Chapter 227: Bloody Battle on the Streets
The cicada wakes up before the golden cicada moves, secretly planning to die without knowing it. ----------"Collection of Famous Sages, Seven Characters" of the Southern Song Dynasty
It is said that before Chen Long came to Chang'an, he had carefully studied the situation in Chang'an with Guo Jia and Zhou Buyi. Although the Han court declined, there were still some die-hard generals who maintained the so-called royal authority. In their eyes, Chen Long was a separatist warlord, no different from Yuan Shao and Cao Cao, and Huang Gai and Xu Shu's troops were clear evidence of Chen Long's ambition. Although Huang Gai and Xu Shu were nominally protecting the safety of Chang'an and the royal family, some generals believed that Chen Long was another form of Dong Zhuo, and Chen Long's troops were just another Dong Zhuo's troops, even though they fought against Huang Gai in the Chang'an defense battle. Gaijun worked closely together.
In the final analysis, it is all about the power in their hands, especially military power. One of the most powerful generals who opposed it was Huangfu Song, who currently held military power. Based on Zhong Yao's intelligence, Huangfu Song, together with Prince Fu and several other ministers, repeatedly proposed at the court meeting that local troops should be withdrawn to the local area and the central army would take over the city's defense. Although Huangfu Song received secret support from Emperor Han Shao, he was stopped many times by Empress Dowager He. When Emperor Han asked about his mother in private, Empress Dowager He stunned Emperor Han with just one sentence: "Your Majesty, who is spending money to provide for your current life?"
The warlords in various regions no longer pay any taxes to the national treasury, except for Chen Long and Ma Teng. All the expenses and living expenses in the palace came from this pitiful tax to maintain the high-quality life of the Young Emperor of Han Dynasty. So when it came to money, Emperor Han was dumbfounded at the time.
Based on the intelligence, Chen Long decided to readjust the central military power through Queen Mother He. If Huang Gai was directly allowed to take over the military power, it would likely cause unnecessary backlash. Therefore, Chen Long decided to first adjust Huangfu Song's military power to other royalists, and at the same time, he would be promoted and demoted secretly, completely expelling Huangfu Song from the military system. .
As for the target of the transfer of military power, after careful screening by Guo Jia, Lu Zhi, who had been convicted for his failure to exterminate the Yellow Turbans, was selected. First of all, Lu Zhi was once as famous as Huangfu Song and was older than Huangfu Song. More importantly, Chen Long felt that Lu Zhi was a person who had a deeper understanding of the darkness of the court. Policies are truly for the people. Lu Zhi is very likely to make the same choice as Chen Shi. As long as he does not overthrow the Han Dynasty, he is likely to gain Lu Zhi's support. Moreover, if you can get Lu Zhi's support, you will have a link with both Gongsun Zan and Liu Bei.
In the court today, even though Huangfu Song's face was as angry as the bottom of a pot, he still knelt down obediently and thanked him. And when he heard that the new military commander was Lu Zhi, he looked somewhat better. After the disbandment of the dynasty, the ministers congratulated Huangfu Song and Lu Zhi one after another. Lu Zhi waited for Chen Long to arrive and made an appointment to meet Chen Long unprepared.
Chen Long, guarded by all the soldiers, went out of the imperial court and mounted his horse, and was about to return to Cai Mansion. Suddenly, someone behind him called out: "Nanxiang Marquis, please stay! We haven't seen you for a long time, why don't you come with us all the way."
Chen Long reined in his horse, and when he looked carefully, he saw Huangfu Song riding a big white horse, walking in with a smile on his face, without any guards around him. Chen Long felt that Lu Chang behind him was slightly nervous. He patted him on the shoulder and said, "Go back to Cai Mansion immediately to protect the safety of Cai Mansion and discuss with Military Advisor Xu to arrange everything." After speaking, Lu Chang blinked and understood. The Lord's martial arts was superior to that of Huangfu Song, and he was also very strong in light kung fu. He turned to Xu Shu to arrange an emergency response army.
In fact, Chen Long, Huang Gai, and Xu Shu had already made arrangements, but it was a little accident that Huangfu Song stopped him when he went to court. On the surface, Huangfu Song did not fall out with Chen Long, so Chen Long did not believe what tricks Huangfu Song would play in broad daylight.
Both of them were alone and walking side by side. Chen Long was the first to break the silence and said: "Congratulations to General Huangfu for becoming the head of the Nine Qings." Huangfu Song smiled and said: "Congratulations to General Wenlong on his wedding as well. Marquis Nanxiang is truly a blessing. No, what wife is this? I heard that all of them are of heavenly beauty."
Chen Long laughed loudly and said, "Did Sinong call me to stop, is that what he was talking about?"
Huangfusong's smile flashed across his face: "I heard that the Marquis of Nanxiang recently married Zhang Ji's widow Zou. She is also a great beauty." Chen Long heard some threats and thought that Huangfusong's information was very accurate. Ah, I couldn't help but say: "The good Pope, Da Sinong, learned that the villain met the Zou family in Wancheng. The Zou family was virtuous and gentle, and won my heart deeply. Now, the Zou family is by my side. One day We should hold a family banquet to entertain the great minister of agriculture."
Huangfu Song thanked him and said with a smile: "Why should you and I be so polite? It seems too polite. If you look up to me, just call me Yizhen. I have always had a feeling that Wen Long has a soft heart, and the people around you All beauties have stories, and you love them all."
A glimmer of hope arose in Chen Long's heart, and he looked at Huangfu Song and said sincerely: "Yizhen, I am naturally soft-hearted towards the woman I love deeply, but I also have such pity for the lives of ordinary people."
Huangfusong's eyes narrowed, he turned his head to avoid Chen Long's eyes, pretending to look at the outline of the palace wall in the distance. Chen Long continued: "My whole life I have been pursuing beauties with poor backgrounds, and I have taken them under my wing at all costs, just as I have been pursuing happiness for the people of my Han Dynasty all my life. I have been lucky enough to grow from scratch. Yizhen must also have heard about the policies towards the people of the Ling family, which are ten times better than other counties. Therefore, I worked hard to expand my territory and promote my policies to a wider area, and had to fight with other careerists and The warlords fought and finally captured Jingzhou. The people of Jingzhou were able to live and work in peace and contentment. This was achieved by the sacrifice of many good men in Lingling. However, in addition to Jingzhou, there are people from eight continents in the world. Rely on me. It’s really a long journey on my own, and I can’t sleep at night thinking about it.”
Huangfusong listened to Chen Long's confession noncommittally, only to hear Chen Long continue: "Above the Han Dynasty, relatives and eunuchs were fighting for power, and they ruled over thousands of people. There was also the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which caused bones everywhere and a sharp decrease in the population. Brother Yizhen, have you thought about the reasons behind all this? The people are suffering terribly. After our efforts to pacify the Yellow Turbans, warlords have spread all over the country. Where is the real way to save the country and govern the country? Is just retaining the imperial power the right choice? ?In the final analysis, I want to find every possible way to change the current status quo. My method is to return the power to the people on the basis of retaining the symbol of imperial power, redefine the personnel system, and bring order to the chaos." Chen Long confessed, and his breath was faint. Some excitement.
Huangfu Song opened his mouth, but no words came out. At this time, he happened to reach a fork in the road. Huangfu Song cupped his hands and said: "Wen Long, I have learned from my brother. This truth makes me think deeply. My residence is over there. Today Let’s just say goodbye.”
Chen Long bowed his hands and said goodbye. The two of them went their separate ways, sat down and separated their horses to the two sides. Chen Long was about to hit his horse when Huangfu Song suddenly turned his head and said, "Wen Long, the road is not smooth these days. Please pay attention to safety on the road." He then jumped on the horse and walked away with his whip.
These words were nothing at all, but to Chen Long's ears, they always seemed so abrupt. Chen Long went to court today without making any preparations. Huangfu Song's words made him tighten the serrated dagger in his boots, and at the same time he took a long riding whip from the horse bag and held it in his hand.
From the place where we parted ways with Huangfu Song to Cai Mansion, we had to cross the main street and then pass through a long alley. Because it was not suitable for flying dragons to gallop in the city, Chen Long only rode an ordinary military horse and slowly entered one side of the long alley. There were many shops on both sides of the long alley and there was a heavy flow of people. After turning a few more corners, it was Cai Mansion, where Chen Long After relaxing mentally, he secretly laughed that he was so nervous because of Huangfu Song's words. I guess they didn't dare to ambush the imperial official in broad daylight.
Just when Chen Long relaxed, Chen Long suddenly felt an invasion of powerful mental power. This feeling was like being bitten by a mosquito, small but real. After Chen Long practiced Tuanxi Gong, he had always been able to sense danger, but now he felt that he was being sensed. In other words, there is always one or a group of masters with spiritual perception, waiting for the moment when Chen Long relaxes.
The moment Chen Long sensed that the other party sensed that he was mentally relaxed, Chen Long fiercely burrowed into the belly of the military horse. At the same time, several sword lights were like thunder and lightning, piercing the space where Chen Long existed just now. Hesitantly, he followed Chen Long's figure downwards and changed direction, stabbing into the horse's back in unison.
The horse stood up in pain, with streams of blood spurting from its back. Those long swords were blocked by the standing horses. A person quickly jumped out from under the horse and rushed towards the crowd in the long alley. Several equally fast men in black immediately followed them.
Only then did the crowd realize the shocking changes, let out ear-splitting howls, and began to flee in all directions. Chen Long felt that someone was following him like a shadow. He waved his riding whip as he walked, constantly grabbing some beams and pillars and other things to change direction urgently. The sharp long sword behind him always stabbed a hole in the air at a moment's notice.
Since Chen Long traveled through time, he has never been in such a panic. He didn't even have time to turn around. He could only run forward desperately, change direction, and use the people around him to escape again and change direction. Ling Er kept distinguishing the footsteps behind him, and it seemed that there were three people. One of them had the highest martial arts. Every time the direction changed, he was the first to arrive and attack.
Although Chen Long had strong physical strength, he still could not get rid of his pursuers. Knowing that he had encountered an extremely powerful opponent and that he could not escape, he had to think of other ways. While he was leaping up to a main room, he used his true strength under his feet and the roof was shaken by the force. The earthquake opened a large hole, and Chen Long fell from the large hole into the main room. Obviously, the pursuers behind him did not expect that Chen Long would not continue to jump up, and a figure in black holding a long sword suddenly flew over the big hole.
Chen Long was in the main room. There were more walls around him, and he felt more at ease. Suddenly he saw a long sword hanging on the wall. He immediately pulled it out and held it in his hand. His figure was already leaning against the corner of the wall. In an instant, the doors and windows on three sides of the main house were shattered, revealing three masked men in black holding long swords with a faint smell of horse blood, surrounding Chen Long in the corner.
If you want to know what happens next, listen to the explanation next time.
