Chapter 149 Outside the City Gate
At the end of Haishi.
Outside the south gate of Qingcheng, on the edge of the moat.
There was darkness all around, and even the river was calm, quietly reflecting the crescent moon in the sky.
Chu Tang stood on the bridge of the moat, with no one around him. Looking at the scattered lights flickering on the top of the city and the tightly closed city gate, he couldn't help but complain: "How ruthless! You really don't want to give me anything." Open the door!"
As he said that, he looked at his men who were busy setting up camp by the river. They were very busy, and under the light of the torches, figures were moving.
"Alas! We've already reached the edge of the city, and we still have to sleep in the open air!" Chu Tang sighed again, and couldn't help but cursed at the city gate again, "These rigid guys!"
Who was scolded?
It was the officers and soldiers guarding the city!
He didn't expect that Zhou Xiang's words came true. He rushed to Qingcheng overnight, but was blocked outside the door and couldn't get in.
It's not that they didn't call the door. Of course they shouted to the officers and soldiers on the top of the city, but no matter what they said, they wouldn't open the door.
Just one sentence: After Xu Shi, the city gate is closed. No one can enter or exit the city gate without a warrant from the governor of Qingcheng!
Even if Chu Tang and the others revealed their identities and took out customs clearance documents, the officers and soldiers remained unmoved.
They had no choice but to camp on the spot, spend the night by the moat, and wait until the city gate opened the next day before entering.
One can imagine Chu Tang's depression.
In fact, the city gate is not a problem at all for his current Qinggong movement. The city wall is only six or seven feet high. In front of Tiyun Zong, it is only a matter of two or three moves.
He could regard these city walls as nothing, as if they were walking on flat ground.
But no matter how good he was in Qinggong, he would never be able to lead Su Qingyue and so many people over the wall without alerting the officers and soldiers in the city.
It has to be said that although Chu Tang has adapted to this world for two or three years, he still hates regulations such as curfews.
Very uncomfortable anyway!
After staring at the dark city wall in a daze for a moment, with the cool night wind blowing his long hair, Chu Tang slowly came back to his senses. He heard footsteps and turned around to see Zhou Xiang walking quickly.
"Board leader, Miss Su, please come over here." Zhou Xiang informed him of his intention.
"Su Qingyue?" Chu Tang turned his head and looked into the distance. The tent barracks had not yet been set up, and Su Qingyue was still waiting in the car.
"Did Miss Su say something?" Chu Tang asked.
Zhou Xiang shook his head and said: "I didn't say it clearly, I just asked me to invite the class leader to come over."
"Well, I'll go take a look right now." Chu Tang nodded, and immediately walked quickly down the river bridge and headed towards the carriage.
While walking, Chu Tang asked Zhou Xiang: "How long will it take to set up camp?"
Zhou Xiang replied: "The barracks of the squad leader and Miss Su can be set up soon. According to the squad leader's requirements, the two tents are built next to each other. It will take some effort to build all the barracks, which will take half a stick of incense."
Chu Tang explained: "Let the brothers speed up and take a rest as soon as possible."
Zhou Xiang responded, hesitating for a moment and then said: "Board leader, actually we can walk half a mile back. There are village houses there where you can stay overnight, and it's not far from the city gate. No one should dare to make mistakes."
Chu Tang stopped, looked at Zhou Xiang, then pointed in the direction of the city gate, and said: "You have also seen the attitude of these gatekeepers. There is a document from Gui County to prove it, and the name of the Su family, a powerful family in the city, is mentioned. They didn’t even give you a look at the door latch. Do you think they would come out to help if there was something going on?”
Zhou Xiang was speechless.
Chu Tang sighed and said: "Brother Zhou, if you travel a hundred miles, you have to be more careful. The last moment, the more cautious we must be. Do brothers have complaints and want you to come to me to argue?"
"No, it's my own idea!" Zhou Xiang said quickly.
Chu Tang laughed and said: "You don't have to lie to me. First, you have to travel all night, and then you have to camp outdoors when you get to the city gate. I also have objections. However, as your squad leader, I have to consider your safety. I I would rather you work harder than lose your life inexplicably! You have seen how powerful the Cheng family is, don’t take it lightly, let alone take chances!”
Zhou Xiang hummed and said, "Don't worry, squad leader, I will explain it to my brothers."
Chu Tang patted him on the shoulder and said: "Thank you for your hard work! Once Miss Su is successfully delivered to her destination and the job is completed, I will give you two days off and let the brothers have fun in the prosperous place of Qingcheng. .”
Zhou Xiang was overjoyed and said with a smile: "The class leader is still interesting! Then I will thank the class leader for his kindness on behalf of the brothers!"
"Get out!" Chu Tang told him to go to work, but continued to stride to the carriage.
The horse is tied to a stake.
The carriage was unloaded, with the frame underneath, and parked on a relatively flat grassy area beside the moat.
"Miss Su, Mr. Chu is here." Chu Tang did not open the curtain rashly, but stood aside and shouted inside.
With a crash, the door curtain opened, revealing a small round face.
Miss Xiaoyou poked her little head out of the inside and saw Chu Tang. She smiled brightly and her eyes were full of admiration. She waved happily: "Boss Chu, come closer. Miss, do you want to discuss something with you?"
"Discuss?" Chu Tang was stunned, saying that Miss Su didn't want to see him. If she didn't show his face during the whole journey, he would be like Amitabha. He never thought that the other party would take the initiative to talk to her.
Besides, there was nothing to discuss along the way. Now we have arrived at the gate of Qingcheng. We can enter the city tomorrow, so we didn’t think of discussing anything?
After staring at the door curtain for a while, there was no movement inside except Xiaoyou who opened half of the curtain to look at him.
It seemed that Su Qingyue did not intend to show up.
For some reason, Chu Tang was a little dissatisfied. Along the way, Su Qingyue kept covering her face with a veil, not showing her true face.
For more than ten days and months, he didn't even know what the other person looked like!
This bodyguard failed too much.
Save your loneliness!
Is this the reserve of a daughter from a wealthy family?
Thinking of this, Chu Tang immediately asked with a smile: "Miss Su, what are your instructions? Chu is all ears."
Xiaoyou was slightly startled after hearing this, and looked at Chu Tang with an unpredictable expression, feeling a little baffled.
But before she said anything, Su Qingyue's clear voice sounded from inside the carriage: "Boss Chu, are you very impatient with the little lady?"
"Don't dare!" Chu Tang's voice rose a little, "Miss Su is not only a young lady from a century-old family in Qingcheng, but also the daughter of the prefect of Gui County. How dare Chu take care of her?"
With a crash, Su Qingyue suddenly opened the curtain on the other side of the car, stuck her head out, looked at Chu Tang carefully, and said, "I can see that you have a problem with me!"
Most of the night, she still wore a veil on her face, revealing only her smooth forehead and a pair of bright eyes.
His eyes were watery, as if he could speak, and he looked at Chu Tang with a look of confusion and depression.
Chu Tang actually smiled and said: "Miss Su is afraid that she is telling the opposite. She should be the one who has a lot of opinions about Chu!"
Su Qingyue was surprised, and finally said: "Boss Chu is right, the little girl is prejudiced against you. Do you know why?"
"Why?"
"Just because you are overbearing and arbitrary and you didn't consult me before making any arrangements, I feel very unhappy!"
Chu Tang was stunned for a moment, is it so direct?
Su Qingyue added: "I am a weak woman, I don't know any martial arts, and I only know a few words after studying for a few years. Can't I hate someone just because I am unhappy?"
Chu Tang stared at Su Qingyue's serious eyes, trying to discern something from them, but other than being serious, the other person was just——
Well, the eyes are beautiful!
The eyebrows are like dark blue, and the double eyelids are like crescent moons, big and round, and the dark eyes are like water in a deep pool, with an indescribable charm.
"Yes! If you hate Chu, of course there is no problem!" Chu Tang laughed, "Chu is not a gold and silver jewellery, so it is impossible for everyone to like him!"
He suddenly felt bored and ashamed of his inexplicable mood just now.
He was also crazy, and he was angry with a little girl of fifteen or sixteen years old!
I'm not from the world, and I usually don't want to meet strangers, so what's wrong with wearing a veil?
Maybe you do mean to look down on him, but so what?
Does he, Chu Tang, need the favor of a mere little girl?
Soon, Chu Tang calmed down.
"Miss Su, it's all Chu's fault!" Chu Tang apologized, "Let's get down to business. What does Miss Su want to discuss with Chu?"
Su Qingyue's eyes were confused for a moment, and she couldn't figure out why the man in front of her looked so sinister just now, and why he suddenly changed his face to one that seemed easy to discuss.
"Miss Su?" Chu Tang once again woke up the confused Su Qingyue.
"Oh!" Su Qingyue came to her senses after Xiaoyou pulled her clothes and coughed slightly. Just as she was about to speak, she was interrupted by Xiaoyou: "Boss Chu, our young lady has a weak body and is suffering from injuries." No wind. The night is cool after the rain and the wind is strong by the river. Can you let us put down the car curtain and talk through the curtain?"
"No need!" Su Qingyue pressed Xiaoyou's shoulders and said stubbornly, "It's just a word, it won't be a matter of life and death."
Xiaoyou didn't dare to say anything, but looked at Chu Tang with pleading eyes.
Chu Tang felt that Xiaoyou was like an innocent kitten, eagerly waiting for the owner's favor. She couldn't help but smile and said: "Miss Su, Chu is used to talking to you through the curtain along the way. Let's just keep it as usual."
"Thank you, Captain Chu!" When Xiaoyou heard this, without waiting for Su Qingyue to say anything, he immediately lowered the curtain and pulled his young lady back into the carriage.
Chu Tang didn't take it seriously, but wondered in his heart: "My body is so weak that I can't even bear the night breeze. What kind of disease is this? It's like this in summer, but in winter, wouldn't half of my life be gone?" "
Of course, if he had doubts in his mind, it was not convenient for him to ask.
"I came to Team Leader Chu to ask, after entering Qingcheng tomorrow, can you not go to Wutong Academy for the time being, but send me back to Su's house first?" Su Qingyue's voice interrupted Chu Tang. reverie.
Chu Tang was greatly surprised when he heard this and asked, "Miss Su, are you going back to Su's house to inform you about Cheng Feng's interception today?"
Su Qingyue sighed quietly: "Although the little girl doesn't know martial arts, she is a member of the Su family after all. It is better for the elders in the family to understand the attitude of the Cheng family and take precautions."
Chu Tang pondered for a moment and asked: "Miss Su, what Chu wants to know is whether your father has noticed that the conflict between the Su and Cheng families cannot be eased?"
Su Qingyue hesitated for a moment and then said: "To be honest with Squad Leader Chu, this is why my father asked Squad Leader Chu to send me to Wutong Academy. I don't know martial arts, and the academy can protect the students in it."
Chu Tang immediately said: "The Su and Cheng families are known as the Sixth Realm aristocratic family. If Wutong Academy can provide Miss Su with shelter, does it mean that there are masters of the Sixth Realm or above in charge of the academy?"
"Team Leader Chu reacted so quickly!" Su Qingyue spoke a little faster, "The dean of the academy is a six-level warrior and my mother's best friend for many years. As long as I don't go out of the academy, the Su and Cheng families will fight each other alive. Even if I die, the dean can protect me."
"Six realms..." Chu Tang's tone became much more serious.
No wonder Su Hong didn't let him send Su Qingyue back to the Su family in Qingcheng, but directly sent her to Wutong Academy by name, all for the sake of Su Qingyue's safety.
Parents love their children and have far-reaching plans.
Even though Su Hong was the magistrate of a county, he was not exempt from the vulgarity, and he racked his brains to find a way out for Su Qingyue.
It seems that Guijun is not safe either...
"Perhaps Su Hong just realized that the Guijun Yamen was not safe, so he sent Su Qingyue away in a hurry." Chu Tang muttered secretly, "When gods fight, mortals suffer? It seems that the energy of the Cheng family cannot be underestimated. Su Hong, an official in the imperial court, has to be afraid of them jumping over the wall in a hurry. The Su family...Wutong Academy..."
Chu Tang smiled bitterly. He didn't want to mess with this muddy water at all.
But now it seems that he is involved.
"No!" Chu Tang felt very unhappy again, "This Su Qingyue is a big trouble, it's better to get rid of it as soon as possible! What nonsense, the Su family, of course, go to Wutong Academy! Send people to the academy, let me forget about this errand It’s done, what happens next, what does it have to do with me?”
Thinking of this, Chu Tang considered his words and said: "Miss Su, in Chu's opinion, you should go directly to Wutong Academy. There are three reasons. Please listen to me slowly."
"First, your father, Mr. Su, ordered Chu to send Miss Su directly to Wutong Academy, which must have been carefully considered. He did not let Miss Su return to the Su family, nor did he ask anyone from the Su family to come and take care of her. He probably did not want to cause any complications. . As a child, how can you violate the wishes of your parents? It is extremely unfilial!
"Second, for Miss Su, Wutong Academy is the safest. Even the Su family is not safe. The so-called gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, but still does it despite knowing the danger. That is not bravery, but stupidity. How unwise!
"Thirdly, in fact, whether Miss Su returns to the Su family or not does not affect the transmission of the news. In at least one day, Cheng Feng's failure to intercept and kill Miss Su will spread throughout Qingcheng, and the Su family will be able to find out by then. ? Maybe someone will be sent to the academy to question Miss Su. You can say whatever you want then. In this case, going directly to the academy is no different from returning to the Su family. Of course, safety comes first! "
In order to dispel Su Qingyue's tormenting thoughts, Chu Tang used his sharp tongue to speak as eloquently as he could. He reasoned in a serious manner and advised with sincerity.
After Su Qingyue listened, she was silent for a long time, and finally said angrily: "You are threatening and tempting. You have already said both good and bad things. What else can this little girl say?"
Chu Tang smiled, rubbed his hands and said, "Safety first, safety first!"
Just when he was about to say something more, Zhou Xiang came to report: The tents and barracks have been set up, and the squad leader and the lady are invited to rest.
Chu Tang immediately said proudly: "Miss Su, Miss Xiaoyou, you two just have a good rest tonight. Tomorrow Chu will definitely send you two to Wutong Academy without any injuries!"
"We will listen to Squad Leader Chu's arrangements!" Xiaoyou, who was much more sensible than her lady, agreed immediately, opened the curtain again, helped Su Qingyue out of the car, and urged Zhou Xiang to lead the way to the barracks.
The three of them were in front of them, followed by Chu Tang.
After taking two steps, Chu Tang turned his head and glanced at Qingcheng, which was dozens of feet away with winding walls like mountains. There was only one voice in his heart: I hope everything goes well!
Qingcheng is very big.
The Su family is in the east of the city, and Wutong Academy is in the north of the city.
And they are now at the south gate!
Chu Tang suddenly felt heroic again: Tomorrow, I will go to the city and take a look at the prosperity of the center of Liangzhou!