In the evening, the sky is cloudy and the twilight is vast.
Ahead was an endless forest. King Wu Li Ke stood on a horse on a hillside, looking forward with his hands on the edge, his brows furrowed.
It's midsummer and the weather is hot. In front of the forest shrouded in twilight, there is a faint mist drifting away, as if a demon is about to appear, and it is full of ghosts.
"Your Highness, why don't you go back to Anding Posthouse and set off again tomorrow?" Yin Yang, the accompanying general of the escort, admonished.
Li Ke thought for a moment and said: "If we go back to Anding, we have to walk more than twenty miles back and forth. Moreover, the city gate is closed now, which is a lot of inconvenience. I remember that when we passed through this place two years ago, there were many villages and towns. "Dian, I don't think it's so desolate. Why are there no people along the way, not even a place to stay?"
Yin Yang replied: "Perhaps it was because of the surprise attack on Western Xinjiang by the Garqin Mausoleum a few years ago. Since then, people from many villages outside the prefectures and cities in Western Xinjiang have moved to the interior to avoid disaster. In addition, it is said that people are still There are some Tubo remnants who occupy the dangerous mountain areas and rob the passers-by, especially in the three prefectures of Hui, Yuan and Jing. Although the government is trying their best to suppress them, the road conditions in these places are complicated and dangerous, and the bandits are there again. Its whereabouts are difficult to capture, so we continue to suppress them, causing serious damage. "
Li Ke sighed softly, "I thought that Tubo had been pacified for a long time, but I didn't expect that the disasters left by the war were still lingering. Yin Yang, you don't want to say that there may be bandits in this mountain forest. Thief?"
"It's hard to say!" Yin Yang said worriedly, "So we'll go back to the Anding Posthouse to rest for the night. At the end of tomorrow, we will go to the government to identify ourselves and ask local government soldiers to accompany us to protect us. Only then can we pass through this jungle without any risk. ”
"No need. We have never had any worries along the way. There is no need to be afraid just because of a mountain forest." Li Ke looked back at the more than ten riders accompanying him and said, "I will hurry up and try to get through before sunset. If we can’t pass through this jungle, it’s okay to set up camp and stay there for one night. We’ve already endured such a long journey on the barren plateau, so what’s the point of being in the mountains?”
"Since His Highness insists, I have nothing to say." Yin Yang subconsciously clenched the scabbard and shouted behind him, "Brothers, cheer up and protect Your Highness!"
"promise!"
"Let's go!" Li Ke raised his whip, and his fast horse and light cavalry ran into the forest first. Yin Yang and more than ten elite soldiers from Prince Wu's Mansion followed closely.
More than an hour later, night officially fell.
In the forest, a bonfire rose. Li Ke, Yin Yang and others gathered around the campfire, cooked some hot soup and ate some dry food. There were a lot of mosquitoes in the mountains and forests, so we had prepared some insect repellent and mosquito-repellent lotions before leaving. At this time, several sergeants were packing up their marching tents and spraying the lotions, and were about to spend the night in the mountains and forests.
Li Ke sat by the fire, gnawing dry flour cakes with a bowl of hot soup, looking straight at the jumping flames, silent.
"Your Highness, the bed has been prepared, why not go to bed early." Yin Yang came over and said.
Li Ke nodded, "Sit down, Yin Yang. You have been busy for so long, you should take a break and have something to eat."
"Thank you, Your Highness." Yin Yang sat next to Li Ke, drinking soup and eating cakes.
Li Ke looked at Yin Yang and said with a smile: "Yin Yang, I think you have been following me for a while. I think back then, you, Qin Mubai, and Yuwen Hongtai were all lieutenants in my mansion. Now Qin Mubai is in charge of the border and is in command. , Yuwen Hongtai also became a general and became famous all over the world. But you are still in my house, and you have to submit to this humiliation. Do you feel resentful? "
Yin Yang hurriedly put down the bowl of soup and noodles, clasped his fists and said seriously: "The general is determined to follow His Highness until death!"
"Okay, I know you are loyal." Li Ke smiled and patted his shoulder and said, "You, Quan Wanji, and many officials and generals in the mansion have followed me for a long time, and we are very close to each other. , I am called a master and I am like a brother. I, Li Ke, have no virtue and talent, and I have received so many loyal help from you, but I feel so ashamed when I think about it. , then I, Li Ke, would rather break into pieces, but also leave a good way out for you; if it is auspicious, we will share the glory and wealth in the future, and we will never forget each other!"
"Only because we look up to His Royal Highness the Courtesy, Xian and Corporal Bo Yuntian are we willing to follow you all the way without any regrets!" Yin Yang said sternly, "Your Highness is the heroic master, and the sky has eyes, so he will not fail you!"
Li Ke smiled indifferently and said: "It is never the wish of fate to make people come true. There are nine out of ten things that go wrong in the world. In fact, over the years, if you hadn't been helping me, Qin Mubai would have been secretly helping me. After many rescues, I am afraid that I have already lost my reputation and achieved nothing, let alone today? Now, as expected, my father has called me back to the capital, and it is probably related to the establishment of the crown prince in the East Palace. Therefore, our trip is actually very dangerous."
"My subordinates know." Yin Yang's face darkened and he whispered, "There are many people in the court who do not want His Highness to return to the capital. As early as when he left Luoche City, his subordinates and Quan Changshi had suggested Your Highness brought more guards, why didn’t Your Highness listen?”
Li Ke smiled and said: "What's the difference between leading ten people and leading a hundred people? I'm just going back to Beijing to report my work, and the court doesn't allow me to bring troops with me. How can I create a big show and ostentatiously disturb the people along the way? Yin Yang, now the whole world is I don’t know how many pairs of eyes are staring at me, Li Ke. Whenever I do something out of the ordinary, I will be criticized verbally. How can I tolerate it? Many years ago, Qin Mubai warned me to be low-key and tolerant in everything. Bi Lu, don't be arrogant. Facts have proved that he is right. I, Li Ke, am able to live to this day and have the opportunity to serve the country and achieve meritorious service, all because of this sentence. But the tree is always quiet but the wind is not stopping. No matter how low-key and forbearing I am, there are always people who refuse to let me go..."
"Young Marshal Qin is indeed an extraordinary person." Yin Yang said, "My subordinates have always wondered. In fact, he is a junior official than me. Why is he always superior to others? He seems to be able to predict many things? Whatever he wants to do That thing will be done very well.”
"Haha!" Li Ke laughed, "He is just that kind of person, making people jealous and respectful at the same time. There is nothing we can do about it. I remember that I used to drink and chat with him and drink a few more drinks, and he boasted that whether he was from Wen or Cong. Wu, or anything else, as long as he does something with his heart, he will definitely do better than the average person. I was very unconvinced at the time, but now that I think about it, it is indeed like this, Qin Mubai. A person who is excellent in all aspects may not be very outstanding, but as long as he does something with his heart, he will definitely be good. This is a rare thing about him. "
"Yes, I have to be convinced!" Yin Yang said, "When it comes to military management, he is definitely not as good as Wei Gong Li Yaoshi, or even his two senior brothers Su Dingfang and Hou Junji; when it comes to military administration, he may not be as good as his jurisdiction. A provincial governor under me is not as good as His Highness and the people in the court such as Fang Xuanling, Changsun Wuji, etc. In terms of martial arts, he is similar to me in strength, and far inferior to his fierce general Xue Rengui; in terms of talent. He is not good at poetry, poetry, and music, but he can play the pipa with both hands, but he has a wide range of skills and has no obvious shortcomings.”
"You have overlooked an important point." Li Ke smiled slightly, "His military skills are not as good as those of Su and Hou, but his two senior brothers are sincerely convinced by him and are willing to go through fire and water for him; his ability in martial arts is average, but he is united around him He has a large number of capable ministers and officials such as Xiao Liang; he has ordinary martial arts and average talents, but Xue Rengui, Yuwen Hongtai and other tiger and lion generals are willing to stand in front of him. Even Jiang Xia, who has outstanding achievements and is famous all over the world. Wang also regarded him as his own son and highly respected him. There was never a shortage of talents around him. The four pillars of the Kansai Army and the Eighth Army Tower were all unique talents who were waiting to return to the court one day to show their merits. All of them have skyrocketed to great heights.”
"Yes, why?" Yin Yang said confused.
"Personality." Li Ke said two words briefly and smiled with interest, "This guy has a special charm that is invisible and intangible, which can make people who come into contact with him involuntarily... I like him, trust him, and respect him. Men are willing to be friends with him, and women are willing to trust him for life. In fact, even I have always been very lucky to be friends with him.”
Yin Yang grinned, "We are very lucky to be able to follow His Highness. As His Highness said, His Highness also has such a special charm that makes us willing to go through fire and water for His Highness. In fact, there are many differences between Marshal Qin and Your Highness. Similarity. Maybe this is one of the reasons why you two are so close to each other?"
"Really?" Li Ke laughed heartily, "I haven't seen him for a while, let alone, I really miss him. Yin Yang, tell me, it would be great if Qin Mubai was a woman, then I Just marry him!"
"Haha!" All the soldiers laughed.
While he was smiling, someone suddenly shouted - "Be careful, there is an assassin!!"
Everyone was shocked. Before the word 'assassin' could be heard, they heard a sharp whistle in the air. The person who warned him screamed in pain and fell heavily to the ground!
Apparently he was hit by an arrow!
"Everyone, be careful, protect His Highness!!" Yin Yang jumped up, took off his clothes quickly and decisively to put out the bonfire, and with two other soldiers, he protected Li Ke at the core and hid in the dark.
There was a sound of whistles in the surrounding woods, and arrows were flying. There was really an assassin ambushing!
Li Ke also had the sword in his hand and said to himself: Unexpectedly, the most unfortunate thing happened. There was an assassin on the way!
"Your Highness, be careful, the opponent has a lot of people!" Yin Yang whispered in the darkness, "From the direction of the arrow, we have been completely surrounded and ambushed. The opponent is well organized and has a premeditated plan, and they don't look like ordinary bandits! "
"Yes, ordinary bandits seek wealth first and kill people second." In a dangerous situation, Li Ke remained calm and composed, and said with a sneer, "But now, the other party wants to kill him without even meeting him. Obviously, he is Coming for assassination!"
"Could that be?!..." Yin Yang was so excited that he didn't dare to say any more.
"Don't make blind guesses, concentrate on getting out of danger first!" Li Ke said briefly.
"yes!"
Not far ahead, several guards were already engaging the assassin in hand-to-hand combat. In the darkness, there were loud shouts of yelling and killing, and occasionally, stars of fire appeared in the night sky, and the fighting was fierce.
Yin Yang and the other two guards formed a formation, guarding Li Ke at the core. After watching the battle in front of me intently, I was shocked and shouted secretly: The opponent is not weak! The soldiers I selected are all the best among the best, and all of them have extraordinary martial arts skills. Unexpectedly, the assassin who came here was even more powerful, and our people couldn't resist it!
This time is dangerous!
"Your Highness, let's go! I will help you break out of the encirclement!" Yin Yang made an immediate decision and pulled Li Ke into the darkness.
Li Ke stood still, frowning deeply and said in a deep voice: "Those brothers are still fighting desperately, how can Ke survive alone?"
"Your Highness, if you don't leave, we will only increase casualties!" Yin Yang said urgently. Seeing that Li Ke still didn't move, he knelt down on one knee and said, "I beg your Highness to take the first step! We are willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness, even if we die! But Your Highness If we don’t get out of danger, the lives of those brothers will be in vain!”
Li Ke gritted his teeth and said, "Okay, let's go!"
Three guards protected Li Ke, killed two assassins who were in the way, dodged several cold spears and hidden arrows, and broke out into a corner of the dark forest.
The fierce fighting in the woods was fierce, and most of the ten remaining guards of Prince Wu's palace were killed or injured. But these people all regarded death as home and fought to the death to buy time for Li Ke and others to escape.
In the dense forest at night, Li Ke and others were panicking, but they managed to escape for more than a mile. The sound of the fierce battle in the rear had become distant and blurry. The four of them hid behind a few big trees, breathing heavily.
"Your Highness, keep running away, we are not out of danger yet!" Yin Yang pulled Li Ke and started to leave again.
"All right… "
Before Li Ke could finish his words, two sharp stabs suddenly came through the air, and the two guards guarding him fell to the ground neatly and died. Li Ke and Yin Yang were shocked. When they looked closely, they saw that the two men were hit by an arrow in their throats at the same time, breaking through their necks!
"Master!" Yin Yang took a breath!
"Du, duh, duh", there were several slow and steady sounds of horse hooves, and a horse appeared in the night, blocking the way of Li Ke and Yin Yang.
"I have been waiting for you here for a long time, His Highness King Wu!"
Immediately, the man's voice was blurred, and it was obviously coming from through the veil. Under the dim moonlight, Li Ke looked up and saw that the man on horseback was wearing a black scarf and his face was covered with a black night scarf. His eyes were cold and murderous.
Yin Yang's hand holding the knife was full of sweat, and his face was dripping with sweat. He gritted his teeth and whispered: "Your Highness, be careful, this person's methods are extraordinary! Wait for this subordinate to fight to the death, and Your Highness will wait for an opportunity to escape!"
"No need." Li Ke shouted in a low voice, then stood in front of Yin Yang, put the sword back into its sheath, looked up at the man on the horse, and said in a loud voice: "Who are you? Since you are here specially for me, It must be an old acquaintance, otherwise there would be no need to cover up!”
Immediately, the man stared straight at Li Ke, the flashing light in his eyes full of solemnity and coldness. There was a knife hanging on his waist and a bow on the saddle, so he could relax. It seemed that he didn't pay attention to the two people in front of him at all, and he was not afraid that they would suddenly attack or escape.
"Why are you silent? Are you afraid that I will hear your accent?" Li Ke smiled coldly and said, "You just said one sentence, and I seem to have known you before."
"Really?" The man immediately smiled and said these two words lightly. The horse he dismounted lifted its hoofs a few times, and Yin Yang stood in front of Li Ke again with a knife in hand, as if facing a formidable enemy.
"I heard that you are an official from Jingxiang!" Li Ke pulled Yin Yang away, took a step forward and shouted, "As expected, you are an old acquaintance of mine when I was an official in Xiangzhou! —Who are you?"
"What a good ear and good memory!" The man immediately snorted and sneered twice, "Unfortunately, you are about to die. There is no need for a dying person to know so much."
With a "bang" sound, the knight's sword was unsheathed, and cold light shone in all directions!
"Your Highness, be careful!!" Yin Yang shouted, stood up and slashed at the knight with his sword.
"No!"
Li Ke yelled, but before he could finish his words, he heard Yin Yang scream, he flipped to the ground, rolled a few times, twitched a few times, and didn't say anything anymore, as if he just died of gas!
"Yin Yang!!" Li Ke shouted sadly and was about to step forward when a long knife was already placed on his neck.
"Don't move." The man immediately said in a deep voice.
"Let's do it." Li Ke took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, stood up straight and closed his eyes.
"Don't worry, I didn't kill him." The man immediately said instead of taking action, "The King of Wu values righteousness and is surrounded by many loyal and righteous people who dare to die. If you kill such a person, you will lose one. How can you bear it?"
Li Ke opened his eyes in shock and turned his head to look at the man on the horse. He saw that he withdrew his long sword and put it into its sheath. He also extended a hand to Li Ke and said, "King Wu, please get on the horse!"
"This!..." Li Ke was stunned for a moment, "Sir, what do you mean?"
"I want to kill you, just in the blink of an eye. Since I won't kill you, I will save you." The man's voice was as calm as the water from an ancient well, and he said leisurely, "You guessed it right, I am Wu Wang is an old acquaintance; but he is not an old acquaintance, he was once a prisoner of your rank."
"What? Then...who are you? What are you doing here?"
"Of course he came here specifically to intercept and kill King Wu."
"Then what do you mean now?!" Li Ke looked sideways at Yin Yang, who was lying quietly on the ground, shocked and angry.
The man was silent for a moment, stretched out his hand, and pulled off the black scarf from his face.
Li Ke stood on the spot, stunned and speechless.
"Your Highness certainly didn't expect that it would be me." The man immediately smiled.
"Indeed, I didn't expect it. Absolutely... I didn't expect it!" Li Ke took a deep breath, "Aren't you already dead?!"
"Oh, this is a long story!" Immediately the man stretched out his hand to Li Ke again, "King Wu, please mount your horse! If you delay for a moment, you will not be able to escape! This subordinate of yours was just knocked unconscious by someone and was not able to escape. There is no danger of his life. It may not be a bad thing to report the case to the government after he wakes up. It’s important to ask King Wu to escape first!”
"You... Since you are the assassin who came to intercept, why did you do this?" Li Ke said in surprise, "If you don't explain, I would rather accept the ax than go with you without knowing anything!"
"Hey!..." The man immediately sighed and said, "Yes, I was ordered to come here to kill you. But I can't kill you because of my old grudges."
"Old favors? How have I ever been kind to you?"
"It's not that you have an old favor with a certain person. It's a friend of yours who has a great favor to a certain person and has made a promise to be friends in the past life. Just because of him, I can't kill you. Because you are very important to him, too. His good friend." The man immediately looked up at the moon and looked back on the past, sighing leisurely, and said, "His Royal Highness, King Wu, please remember that your escape today is all because of the blessings your friend made in the first place. ”
"I understand, you are talking about Qin Mubai! When we were in Xiangyang, it was Qin Mubai who defeated the river water ghost and captured you, the green forest bandit leader, and then cracked the former Sui Yang Emperor's tomb left by your grandfather Because of this, the two of you became close friends instead of fighting each other. Am I right? Song Cao Lord—Zhao Chong?" Li Ke said.
"That's right." The person immediately turned out to be Zhao Chong!
"Okay, although there are still many things I don't understand, I am willing to follow you." Li Ke took a deep breath, "For no other reason than that - I believe Qin Mubai, his vision is not wrong!"
"Please mount your horse!"