There were not many cavalrymen chasing the emperor, only one or two thousand people.
In ancient times, war horses were relatively precious and were equivalent to transportation. The traitor Wu Yuan could not have a strong cavalry. It was already very good to have only one or two thousand.
When the cavalry chased them to the Xie Lin Road, Shang Ruiye had already passed here, but the cavalry had no intention of stopping. They simply ignored the dangerous terrain around them and continued to gallop as fast as they could.
Two thousand war horses trampled the ground, raising dust, and the sound of their hooves was deafening.
But soon, countless soldiers stood up on the mountains on both sides. The sound of armor scraping could be heard everywhere, and flags were set up. Then, Peng Shuang and Liang Yuan waved their hands forward almost at the same time, and ordered in a loud voice: "Fire arrows!"
Following the orders of the two men, the soldiers loaded their bows with arrows and fired a volley downwards.
The arrows poured down like rain, hitting low from high, effortlessly at all, and more like a direct shot. In just a moment, there was a series of miserable howls below, mixed with the neighing of war horses.
"Uh-" Many cavalrymen began to tighten their reins, but before they could react, a barrage of arrows followed, knocking them off their horses.
"General! There's an ambush!" someone started shouting.
Do you still need to remind him? The rebel general was not blind. He waved his sword with his right hand and kept blocking random arrows. At the same time, he also pulled the reins with his left hand and shouted loudly: "Retreat! Retreat quickly!"
But they had already entered the ambush circle. It would not be that easy to retreat now.
Under Xiao Yuan's suggestion, the ambush on both sides was carried out only after they had completely entered.
This is a battle without any suspense. The mountains on both sides are condescending, and they keep firing arrows at the road below. It is not too easy.
What's more, when the war horses charged and were ambushed, the front tightened the reins, but the large group of people behind them didn't react at all. They even hit their own horses and turned them upside down.
Many rebels were also thrown to the ground and were either shot to death by random arrows or trampled to death by their own war horses.
These two thousand cavalry can be said to have become real living targets. After an ambush, the entire army was wiped out. After the battle, Xiao Yuan also began to collect weapons and horses.
Later, together with Zhong Bai, he escorted the emperor to Yuyang.
Yuyang Naixian County, the county magistrate heard that the emperor was coming, so he quickly opened the city and personally welcomed him out.
After seeing Shang Rui, he knelt on the ground and shouted loudly: "My lord, the magistrate of Yuyang County respectfully welcomes the Holy Master——"
There is no rebellion here in Yuyang. The county magistrate has no soldiers and horses in his hands, and he did not dare to go to rescue him before. However, Shang Rui did not mean to blame him, but waved his hand slightly and said: "Ai Qing Pingshen, go and prepare some good wine and meat, I'm hungry."
"Ah? Yes, yes, Wei Chen will make arrangements right away." Yuyang County Magistrate responded repeatedly.
When the emperor arrived, a small county magistrate did not dare to neglect, and quickly prepared a banquet. Later, Shang Rui invited Xiao Yuan and Zhong Bai to the table.
The Yuyang County Magistrate became an errand boy and started busy.
Naturally, Shang Rui was sitting on the main seat, and on both sides below him were some ministers from the imperial court.
Under the feudal dynasty, saving the emperor was a great achievement. There was nothing higher than this.
After the food and wine were served, Shang Rui began to say: "This traitor is so abominable. If it weren't for my two beloved ladies, I don't know what I would do now."
Of course he said this to Xiao Yuan and Zhong Bai. After a pause, he said again: "By the way, what are the official positions of the two beloved ministers now?"
The two of them looked at each other, and Zhong Bai took the lead and said: "Your Majesty, I have lived in Yangzhou for a long time and have no official position, but my ancestors have inherited the emperor's favor and have a title."
"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Shang Rui raised his eyebrows first, and then said tentatively: "Yangzhou Zhong family? Is your ancestor General Zhong Yue with outstanding military exploits?"
"Exactly." Zhong Bai replied.
"Ouch!" Shang Rui exclaimed excitedly and said happily: "Loyal minister, loyal minister!"
At this time, knowing that Zhong Bai was a hereditary powerful person, a royal minister also said quickly: "Yes, your majesty, the ancestors of the Zhong family are the founding heroes of the country. Now, the descendants have come thousands of miles to save him. God bless your majesty for this." Loyal minister."
"Yes, yes." Shang Rui couldn't help but sigh, and then said happily: "Zhong Aiqing's achievements this time are overwhelming. After the chaos is put down, I will give you a big reward!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Zhong Bai said first, and then said sternly: "If Xiao Yuan hadn't helped to quell the chaos this time and sent troops to Yuyang, we would never have been able to win. His contribution should be greater than that of Zhong Bai. I will never dare to Take the lead."
"Oh? Really?" After hearing what he said, Shang Rui also looked at Xiao Yuan and asked the same question: "I wonder what position Xiao Aiqing holds and who his ancestors are?"
"Your Majesty, the current captain of Liucheng School is from a civilian background." Xiao Yuan said directly.
"Civilian?" Shang Rui frowned at first, and then said in confusion: "Liucheng? Where is it?"
Upon seeing this, a minister quickly explained: "Ah, your Majesty, Liucheng is a county, under the jurisdiction of Anyang."
"Oh..." Shang Rui nodded in sudden realization and said, "Of course, Xiao Aiqing also has merit, and I will also give him a big reward."
As he spoke, he also began to greet everyone: "Come, come, drink, drink, drink with me."
"We all respect your Majesty——" people all said while holding cups.
After finishing the drink, Zhong Bai put down his glass and began to say: "Your Majesty, the leader of the thief, Wu Yuan, has now secretly taken up residence in the palace. In the eyes of my ministers, we should eliminate him as soon as possible so that we can escort your Majesty back to the capital."
"This..." Shang Rui had just escaped and finally entered Yuyang and gained temporary stability. Now, listening to Zhong Bai's words, he seemed to be fighting back. How dare he? He didn't know how to answer. .
At this time, a minister raised his hands and said: "Your Majesty, what Mr. Zhong said is inappropriate. Now that your Majesty has arrived in Yuyang, General Xiao and Mr. Zhong's men should be stationed in Yuyang to prevent the thieves from invading. As long as you guard Okay here, just wait for the chaos everywhere to calm down."
What he said was exactly what Shang Rui wanted, and the latter immediately nodded: "Yes, that's right, this is the best policy, Zhong Aiqing, why do you have to compete with the leader of the thieves?"
He is the emperor, so Zhong Bai didn't know how to answer, so he could only put down his hand.
But at this time, Xiao Yuan held up his hands and said: "Your Majesty, the traitors have occupied the imperial capital and are living in the palace. If they are not eliminated for a day, the imperial power will fall away, the ancestral temples and imperial mausoleums will be destroyed, and the world will collapse."
"This..." Xiao Yuan's words made Shang Rui swallow, and then stammered: "But, if we attack back to the imperial capital, do the two Aiqings have absolute confidence? If Aiqing is defeated, there will be Who can protect me?"
