Chapter 78: Fortune and Disaster
February 22nd
Shen Kuo took the letter and hurried into the gate. Several spies were mumbling and looking indignant, saying that the case was closed, but they had to go out to patrol outside the west gate. Shen Kuo asked what kind of temporary business they had and why they had to go out of the city so late. He also felt strange when he heard Xiao Yi say that he would leave the city overnight. Normally, the city gate would have been closed at this time.
The two messengers said that Shen Kuo had been missing for a day and they were unaware of some new events that had happened.
Shen Kuo asked anxiously what was going on. The messenger said that the great Nuo master who had shaken the bell six days ago and driven away the bad luck in the palace would be back tomorrow to bury the evil spirit in Yuqing Palace.
Originally, it was just a routine ritual, and the evil spirit would be buried every few years. But this time, the court wanted to add drama, and planned to burn Wang Ze's head outside the Yuqing Palace when the Nuo master returned to the court, and then bury the evil spirit brought by the Nuo master and the thief's ashes under the stone slab of the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace to suppress it forever. Since the Maitreya Sect rose up because of Wang Ze's evil magic, it must be ended by crushing his bones and scattering his ashes, which can be regarded as a conclusion to the hat monster incident that has been going on for more than a month.
They were afraid of a large crowd and chaos if they went now. Shen Kuo was also curious. With the capital so tense now, who would dare to go out of the city at night to watch the excitement?
The messenger said that there were actually quite a few people who wanted to watch this ritual. It was all because of one thing, because of the "Heavenly Book" hanging in the main hall of Yuqing Zhaoying Palace.
The messenger also said that the "Book of Heaven" was hung on the beam of the house, with a stone slab underneath. Every few years, when the great Nuo master entered the palace to exorcise evil spirits, or traveled around the world to drive away evil spirits, he would bring the evil spirits lured by the copper bell back to the Yuqing Zhaoying Palace and suppress them under the stone slab.
Therefore, as long as the "Book of Heaven" is still there, the twelve words written on the silk that wrapped the "Book of Heaven" back then: "Zhao received the mandate, prospered in Song, lasted for seven hundred years, and was settled at the age of ninety-nine" will always be able to reassure people's hearts.
The Heavenly Book says that the Song Dynasty will last for 700 generations, which is still a long time ago. In fact, the hat monster had caused trouble thirty years ago. The Maitreya sect had also been suppressed in Hebei, and Wang Ze was eventually beheaded, with his head in the arsenal. So in front of the destiny, these monsters may only be a minor problem for a while. It is precisely to deepen this idea and correct people's hearts that the court is preparing to organize a big event. It would be best if the whole world knew that as long as the Heavenly Book is still there, the Song Dynasty will have no worries.
Shen Kuo was also amused when he heard such an absurd explanation. The government was trying to use this set of supernatural operations to rob Peter to pay Paul. However, Maitreyaism has not collapsed. You want to defeat magic with magic, but you have not asked them if they agree. This "Heavenly Book" that was probably forged by the previous emperor has become the last card to maintain the destiny of the Song Dynasty. If it is played carelessly and Maitreyaism counterattacks, the last credit of the Song Dynasty will be lost, and the consequences are hard to say.
He sighed and went upstairs without washing or eating dinner. He quickly opened the letter Huailiang left for him.
There were only a few sheets of paper in the letter, each with a picture and a few words on it.
The first piece of paper shows a pile of circles, with big circles enclosing small circles, and small circles enclosing smaller circles. There are thin lines connecting the circles. There are tiny notes on the edge:
The ingenious object made by Yu Hao is called "Slender Cage and Floating Lantern". Here is a rough outline: the sky is round and the earth is flat, the lines are made of bamboo and the weft is made of bamboo. When it is put down, it looks like a plaque, and when it is lifted up, it becomes a basket.
Obviously this was something Huailiang wanted to remind himself of.
It looks like a bunch of circular frames of different sizes woven with bamboo, which are of different sizes but are put together.
Since it is "the warp and the weft of bamboo, lift it to form a basket." It can be guessed that as long as the innermost small circle is lifted, this thing that looks like a bamboo plaque on the ground will immediately become a basket-like object. The flat bamboo circle is the warp, which is also the frame structure of the basket, and the thin rope pulled straight upward becomes the weft connecting these frames. This is a clever design that saves space, but what is the use?
On the second sheet of paper, the bamboo basket was covered with paper. It seemed to be a human head, because there was a gap at the eyes and mouth, but the nose still had nostrils. There was also a strange opening at each temple, connected to the "blowing fan". Shen Kuo suddenly had a bad premonition and couldn't wait to read the last page, but he saw that the human head had already taken shape, not only with a mouth and eyes, but also with eyelids and lips that could open and close. You can see that there is a fireball in the mouth. Small words are written on the edge:
Putting burning objects in the mouth can, on the one hand, make a fire so that the lamp floats, and on the other hand, weigh it down so that it does not roll.
Shen Kuo immediately understood what this thing might be and what the paper dragon was used for, and he couldn't help but gasp.
This is not only an enlarged Kongming lantern, it is also a puppet suspended in the air. This thing floats in the night sky, with eyes and a mouth, just like Wang Ze's head, and it can blink and open its mouth. It will definitely cause panic at that time, which is enough to remind people of the phrase "Restore the past, shine brightly in the sky". Who would have thought that to restore the king is to copy the head of the king in the air? Although I don't know the size of this thing, since it needs to rely on a fan to fan the flames, it must be big.
He quickly flipped through the letters and found a sketch on the back of the third sheet. It showed a long, thin object attached to the back of the fake head. The small end was facing inwards, and the large end was facing outwards. It was like a funnel inserted into the head, with a lid that could be opened and closed at the thinnest part.
What is this object used for? No annotation.
He has always been aware of the principle of "If there is no real need, do not add machinery", that is, all complex machinery is valuable because it is simple and reliable, so this thing must be useful. But what is its use?
He suddenly recalled the two sentences that the monk had said before he left: "It's cold up there, and the air outside is weak."
He suddenly realized that it must be these two sentences. Those two sentences should be talking about a device that adjusts the strength of the air outside the sky. It is probably to prevent this human head from flying into the sky like a Kongming lantern until it can no longer be seen.
The saying "it's cold at high altitudes" describes the colder the air is at high altitudes; the air outside the sky is weak, which means that the air becomes weaker as you go higher, and this device can be used to dilute the internal heat. In this way, when there is a lot of heat, it will rise. However, when it reaches a high altitude, the air outside is weak, and the plug outside will open, releasing the heat, causing the thing to fall. However, as the device is closed, the heat accumulates again, and it rises again. This cycle makes this human head different from the "Kongming Lantern" that will fly all the way to the sky and disappear. In theory, it is very likely to slowly fly across the entire Bianliang, like a lingering demonic shadow overlooking from a high place.
Such a conclusion made him feel scared, but if this thing was very big, he might not have the chance to use it.
"It's really wonderful." Senior Yu Hao's ingenuity is still worthy of admiration. Then he couldn't help but sigh that Master Huailiang was still very scheming. He didn't intend to show himself such a document. As long as he caught him in a moment, Xiao Yi would burn the letter. In that case, before the master's head fell, he would only help himself solve a big case, and would not teach the last skill. It seems that the master regards these skills as more important than his life, and does not want to easily teach them to a ruthless and ungrateful person.
Now thinking back, the dragon is not dispensable. If the eyelids of the fake head want to open and close, and the mouth can open to let out the fire, the paper dragon needs to be hidden higher, and the pivot wheel can pull the line to complete the pulling action. Now without the giant kite, the human head will be much more rigid. As for the effect, I am afraid that the Maitreya people themselves are not sure. But as long as the paper head is still there, the threat has not been completely eliminated. Although rationally speaking, this possibility is indeed very small.
"Where did they hide the head? Or did they just run away?"
He fell asleep with a lot of questions in his mind. He didn't know how long he slept before he was awakened by a slight buzzing sound.
His sleep was now singularly alert, both when awake and in dreams.
He sat up suddenly from the bed and found that the copper bell hanging on the head of his bed was vibrating slightly, making a very soft tremolo. He realized that Xiao Ping might not need the strings and paper figurines anymore, and the bell was no longer used to summon the donkey.
He got out of bed excitedly, put on his shoes and coat, and went downstairs. In order to avoid unnecessary trouble, he did not call Xu Chong. He planned to sneak out through the wooden door on the back wall again, but when he arrived under the peach tree in the backyard, he found that he had no idea where to go. There was no obvious movement outside to guide him. In the stable, the donkey was a little agitated and even woke up a horse next to it. The horse stretched its head to bite, but was knocked back by the old donkey.
Shen Kuo suddenly realized that its long ears might be more sensitive than his own, and it could hear things that he could not hear.
He led the old donkey out, opened the wooden door and let it go out by itself, and then followed him out. Xu Chong came out from the shadows and shook his head. It seemed that Shen Kuo had always forgotten to close the wooden door.
Shen Kuo followed the donkey all the way. The donkey sometimes stopped and pricked up its ears to listen, and sometimes lowered its head, as if it was smelling something. Finally, they arrived at a garden outside the Xun Gate in the south city. Shen Kuo had passed by this place several times but had never been in. He only knew that it was called Yujin Garden, which was not far from Xiaoping's home. Although this place was in the outer city, it was actually a royal garden with exotic flowers and plants, and even a few elephants from Champa and blue rhinoceros from Jiaozhou.
This garden originally belonged to the royal family, so it was naturally guarded by imperial guards. However, many people in the city have escaped recently, so it seems that no one is in charge of it now, at least no one is guarding the gate at night.
He followed the donkey into the dark, and heard the wheezing of an unknown wild animal in the distance. The old donkey was not afraid, but instead raised his neck and called out, as if provocatively.
Shen Kuo thought to himself, it is said that all donkeys in the world do not know their own weight. They dare to kick a big beast with their hooves when they see one. Today I saw that it is indeed true.
Two green lights were visible in the distance, and at the same time, a foul stench hit me in the face. Under the tiny waning moon, the outline of the beast was just behind the iron bars. It was clearly a Western lion with a head full of mane. The lion retreated a little, probably not knowing where these brave men and donkeys came from. The two green lights gradually disappeared with the suppressed roar.
The old donkey stopped walking and just kept stamping his feet in the same place. No one knew what he wanted to express.
"Xiao Ping, if you are here, please show up," Shen Kuo said in a low voice.
There was no response from the darkness, and he suddenly felt that it was stupid enough for him to follow a donkey blindly, and now it was even more ridiculous to talk to the beast in the cage. Fortunately, no one saw it.
The old donkey turned its long ears and walked to the side again. A few frightened white peacocks fluttered and flew away. However, there was a vague white shadow that did not move. The white shadow was sitting on the stone bench. The old donkey went over, and she reached out her hand to touch its head. The old donkey shrank his head blankly and sniffed her hand.
"It's Xiao Ping?" Shen Kuo asked happily, "Why did you choose such a place?"
"I just like to hang out with these snakes, insects and beasts." Xiaoping stood up calmly. It was indeed her.
"I just thought you didn't like animals, so I would have sold the donkey to someone who made roast donkey meat."
Xiao Ping emerged from the darkness, looking pale and indifferent. She just stared at Shen Kuo blankly, which made Shen Kuo a little nervous.
"I really thought I would never see my elder sister again. I never expected that this was the intention of my elder sister in giving me the bell."
"That bell won't be used anymore, so just hang it on the donkey," Xiao Ping said calmly.
"Why?" Shen Kuo asked vigilantly.
"The Maitreya sect has disbanded. I'm leaving now, and I'm leaving here forever." Xiao Ping walked back to the stone table and sat down. Shen Kuo quickly sat down on the other side of the stone table.
"Where are you going?"
"Death in the wilds of the country."
"Don't you hate farm life, big sister? Don't you want to live in the capital for the rest of your life?"
Xiao Ping looked at Shen Kuo indifferently for a while: "There is no place for me here now." She said, supporting her head with her hands, as if complaining. The long sleeves slipped off her hands, revealing a white and tender arm like a lotus root. A silk scarf was wrapped around her arm.
"Is the wound on elder sister's hand healed?" Shen Kuo asked, which led to another long stalemate.
"I mean, last time at the Prince Consort's house, your arm was scratched by the Prince Consort. Is it better now?"
"It's much better now." Xiaoping retracted her hand and let her sleeves fall down to cover the scarf.
"It's better for you to leave, elder sister. After all, Kaifeng Prefecture has issued an official document. If you are caught, you will probably be tortured into confessing and will inevitably be executed later. Save your life first. As long as the case is solved in the future, you can come back."
"Thanks to your kindness, sir. This time I will go with my beloved and never come back."
It was Shen Kuo's turn to freeze at this remark, and he felt mixed emotions . He thought to himself: Where did this lover come from?
"I'm here to say goodbye. Since the Maitreya Sect is at the end of its rope, you can probably focus on preparing for the exam. Forget about me, the big sister in the brothel."
"Is the matter really over?" Shen Kuo felt strange. Xiao Ping's thoughts were similar to those of the imperial court. They both felt that the matter was over.
"I don't know either, but since Yu Jing has lost his lair under Kaibao Temple, I'm afraid no one will follow him. If he knows what's best for him, he should hide his identity and do what I did, like finding a village to hide in."
"I still don't dare to take it lightly. Do you know if there is anyone who can help him?"
"Perhaps there is another person, the last of the four hexagram masters. I have never seen him either. He did not even leave a fake name. Some say he died in the chaos when Beizhou City was captured."
"In other words, he really has no remaining followers?"
Xiao Ping sighed, and then continued: "I only heard that when he left the Yudang, he also said: Prayer is hardship, blessing is misfortune, auspiciousness is disaster, and good fortune is also disaster."
"What kind of riddle is this?"
"I guess you have accepted your fate. Now that this case is over, I'll take my leave. Please don't see me off, sir."
Xiao Ping said this as she stood up and slowly backed away.
"Sister, can we still meet?"
"Why force it if we are not destined to be together? Don't ask to see each other again while we are still alive." Xiao Ping left these last cold words and disappeared into the night.
