Celestial being

It's past noon.

Under the tall city tower covered with blue tiles, soldiers in armor stood between the crenellations, holding spears in their hands and standing tall.

Below the city tower, the gray city wall stretches to an unknown point, and in the middle, three wide doorways, one high and two low, are open, and people and horses are flowing in and out, creating a bustling scene.

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, and the huge shadow of the city gate shrouded the flow of people entering and exiting the city, crossing the suspension bridge and moat, and extending all the way to Yuan Ming's feet.

Staring at the familiar city gate, Yuan Ming raised his head slightly, and his eyes finally fell on the gray stone plaque above the doorway.

There are only two vigorous and powerful characters "Qu Jiang" in the plaque.

Back then, it was under this plaque that Yuan Ming said goodbye to everyone who was seeing him off, and left the capital of the Jin Dynasty. He and Lin Junsheng led the mission to southern Xinjiang as envoys and deputy envoys, full of ambition and high spirits.

But now, things have changed and people have changed.

He was silent for a moment, put away his messy thoughts, and walked towards the city.

"Get out of the way!"

Just after crossing the suspension bridge, Yuan Ming suddenly heard the sound of a riding whip and scolding behind him.

He turned around and saw three or four soldiers in full armor, riding tall horses and waving their whips to drive away the people on horseback in front of the city gate.

Although they were very cruel, the riding whip did not hit the target, it was just a deterrent.

And further away, a large group of carriages and horses came slowly, and the flags were spread out in the wind, revealing the word "Zhao".

Yuan Ming frowned slightly, but he didn't say much and moved out of the way like the frightened people beside him.

Soon, a road opened in front of the city gate that was large enough for two carriages to run parallel to each other, and the motorcade holding the Zhao banner high also came over.

There were many people and horses in the convoy, and they were guarded by soldiers riding war horses in front and behind. Although the carriages in the middle were not gorgeous, the patterns and carvings on the carriages were simple and elegant, and they were definitely not suitable for ordinary people to ride.

However, when he saw the decoration on the carriage and the flag with the character Zhao, a thoughtful look flashed across Yuan Ming's face.

As the motorcade approached, the city guards in front of the city gate seemed to become nervous. A soldier wearing a guard's armor hurriedly walked out of the city tower and got down to the city gate before the motorcade arrived.

The motorcade stopped in front of the city gate. In the carriage at the front, a servant stepped forward and opened the curtain. Inside the carriage sat a gray-haired old man with a solemn expression.

"Welcome to Marquis Zhao." The gate captain smiled and greeted the old man, and said with his hands raised to the old man.

At the same time, next to Yuan Ming, a man dressed as a businessman asked his companion in a low voice: "Brother Lu, whose team is this? Why is it so grand?"

The companion looked around and lowered his voice: "Keep your voice down, this is General Jingbei's convoy. If we disturb them, your lives and mine won't be enough to compensate."

"So domineering? I came from the south and you came to talk about it?" The merchant was surprised.

"You have never been to the north and you don't know that General Zhao has been guarding the border for many years, and I heard that he is domineering and famous." The companion said with awe.

Beside him, Yuan Ming laughed hoarsely. He didn't know whether General Jingbei was overbearing or not, but he remembered that when he was a child, General Zhao was a frequent visitor to his house and watched him grow up.

On the other side, General Zhao just nodded slightly to the gate captain, and the servant lowered the curtain. The motorcade slowly left, and the scene before the city gate soon returned to its previous state.

But next to Yuan Ming, the two people were still talking: "But speaking of which, General Zhao has been guarding the border and has lived in the north for a long time. He rarely returns to the capital unless there is no big deal. Now that the country is far away, why did he suddenly bring his troops to the capital? "

"How do I know this? Something big must have happened in the court." The merchant man walked and talked with his companions.

Yuan Ming had arrived at the city gate at this time. The guard at the city gate asked: "Name?"

"Yuan Ming." Yuan Ming replied.

"Yuan Ming? Mr. Yuan of the Yuan Mansion?" the city guard said in surprise.

"Yes, exactly." Yuan Ming replied.

Unexpectedly, when Cheng Wei saw Yuan Ming's face clearly, he immediately shouted and wanted to hold Yuan Ming's hand excitedly.

A person on the side said: "Yuan Ming? Mr. Yuan, you are really a fool! I heard before that you disappeared on an envoy to southern Xinjiang. I thought there was an accident, but I didn't expect that you are still alive!" Suddenly it seemed like I remembered something. Likewise, he patted his clothes and took out a roll of brocade silk from his arms.

Wrapped in brocade silk is an extremely exquisite book, with four large gilded characters printed on the cover - "Young Master Sheng's Journey to the South".

"I am a loyal fan of Mr. Yuan. I came here specifically to buy this hardcover version of "Mr. Sheng's Journey to the South" today. I didn't expect to meet you at the gate of the city."

The man's eyes were shining, and he held the hardcover book in front of Yuan Ming with great anticipation: "I wonder if I can ask you to sign the book? I will definitely treasure it!"

Yuan Mei couldn't resist his enthusiasm, so she had to take the book. When she wanted to sign her name, she said, "Sorry, I didn't bring a pen." She wanted to leave.

"Ah, I didn't think well, wait a minute."

The man slapped his head in annoyance, turned around and grabbed the person next to him: "I'm sorry, can you lend me some pen and ink on you?"

"Pen and ink? Why do I bring those things when I go out to do errands?" Passers-by didn't understand the purpose and looked at him and Yuan Ming doubtfully, and their eyes suddenly lit up. "Hey, are you Mr. Yuan Ming Yuan?"

"Exactly, I just came back from southern Xinjiang." Yuan Ming said with a smile.

"I watched "Master Sheng's Journey to the South" and it was really wonderful. Your experience was really full of ups and downs," the man said.

Before Yuan Ming could answer, passers-by realized that he had no pen and ink. Like the man just now, he turned around and asked for pen and ink.

In this way, a large group of people surrounded Yuan Ming.

The commotion in front of the city gate quickly attracted the attention of the gate captain.

"Get out of the way, stop crowding around, what's going on here... Mr. Yuan?" He directed the city guards to push through the crowd, and when he saw Yuan Ming's appearance clearly, he also shouted in surprise.

Yuan Ming was a little confused: "You also recognize me?"

"Of course! Mr. Yuan, when you led the envoy out of the city, you were worthy of me! Although you look different and taller, I can still recognize you. No, after you disappeared, what did you do? The books are also sold out, and some editions are even harder to find!" The gate captain immediately smiled with a smile on his face, and at the same time ordered his men to separate the crowd.

Yuan Ming couldn't help but burst out laughing after hearing this. He often heard that the value of paintings doubled after the death of an artist. This time it was his turn.

At this time, one person in the crowd tried desperately to squeeze in and shouted: "Master Yuan, I have found pen and ink!"

The gate captain's face darkened, and he turned around to scold him, but Yuan Ming stopped him: "It doesn't matter, let him come over, I promised to sign it for him."

"Master Yuan is still so kind-hearted." The gate captain complimented and ordered his men to get out of the way.

Yuan Ming took the book, wrote words of encouragement to his daughter on it, and signed his name. The man then stepped back with a silly smile.

Seeing this, the crowd became even more excited. Many people also found books of the same style from nowhere, and shouted that they wanted to get the pen and ink left by Yuan Ming.

"Mr. Yuan, is the story you wrote about your journey to the South true?"

"Master Yuan, stay here."

For a time, the pressure on the city guards increased greatly.

Seeing this, Yuan Ming said loudly: "Everyone, I understand your feelings. It's just that I have been away for many years and just returned to Beijing today. I care about Gaotang's parents. I really can't stay longer. I hope you can understand. After a few days of rest like this, I will go to heaven. Ming Bookstore will tell you all again."

Hearing this, the crowd erupted into chaotic shouts, most of which were words of understanding.

The gate captain wiped his sweat and quickly asked his men to escort Yuan Ming into the city.

But as soon as he passed through the city gate, Yuan Ming heard another cry like a mountain roar and a tsunami.

The wide streets were crowded with people, and the turbulent flow of people blocked the city gate. Whether they were literati, elegant guests, or traders, they were all crowded in the crowd at this time, trying desperately to stand on tiptoe, trying to block Yuan Ming's elegance. .

Yuan Ming was also startled by the sight in front of him. He thought to himself that he was not that famous before he disappeared. He turned his head and smiled bitterly: "It seems that I need to trouble you to send some people to inform the general's mansion and let them come over." Open the way."

"Why trouble the people in the General's Mansion for such a trivial matter? I happen to have some extra people under my command, so let them send Mr. Yuan back." The gate captain said, patting his chest.

Soon, he called several free city guards and asked them to escort Yuan Ming all the way to the General's Mansion.

The city guards holding weapons frightened the crowd and finally opened up a passable path for Yuan Ming to walk through.

Even so, there were still many people crowded on both sides of the road. The restaurants and teahouses on the street also opened their windows. The diners came to the windows and curiously looked at the situation outside when they saw Yuan Ming being escorted past. , everyone was inexplicably excited.

Soon, news spread throughout the capital that Yuan Ming, the only son of Zhennan General Yuan Zuochong, the best-selling author in the capital, had returned safely from southern Xinjiang after missing for several years.

Jingbei General's Mansion, Jingbei Marquis Zhao Jisheng stepped out of the carriage with the help of his servants, and was about to enter the mansion when he heard the noise coming from the street avenue.

He frowned slightly, and immediately there were soldiers beside him who went to inquire about the news.

After a while, the soldier returned with the information. After listening to his report, a trace of surprise flashed across Zhao Jisheng's face, and then he smiled sincerely.

"Hey, boy Yuan, let me just say that he is blessed with great fortune!"

He waved his hand to the side: "Come, prepare a gift to send to the Yuan Mansion, and also send a greeting note, saying that I will visit you soon."

At the same time, the shopkeeper of Tianming Book Club was arranging manpower to put the hardcover version of "Sheng Gongzi's Journey to the South" on the sold-out bookshelf, when a clerk suddenly stumbled in.

"Shopkeeper, it's big, there's something big!"

"Why are you making such a fuss? What if you disturb the guests?" the book club owner scolded.

The waiter was out of breath. He rested on his knees for a moment, then swallowed and said, "Good news, the shopkeeper is Mr. Yuan. Mr. Yuan is back!"

"Master Yuan? Which Yuan..."

The shopkeeper of the book club was stunned, then stepped forward and grabbed the clerk's arm: "You are talking about Yuan Ming, Master Yuan, right?"

"That's him. Rumors are going crazy on the street that Mr. Yuan has gone through many hardships and returned from southern Xinjiang!" The waiter nodded quickly.

The shopkeeper of the book club immediately laughed: "Okay, okay! Quick, arrange people to go out and promote it immediately, saying that in order to celebrate Mr. Yuan's return, all books in the store will be sold at 10% off... No, they will be sold at 20% off!"

At his order, the clerks in the store quickly dispersed, and the owner of the book club couldn't express the excitement in his eyes.

Your Majesty, Mr. Yuan is finally back!

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