A few dozen miles west of the west gate of Lingyuan City, the Emperor Liu Yan and the Prime Minister Lu Zheng were riding their horses westward.
The master and apprentice talked and laughed, as if all the troubles in the world had nothing to do with them.
Suddenly, a group of heavy cavalry from the southwest came through the snow and attacked the two of them without knowing their flag.
Liu Yan and Lu Zheng suddenly stopped their horses and frowned as they heard the roar of their horses.
The Changshui Guards who followed Liu Yan on patrol were already ambushed in the woods on both sides. If the cavalry on the opposite side attempted to charge and kill them, they would be killed without mercy. Li Changhong, the captain of the Changshui Guards, was listening to the cavalry galloping in the dark and was ready to die for his country. .
As he approached, the old man in black, who was leading the heavy cavalry, rolled down from his horse, bowed his head and knelt, "Old minister Jiang Cang, I'm here to escort your majesty out of Quzhou."
...
Jiang Cang, the largest aristocratic family in Quzhou and the previous patriarch of the Jiang clan, was a man of great influence who had disturbed Quzhou for thirty years. During his reign, the Jiang clan experienced a transformation from scratch to strength. After a huge change, after the Battle of Gyeonggi, the Jiang family's strength surpassed the eight established families in Quzhou and became one of the most prestigious and powerful families in Quzhou and even the world.
Twelve years ago, Jiang Cang supported the eldest prince Liu Huai and participated in the Battle of Gyeonggi. As a reward, after this battle, with the help of Queen Li Fengjiao, Jiang Cang obtained the hereditary title of Quzhou Mu from Liu Yan. From then on, the Jiang family in Quzhou began to dominate Quzhou.
Later, Jiang Cang retreated behind the scenes, and his son Jiang Feng succeeded Quzhou Mu and took charge of the Jiang clan. Jiang Feng was a master of military science and was known as the "little military god" in the world. Under his leadership, the Jiang clan was under Taihao City. , the weak defeated the strong, and defeated the coalition formed by the eight major families in Quzhou. From then on, they truly took the lead in Quzhou.
A big tree attracts the wind, and it can also attract butterflies. After the Jiang family became the dominant one in Quzhou, Jianghu sects and small and medium-sized aristocratic families came to join them one after another. The strength of the Jiang family expanded again, like a local emperor. In the past few years, the Jiang family has disappeared in the hinterland of Quzhou. Jiang Feng was threatening to break up the Central Plains, and the common people often called Jiang Feng "King of Quzhou" with a smile before and after tea.
Speaking of which, after Jiang Cang retreated behind the scenes, he stayed in the Taihao City mansion all day long and rarely appeared in public. His sudden appearance in front of Liu Yan today seems to be quite meaningful!
...
Seeing Jiang Cang suddenly, Liu Yan and Lu Zheng glanced at each other, then looked at the cold swords and iron armor behind Jiang Cang, and the lively cavalry, and they suddenly made a decision in their hearts.
Ah! This old Jiang Cang is here to show off his power.
Without missing a beat, Liu Yan patted the horse forward, pressed the whip on the horse's back, and said to Jiang Cang with a gentle face, "Jiang Aiqing, the last time we met was twelve years ago. I didn't expect that after we said goodbye that night, today It is truly a God-given fate to meet again here. Jiang Aiqing, how has your health been in recent years? "
Jiang Feng raised his head slightly, caught a glimpse of Liu Yan's unpredictable eyes, and suddenly froze.
Liu Yan's eastward tour was extremely secretive. Even the powerful "Five Gongs and Twelve Ministers" in the imperial court did not necessarily know about it. He relied on his many eyes and ears in Quzhou to find out the clues. Liu Yan and Lu Zheng were extremely smart. , he came here unexpectedly, it is impossible for the two of them not to have doubts, but Liu Yan did not mention a word about it;
Looking at myself again, ever since I participated in the Gyeonggi War twelve years ago, I have always felt that sooner or later the family will be tolerated by the world. In order to protect his own safety, he resigned from his post and took command, living in seclusion in his hometown. In the past twelve years, he has not stepped out of Taihao City. Today, he led the Jiang family's cavalry and suddenly came out of the mountain. Everyone who saw it would be shocked. However, the reason for his coming out of the mountain was still unknown to Liu Yan. He didn't mention it, but he was polite to me.
This couldn't help but make Jiang Cang pale in shock, and sighed to himself: The country has not changed, but the people in charge of it are no longer what they used to be! If His Majesty could have been as forbearing as he is now, all the families in the world would have been extinct long ago.
"Hey! Lao Jiangtou, what's wrong? You're old and deaf? Didn't you hear His Majesty talking to you?"
Lu Zheng cursed from the side, bringing Jiang Cang back to reality from his thoughts. Jiang Cang hurriedly kowtowed and said hastily, "I am old and weak, and my reaction is slow. Please forgive me."
Before Liu Yan could reply, Lu Zheng snorted and scolded with a smile, "You old man, if I remember correctly, how many years older than me are you? When you get older, just stay at home and raise your grandchildren. Why bother here?"
Jiang Cang and Lu Zheng had been officials in the same dynasty for half their lives. They knew each other well. If it weren't for the fact that they had different views and did not work together, they could be considered close friends.
Hearing Lu Zheng's ridicule, Jiang Cang was not angry and said slowly, "You are such an old-fashioned thing and you still come out to live in the world, so I can't go out for a walk? Besides, I haven't left the house either!"
The conversation between the two came to an abrupt end.
The whole world is not the king's land, and the land beside the land is not the king's ministers. You, Jiang Cang, actually metaphorically said in front of the emperor that Quzhou is your Jiang family's territory. Could it be that you, Jiang Cang, are going to kill the emperor and become the king today?
Jiang Cang also realized that his words were taboo, and he immediately knelt on the ground and explained, "I am a warrior, so your words are inappropriate. Don't blame me. What I mean is that this place is very close to Taihao City, my former residence. After a moment of galloping, we're here. Haha!"
Liu Yan did not care about it, but smiled gently and said, "Jiang Aiqing has worked hard for the country all his life, and he is still in good health when he grows old. It is really a blessing for our generation and the country!"
Jiang Cang hurriedly kowtowed and said, "This depends on your majesty's hard work! In these years, under your majesty's governance, the weather has been smooth, the people are prosperous, and the veteran can spend his old age in peace!"
Liu Yan's face remained as usual, he dismounted from his horse, helped Jiang Cang, who was still in the dust, pointed at the pavilion not far away with his riding crop, and said, "In the depth of winter, how about you and I, kings and ministers, cook some snow around the stove?"
Jiang Cang hurriedly responded, and following his order, the Jiang family's cavalry of about five hundred people dispersed in unison to both sides, with a majestic sound. At the right time, the sky was lightly snowing, and the sun was hidden for three winters. Liu Yan Wearing a red robe and walking among the cold iron armor, he was like Jing Ke facing danger alone by the Yishui River.
Halfway through the journey, among the towering iron armors standing on both sides, a mountain-like general suddenly coughed at Jiang Cang. The eyes of all the Jiang family's heavy riders suddenly surged with murderous intent, and their thumbs were already on the sabers at their waists. On the sheath.
Hearing this sound, Jiang Cang's expression changed drastically and he couldn't help but panic.
Jiang Cang's original intention was to use the opportunity of welcoming and sending off to ease the conflict between the Jiang family and the Tian family. However, as emperor and courtier, the Jiang family had already obeyed his son Jiang Feng. After Jiang Feng learned the news , immediately found Jiang Cang and begged to send cavalry to protect Jiang Cang Zhouquan. Jiang Cang refused at first, but could not withstand Jiang Feng's insistence and could only agree.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, these cavalrymen actually planned to intercept and kill the emperor, which caught Jiang Cang off guard.
The grass and trees are blown by the wind, and the murderous aura gradually arises.
Lu Zheng, who was following Liu Yan, saw this and asked, "Old man Jiang, are these dolls your soldiers?"
This question was so explicit that it was equivalent to directly asking, 'Is the current behavior of these people what you mean by Jiang Cang?'
Jiang Cang broke out in cold sweat, forced a smile, and replied to Lu Zheng, "It belongs to His Majesty, His Majesty's soldiers."
Before Lu Zheng could speak again, the mountain-like general coughed again. The ring-headed swords on the waists of all the cavalry showed a ferocious cold light. They only waited for the leading general to give the order before they stepped forward to chop off the ninety-five-year-old general. of honor.
Tu Qiong saw that there was no need for Lu Zheng to be arrogant in his words. He sneered, "Old man Jiang, with so many hundreds of people, are you sure you can keep your majesty and me? Don't forget, I am a scholar in the realm of immortality. Why do you use so little Is it too disrespectful for my son to entertain me?"
Jiang Cang quickly explained, "Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding! Your Majesty..."
Liu Yan did not give Jiang Cang a chance to explain. Instead, he waved his sleeves and interrupted Jiang Cang who was about to speak. Liu Yan smiled warmly at Jiang Cang and said, "Jiang Qing, I have a swallow of Hong." The sword is placed in Weiyang Palace and has not been unsheathed for many years. Would Jiang Qing want to see it?"
After that, Liu Yan ignored Jiang Cang's reaction. He danced his sleeves and a golden sword emerged from the depths of the red robe. Jiang Cang took a closer look and saw that the sword's body was made of black iron and was extremely thin. , showing a faint cold light, the hilt of the sword resembles a golden dragon carving, looking extremely majestic.
Liu Yan moved lightly with one hand, and the sword came out of the sheath. The naked eye could see that the blade was extremely sharp. At that time, it was truly as sharp as autumn frost. When the swallow comes out of its sheath, it is like a white snake spitting out a message, hissing through the wind, reaching straight into the sky. It is also like a dragon shuttle, flying and soaring, walking in the air. Sometimes it is as light as a swallow, and it rises with a sword. Sometimes it is as sudden as lightning, and fallen leaves collapse. .
There is really a golden light rising from the ground, and it has swallowed the blood of the Huns for thousands of miles.
In the astonished eyes of the audience, the sword fell from the sky and returned to Liu Yan's hand. An inch-long dragon swam repeatedly on the hilt, demonstrating Liu Yan's inviolable majesty.
Liu Yan naturally changed his right hand to his left hand for Tun Hong Sword, walked around from behind Jiang Cang to in front of Jiang Cang, daggered the sword casually in front of Jiang Cang, and said with a ruthless look, "Jiang Qing, the wind and snow are heavy on the plains, let's Let’s go to the pavilion and talk!”
The general who commanded the Jiang family's cavalry saw this and knew that Jiang Cang was being held hostage by Liu Yan, so he quickly ordered his men to sheath their swords.
While walking, Jiang Cang looked helpless and whispered to Liu Yan, "Your Majesty, you know that I am a martial artist who has entered the country. If I want to break free from your shackles, it will be easy."
Liu Yan said with a smile, "Jiang Qing, don't worry, I don't have any other intentions. It's just that the sword hasn't been unsheathed for a long time, and I'm afraid that many people will forget that I still have the sword!"
Jiang Cang looked frustrated, "Your Majesty, you know that I don't have that intention today."
Liu Yan paused and said in a low voice, "The atmosphere is here. It's not interesting anymore, but it's interesting now!"
Jiang Cang's expression gradually became decadent, and he said regretfully, "Old minister, I regret my mistake. If I had led my troops to serve the king back then, you and I, the king and my ministers, would not have been so divided."
Liu Yan had no expression on his face and said in a cold voice, "When people do wrong things, they always have to pay the price, and I am no exception. Back then, I was very high-spirited and determined to eradicate the family, unify the government, and create a prosperous age of peace, but how could the world be so peaceful? Everything was so difficult. I overestimated myself and underestimated the heroes of the world. I paid a heavy price for my recklessness back then and became the puppet emperor for six or seven years before I gradually took back power. I cannot make such a mistake. Will do it a second time.”
Liu Yan breathed a sigh of relief, "Jiang Qing, Jiang Qing, what price will you pay for the mistake you made in causing chaos in the capital?"
Jiang Cang stopped suddenly and said sincerely to Liu Yan, "I would like to persuade Quanzi to resign and retire to his hometown."
Liu Yan smiled lightly and said, "Go ahead and tell your son this! My big plan for Pingtian is about to be implemented. If Jiang Feng is willing to disband his private soldiers and return to his fields, I will never be stingy about giving you a hereditary replacement for the Jiang family." The Marquis."
Jiang Cang immediately replied, "Your Majesty, please wait for the good news."
The conversation between the two was interrupted by the roar of the overwhelming cavalry. In the distance, a black torrent of steel with no end in sight was lined up and galloping towards this side. On the big banner beside the leading general, Long Xiang Er The words are very eye-catching.
Long Xiangwei, known as the best cavalry in the world, came to rescue Liu Yan at the critical moment when he was in jail.
Jiang Cang took a deep breath and said, "Your Majesty, you are safe. I apologize to Your Majesty for Quanzi's outrageous behavior."
Liu Yan sneered, "As soon as I leave Quzhou today, if the Jiang family is not destroyed, I won't be able to come back in this life!"
Jiang Cang burst into tears immediately, "The country is your Majesty's country, and I am your Majesty's ministers."
Perhaps it was Jiang Cang's tears that moved Liu Yan. Liu Yan put away the Swallowing Hong Sword and said softly to Jiang Cang, "The greatest happiness in the world is to live well until death. Compared with life and death, glory, wealth, honor, Fame and wealth are all external things. I hope Jiang Qing will remember what I said. I will give you one year. After one year, don’t blame my subordinates for being ruthless. "
Jiang Cang accepted the order with tears in his eyes.
Returning to the Longxiang Guard Formation, the army immediately set off, heading west.
While galloping, Liu Yan looked back to the east, his eyes full of anticipation and expectation.
Liu Quansheng, Yi'er, you have to work hard!
May you not waste the rest of your life and cheer up to become a thunderous hero.
