The spring breeze is slightly cool, blowing on my face with the chill of late winter, and a hint of bright hope.

One hundred thousand refugees outside the city have begun to move away. The chief officials of the two prefectures and counties in Guanzhong and Henan Province came to Chang'an City in person with their servants to collect the refugees. The Ministry of Household Affairs divided the refugees according to their place of origin, and each prefecture and county received a portion of the refugees.

As early as winter, Gu Qing took precautions and ordered the governors of various states and county magistrates to launch corvees in the areas under their jurisdiction and build simple houses for the refugees.

Things happened in a hurry, and of course the houses were not built as expected. Most of them were shacks with only one wooden roof and open to the wind on all sides. This was something that could not be helped. In the Tang Dynasty, the administrative execution ability and efficiency of officials from the court to the local government were not very high. After

After the extravagance and glitz of the prosperous times, officials have gradually become no longer pragmatic, and it is reasonable to be procrastinating in doing things. It is already very good to be able to do this now.

Due to the war, a large amount of land in Guanzhong and Henan was left vacant. Although there was a slight disturbance in the process, some of it was accidentally occupied by the princes and princesses. With the death of King Yong, the princes and princesses also became honest and very

Actively handed over the occupied land.

The land occupied by the princes and princesses is not small, and it is more than enough to accommodate 100,000 refugees.

The land was returned to the government, and state officials from all over the country breathed a sigh of relief. Some state officials had colluded with the princes and princesses, and some were dissatisfied with them. No matter what the relationship was, under Gu Qing's high-pressure order, no one dared to joke about the land anymore, and they all agreed

Resettlement of refugees.

To be fair, it was a good thing for state and county officials that the prefectures and counties had new laborers and the vacant land under their control was cultivated. At least the annual taxes paid to the court were beyond their reach.

Gu Qing's taking back the land of the prince and princess has undoubtedly offended many people and blocked many people's financial opportunities. However, under the current situation of the court, those who took the initiative to return the land can only dare to be angry and dare not speak out. The huge resentment is temporarily gone.

After enduring it, everyone clearly realized that the decisive battle between the Emperor and Gu Qing was about to begin.

Whether the emperor kills the powerful officials, or the powerful officials usurp the country, success or failure can only be achieved by one battle.

In such a strange atmosphere, the outcome of the upcoming battle between monarch and ministers was unknown. At this time, the courtiers and dignitaries kept silent very sensibly.

On the muddy road outside Chang'an City, Gu Qing stood on the roadside, watching the groups of refugees staggering past.

The refugees have been resettled, and state officials have come to pick them up. The refugees who have been gathering outside the city for half a year finally left the refugee camp today.

Each refugee's face was full of hunger, his complexion was sallow, and his steps were staggering, but their eyes were shining, and something called "hope" was shining brightly in each of their eyes.

If we leave here, our future life may not be too good, there may still be hunger and famine, and we may still not have enough to eat.

However, they have a family and a career.

The state officials had been patrolling the refugee camp a few days ago. They told the refugees that Prince Gu had issued a decree that would exempt them from taxes and corvee for the next three years. Grains would be distributed immediately when people arrived. Don’t miss this year.

of spring sowing.

The imperial court has not collected taxes for three years, which is great news for the refugees. Three years, if you are not lazy, is enough to restore the vitality of a family, and even make a small fortune. This war caused families to be destroyed and people to leave their hometowns, finally

It's over. There are virtuous ministers in the court who are doing their best to restore people's livelihood so that the people can continue to enjoy a peaceful life.

This Prince Gu is really good. After the war, it is a blessing for the people of the world to have such a wise minister in the court.

Gu Qing stood on the roadside with a smile, watching the refugees passing by. Some grateful refugees suddenly stopped when they passed by Gu Qing, and then knelt down respectfully to Gu Qing, with a pious and grateful attitude, as if they were worshiping gods.

Gu Qing was busy returning the gift, busy helping the frail old man and children, and also busy declining the refugees' request to erect a memorial tablet for him.

Standing on the muddy roadside, Gu Qing felt more at ease and satisfied than ever before. People's hearts may be ignorant or sinister, but they all know good and evil. In universal values, "kindness" is the eternal theme. Since ancient times,

So far.

The vast majority of people were sensible and knew who was the benefactor and who was the enemy. If they were unable to repay the favor, they knelt down and worshiped, which was considered as repaying Gu Qing's love for protecting the people.

After standing there for more than two hours, one hundred thousand refugees were still leaving in groups.

Gu Qing's legs were a little sore, so he took Han Jie off the muddy dirt road and walked into the city.

On the way back, Han Jie looked very excited. He rubbed his hands and said, "Your Majesty, it feels good to do good deeds. I will do more in the future. Seeing how the people worshiped your Majesty today, I feel really good."

It’s exciting. I plan to save more money in the end so that I can pave roads and build bridges when I return to my hometown, and enjoy the feeling of the villagers worshiping me..."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "Exerting kindness and seeking retribution is hypocrisy. Your good intentions are not pure, just to show off. In terms of merit, you will probably be reborn as a human being in the next life, but you will inevitably be slapped by the judge when you enter the Palace of Hell.

…”

Han Jie grinned and said: "Your Majesty said it as if he had discussed it with the King of Hell... Although the general wanted to show off, at least he did good things. It would be too much to be slapped by the judge after doing good things.

Alright?"

"So I said, you will be reborn as a human in the next life, and you will not fall into the animal realm. Hypocrisy is also good. No matter what your purpose is, at least the people have indeed benefited, and you have indeed shown kindness. For a person

For a mortal, it’s pretty good.”

Han Jie suddenly smiled and said: "Your Majesty, if you live for thousands of people in the world, if you don't know how the underworld will judge your merits in this life a hundred years from now, will I at least make you a god?"

Gu Qing stopped, thought about it seriously, and said slowly: "There is no blame or impurity, there is good and there is evil, there is a Buddha in my heart to save all living beings, and there is also a demon in my heart, killing thousands of people, people like me have merits and demerits.

It’s hard to comment. If I am still alive as a human being in the next life, I would just like to be a plain and peaceful ordinary person, staying away from the court and away from right and wrong.”

Han Jie shook his head: "My lord, I will follow you for many years, and I will see everything you do. You are the Bodhisattva who gives birth to Buddhas in all families. Even if there are demons in your heart, you are also the thunderbolt of the Bodhisattva, just for

Drink it to wake up all living beings, and you will definitely be named a god in a hundred years and enjoy the fireworks and worship of the world for eternity."

Gu Qing laughed: "I have been with you for many years, but my fighting skills have not improved, but I have become more and more skilled at flattering."

Han Jie puffed up his chest and said: "I have not lost my ability in fighting. If you have the opportunity, my prince can see with your own eyes the heroic spirit of one against ten thousand."

…………

Back in the city, walking on the crowded streets, Gu Qing's steps became slower and slower. He took a deep breath and enjoyed the long-lost smell of fireworks in the world. He had been either fighting or scheming with people in the court all year round. He couldn't remember how long it had been since.

Walking freely on the street like an ordinary person.

Today, Gu Qing was only wearing ordinary clothes, and the guards behind him were all dressed as servants in ordinary clothes. No one recognized him while walking on Chang'an Avenue.

While enjoying the feeling of freedom, Gu Qing suddenly heard an old man setting up a stall on the street shouting in a hoarse voice: "Divination can tell about good or bad fortune, and fortune telling can tell whether you are rich or poor."

Gu Qing glanced casually and saw the fortune-telling old man wearing a coarse cloth gown. His eyes were darker than white, and his old face was wrinkled like orange peel. There was a flag in front of the stall with the inscription "The iron mouth is broken."

"Four big characters.

Gu Qing smiled. He had never believed in street fortune-telling, so he planned to move on.

But the old fortune-teller stopped him and said, "This gentleman is very handsome!"

Gu Qing stopped, wondering whether to laugh or cry: "Me? How did you see the 'good looks' on my unhappy face?"

The old man shook his head, stroking his beard and said solemnly: "What Mr. Lang said is wrong. The so-called 'unhappy' is just that ordinary people have eyes and cannot recognize gold and jade. However, Mr. Lang's appearance is that of a serious king. If I say a wrong word, I hope that

Offer the good head with both hands."

Gu Qing laughed and said: "It's just a fortune telling. There is no need to sacrifice someone's life if the calculation is wrong."

The old man said: "If you have time, sir, why don't you sit down and let me tell you about your past and present lives?"

Talking about his past and present life, Gu Qing's heart moved, and then he sat down unexpectedly.

Han Jie behind him wanted to stop him, but when he saw that Gu Qing was already seated, he didn't want to spoil the prince's interest, so he had to wink at the back. More than ten personal guards followed him, scattered around Gu Qing, as if they were strolling back and forth leisurely, but they

However, Gu Qing's range of activities was very skillful in blocking the area in front and behind Gu Qing's body.

Gu Qing sat by the hexagram stall and smiled lightly, saying: "Since the old man is interested, you might as well do the calculation for me. If the calculation is accurate, you will definitely get the hexagram gold."

The old man smiled and said: "Old Man's fortune-telling is not all about fortune. He only emphasizes the word 'destined'. Mr. Lang has a fate with Old Man today, so he called you."

Gu Qing smiled and said: "May I ask how to calculate it?"

The old man handed over a bamboo tube, and stuffed a few copper coins into the bamboo tube, and said: "Please ask Mr. Lang to shake the Yao. The old man has inherited King Wen's Gua Sect. The number of copper coins can tell good or bad luck."

Gu Qing shook the bamboo tube casually a few times, then spread it on the table. Several copper coins fell out of the bamboo tube and were scattered in different directions on the table.

The old man's eyes seemed a little dim, and his nose was almost touching the table before he could clearly see the front, back and direction of the copper coin. Then he took a copper coin and rubbed it repeatedly with his thumb and index finger, and his brows gradually wrinkled.

After rubbing it for a long time, the old man put down the copper coin and said leisurely: "I wonder what you want to ask me?"

Gu Qing thought for a while and said, "I'm asking about the fate of the country. Is it possible to predict it?"

The old man was startled. He raised his head and looked at Gu Qing again. He saw that although Gu Qing was wearing ordinary clothes, he had an extraordinary demeanor, a dignified and calm look. The undulations between his brows were like mountains, rivers and seas, and he had the aura to swallow up the world.

The old man's eyes flashed, then he smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Forgive me for my limited talent and limited knowledge. With my abilities in my life, I can't count my luck in going abroad."

Gu Qing laughed and said: "In that case, then ask me about my personal fortune."

The old man nodded, pointed to several copper coins on the table, and said, "Mr. Sir, do you know what hexagram you just pulled out?"

"I was about to ask for advice."

"This is the Qian hexagram, the Book of Changes says: The sixth line, on the ninth line, there is regret for a strong dragon."

Gu Qing groaned and said, "I don't know what to explain?"

"When the Qian hexagram has reached the sixth line, it has reached the highest level. It is also the pinnacle position, so it is called 'Shangjiu'. 'Kanglong' is the ultimate position of Lang Jun now. Forgive me for speaking frankly, Lang Jun should

It is the position at the top of human beings. There is no way forward, and there will be disaster if you retreat. Although people in this position have an extremely lofty status, they are actually the most hesitant in their hearts. One wrong step will lead to an abyss. If Long Ruofei can

If it is too high, it will inevitably lead to disaster, so we need to guard against arrogance and impetuosity, and think twice before doing anything."

The old man stroked his beard and said slowly: "From the perspective of the hexagram, although Langjun is extremely beautiful, in fact he is surrounded by dangers and disasters are hidden inside. It seems that there are dangers from swords and soldiers, and disasters of blood and light. This is Langjun's destiny.

If you can survive this calamity safely, you will be rich and wealthy in this life. If you cannot survive it, not only will your body be left alive, but you will also be stung for thousands of years..."

Gu Qing remained calm and looked as usual, but Han Jie beside him couldn't bear it anymore and shouted angrily: "Fart! You old bastard dares to bully us. What kind of disaster or bad luck are you cursing us? You're spitting shit all over your mouth.

Dog slave, believe it or not, I smashed your hexagram stall!"

The old man looked unhurried, stroking his beard and said: "Mr. Lang, your loyal words are hard to hear. I have calculated countless hexagrams in my life, and I will never just pick out the nice ones. The 'iron mouth straight cut' on the flag banner is not a falsehood, but a blessing."

It's a gift from a benevolent person, but if you don't believe it, just pretend that you and I have never met each other today."

Gu Qing looked at the old man for a long time, then suddenly smiled, a very bright smile: "Of course I believe it, the old man is right, I am indeed in danger at the moment, and I seem to be in danger of a sword."

The old man also smiled: "How did you know?"

Gu Qing said leisurely: "The old man can tell fortunes, I believe it, but besides fortune telling, the old man may have other specialties. Your right thumb and the second knuckle of your index finger are quite calloused, and I happened to have been in the military for a few years, so I know

People who have calluses on their second knuckles are caused by being used to swords..."

The old man was stunned for a moment, and then a look of annoyance quickly flashed across his face.

Han Jie next to him was startled, and then he pulled out his knife without thinking, pointed the sharp tip of the knife at the old man, and said angrily: "What a thief, he dares to plot against His Majesty the Prince, brothers, protect him!"

Dozens of guards behind him drew their swords after hearing this. The people on the street screamed and ran away. Soon, the streets around Gu Qing became empty, and only Gu Qing and his guards were left to confront the old man.

.

The old man narrowed his eyes, and his seemingly cloudy eyes suddenly burst into light. His tone was no longer calm and indifferent, and his expression became more and more gloomy.

It is hard to imagine that an ordinary old face can be transformed into two completely different expressions in an instant. There is only a thin line between good and evil.

Surrounded by his personal guards, the old man remained calm and asked slowly: "With just two fingers, you know that I am used to using swords?"

Gu Qing said with a smile: "Of course not only, but the way you tell fortunes is also a big flaw. To be honest, I haven't seen such an upright and frank fairy-like person like you in many years, who has no objection to the guests."

"Long has regrets"... Haha, interesting, if I die by your sword today, then it will be called "Regrets"..."

After saying that, Gu Qing's expression changed and he said sternly: "Han Jie, kill him!"

The guards responded and then swarmed forward.

Unexpectedly, as soon as Gu Qing finished speaking, the old man suddenly stood up and shot towards Gu Qing like a sharp arrow. In the old man's hand, there was a dagger with a cold light...
Chapter completed!