Nightwatcher

As more and more poems were copied, Xu Qi'an gradually figured out the knack of "showing the sage" as a scholar, answering what others ask, this is something that melon skin can do.

Be sure to whet your appetite, whet your appetite.

Just like it is now, from number four to the drinker, from the drinker to the oiran, and from the oiran to the maid serving at the banquet, they are all watching him, waiting and waiting.

In full view of everyone, Xu Qi'an got up and paced in the hall. After seven steps, he stopped and said leisurely: "Ten years of sharpening a sword."

Chu Yuanzhen was startled, he just said that he was raising a sword, Xu Qi'an immediately said this, and he didn't run away, this poem was written for him.

No. 4 was immediately moved. He had never met Xu Qi'an before, and after a few chats with him, he was willing to compose poems for him. It was really ashamed to be so friendly and enthusiastic.

No. 3 is a chivalrous and courageous scholar. Although he has some minor problems of chasing profit, he is generally a person worth making friends with. His cousin is more honest-hearted than him, and he is indeed a brother.

At the same time, Chu Yuanzhen thought of the example of Layman Ziyang, and his heart became a little hot. He is also a scholar and loves poetry. When he encounters such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, he has no reason not to look forward to it.

Xu Qi'an looked around at the crowd, and read out the second sentence: "Shuangren has never tried it."

After ten years of sharpening a sword, the frost blade has never tried. The officials present chewed on this poem, smiling and their eyes shining.

This couplet is neat in antithesis, and it is not as good as Xu Qi'an's previous poems in terms of charm or artistic conception, but the charm of poetry is not only in charm and artistic conception.

After ten years of sharpening a sword, I have never tried the frost blade!

In a short sentence, ambition and pride are vivid on paper. After ten years of sharpening his sword, this pretentious spirit can only be written by a character like him who has achieved his ambition at a young age.

Chu Yuanzhen's eyes were bright, he straightened his waist unconsciously, half bent over the desk, and made a posture of leaning forward, looking forward to the next couplet.

So apt, so apt.

He traveled all over the years, opened his eyes, and raised his sword energy. This Renzong's top-grade magic weapon has always been hidden in the scabbard, and has never been displayed.

It will eventually come out of its sheath, but Chu Yuanzhen himself never thought about what would happen in the future to make him pull out this sword.

It wasn't until recently that Dao Shou of Renzong sent a letter with a flying sword to call him back to face Li Miaozhen, a disciple of Tianzong, that Chu Yuanzhen suddenly realized that he was waiting for this time.

It's just how much regret in my heart, this sword will definitely shake the earth when it is drawn out of the sheath, and it is not his wish to use it to kill Li Miaozhen.

"What is the second league? After ten years of sharpening a sword, under what circumstances will it be unsheathed?"

Chu Yuanzhen murmured in his heart, full of eagerness to "learn from others".

At this time, Xu Qi'an shook his head and sighed: "I haven't thought about the next couplet yet."

"!!!"

"This, why is this gone? It can't be without it. How can a poem only have the first couplet."

"Master Xu, don't be willful, we are still waiting."

"What is the second line, you think again, think again"

In the hall, everyone's eyes widened, unable to accept this fact.

Xu Qi'an spread his hands, held the wine glass and went back to the table, he said helplessly: "I really didn't think about it, how about this, I'll make half of the song first, and I'll make up the other half for Brother Chu later, how about it?"

"That's the only way to go." Chu Yuanzhen said disappointedly.

Everyone reluctantly accepted this result.

The drinking orders continued, although Ya Ling was elegant, but the atmosphere was a bit dull, Fu Xiang proposed punching, which was unanimously approved by everyone.

The oirans accompanied the drinkers to boxing and had a great time.

"Why don't we play pot throwing."

Chu Zhuangyuan, who had no beauties around him, proposed.

This banquet is specially for him to cleanse the dust, he is the protagonist of the banquet, he has the final say.

There are rules for throwing pots. It is very simple. A pot is placed in the hall, and the drinkers each shoot three arrows. Those who miss are fined with alcohol. Those who hit the pot can order anyone in the field to drink.

After a few rounds, this group of high-status officials got slightly drunk, and gradually changed from game participants to bystanders, and then from bystanders to cheering crowd.

On the court, only Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen were throwing pots, and they were sure to hit every one. The two seemed to be angry, and neither of them would admit defeat.

The oirans were waving their flags and shouting, if either Xu Qi'an or Chu Yuanzhen made a shot, they would cheer loudly, their faces flushed with excitement.

Such a wonderful duel of throwing pots is very rare.

In the beginning, the oirans were able to treat them fairly and did not favor any side. Slowly, the twelve oirans were divided into two camps, one side supported Chu Yuanzhen, and the other side was Xu Qian’s fans were all women Xu Qian had slept with. Xiang, Mingyan, Xiaoya, etc.

"You can't tell the winner if you play like this, I suggest blindfolding." Xu Qi'an said.

Chu Yuanzhen pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Even if you are blindfolded, every shot is sure to hit. My suggestion is that each person has 20 arrows, and whoever shoots first will win."

can play!

The eyes of the drinkers and oirans lit up, and they all agreed.

Fu Xiang ordered the maid to fetch the silk scarf, and blindfolded the two of them. Xu Qi'an found that the silk scarf was hazy, with good light transmission, and the outline of the barnacles could be vaguely seen.

He turned around silently, with his back to the field.

Chu Yuanzhen was taken aback for a moment, shook his head with a smile, and also turned his back.

The atmosphere on the field became more active. Not only did they cover their faces, but they also turned around. They had never seen this kind of play before.

"How to play this." Ming Yan said softly, "Who can hit the target!"

Another oiran giggled coquettishly: "Whoever wins between the two adults, Ming Yan will serve whoever he is tonight."

Ming Yan blushed and gave a "bah", and secretly looked at Xu Qi'an.

Xu Qi'an habitually said hi, blindfolded his eyes and laughed loudly: "No, no, there are too few top prizes, I want all of you."

The oirans were not at all afraid, and responded with a smile: "Master Xu, I'm afraid he will go to the yamen with his hand against the wall tomorrow."

There was a "boom" of laughter, Yingying Yanyan.

"No. 3 declined my proposal. He seems to be a decent person who never goes to the Jiaofang Division. As a big brother, he is just the opposite."

Chu Yuanzhen sighed in his heart, this Xu Qi'an is indeed a romantic person, he is like a fish in water in the teaching workshop, he is more open than any scholar.

For the current scholar-bureaucrats, the Jiaofangsi and the brothel are more of a place to socialize, drink and socialize with colleagues and classmates, and the restaurant is a place for ordinary people to go. For those with real status, the first choice is the Jiaofangsi.

There is a talented oiran serving as the commander, and a handsome and well-behaved maid serving wine, this is the face.

But scholars and bureaucrats take their face into consideration and will not be too unrestrained, this Xu Qi'an is different.

"Death under the peony flower is also romantic!" Xu Qi'an put his arms around Fuxiang's waist.

The sudden golden sentence made everyone present secretly admire, how this person's talent is so terrifying, good sentences and good poems come out of nowhere.

If this person studies, he will become a great Confucian.

Xu Pingzhi is not a son of man.

"Boom!"

An arrow was accurately thrown into the barnacle, interrupting everyone's divergent thoughts and returning their attention.

Xu Qi'an, who finished casting one, smiled and said, "Brother Chu, it's started."

"Okay!" Chu Yuanzhen responded lightly.

While speaking, he casually threw an arrow back and hit it with precision.

"Wow"

Ming Yan exclaimed and widened his eyes.

boom boom boom

Xu Qi'an and Chu Yuanzhen each had an arrow, and each shot was sure to hit, and every time they hit an arrow, the oirans exclaimed, feeling that their eyes were wide open.

Tossing the pot is just a small game, but it was played by the two of them.

One after another, when Xu Qi'an finished casting his tenth ball, Chu Yuanzhen had already voted for thirteen balls, and there were only seven balls left in his hand.

When Xu Qi'an had five sticks left in his hand, Chu Yuanzhen only had two sticks left in his hand.

It seems that the victory has been decided.

Fu Xiang and Ming Yan, the oirans who supported Xu Qi'an's expressions darkened, unable to hide their disappointment.

And the oirans who supported Chu Yuanzhen applauded in advance, giving applause to the number one scholar in the twenty-seventh year of Yuanjing.

The officials watching around seemed to have expected this result a long time ago, and their smiles were the weakest.

Chu Yuanzhen is a legendary figure. When he was still a student, he already stood out from the crowd among his classmates. He was outstanding in talent and appearance. Afterwards, he abandoned literature and practiced Taoism.

But who would have thought that in just a few years, he would soar into the sky and challenge the golden gong Zhang Kaitai. Although he was defeated, he was honored by Wei Yuan as the number one swordsman in the capital.

Such a peerless genius, in their opinion, is naturally more brilliant than a Xu Qi'an who can investigate cases.

At this time, Chu Yuanzhen had already thrown the penultimate arrow, which accurately entered the pot.

Fu Xiang pursed her lips, looked away from the barnacle, and glanced at Xu Qi'an, she was surprised to find that the corner of this man's mouth was slightly raised.

He is sure? !

As soon as the idea came up, Fu Xiang saw a ridiculous scene, Xu Qi'an threw the five arrows in his hand at the same time, they drew a neat arc in the air, and entered the pot perfectly.

The five arrows have only one voice: Boom!

The hall fell into silence for an instant, and the eyes widened.

That's okay too?

"Ah!" Ming Yan cheered, and jumped into Xu Qi'an's arms excitedly: "Master Xu, I love you so much."

Fuxiang frowned again and again.

"Amazing skills." A censor exclaimed in admiration.

"It turns out that throwing pots can also be played like this, which is an eye-opener." Another official echoed with a smile.

The oirans looked at Xu Qi'an with admiration.

Chu Yuanzhen took off the silk scarf, smiled, "Awesome."

The tea circle lasted until the beginning of Haishi (nine o'clock in the evening), and the oirans yawned and got up to say goodbye, with their skirts fluttering and their figures light.

Although a little sleepy, the beauties are still full of ideas. They think it is very interesting to have Xu Qi'an and the number one swordsman in the capital. It is a pity that such high-quality guests cannot be met every day.

Ming Yan secretly wrote in Xu Qi'an's palm, and seduced him to go to his Qingchiyuan, but Fuxiang stabbed him with a few words, and then drove him away.

Chu Yuanzhen didn't stay overnight in the Jiaofang Division, so he took his leave and left. Xu Qi'an personally sent him out of the hospital.

Number four is too indifferent, free and easy, and has the character of a scholar. I can't find a chance to let him die socially! Xu Qi'an looked at the back of the blue-clothed swordsman, feeling very regretful.

However, scholars have their weaknesses, such as poetry.

He hid the second line first, and then took it out when the time was right.

Leaving the maidservant to clean up the mess, Fu Xiang took Xu Qi'an's arm into the bedroom, Xu Qi'an was sitting at the table drinking tea, his ears moved, and he heard Zhong Li's voice transmission.

He turned his head and glanced at the screen, her graceful shadow was reflected in the candlelight, cast on the screen, she was taking off her dresses one by one, and changing into light gauze.

While taking a bath, Xu Qi'an suddenly said:

"I will redeem you in a few days."

Fu Xiang was stunned for a moment, complex colors flashed across Lingxiu's eyes, she quickly settled down, and said with a light smile: "Xu Lang has just become a viscount, and now taking concubines is not good for your reputation."

"It's okay." Xu Qi'an put his arms around his slippery waist and said with a smile.

After taking a bath, he and Fuxiang rolled on the bed, and when they were lingering, they suddenly heard a "click", followed by a feeling of weightlessness.

The bed collapsed.

Fu Xiang clung to Xu Qi'an in surprise, her long legs like a white python tightly wrapped around his waist, and she jumped in shock.

Zhong Li, I want to return the goods to the supervisor!

Xu Qi'an was furious.

After leaving Yingmei Xiaoge, Chu Yuanzhen waved his sword finger, and the long sword on his back seemed to come alive, and it escaped from its restraint like a fish swimming, and stopped in front of him.

Chu Yuanzhen stepped on the scabbard and said softly, "Let's go."

The long sword paused slightly, pierced the night sky suddenly, and soared upwards.

The moment he flew into the night sky, Chu Yuanzhen felt countless eyes locked on him in the capital, and then moved away. One of the gazes that sent the chills down his spine the most came from the towering star tower.

He quickly left the inner city and flew towards the south of the outer city.

If I remember correctly, No. 6 Hengyuan was in the Yangshengtang. He lowered his height and searched for a long time, and finally found the Yangshengtang in Nancheng.

Chu Yuanzhen was not a native of the capital city. He studied in the Imperial College, was a Jinshi and passed the degree, and had been living in the inner city. I have never been to the outer city where the poor gather.

Pressing down on the tip of the sword, it landed lightly in the courtyard of the Yangsheng Hall. When he jumped off the scabbard, he heard the sound of chanting the Buddha's name from under the eaves:

"Amitabha."

Chu Yuanzhen grasped the hilt of the sword, put the sword back into the pouch behind his back, followed the sound, and in the darkness under the eaves, stood a monk wearing a blue plain robe, with a burly figure, thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a rigid face .

"Master Hengyuan?" Chu Yuanzhen greeted with a smile.

"It's the poor monk, and the benefactor is No. 4?" Heng Yuan clasped his hands together and examined him quietly.

The two people who met for the first time did not appear very calm, neither close nor unfamiliar. Heng Yuan led Chu Yuanzhen into the house, lit the oil lamp, carried out a jar of wine from under the bed, and dug out two porcelain bowls. Simply wipe off dust with the sleeve.

Chu Yuanzhen never said no to wine, he drank it immediately, but was a little curious: "Can Buddhist disciples drink alcohol?"

Hengyuan replied calmly: "Monks don't taboo meat and vegetables."

There is also a subtext in this sentence: monks do not need to keep precepts.

"I met number three today."

Chu Yuanzhen felt a little regretful that he didn't bring peanuts, he had wine but no food, and always felt that something was missing.

Hengyuan nodded.

"No. 3 pretended not to know me. With his ingenuity, he believed that he recognized me at that time. I don't know why he pretended not to know me."

Chu Yuanzhen shook his head helplessly, and said, "The eighth-rank cultivation level is a bit shallow."

However, he knew the secret of No. 3, No. 3 was related to the Qingqi of the Sub-Holy Temple, and he couldn't simply look at the surface when dealing with No. 3.

Master Hengyuan took a sip of wine and said in a deep voice, "Compared to No. 3, the poor monk has a better relationship with Mr. Xu. You may not know that he didn't die in Yunzhou."

After No. 6 finished explaining Xu Qi'an's resurrection from death, Chu Yuanzhen nodded: "Although the Taibo Pill is good, but the restrictions are too great, he can survive only by his own luck.

"I just met Xu Qi'an in the Jiaofang Division. I have a good impression of him. I think it's because you have discussed too many times in the fragments of the book from the ground, so I don't feel unfamiliar with him."

After a pause, Number Four smiled and said, "I've never gotten along with Number Three, but Xu Qi'an really likes me."

After drinking the turbid wine in the altar, Chu Yuanzhen proposed to go and see the child. After watching, his expression was quite depressed.

"Although I don't like Buddhism, they are right in saying that the world is like a sea of ​​suffering, and all living beings are struggling in the sea of ​​suffering." Chu Yuanzhen said with emotion.

Master Hengyuan glanced at him.

Chu Yuanzhen hurriedly said, "No offense intended."

Only then did Hengyuan look away.

"The second test will be held in three days. Let's go and see No. 3 together." Heng Yuan said, "No. 3 is not willing to reveal his identity to us. He said that if we meet, we just need to meet and smile."

"That's it." Chu Yuanzhen suddenly realized.

In a flash, three days passed.

At dawn, Xu Erlang, accompanied by his family, arrived at the Gongyuan.

"The Ninth Grade of Confucianism has the ability to never forget. This test is about the classics and righteousness. Erlang must have no pressure." Xu Qi'an patted him on the shoulder and encouraged him.

Uncle Xu and Auntie smiled.

According to Erlang himself, he performed very well in the first day's strategic questioning. He was already good at strategic questioning, and there were not too many problems in the second round.

In the eyes of the second uncle and aunt, Erlang's becoming a Gongshi is already a sure thing.

Xu Nian raised his chin slightly, and said arrogantly: "There are many talented people in the world. Don't be negligent. There may be some who are stronger than me."

Perhaps Xu Qian also said that you are better at pretending to be aggressive.

Saying goodbye to his family, he walked towards the entrance of the Gongyuan, intending to line up to enter the arena. At this moment, a loud voice came from his ear: "Amitabha."

Xu Nian turned his head and saw two people standing on the side of the street, one was a burly monk and the other was a swordsman in blue.

After seeing him, both the monk and the swordsman showed secretive smiles.

Xu Xinian's face froze, he lowered his head, and hurried back to his father and elder brother, feeling a sense of security in his heart.

"Father, brother, I suspect that someone is plotting against me." Xu Nian said in a deep voice.

Xu Pingzhi immediately raised his eyebrows when he heard the words, his eyes were like lightning: "Who?"

He is the imperial sword guard who patrols the city, and he knows that a large number of knight-errants have poured into the capital recently, which is an extremely unstable factor for public security.

The most obvious thing is that there are more gentlemen in the Liang Dynasty. Those low-ranking people in the capital have spent all their money in the capital and have no money to make a living. The first choice is to steal and rob.

"A monk, a swordsman." Xu Nian turned around and pointed to somewhere behind.

Xu Qi'an looked at it for a moment and said, "Who is there?"

"???"

Xu Nian showed a look of horror: "It was there just now."

"Okay, I also said that you are not under pressure, I think you are hallucinating." Xu Qi'an patted the younger brother's shoulder and said:

"Erlang, those who don't know, those who behave strangely, you must not talk to them."

With that said, he put his hand behind Xu New Year's back.

Xu Erlang looked behind himself, puzzled and said, "Brother, what do you mean by that?"

"It's okay, help you carry the pot back."

PS: The cleaning is over today, I am drenched, I feel dizzy for a while, I almost fainted, so I turned on the air conditioner to save my life. It's so damn hot.