a robe. Under the robe was his naked body. The thing was dangling like this, and the soldier could see it when he raised his head.

He Shikai's face was rosy, he lowered his head and looked at the soldier gently, "Bring the letter."

The soldier trembled and handed the letter to him. The soldier smiled and said, "Don't be afraid. The king is joking with you. Remember not to stand at the door and eavesdrop."

The soldier hurriedly thanked him and fled from here.

The monk closed the door, turned around, and looked at Changguang Wang Gaozhan inside.

Gao Zhan is Gao Huan's ninth son.

He is sitting in the upper position now. His appearance is handsome and majestic, exceptionally dignified and solemn. In terms of appearance alone, he is not much worse than Gao Changgong.

His eyebrows are very thick, his eyes are big and bright, and he looks very attractive.

It's a pity that he is naked at this moment. This kind of exposure is incompatible with his dignified face and looks extremely strange.

He Shikai opened the letter casually, read it a few times, and then started crying.

Gao Zhan was shocked and looked at him quickly, "Why are you crying?"

"Your Majesty, my two younger brothers were beaten to death in Cheng'an earlier."

Hearing this, Gao Zhan waved his hand disdainfully, "We are just brothers, not sons, so why worry about it? My third brother Gao Jun and my brother have always been in trouble with me, that is, the second brother killed me first.

Otherwise, I will kill him sooner or later."

"Your Majesty, I didn't want to let such a small thing disturb you before, but this letter from Yang Xiang actually reprimanded you for asking you about this matter, and asked you to kill the villain next to you. Seeing him humiliating you like this, there is nothing I can do.

, so he cried bitterly."

He Shikai cried and handed the letter to Gao Zhan in front of him.

Gao Zhan took the letter and read it a few times.

"It's not as extreme as what you said. Yang Xiang just said that your brother brought it upon himself. You can't blame Lu Yao. If you ask me to discipline the people around me, I will naturally discipline him."

Hearing Gao Zhan's words, He Shikai quickly changed his words, "Your Majesty is right. I misunderstood what Yang Xiang meant. It's just that you have always been strict in disciplining your servants. Why did Yang Xiang say that again?"

Gao Zhan shook his head, "Ignore this, just keep going!"

"only!!"

He Shikai quickly knelt down.

"King!!"

Suddenly there was another shout outside the door. Gao Zhan was furious. He jumped up suddenly, "Who is it again?! Who is it again!?!"

The voice outside was obviously weaker, "Your Majesty, King Changshan asks you to go to his palace immediately."

Hearing Changshan King's name, Gao Zhan calmed down instantly.

He quickly put on his clothes and said, "Okay, you go back and tell Brother Six, I'll go right away."

At this moment, in the palace of King Changshan.

The young Changshan King Gao Yan was sitting in the upper position, his face solemn, and everyone close to him was on the left and right.

King Changshan is equally handsome, with a tough face that makes people feel respectful just looking at him. There is a shallow scar on his forehead, which makes him look even more majestic.

Gao Huan's appearance was extremely outstanding, so all his descendants were extremely beautiful, except for His Majesty Gao Yang.

Gao Yan cleared his throat, looked to his left and right, and asked, "What did I do wrong today?"

Those who heard his inquiry were not surprised at all.

Wang Xi, an aide, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, you have repeatedly advised your Majesty not to get angry and beat people, but today you have beaten your subordinates with a riding crop many times. This is really inappropriate."

Hearing this, Gao Yan nodded, "You are right."

He looked to the left and right and said, "If I get angry and want to hit someone in the future, remember to remind me."

Gao Yan often calls people together to ask them to tell their shortcomings and mistakes and correct them. At the same time, he will also spontaneously reflect on his own mistakes.

While everyone was talking, Gao Zhan was finally brought in by a soldier, followed by a soldier Kai behind him.

Gao Zhan's steps were frivolous, his face was red, and he walked up to Gao Yan strangely and bowed before him.

"Zhan, His Majesty is seriously ill at the moment, the Crown Prince is young, and everything falls on us. At this time, we can no longer indulge in entertainment, we have to shoulder heavy responsibilities."

"only."

Gao Yan's eyes then fell on He Shikai behind him, "It was you who broke into the Cheng'an County Yamen and beat Cheng'an Ling?"

He Shikai was stunned and hurriedly knelt in front of Gao Yan, "Your Majesty!! This subordinate just went to inquire about the case, how dare he be rude to Cheng Anling?"

"You are just a favored minister of the foreign king, how dare you be rude to a fifth-grade minister?!"

"Come here, take him out and execute him with a cane!"

Gao Zhan was anxious and stood up quickly, "Brother Six! For my sake, just forgive him. I asked him to go! Brother Six, his brother died in Cheng'an, and he was angry because of it. Isn't that right?"

Is that right? If I died in Cheng'an, would my brother be able to calm down?"

After hearing what he said, Gao Yan hesitated, "Forget it, I'll spare you this time. If you dare to act recklessly again in the future, I will kill you."

"Thank you, King Changshan!!"

He Shikai was so frightened that he trembled.

Gao Yan asked everyone to leave, and asked his younger brother to come forward, hold his hand, and said seriously: "Zhan, you are smart and strategic, why do you want to hang out with such a villain? Don't you know?

What kind of person is he?"

Gao Zhan lowered his head and touched his nose, "Brother, I know what he is like, but you don't know what he feels like. Brother, why don't you come over tonight and give it a try?"

"You fucking beast!!"

"Where's my riding crop?!"

Gao Yan was furious and jumped up to grab the riding crop. Gao Zhan quickly dodged, "Brother!! You have reflected before and can no longer hit others in anger."

"King!!"

The soldier's exclamation interrupted the farce in the room.

Gao Yan raised his riding whip, Gao Zhan hid under the case, and both of them looked at the soldiers who broke in.

The soldier was trembling now, with no blood on his face, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, His Majesty."

Gao Yan was stunned, his lips trembled a few times, and then he rushed out, Gao Zhan hurriedly followed behind him.

The two of them ran like this, and the soldiers along the way knelt down and worshiped. No one stopped them, and they rushed into the main hall at the back.

It was very dark inside the main hall, and the emperor didn't like lights.

There were only a few soldiers beside the innermost bed, holding torches, and barely emitting some light.

Gao Yan and Gao Zhan came here in a hurry and heard gentle sobbing.

Prince Gao Yin knelt beside the bed, crying and wiping his tears.

Gao Yang was lying on the bed. At this moment, he still looked crazy with disheveled hair, but his figure was thinner. The rows of ribs were clearly visible, and his head was like a skeleton, as if a layer of skin was covering the bones.

.

Gao Yan's eyes were red, and he quickly knelt down beside Gao Yang and gently grabbed his hand.

"His Majesty."

"His Majesty!!"

Gao Yang slowly opened his eyes.

His eyes were rare and calm, without the usual madness. His eyes were clear. Looking at the familiar eyes, Gao Yan shuddered and immediately shed tears, "Brother."

Gao Yang looked at his younger brother in front of him, staring at the obvious scar on Gao Yan's forehead.

"Does it still hurt?"

"Brother, it doesn't hurt."

Listening to the intermittent crying on the side, Gao Yang frowned and looked at the prince Gao Yin with difficulty, then looked at Gao Yan again, with a hint of pleading in his eyes.

"Take what you want, don't kill."

Gao Yan trembled all over and did not reply.

Gao Yang did not force him. He licked his dry lips and said feebly: "All funerals must be simple. Although the ancient mourning system lasted for three years, the method of Emperor Wen of Han Dynasty can be regarded as one of the past systems. I have decided

Following the example, the period of the mourning month is thirty-six days. The clan, officials, and officials inside and outside the court should focus on official affairs and get rid of the mourning as early as possible."

After Gao Yang finished speaking, he slowly closed his eyes, and after a moment, he stopped breathing.

"The emperor has fallen!!!"

The ministers shouted loudly, and the prince cried even louder.

Gao Zhan was kneeling on the ground, looking straight at the prince with fierce eyes.

Gao Yan stood in front of the memorial tablet. He wiped away his tears and then looked at the prince beside him. He stepped forward and helped the prince up.

Gao Yin was still crying bitterly.

Gao Yan touched his head and said, "Prince, I have ministers here, so don't be afraid."

He looked at his younger brother Gao Zhan beside him and said, "And quickly send someone to inform Yecheng of the matter, so that all ministers can come to Jinyang to support the crown prince's enthronement in Jinyang."

Liyang.

Several officials were standing at the door, shouting something loudly.

A group of casual officials were busy with their heads lowered and looking haggard.

Some people were carrying items, some were riding horses to and fro, and some were teaching a few gray-haired old men how to greet the county magistrate later.

This situation and scene are all extremely familiar.

Several officials stood at the front and looked at each other.

"This new county magistrate is not a good person. I heard that he was appointed directly by the temple. He has a big backer."

"So what? No matter how big the backer is, we are still the ones doing the work. He is not from Liyang."

Several officials gathered together and were discussing the new prime minister who had appeared out of thin air.

The roads were very dilapidated, full of potholes, and filled with water. The local officials almost knelt on the ground to clean them.

The city wall behind them was short and broken, with several huge gaps clearly visible.

The official cleared his throat and asked, "Have all the beggars been driven away?"

"They have been beaten out a long time ago. There is not a single one left, so don't worry."

While everyone was talking, suddenly an official rushed over on horseback and announced, "The county magistrate is here! He's here!"

The official was a little shocked and looked up at the sky, "So fast?"

At this moment, a group of people appeared in the distance, all riding horses. The leader was really tall, riding a huge green horse. He kicked up the billowing dust and galloped towards here. Behind him,

He was followed by many knights, all of whom looked evil, tall and powerful, with long swords on their waists.

Seeing this scene, the officials were shocked, and someone whispered: "Could it be that they are from Jinyang?"

This group of people quickly appeared in front of the officials.

"Meet the county magistrate!!"

Everyone knelt down and knelt down with their luggage. Even a few old men in the distance were struggling to salute at this moment.

Liu Taozi rode a big horse and looked at the rosy-faced officials in front of him, then at the ragged casual officials, and finally at the short city wall behind them.

There were some soldiers inside and outside the city gate who were not wearing armor and looked quite thin. There were even a few half-year-old children.

Yao Xiong looked straight at the old men and casual officials, and suddenly looked at Tian Zili aside, and the two of them made eye contact with each other.

Kou Liu was confused.

"I am the county magistrate Liu Taozi, and my courtesy name is Zhizhi."

Liu Taozi spoke, and Tian Zili stepped forward and showed the documents to everyone. Everyone saluted again, "Meet Liu Gong!!"

Just as several old men were about to step forward, Liu Taozi rode into the city, and the knights followed suit. The officials hurriedly ordered the casual officials to send the old men back, and he quickly followed behind Liu Taozi and others.

Everyone rushed into the county town. The roads in the city were also muddy and difficult to navigate. Most of the buildings on both sides were short and old. The buildings were obviously not as coherent as Cheng'an's. The houses were not next to each other, and there were many gaps.

Liyang is obviously not as large as Cheng'an. Whether it is land area or population, just from the appearance, it looks like a town in Cheng'an and cannot be compared at all.

Yao Xiong's eyes were full of disappointment, and he had no expectations for the county government.

When they arrived at the center of the city, they were surprised to find that the government office was not shabby. It was the most luxurious building in the city. Its tall figure was out of place in the county. Not only was it tall, but the walls were also

It has been carefully renovated, new and beautiful. There are all kinds of strange characters on the walls, which are endless. The door has just been painted, brand new and tall.

At the gate of the county government office, I could finally see two soldiers, fully armed and quite majestic.

The official gasped and finally caught up with Liu Taozi. He stepped forward and stood in front of Liu Taozi, "County Magistrate, County Magistrate, you're on the wrong track, you're on the wrong track!"

"This is a county government office! Not a county government office!"

"The one opposite is the county government office!"

The official pointed at the other party, and a dilapidated and dilapidated small courtyard came into view. Yao Xiong looked at the tall mansion on the left, then at the small mansion opposite, and murmured: "What the hell is going on?"

The official hurriedly explained: "County Prime Minister, Liyang County is the administrative seat of Liyang County. The prefect, the county magistrate, and the county lieutenant all work here. In addition, all the officials in the county are also here."

"The county officials live well, but why doesn't the county government repair it?"

"this"

Several officials lowered their heads and said nothing.

Liu Taozi and others turned around and prepared to enter the dilapidated county government office. As soon as they reached the door, they heard shouting coming from not far away.

Everyone looked sideways.

A group of people came from a distance. They were all wearing black clothes, holding strange musical instruments in their hands. They were shaking the instruments vigorously and shouting in a language that no one could understand. They were all sitting on big stools.

, a total of four civilians in front and behind were struggling to carry the stool so that they could sit firmly.

Under each person's buttocks, there were four civilian men, sweating profusely, bending over, carrying stools, and advancing step by step.

On both sides, there were knights crowding around, holding bottles in their hands, soaking them with wicker sticks, and then using them to sprinkle water.

The people sitting on the big stools were all fat, with fat heads and big ears. They had strange looks, strange hair, and even weirder accents.

They chanted in unison and were carried by fellow citizens as they passed by the two government offices without stopping to salute.

"These are the monks in the city."

The official opened his mouth to explain.

"They are practicing exorcism. In the past few months, an evil ghost has appeared in the city and caused a stir. The people are deeply uneasy. In order to eliminate the evil for the people, the prefect invited experts from Chongguang Temple to perform exorcism.

.”

"Evil ghost."

Liu Taozi whispered, looking dimly at the monks who were reciting Buddhist scriptures in the distance.
Chapter completed!