On July 12th, King Cheng and King Jiang'an successively issued proclamations, complaining that Emperor Xiwen was licentious and immoral, and the princes were even more rebellious, saying that they were willing to stand up and help the orthodox for the sake of the country and society, following the will of God.
Jiangnan and Southwest also began to be chaotic.
Yan Qi led people along the road from Xiangyang to Nanyang to search back and forth several times, but they did not see the whereabouts of Ling Qingyu and Ying Jiu. The corners of his mouth were blistered with anxiety, and he had to take a lot of pills every day to stabilize his heart. pulse.
Seeing a tea booth on the side of the road ahead, Ying Shisan took the reins of Yan Qi's horse and said, "Master Qi, take a break."
Yan Qi wanted to shake his head, but seeing that Ying Shisan also had red eyes, a dusty body and a tired face, he turned his head to look at Ye Po and the others behind him, nodded, and headed towards the tea pavilion.
There were already quite a few people sitting in the tea booth, and two of them looked like convoys coming down from the north.
"Chaos! It's chaos over there now! We all took a detour, and Xuchang was severely beaten, and the road was blocked."
road closure? Ying Shisan's heart moved, Yan Qi and the others came here on horseback, Ye Po and the others also took advantage of the chaos in Bianjing City, and came here directly, but if Ling Qingyu and the others came a few days late, would they also take a detour
"This uncle!"
The middle-aged man was chatting with others, he heard someone call, he answered, looked up, and saw a young man in a black dress, although covered in dust, he still had a pair of extremely beautiful and bright eyes, Looking at him with a slight smile, he asked, "You came from Xuchang, which road did you take?"
The middle-aged man was stunned, and said: "We came from Fangcheng, and we wanted to go to Funiu Mountain, but we heard that there are often heavy rains in that mountain at this time, so we didn't go in."
"Funiu Mountain?"
"Yeah, there's no chaos over there, it's safer, but the mountain road is difficult to walk, and it takes several days to detour." The middle-aged man had just finished speaking, and after seeing the young man politely saluting his thanks, he returned to the Among the group of people who had just sat down, who were also dressed in black clothes and dressed in dusty clothes, after talking to the leader, the group threw money on the table, packed some food, and rode on their horses. Go to the road to Funiu Mountain.
"It seems that they are looking for someone, but why didn't you tell them that there was a heavy rain on the mountain a few days ago, and the road was cut off, so it is impossible to pass?"
"I haven't had time to say it yet? But I don't know who they are? It looks like I've been looking for quite a few days?"
"Tell me about them. They have been looking for them for several days, and they have run back and forth from my tea pavilion several times."
"Hey, it's a mess right now. If you get lost, it's really hard to find. I don't know who I'm looking for."
After entering Funiu Mountain from Zhenping and galloping along the mountain road for half a day, Yan Qi's heart throbbed again when he saw Ling Qingyu who was resting by the boulder.
The rain in the mountains lasted for three days, and it took Ye Shiyi two days to recover to be able to move freely. The mountain road had been watered beyond recognition by the torrential rain. It's embarrassing.
Hearing the sound of horseshoes, Ling Qingyu put down the hand that was holding Ying Jiu's hair up, and turned his head to look. Seeing the group of people standing there thought he was dazzled, he stretched out his hand and rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them again, Has been embraced into a trembling embrace.
"Yan Qi..."
With a pheasant in his hand and a sword in the other, Ye Shiyi stood three steps away and watched Yan Qi pull her into his arms, feeling empty in his heart. Is it the end of a month and a half
"Eleven?" Ying Shisan probed Ying Jiu's breath, then looked at Ye Shishi, and called out.
"Brother Thirteen." Ye Shiyi restrained all his emotions, and responded with a faint smile.
Two years ago, the Ling family purchased a villa at the foot of Wolong Peak. At this time, Xiangyang was also in a state of tension, but no one would pay attention to this villa located in a remote valley.
There are more than 400 personal guards who have withdrawn from Bianjing. In the sixteenth night, except for Yeying Yeli Yexue who followed Ye Shiyi to the party, the three stayed in the north, and the rest followed Ye Po. , Shadow Thirteen from the red building brought twelve people over, and the others were hidden. Shadow Ten from Jiangnan and Shadow Two from the training group stayed where they were. Calculated, the main losses this time were the personal guards and Meng Su's people.
And... Shadow Nine...
Knowing that Yan Qi and the others escaped with the help of Zhao Yinfeng's subordinates, Ling Qingyu remained silent for a while, the only thought that flashed in his head was that the piece of warm jade was finally worth it.
After a day's rest, Ling Qingyu and Yan Qiying Shisan went to Crouching Dragon Peak, and sent Ying Jiu and Cheng Jia into the Hall of Eternal Life.
Seeing Cheng Jia's body recovering to its original state, and Ying Jiu's body also returning to its original state, Yan Qi sighed lightly, seeing Ying Thirteen's probing eyes, pouted at Yan San, and said in a low voice: "Look, he still looks the same. , but I am already old, it is really unfair."
Ying Shisan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled helplessly, shook his head, walked out of the Hall of Eternal Life, and sat at the door.
The smile on Yingjiu's face was very happy. The long road was full of chaos and he had to avoid being recognized, but no matter how hard it was, Ling Qingyu never left him. When they met, his corpse was even among the three of them. cleanest.
Yingjiu, if you knew, how happy would you be
Yan San, his fingers lightly stroked the contours of Yan San's face, Ling Qingyu felt as if his heart was weighed down by a boulder, although the words were very beautiful, and any sacrifice was acceptable, but how could he accept it? What should I do? Yan San...
"Qingyu, this position is mine, don't let anyone else go." Yan Qi's teasing voice sounded from the side, and Ling Qingyu was startled, seeing him tapping his fingers on the empty ice jade bed next to Yan San, with a bright smile on his face , unconsciously said: "Don't talk nonsense."
Yan Qi turned around to face her, pressed her palm on her chest, and said, "Here, are there Cheng Jia and Ying Jiu now?"
Ling Qingyu felt a sudden pain in his heart, turned his head to look at the two people unconsciously, Yan Qi pulled her into his arms, still pressed his palm on her heart, and said: "As long as you remember them, they will live forever, live in you In my heart, Qingyu, you are right, there is sacrifice in everything you do, don’t be too demanding on yourself.”
"Yan Qi..." With red eye circles, Ling Qingyu sniffled, nodded and said, "I see."
"Me too, Qing Yu, when that day comes, don't be sad, just put me here, come to see me when you have time, think about me occasionally, and live a good life," Yan Qi bowed her head and kissed Wiping the tears from the corners of her eyes, she said, "In that case, Yan Qi will be satisfied."
****
Qiaokou Town is located on the banks of the Xiangjiang River, only fifty miles away from Changsha City. It is the best time of August, when sweet-scented osmanthus is fragrant and golden chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and golden yellow is floating in the stretching rice fields. It was a bumper year.
Old man Chen took his little grandson and hid behind the pile of firewood. He watched as a dozen soldiers in his yard kicked open the door of the house and went in to rummage. corpse with a hatchet.
Old man Chen gritted his teeth, covered his grandson's mouth with all his strength, quietly exited his yard from the firewood pile, and walked out of the town along the small canal beside the field ridge.
Soldiers with swords were everywhere in the town. After they kicked open the far door at will and broke in, there were screams and curses inside. Not long after, several thick smoke floated in the sky, and then along the With those continuous houses spread.
"There are two more here!" The old man Chen, who was crawling on his head, was startled. He looked up and saw a soldier holding a knife standing on the ridge of the field. corner out.
Pushing his grandson behind him, old man Chen begged, "Master Jun, let us go."
"Oh, sir, what you said is wrong, we are here to investigate the spies." The soldier tapped the knife in his hand and said with a smile: "I think the one behind you looks like a spies, come here!"
Old man Chen said angrily with red eyes: "What spies, you traitors!"
"Let's become a king to do justice for the heavens, and now we are going to overthrow that false emperor, old man, you can't speak nonsense, it will kill you." The soldier grinned grinningly, raising the knife in his hand.
The cold light on the blade flashed in the sun, old man Chen turned around and was about to run, but the little grandson behind him yelled and rushed towards the soldier.
Seeing that the knife was cutting down on the only seedling in his family, old man Chen yelled with his eyes wide open and threw himself on his grandson.
The expected pain did not come, and there was a thumping sound from his side. Old man Chen looked sideways, and saw the soldier fell beside him with an incredulous expression, and a huge gash in his neck was spurting blood.
"I want Eleven to stay alive and ask about the situation."
"Yes!"
Old man Chen raised his head and saw a black-clothed boy standing next to the soldier retracting his knife, then disappeared with a sway, then turned his head and saw a few horses standing quietly on the official road beside the field, led by a The man on the horse had a beautiful face that was prettier than a woman's, but there was a chill in it.
Old man Chen unconsciously took a step back, turned around and saw a hundred men in black rushing into the town from someone, and felt even more disturbed, not knowing who these people were.
"Master, we are passing by here. Do you know where these rebels are from?" A slender and handsome young man narrowed his eyes, got off his horse, stretched out his hand to pull the two of them up, and asked .
The young man was seventeen or eighteen years old, with a bright and amiable smile, which made the old man relax a little, and said: "It is said that they are the soldiers of King Cheng, and they have rebelled all the way. I heard that they have attacked Changsha Mansion the day before yesterday. These people must be He was defeated by Mr. Han and escaped."
"Is that so, can Master Han of Changsha Mansion be able to defend Changsha City?" the young man asked briskly.
"That's natural! Don't say that the walls of Changsha City are three feet high, just say that Master Han is there, and those rebels can't touch Changsha City!"
"Master Han is so powerful?"
"Of course, Mr. Han..." Old man Chen wanted to brag again, but at this moment he had followed the young man up the field ridge, looking at the scene on the street in the town, he couldn't speak for a while.
The streets were full of corpses of soldiers wearing the military uniforms of King Cheng's army, and some townspeople who were still alive rushed out of the courtyard gate in fear. The soldiers hacked and killed.
Old man Chen was trembling a little, he pulled his grandson to take two steps aside.
"Master, don't be afraid. We don't kill good people. If you don't clean up those rebels, your town will be in trouble." The young man took out a candy from his purse and handed it to Old Chen's grandson, smiling.
"Qiye!" A big man dragged a man who had one arm cut off and was obviously dressed better than the other soldiers, and threw him in front of those soldiers, saying, "It's King Cheng's rout. Thirty thousand of them attacked Changsha City. , was defeated by Han Ziqing and chased them out of the city, so far."
"Is that all you guys have?" The man immediately leaned over and asked.
"Our King Cheng's 200,000 troops are right behind, you should let me go!" the man shouted loudly, he was cut down by the big man with a knife, and he lost his breath immediately.
"Qi Ye!" A person rushed over from the street at a very fast speed. The old man Chen looked at the boy's heavenly face in surprise, and was shocked by the coldness in his eyes. .
"I found out that they are the vanguard of King Cheng. The leading general wanted to steal credit and went to attack Changsha City, but was used by Han Ziqing to attack their camp. They fled to the back and joined the main team. There are 100,000 people behind King Cheng, and it is only a hundred miles away from here." The young man's voice was cold and sweet, but with a palpitating chill, the old man Chen took two steps back again, then fell on his back and fell backwards.
The smiling young man grabbed old man Chen with a cry, avoiding the tragedy of him falling into the field, put his finger on his mouth and hissed softly, then took out a candy from his purse and gave it to the child.
"Is everything cleaned up here?" the man on the horse asked.
"Well, it's all cleaned up." The young man nodded, shook his hand, put his long sword back into the scabbard, turned his eyes on the three people on the side of the road, and said, "Sanlang, there is a shop selling buns in front of the town, and there is another Kind of snacks."
"Understood." The young man smiled and said to the child, "Can you take your brother there?"
Chen Xiaodong was bought off by his two candies a long time ago, he nodded hurriedly, and the young man picked him up, and walked to the town with Old Man Chen.
"Brother, why did that brother ask you to buy it?" Chen Xiaodong asked, licking his finger.
"Because that brother just killed a lot of people, and his body smells very bloody." The young man smiled with his eyebrows bent, and covered his eyes with his hands as he spoke, preventing him from seeing the scene of a sea of blood in the town.
Both the soldiers and the men in black came in from the end of the town. The shop at the head of the town had not been overturned by the soldiers. The owner of the shop shivered under the counter. He heard old man Chen yelling several times before he crawled out and looked around. Look, then patted his chest and said: "Scared me to death! Scared me to death! Those King Cheng soldiers are really not human, who saved us? Did Master Han send troops here?"
"Master Han, I'm afraid you don't have time to send troops over here, you'd better hide in the mountains." The young man put a bit of broken silver on the counter and said with a smile, "Boss, wrap the buns and the dim sum in the pot for me. "
"Who are you guys?" Old man Chen finally asked. Although these people murder more fiercely than those soldiers, they are also their saviors anyway, and in this world, it is better to follow the strong than them who have no self-protection ability at all. ordinary people.
The boy smiled and didn't answer him. Instead, he asked, "Where is the rice store in the town? I want to buy some rice."
The old man Chen didn't ask any more questions. After taking the boy to the rice shop in the town, he took the child back to his yard and looked at the corpse of his son on the ground, the wife still hanging on the water mill, and the corpses of rebels all over the place. , Sitting at the door, he was taken aback.
"Grandpa!" The little grandson pushed the old man Chen back to his senses. He saw hundreds of men in black on horseback with a carriage passing by the door. The freshly baked sugar oil Baba was handed into the carriage, and a very tall young man next to him said to him: "The master is not awake yet, don't wake her up." In front of him, half of the sugar and oil cakes were given to the child. He patted the child's head and said, "Pack up your things and go, Cheng Wang's follow-up troops will arrive one day."
Old man Chen nodded, watching the team pass through the main street of the town, followed by dozens of people who carried rice from the rice store and chased after them.
The town fell silent, and then mournful cries rang out from every house and courtyard.
"Don't cry! Pack up your things and go up the mountain!" The mayor ran out of the house, and the family shouted: "Don't cry, there are soldiers coming from behind, save the living first, go!"
King Cheng launched an uprising in Chenzhou on July 12. After capturing Shaozhou for a month and a half, he approached Changsha City, but was blocked by Han Ziqing, the commander of Jingnan Road in Changsha City, and the surrounding towns were plundered by King Cheng's troops. The siege lasted seven months.
In northern Guangdong in September, the air is fresh and cool. The ancient Xijing road winds between the mountains, and the mossy bluestone slabs are covered with rainwater, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds in the sky. Every depression is a scene.
The terrain of the ancient road in Tiyunling is extremely dangerous, the road is steep, the peaks on both sides are steep, and the cliffs are deep and concave. After October, it will be difficult to pass. Generally, merchants go home in September. This time is the Tiyunling post station. The busiest time.
There were quite a few people sitting in the lobby of the post station, and those coming and going from north to south were exchanging information with each other.
The station master shook his head and walked outside the station door, tapped on the hookah pipe and took a puff. Looking at the darkening sky, he thought to himself, this Jinghu Road was hit hard, and I don't know when the flames of war will come here.
Just as he was thinking wildly, he heard the sound of horseshoes on the other side of the mountain road. Hearing the sound, there were quite a few horses. The station master stretched his neck and looked around. He saw a few horses coming up the winding mountain road. After seeing the post station, he greeted them With a cry, he came to the post station.
"Boss, do you have a guest room?" The first person was a young man with crooked eyes, who dismounted from his horse and asked the station master with a pleasant smile.
"Yes, and, the guest officer wants to eat and stay?" The station master hurriedly knocked on the hookah pipe and said with a smile.
"Yes, how many guest rooms does the boss have?" The young man looked at the small inn and asked with a smile.
"There are still five rooms, it's enough..." the stationmaster's voice was hoarse when he saw the people coming up the mountain road one after another. It was not just a few people!