Although Kuai Lantu's personal guards had been ordered to give way, they did not put away their weapons. They only left a narrow path for Fu Zhi Cheng to pass through. Bandit Fu was not careless either. He led a hundred or so elite soldiers up the mountain. Everyone was wearing armor and wielding weapons. They moved in two rows, each holding their weapons to one side.
The two sides clashed with each other. Fu Zhi Cheng led his men forward, gritting their teeth as they clashed with the sound of metal and stone.
He didn't look like he was here to beg for forgiveness. Instead, he looked like he was here to denounce Gu Yun.
The Nanjiang troops below had surrounded the apricot forest and were glaring at the top of the mountain.
Kuai Lantu didn't expect him to be so daring. He didn't even put on an act and didn't put the Marquis of Stability in his eyes. His jaw couldn't help but tighten.
Fu Zhi Cheng led his men up the mountain like a storm. As soon as he appeared, a strong murderous aura rushed over.
Sun Jiao, the dog blocking the road, was the first to bear the brunt. As he retreated in a hurry, he stepped on a bandit tied to the ground. The bandit cried out, softening Assistant Minister Sun's chopstick legs.
Before Fu Zhi Cheng could open his mouth, the other side had already prostrated themselves on the ground.
Changgeng looked down with interest from the top of the pavilion. He said to the dumbstruck Shen Yi, "I remember now."
Shen Yi hurriedly listened with respectful attention.
Changgeng said, "Sun daren's younger sister married to Wang Guojiu and became his second wife … Tsk, the Emperor is really something. Why did he let his younger brother-in-law enter the Ministry of War? He has to deal with a bunch of dissatisfied generals all day. Doesn't he feel that he's suffering? "
"…" Shen Yi paused. "His Highness just said that the Grand Marshal doesn't wholeheartedly want to protect Fu Zhi Cheng. Please enlighten him."
Changgeng said, "Otherwise, why are we staying in this bandit stronghold? If he had hardened his heart to protect Fu Zhi Cheng, he would have rushed to the Southern Border's main camp to denounce them. "
Shen Yi was speechless. He was indeed puzzled about this, but due to his unconditional trust in Gu Yun over the years, he thought that Gu Yun had some tricks up her sleeve.
"I'm guessing that when Foster Father saw these lawless bandits blocking the road, he began to weigh the pros and cons in his mind. If Fu Zhi Cheng came to ask for forgiveness, Foster Father might consider letting him go on account of his hard work and great contributions. But now …" Changgeng smiled. "Greed is not wrong, cunning is not wrong, and even stupidity is not wrong. But Fu Zhi Cheng should not have openly provoked the Black Iron Battalion."
After three generations of painstaking effort, the Black Iron Battalion's reputation for fighting prowess was still there. Whether this military power was in the hands of the Emperor or in Gu Yun's hands, Daliang's superficial stability could be maintained.
Fu Zhi Cheng stared at Gu Yun for a moment. He was still rational and returned his sword to its sheath. He bowed and said, "It has been many years since we last met. Greetings, Marshal Gu."
When he lowered his head, the personal guards behind Fu Zhi Cheng put away their weapons and loyally stood in a human wall. The atmosphere immediately relaxed.
Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao were secretly rejoicing. It seemed that inviting Gu Yun was the right move.
"It's not very safe." Unexpectedly, Gu Yun looked at Fu Zhi Cheng for a while and said without warning, "General Fu, just now Governor Kuai told me that as the Southwest Governor, you colluded with bandits and colluded with Nanyang. Your intention to rebel is clear. What do you think about this matter?"
Fu Zhi Cheng, "…"
No one expected that Gu Yun would be even more foolish than Fu Zhi Cheng. In front of the Nan Jiang army surrounding the mountain, he didn't even make a turn and directly questioned him.
Swords were drawn below, but Changgeng was still calm and unruffled. He seemed to like the bow that Gu Yun gave him very much. It was a big bow that weighed dozens of catties. He didn't want to put it down for a moment and always carried it on his back. Now that he took it down and held it in his hand, he took out a handkerchief from somewhere and carefully wiped it repeatedly.
Shen Yi muttered to himself for a moment and said, "But if he gives up on Fu Zhi Cheng, isn't that the same as sitting and watching the Emperor forcefully implement the drumming order?"
Changgeng said calmly, "General Shen, have you ever thought that once the drumming order was issued, even the old farmers in the village knew that the drumming order divided the military power of Adoptive Father Xuan Tie and Tiger Tally? The commanders of the four sides all opposed it. Why didn't he say anything?"
Shen Yi blurted out, "Why?"
Changgeng, "Because he grew up with the Emperor since he was young. He understands the Emperor's stubbornness better than anyone else in the world. As long as the drumming order is not implemented, as long as the Emperor is unable to control the military power, he will not be able to eat or sleep in peace. Opposition will only increase the internal friction. At most, it will cause discord between the Emperor and his ministers, and a villain will rise to the throne. This compromise has to be made sooner or later. The problem is how to compromise. "
His last few words were almost covered by a roar from below.
Kuai Lantu wasn't as timid as Sun Jiao. When he heard Gu Yun's question, he immediately knew that this matter couldn't be settled peacefully. Today, in this apricot forest, either he or Fu Zhi Cheng would die. There was still the Nan Jiang army at the foot of the mountain. The more nonsense he spoke, the faster he would die. It was better to take advantage of the fact that Fu Zhi Cheng hadn't reacted and take him down in one fell swoop. No matter how many Nan Jiang troops there were, without a leader, wouldn't they be at the mercy of others?
Governor Kuai made a prompt decision and directly walked past Gu Yun. He pointed at Fu Zhi Cheng and said, "Take down this traitor!"
When the governor's family generals who were already ready heard the order, they immediately rushed forward.
Changgeng took out a heavy iron arrow from the arrow basket and slowly pulled the bowstring on the attic. The end of the bow released a fine white mist that sprayed on the side of his face. His face was stained with the mist, revealing a kind of gentle jade-like handsomeness.
Shen Yi was secretly shocked. This bow was specially made for Gu Yun. Although there was a golden box added, to achieve the effect of the White Rainbow Arrow, it wasn't something that an ordinary person could pull. Changgeng pulled the bowstring and took aim. His hands were as steady as a rock and did not tremble in the slightest. This Little Highness' martial arts skills were probably not just 'not neglected'.
Shen Yi, "Even if the Grand Marshal really has the intention to compromise, who can help General Fu clean up the mess in Nan Jiang?"
Changgeng, "I would like to hear the details."
Shen Yi quickly made an inventory of the large and small generals in the court, "Other than the newly appointed Jiangnan Water and Land Admiral Zhao Youfang who has some ability, the others are not of much use. Perhaps there is no lack of fierce generals, but to be a Commander, just being able to fight is not enough. Qualifications and experience are indispensable. You also need to be able to wrangle with the local powers and even those good-for-nothings in the Ministry of War. The Emperor can't possibly drag the Navy Commander to Nan Jiang's mountains, right?"
Fu Zhi Cheng, who was below the attic, was not willing to be captured without a fight. The Nan Jiang general lived up to his name of being intrepid and brave. He cut off a head with one sword and turned to face the heavy armor that was closing in behind him. He did not dodge or evade. He brandished his sword and flew up onto the heavy armor's shoulder. His entire body flipped in the air. The three accompanying Nan Jiang soldiers reacted and quickly followed up. The tripping ropes in their hands rolled over like whips and tightly wrapped around the heavy armor.
Huo Ji and Fu Zhi Cheng roared at the same time. Fu Zhi Cheng held his iron sword with both hands and fiercely pushed it down, accurately sending it into the gap behind the heavy armor's neck. The sword pierced through the man's neck. The heavy armor stiffly moved forward one step and stood in place without moving.
Only then did blood drip down like a stream.
Fu Zhi Cheng rode on the heavy armor's shoulder and reached out to touch the blood on his face. His hawk-like gaze stared straight at Kuai Lantu.
Kuai Lantu finally unconsciously took a step back.
At that moment, an arrow swooped down from high above like a white rainbow. Its sharp cry reverberated throughout the bandit lair. Fu Zhi Cheng's pupils constricted, but it was already too late for him to dodge. The arrow accurately brushed past Kuai Lantu's official hat, splitting it into two. His hair bun also scattered, turning Kuai Lantu into a male ghost with disheveled hair. Immediately after, it pierced straight through the heavy armor's chest and shattered the two layers of steel. Fu Zhi Cheng was forced by the force of the impact and stumbled down. The iron arrow did not slow down and suddenly nailed itself to the ground.
The ground exploded into a pit, and the three Nanjiang soldiers retreated at the same time. The tip of the arrow was nailed at the intersection of their tripwires.
The tail of the arrow trembled incessantly like a buzzing bee.
"Too presumptuous," Changgeng said in a barely audible voice. Then, under everyone's frightened gaze, he pulled another iron arrow to the bowstring and softly continued his words to Shen Yi, "General Shen, don't forget, there is still one more person."
Shen Yi was still immersed in his amazing arrow. After a while, he found his voice, "… Forgive me, I can't think of it."
Changgeng, "Far away on the horizon, but close in front of you."
Shen Yi was shocked and involuntarily said, "What?"
Changgeng, "En, it's you."
Gu Yun, who was below the attic, did not have the slightest trace of his usual ease. Because of his tense expression, he appeared particularly cold, "Governor Kuai, I have always wanted to ask, who gave you the courage to raise so many private soldiers?"
Kuai Lantu's face was ashen. His ears were filled with the buzzing sound of the iron arrow. He was unable to figure out which side Gu Yun was on. He suddenly panicked, "Grand, Grand Marshal, you may not know, because the Governor of Nanzhong is located at the border, in order to prevent the rioters from causing chaos, the imperial court granted amnesty. But there is a defense army …"
Gu Yun, "Except for the Emperor's Imperial Guards, the defense army under the heavens is not allowed to use light fur cavalry and fire engine steel armor. The Imperial Guards' heavy armor also cannot exceed six seals. Kuai Lantu, did I remember wrongly, or did you remember wrongly?"
Kuai Lantu sucked in a breath of cold air.
Of course, he knew that he had overstepped his authority, but this matter was neither big nor small. He could put a big hat on it. However, if he could overthrow Fu Zhi Cheng and allow the drumming order to be carried out, then it would be a small mistake for a great merit. It was nothing. Since things had reached this point, there was no turning back. He fiercely clenched his fists and said gloomily, "With the traitor and traitor by my side, does Marquis want to argue with me about the imperial guard army?"
Gu Yun frowned slightly. It seemed that he was not used to arguing in front of people. He was completely different from the glib tongue he used to have on the rebel army's ship in the East China Sea. Kuai Lantu immediately thought that he had caught a glimpse of Gu Yun's expression and suddenly felt that the legendary Marquis of Stability was not that scary.
Kuai Lantu threw caution to the wind and thought, He is just a young man with a noble status. Without The Old Marquis' former subordinates, what is Gu Yun?
Fu Zhi Cheng angrily shouted, "The one with the surname Kuai, who are you calling a traitor and traitor!"
Kuai Lantu raised his voice and said, "Everyone, we are now surrounded by the rebel army. The only thing we can do now is to capture the leader and not let them have the opportunity to react! Please restrain your subordinates and do not indulge the rebels! "
Fu Zhi Cheng was so angry that he laughed. He was originally ugly and when he laughed, he looked even more like an evil spirit, "Try to capture me!"
Just as he finished speaking, Fu Zhi Cheng's personal guards took the initiative to attack. They swarmed into the main hall of the bandit's lair. The Nan Jiang Army's personal guards and the inspector general's guards immediately engaged in close combat.
In the blink of an eye, the bandit's lair in Little Apricot Forest was filled to the brim.
Shen Yi did not understand why Gu Yun was still pretending to be a coward and watching the show. He was agitated by the earth-shattering battle cries and almost turned around to leave the attic. However, when he turned around, he saw that Changgeng's expression did not change. The tip of his arrow never left Gu Yun's surroundings. Whoever dared to approach would be skewered.
"General Shen, don't worry. Adoptive father has a plan in his heart. I am also keeping an eye on him." When Changgeng spoke, there was a kind of confidence and unquestionable confidence that did not reveal anything.
In an instant, Shen Yi suddenly had a thought. Gu Yun deliberately aggravated the conflict between Fu Zhi Cheng and Kuai Lantu. Was he trying to kill someone with a borrowed knife?
Changgeng said, "If Fu Zhi Cheng is taken down today, there will be a vacancy in the Commander of Nan Jiang. Although the Emperor is stubborn, he also knows the severity of the situation. The border is an important place and must be guarded by a General Shen. Looking at the imperial court, there is no one more qualified than General Shen. Moreover, in the end, the Emperor suppressed my adoptive father's military power because he is too suspicious. They grew up together and the safety of Daliang is still on my adoptive father's shoulders. Once the drumming order is issued, the Xuan Tie Tiger Tally will exist in name only. No matter who becomes the Commander of Nan Jiang, they will have the authority to govern but no actual military power. Since adoptive father has already made his stance clear, shouldn't the Emperor give a carrot after a stick and make things convenient for General Shen? "
At this point, Changgeng paused and said with a smile, "General Shen, look. Although the Emperor doesn't really like me, this cheap younger brother of his, he still gives me the rewards that should be given during the holidays. When added together, it is even higher than adoptive father's salary."
Shen Yi ignored the complicated question of 'who is the one supporting the household'. He looked at Changgeng in shock and his expression changed a few times. After a long time, he sighed and said, "Your Highness is really different."
At that time, the young man they brought out of Yanhui Town was so simple and stubborn. His emotions were all Liao Ran in his eyes. Shen Yi secretly admired his determination many times. If it was an ordinary child, from a small town to a prince of the imperial court overnight, he would have been fascinated by the Flourishing Imperial Capital. At that time, Changgeng was still a child who never knew what glory, splendor, wealth and rank were, but he actually resolutely left the Marquis Fu. He would rather roam the vast Jianghu than go back to be a frog at the bottom of the well.
At this time, the young man who was talking with him about the general trend of the world in a state of mutual hostility had already lost his childishness. He was so different that he made him tremble in fear.
Changgeng didn't answer. For four years, he didn't dare to slack off. It wasn't because he wanted to make a name for himself, but because he wanted to become strong as soon as possible. One day, he would be strong enough to talk and laugh with Wu Ergu … and be able to protect someone.
"Our biggest problem right now is the lack of money," Changgeng said. "Although the sea is open, the people of the Central Plains rarely go out to sea. The coastal defense is just so-so. It depends on the trade brought in by the foreigners. In the end, most of the profits are made by these foreign merchants. The money that flows in is not enough for the Emperor to buy the purple gold with the westerners in private."
Shen Yi said, "This is only temporary. It's not like there's no way out."
Changgeng seemed to smile. "That's right. I went to the Ancient Silk Road to take a look this spring. I saw that the entrance of Loulan was unbelievably prosperous. When I thought about how this was supported by my adoptive father, I couldn't help but feel proud. In at most three years, the Ancient Silk Road will be completely opened and will truly run through the entire Daliang. When the people can really profit from it, there will be enough gold and silver flowing into the national treasury. When that time comes, the Lingshu Temple will no longer have to worry about money. The garrison troops in various places will be well-paid and strong. Who would dare to invade? Then, whether it's the Ministry of War or my adoptive father who has the final say, in his eyes, it probably doesn't make a difference. "
Shen Yi was silent. He didn't know why Changgeng understood Gu Yun better after five years of separation.
But every word he said was correct.
A few years ago, Gu Yun would often talk about beating this and that. Ever since he took over the Ancient Silk Road, he brought it up less and less.
On one hand, as he grew older, he thought more and more, and his anger gradually faded. On the other hand … Gu Yun had never thought of holding on to military power and not letting go of it.
All he wanted in his life was the stability of his country.
If he could fight, he would put on his armor and mount his horse. If he needed to defend, he was willing to be a poor merchant guard on the Silk Road.
When he heard that the tacit understanding and trust between a general and his armourer was something that no one else could interfere with, Changgeng couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Before he could get jealous, he suddenly heard the sound of flapping wings.
A bird landed on the window lattice. Changgeng was stunned for a moment before he temporarily put away his bow and arrow. The bird obediently flew over and landed in his palm. It was actually a wooden bird, and it was very lifelike.
Shen Yi was born in the Lingshu Temple and had the bad habit of being delighted by prey. When he saw the bird, his eyes widened, but he couldn't ask Changgeng for it, so he scratched his ears and cheeks greedily.
Changgeng gently knocked on the bird's belly rhythmically a few times, and the wooden bird's belly popped out, revealing a roll of paper inside.
Changgeng opened it and glanced at it. Rockfall's Immovable's expression changed slightly.
Shen Yi: "What's wrong?"
At this moment, Gu Yun, who was below the attic, caught a glimpse of a ray of light from the corner of his eye. He raised his hand, but only placed his slender and beautiful hand on the sword at his waist.
A short Southern Xinjiang soldier suddenly appeared and charged straight at Kuai Lantu. Gu Yun's Xuan Tie bodyguard immediately came to his rescue.
Before Kuai Lantu could relax, he saw the Southern Xinjiang soldier open his mouth and spit out something. He instinctively felt that something was wrong, but it was too late to turn his head and dodge.
A finger-sized blow dart drilled straight into his neck. At the same time, the Xuan Tie bodyguard slashed the Southern Xinjiang soldier's head with his saber, as if he didn't see the blow dart flying towards Kuai Lantu.
Kuai Lantu's throat twitched violently a few times, as if he wanted to reach out and grab something —
In a flash, the assassin and the assassin died at the same time.
Sun Jiao was so frightened that he crashed into the wall behind him. Gu Yun suddenly smiled at him.
In the next moment, a sharp whistle soared into the sky. Half of the bandit's lair's roof was lifted, and countless Black Eagle whistled down —
Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao wanted to make use of Gu Yun to force Fu Zhi Cheng to rebel, but unexpectedly, Gu Yun didn't go according to their plan. Before they could make a move, he took the initiative to intensify the conflict. He borrowed Fu Zhi Cheng's hand to kill Kuai Lantu, who was a hindrance, and used a certain method to infiltrate Southern Xinjiang's Black Iron Battalion before appearing to deal with Fu Zhi Cheng. It was killing two birds with one stone …
But something was wrong.
Changgeng suddenly turned and rushed down the attic. This game didn't end here!
The one who started this game wasn't Kuai Lantu, not the Ministry of War, not Sun Jiao, and not even Gu Yun …
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