Chapter 35 Chapter 35 Guiyi
Most of the buildings in Shazhou are made of local materials, and sand is used as the material. Even the wealthy family is no exception. The Zhang family’s mansion occupies a huge area. The architectural style of the house is completely different from that of the Central Plains. The sand wall with a height of half a person can have a panoramic view of everything in the courtyard from a distance.
As soon as you enter the gate of the mansion, you will face a promenade. The promenade is just a wooden frame covered with grape vines. Bunches of ripe grapes are hung among the branches and leaves.
Many knights gathered under the shade of the trees at the gate, they were the guards of the heads of the great families. In the yard, felt blankets and futons were set up under the grape trellises, and a few small tables were placed on which were placed fine wine, meat and Gua Guo, the "heads" of the nine great aristocratic families all sat on it in a kneeling manner, except Zhang Chengxian, the old family member of the Zhang family, behind each of them stood two guards with machetes at their waists.
Zhang Chengxian was wearing a black quilted Zen robe, a high crown on his head, and wooden clogs on his feet. He was still dressed like a person from the Han Dynasty. Looking at him with gray hair, he was full of spirit, looking forward and looking majestic.Behind Zhang Chengxian, there stood only a young boy with red lips and white teeth, with picturesque eyebrows, suitable for anger and happiness, very attractive to others.The little boy stood with his hands down, with a respectful attitude.There are many domestic servants in green clothes and small hats waiting around.
The head of the Linghu family, Linghu Shangshan, is over sixty years old, with a red face and a very burly body. He looked around, stroked his beard and smiled and said: "Zhang Weng has not cared about world affairs for many years. We are here, what is there to discuss?"
Zhang Chengxian smiled lightly, focused his attention on a white-robed man in his thirties, and said kindly: "Zi Yue, why didn't brother Ling come?"
The man was in his early thirties, with a hooked nose and deep eye sockets, giving him a vulture-like appearance.The name of this person is Cao Ziyue, the second son of Cao Yangong. He said with an unhappy face: "My brother has the important responsibility of guarding the city of Shazhou, how can he leave his post lightly. I don't know why Zhang Weng invited us here, what is the matter? Let's talk about it earlier, Yang Hao's army is approaching the city, and my brother dare not leave, Ziyue has to go back to defend the city later."
The Cao family is now in control of the Guiyi army, and they are the well-deserved kings of Dunhuang. Now Zhang Chengxian is relying on the old to sell the old. He invited the leaders of the nine clans of Qi so aggressively, and he had never communicated with the Cao family beforehand. There are people in the world, ordinary people, and even low-ranking officers and soldiers of the Guiyi Army. The rule of the Guiyi Army is in jeopardy. The nine major families in Shazhou are the mainstay of Shazhou. To win him over, Cao Zi said he had no choice but to forbear for a while.
Zhang Chengxian chuckled, stroked his beard and said: "The old man is getting old, and he should have a pot of tea and a glass of wine every day to entertain his grandchildren and take care of his life. It's time for me to stop worrying about worldly affairs..."
Cao Zi said interrupted him, and said with a smile: "What Zhang Weng said is reasonable. Zhang Weng is energetic and healthy. If he takes good care of his life, in another twenty years, he will be a Renrui in our Shazhou. What's the matter?" The matter, we juniors will solve it on our own, Zhang Weng is better to worry less."
Zhang Chengxian stared at him and said, "Now that Yang Hao's soldiers are approaching the city with a force of 100,000, what will Ziyue plan to do? Will I burn all the jade and rocks in Shazhou? Or... follow the example of the Huihe soldiers from Ganzhou that day when they came to the city?" Difficult to form a father-son kingdom with Yang Hao?"
Cao Zi said that he became angry from embarrassment, Huo Di straightened up and said angrily, "You..."
Suo Chao, the Patriarch of the Suo family, reached out and pressed Cao Ziyue's knee, with vigilant eyes shining in his eyes, and said with a deep smile, "Why do you need to be impatient, maybe... old Patriarch Zhang will have some unusual opinions, Zuo Shen Master Cao, why don't we listen to it."
Suo Chao was a good friend of Cao Ziyue, and as soon as he came out to comfort him, Cao Ziyue snorted coldly and stopped talking.But this time, the cheerful atmosphere when the leaders of the major families arrived just disappeared, and the situation suddenly became tense.
Speaking of which, the nine major families in Shazhou all have intricate kinship relationships. As the second largest family in Shazhou, the Suo family originally had the closest relationship with the Zhang family.In his later years Zhang Yichao traveled long distances at the age of sixty-nine to enter Chang'an as a hostage, and handed over the Guiyi army to his nephew Zhang Huaishen. At that time, Suo Xun, the head of the Suo family, was Zhang Yichao's son-in-law.
After Zhang Yichao's death, Suo Xun launched a coup, killed Zhang Huaishen, his wife and their six sons, and seized the military power of the Guiyi Army. At that time, Zhang Yichao's fourteenth daughter was the daughter-in-law of the Li family, another big family in Shazhou. Her husband is Liangzhou Sima Li Mingzhen. The fourteenth girl was very dissatisfied with her brother-in-law's perverse behavior. She and her husband Li Mingzhen once again staged a mutiny. Chengxian's brother is the Jiedu envoy of the Guiyi Army.
From then on, the Zhang family and the Suo family began to fight against each other. Later, the Cao family, the third largest family, gradually took control of the military and political power in Shazhou. Among them, the Cao family and the Suo family have become the closest allies, while the Yin family and Li family are still closer to the Zhang family. As for the Si, Yan, An, and Linghu families, they are long-sleeved and good at dancing. Between the two factions, it belongs to the master who makes soy sauce.
Zhang Chengxian had a panoramic view of the changes in Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao's expressions. He just smiled lightly and said calmly: "Everyone, during the Anshi Rebellion in the past, Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty took refuge in Shu and dispatched elite soldiers from Longyou and Longyou in Hexi to escort him to Hexi. The troops in Longyou were empty, Tubo took the opportunity to attack, Hexi fell, and the road blocked Xiaoguan, we Han children had no contact with our homeland. But we Han children who were alone, never forgot our homeland. Right here This Shazhou..."
Zhang Chengxian flicked his sleeves, pointed to the land under his feet, and said in a deep voice: "After the fall of the Guazhou states in Ganliangsu, our soldiers and civilians of the Han family have held on to Shazhou, the last piece of Han land, for eleven years. Zhou Ding, governor of Shazhou, saw that there was no hope for help. He wanted to burn the city and run eastward. He had no intention of surrendering. He just wanted to abandon this land and return to his ancestors. We all know that General Yan Chaoyan, the military envoy, hanged and killed Zhou Ding, and led the army and the people to continue to fight against Tubo.
It wasn't until the second year of Jianzhong that the food was exhausted that General Yan sent people to have a meeting with Tubo general Qi Xin'er, and made a solemn promise to Tianmeng: After the Tibetan soldiers enter the city, they shall not kill a son of our Han family, nor humiliate a single member of our Han family. Girl, with the solemn acceptance of Qi Xin'er, she surrendered the city and saved our soldiers and civilians in Shazhou, and my nine major families, so that our Han family can continue to live on Shazhou.
In order to sever the blood relationship between the Han people and the Tang Dynasty, the Tubo people did not allow us to wear the clothes passed down from our ancestors, and asked us to braid our left lapels, just like a beard.Every year, on the day of Yuanshuo, we Han people can wear the long-lost Han clothes and worship our ancestors in the East. We hope that Master Wang can save me. We are in the middle of fire and water, but the Tang Dynasty is weak, and the Central Plains is still in war. We are unable to take care of us. what! "
When Zhang Chengxian said this, he was already in tears, and the leaders of the major families could not help but feel a little moved. The courtyard was silent, only listening to Zhang Chengxian's generous speech: "Later, Tubo Zanpu Dharma was assassinated by a monk. I am a Shazhou Han The son lived up to the painstaking efforts of General Yan in the past, and the ancestor Yichao took the opportunity to rise up and led my Haner to recover Shazhou in one fell swoop. One bird soared, and a hundred birds followed. Then they regained the eleven states of Gua and Sha.
After a hundred years of left lapel, it became a crown dress again.The leftovers of the ten prefectures, all of them were born, and the ancestors abolished the Tubo tribal system, rebuilt the counties and townships, established households, cleared the land, repaired water conservancy, and promoted farming. But... the descendants are unworthy. Since Yichao Gong, my Guiyi army has gone from bad to worse, and the eleven states have been gradually eaten away. Today, I, the Han people in the Western Regions, can only keep the two states of Gua and Sha, and I still want to call myself the king of Huihe in Ganzhou! "
Cao Zi said he couldn't hold back anymore, his face was livid, and he pressed his knife and shouted: "Zhang Chengxian, what do you mean, are you criticizing my Cao family?"
The two swordsmen behind him immediately took a step forward, with ferocious expressions on their faces. Zhang Chengxian rolled his eyelids, and said indifferently: "The Guiyi army fell in the hands of my Zhang family. Why did you blame your Cao family? But your Cao family took over. After Shazhou, I did not see any improvement when I joined the Rebel Army. This is a fact. This old man is just discussing the facts. The old man is now eighty-four, and the age of the loess is buried in the neck. You kid, do you want to scare the old man?"
Cao Zi said that he was trembling with anger, and shouted angrily: "Old man, are you relying on the old to sell the youngest?"
The Zhang family's nephews and servants all showed anger when they heard the words, Suo Chao hurriedly pressed Cao Zi and said, and said with a dark smile: "Zhang Weng, the reason why you called us here today is to listen to Zhang Weng talk about your ancestors. Weifeng, tell me about these old things in Shazhou?"
"otherwise!"
Zhang Chengxian said seriously: "The old man said these words to you juniors to let you know what our seniors have done to protect the mantle of our Han family. I want you to know that we are far away in the Western Regions, far away from our homeland. It's not that I don't think about my hometown in Shazhou, nor is it that China wants to abandon me in the Western Regions!
The Great Tang collapsed and the Guiyi army fell, and we all became the remnants of lonely ministers without a country and a family. After another hundred years, we will forget our ancestors and become barbarians.However, now Taiwei Yang has sent his army to the west, destroying the dead, and the momentum is like a broken bamboo. Tubo and Huihe are looking forward to fleeing. This is really a rare opportunity to restore our Han land.Are we now going to forget the will of our ancestors and become enemies of the heavenly army? "
Cao Zi said that he understood everything when he heard this, he suddenly stood up, and shouted sharply: "Zhang Chengxian, are you trying to trick me into giving up our weapons and surrendering to Yang Hao?"
Zhang Chengxian said: "Everyone, Taiwei Yang came here to unify Hexi and restore our Han land. You are all rich in Shazhou. Since we were cut off from the Central Plains, we have been looking forward to it day and night. I am Han, now that Taiwei Yang is really here, should we meet him with swords? The Taiwei is strong and strong, even Ganzhou Huihe is closed and does not fight, and dare not lightly plunder the Taiwei's blade. Is it me? Can Shaer Prefecture withstand the Taiwei's army?
Surrender, follow the will of heaven and earth, inherit the will of the ancestors, and conform to the hearts of the people. Your family will not suffer the slightest damage, and the opening of the Western Regions will benefit greatly.In the war, the morale of the army and the people is not available, and there is no doubt that we will lose. The result of my big families is nothing but the death of Shazhou.I really can't bear to wait for you to step into the abyss. I invite you here today to point out a clear path for the nine great families in Shazhou. Where should I go? After listening to the old man's words, the patriarchs have made a decision now? "
The leaders of the various families looked at each other, but they didn't expect Zhang Cheng to cut straight to the point and come here to persuade Yang Hao to surrender.
Cao Zi said that he was startled and angry. Ever since the Cao family took over the power of the Guiyi Army decades ago, the Zhang family has rarely participated in the military and political affairs of Shazhou. He never thought that Zhang Chengxian, an old man, would be so daring. How dare you blatantly confuse people and persuade everyone to abandon the Cao family and surrender to Yang Hao.He took a quick glance and saw that it was very difficult to hide the ambushes in this courtyard. The guards brought by the major families were all mixed together and stood outside the courtyard. The total number was only a hundred or so. The leader of the big family stood up first, drew his sword and said, "My Cao family has made a decision, and that is: kill you, a weak and incompetent old man who eats inside and outside!"
Cao Zi said that as soon as Cao Zi said this, Suo Chao also jumped up, each of them held a steel knife, and the guards behind him immediately drew their swords outwards, at this time Yin Chucai, the head of the Yin family, and Li Xiyu, the head of the Li family, slowly moved forward. Standing up, he took two steps closer to Zhang Chengxian, and their personal guards immediately drew their swords and stopped in front of them.
Yin Chucai was obese, with a round and round fat face, and with a friendly expression, he said with a smile: "My Guiyi army is declining day by day, and I am definitely not the opponent of Yang Taiwei. , I think Zhang Weng's suggestion is also right. It is wise to abandon the city and surrender. Our families will not suffer any losses because of this. Hehe, of course, the Cao family must give up their military power, but this military power... …If the fight continues, don’t you want to let it out?”
Li Xiyu, the head of the Li family, said with a smirk: "At that time, the best ending will be like the Dragon King of Suzhou, who will go east and lose his glory. Look at Luorong Dengba in Liangzhou, now But being the governor of Liangzhou, apart from not having military power, what is the difference from before? Then again, what is the purpose of taking military power? Isn’t it for the safety of the family and the safety of the city? Brother Zi said, such a headache Son, leave it to Taiwei Yang to worry about it, okay?"
The leaders of the Si, Yan, An, and Linghu families watched coldly, and suddenly realized that Zhang Chengxian, the Yin family, and the Li family had already passed each other. In fact, for the leaders of the Si, Yan, An, and Linghu families However, it makes no difference to them whether the Cao family is in charge of the military or Yang Hao is in charge of the military in Shazhou.Seeing Yang Hao's powerful army now, many Shazhou scholars, people and Buddhist circles welcomed his arrival, and after hearing Zhang Chengxian's emotional and reasonable words, they may not be unmoved.
However, this kind of position statement matters a lot.From a distance, Yang Hao's army is strong and horses are strong, and they are pessimistic about whether the two states of Shagua can resist the enemy.More recently, since the Zhang family, the Yin family, and the Li family had premeditated plans, they would not fail to make preparations in secret. If they did not agree, they might soon become ghosts under the knife. From this point of view, they wanted to express their approval. .
However, the Zhang family has been away from the political center of Shazhou for many years. Most of the family's nephews have abandoned martial arts and followed the civil service. Yes, as soon as they escape, before the big families gather their nephews, generals, and servants to resist, the army will immediately crush the Zhang family. If he expresses his attitude, he will become a chaotic faction and be purged Did it drop?
The leaders of Si, Yan, An, and Linghu looked left and right, hesitating. Cao Zi said that he saw that there was no ambush around, so he immediately decided to capture the thief and the head. , Killing him in one fell swoop, and then capturing Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu, will be able to deter the restless hearts of the other big families and quickly quell the rebellion.
With the plan in mind, Cao Ziyue immediately gave Suo Chao a wink, and said with a smirk: "Zhang Chengxian, I thought your ancestor was the king of my Jinshan country, so my Cao family paid three respects to you. I don't want you, Zhang Chengxian, to repay your kindness. You actually intend to rebel. You stupid old man, do you still think that the Zhang family can rule the wind and rain in Shazhou today? Now the king of Dunhuang is my father, what kind of thing is Yang Hao! Today, my second prince, Cao Ziyue, will replace me The king enforced the law of the country and cut off the dog's head of you old bastard!"
After saying that, Cao Zi pointed at the halberd and shouted sharply, "Come on, kill him!"
Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao's bodyguards rushed forward immediately, and the four scimitars struck Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's bodyguards first, and while the bodyguards swung their knives to block them, they swirled like a whirlwind, and the four scimitars staggered down. , rolling towards Zhang Chengxian with a whimpering sound, the power of this knife seemed to cut his head in four. There was a sharp whistle, like a crane roaring in the sky, Zhang Chengxian remained motionless, but behind him, the boy with red lips and white teeth, handsome as a little girl suddenly flashed in front of him like a ghost, waved his arms, "Keng Keng Keng Keng! "Four crisp sounds of weapons clashing, fragments of the big sleeve flying all over the sky, the little boy revealed a white arm, and a sharp dagger held upside down in his hand was exposed. The Zhang family's nephews were horrified when they saw the Patriarch being attacked. They had already seen the child's superb martial arts and believed that she had enough power to protect the Patriarch. The location of the ambush, of course, if it weren't for this, people like Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao, who had been in trouble with the Zhang family for a long time, would not have gone to the banquet rashly, without any suspicion.Even so, after seeing the thunderbolt light of the four guards and swordsmen, they were still in a cold sweat, and they were greatly relieved until Xiaotong successfully defuse the opponent's attack. Several nephews of the Zhang family rushed forward to help the old Patriarch down, but Zhang Chengxian waved his hands and stood motionless on the spot. The little boy swung four sabers, twisted his waist and swayed to the left, then suddenly sped up and rushed towards the enemy in front of him. The light of the sword flew across the sky, like a wisp of silver thread fluttering. Light, a silver-like sword light shuttles back and forth, two beams of light dance in the air, looking ahead, sometimes behind, looking left, sometimes right, looking up, sometimes down, too fast to catch the eye , the other three swordsmen were about to rush to Zhang Chengxian, but they were stopped by Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's guards. Seeing that their companions were in danger, they hurriedly turned around and killed them. The speed of attacking and retreating with another guard is still a little bit behind. Gang Lie's saber wind is only whistling behind the boy, which is always a little bit behind, and it can't hurt him. The swordsman who was suppressed by the boy was really good at martial arts, but unfortunately his wide-opening and closing Western Region swordsmanship couldn't be used with such swift and lightning-like swordsmanship. He split the grid, retreated seven steps, suddenly roared, gave up defense, and chopped down Huashan with a powerful move, the boy pulled away and retreated quickly, leaving a phantom on the spot. The light of the knife pierced through the phantom, and the tip went straight into the ground, with a "bang", yellow sand flew up, the swordsman clenched the handle of the knife with both hands, his eyes widened angrily, and he remained motionless, with blood gurgling from his throat.But the little boy didn't even look at it. As soon as he retreated, the sword in his hand immediately transformed into a heavy sword shadow. A soul-stirring sword cry sounded suddenly, and the dazzling sword light flashed across the throat of a swordsman. Immediately, the man was moved forward by the little boy, facing the light of another swordsman's sword. The red light flashed and blood splashed everywhere. The swordsman was caught off guard and cut his partner in half with a single knife. . There were only two swordsmen left, and the boy's movements were clearly relaxed. A young boy with flowery eyebrows, with a white lotus arm bare, a silver thread curled in his hand, pointing east and west, moving freely and swiftly. Retreating, drifting like the wind, her demeanor is indescribably beautiful, those big eyes that are as clear as water still have time to glance at Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao from time to time. At this time, the people outside the courtyard also moved their hands. Although Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's people had prepared in advance, the guards of each family stood together alone. They killed one or two, and the rest of them fought together, while the guards of the other families saw their master watching from the sidelines, so they also drew their weapons and stepped aside, not knowing whether they should do it or not. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao couldn't help being startled when they saw the boy's terrifying martial arts. Over the past few decades, the Zhang family has gradually declined. General, they really didn't expect such a little boy to have such martial arts, the two suddenly retreated, and looked at each other, Cao Zi said: "Retire, bring the soldiers!" The two rushed to the door, as long as they grabbed the horse, no one could stop them.Unexpectedly, at this moment, those domestic servants in green clothes and caps suddenly pulled the sleeves of their right arms, and there was a sound of "chih la la", everyone bared their right arms, with sleeve crossbows tied on their arms, aiming at their bodies. Within a short distance, even if the two turned into birds, they would never escape. It wasn’t long before the sleeve crossbow was invented in the Central Plains. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao had never seen this kind of thing before. Seeing those people raise their right arms and tie a small cylinder under their arms, although they knew it must be right. They didn't know what it was, but they still sped up and ran out. At this moment, they suddenly heard a loud voice from behind: "Don't shoot arrows, you have to live! Get rid of their guards!" Immediately, they heard two screams, the two could hear clearly that it was their bodyguards, they couldn't help feeling chills in their hearts, exerting force with their feet, they were able to overtake the galloping horse in a short distance.The little boy took care of the two swordsmen, and a swallow chased after him. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao ran out like a competition. Seeing that they were only three steps away from the gate, they heard the sound of the clothes ripping through the wind. Both of them were kicked in the back of the heart at the same time, and they all jumped forward, their heads resting on the threshold. Cao Zi said that the clothes and skin on his chest were scratched, and he felt a burning pain. His head was on the thick threshold, and he was dizzy. Ya is not big, but it is as heavy as a mountain, pressing his whole body firmly to the ground. The little boy stepped on Cao Zi and said, pointing his sword at Suo Chao, rubbing his nose with the back of his left hand, and said crisply: "You are the second prince? You don't look like a prince in a dragon robe, you are more like a eunuch." , fight with my uncle? Humph!"
Half of the city, with Guiyi Street as the line, the teams of nephews, generals, guards, and tenants from the eight great families of Zhang, Suo, Yin, Li, Si, Yan, An, and Linghu to the east, and the Guiyi Army to the west The two sides are at war with each other, and they are on the verge of breaking out. Because Cao Ziyan, who guarded Shazhou for his father, did not attend the banquet in person, the Zhang family failed to control the Guiyi army. The terrain occupies half of the city, and at the same time, he sent people out of the city to contact Ai Yihai, and dispatched his Qingqi to Shazhou. The Patriarch of the Suo family was controlled by Zhang Chengxian, and he used him as a hostage to coerce the Suo family to join the rebellion. Now the confrontation between the eight major families in Shazhou and the Cao family who controls the army has formed.Cao Ziyan issued an ultimatum: within an hour, he must release his second disciple, surrender and surrender, or launch an attack immediately. In Zhang's house, Zhang Chengxian with his sleeves behind his back, walked slowly, listening to his grandson Zhang Qian narrate the situation of the confrontation on the street, and suddenly stopped and said: "Although my Zhang family has not asked about Shazhou for a long time, but when I return After all, the rebel army was established by the ancestors of my Zhang family. I don't believe that the soldiers who belong to the rebel army will throw guns and arrows at the old man. I will go and say surrender myself!" The nephews of the Zhang family turned pale when they heard this, and his fourth son, Zhang Yu, changed color and said, "Father, absolutely not, now we have brought the eight major families over and occupied half of the sandbar, we just need to hold the half of the sandbar In Zhoucheng, it can be regarded as a great success, once Yang Taiwei's troops arrive, the situation will definitely turn around, how can father take risks lightly at such an old age?" "Stupid!" Zhang Chengxian scolded coldly, looked around at his nephew's family, and said earnestly: "Cao Ziyan didn't invite me to visit this old man in person. Now the Cao family has controlled the Guiyi Army for decades? My Zhang family is relying on my ancestor Yu Yin and the prestige of Lord Yichao. Only by being stronger and domineering can we strengthen our influence on the soldiers of the Guiyi Army and completely control Sha state situation. If we wait for Taiwei Yang's reinforcements without further action, the shock we caused to the Guiyi Army will gradually disappear, and before Taiwei Yang's reinforcements arrive, Cao Ziyan will launch an attack, even though our Eight Great Clans have joined hands , but the army is in the hands of Cao Ziyan, our nephews, family generals, and tenants, how can we be well-trained opponents of the army if we really want to fight?If you are not careful, all previous efforts will be wasted. " Zhang Chengxian put his hand on his son's shoulder, patted it lightly, and his old eyes were moist: "Son, you are almost seventy now, with gray hair and wrinkled face. Your eldest brother, second brother, third brother, Both have passed away before my father and son. As a father, in this lifetime, I only have two wishes. One is to go to Chang'an, worship the tomb of Lord Yichao, offer a glass of water and wine, and fulfill the filial piety of the children and grandchildren; I want our Zhang family to prosper again. The Yin family and Li family are big families in Shazhou, and they are content with the status quo, but the Zhang family is different. Our Zhang family created the Guiyi Army with one hand. Those who have been called the emperor, no matter what, they can't be reduced to a merchant family, guarding the palm-sized place in the desert to live. The descendants of our Zhang family, even if they can't be called the heroes of the whole life, they must be the heroes of the whole life. This is not considered lost. The face of our Zhang family ancestors." Zhang Chengxian sighed for a while, and then said: "Half of the city's work may be wasted. For my father, I must take the entire Shazhou City and hand over a complete city to Yang Taiwei. Only in this way can I become the progress of my Zhang family." Body rank, do you understand?" Zhang Yu said excitedly: "Father, I will go there for you!" Zhang Chengxian shook his head, raised his eyebrows, and said: "The Zhang family is gradually declining. As a descendant of the Zhang family, I cannot escape the responsibility of my father. If you can follow the ancestors, and make this righteous act with a wave of your arms, Jiuquan will be honored." Only then will I have the face to meet my ancestors, my son, don’t argue with my father!" Hearing Zhang Chengxian's idea, Ma Yi immediately shook his head and said, "No, it's too risky to do so. Even if ordinary Guiyi soldiers dare not harm the old man, but the Cao family has ruled Shazhou for many years, it is inevitable that there are some confidantes, but there is one person If you cast a cold arrow, the old man will be in danger of life. Absolutely not." Zhang Chengxian said with a smile: "I believe that Taiwei Yang has not attacked the city for a long time when he is stationed in Maguazhou, and he does not want to fight with his brothers from the Guiyi army. If he can surrender to the Yi army without fighting, it will be a great merit. The death of one person can prevent the death of hundreds of soldiers, and it is equally worthwhile. The old man has made up his mind, so you don't have to stop it." Ma Yi repeatedly dissuaded him, but Zhang Chengxian insisted on going. In desperation, Ma Yi had no choice but to say: "In that case, please put on the soft armor, old man, and let me go with you. Sir, don't cross the street. If anything happens, Ma Yi Yi will go all out to ensure the safety of my husband, otherwise...uncle will definitely blame me." Zhang Chengxian laughed and said: "Seeing you, the old man knows that Taiwei Yang is a righteous person. Cheng, I listen to you, so I wear a soft armor and try my best to save my old life, hehehe..." Both sides of Guiyi Street were full of soldiers and civilians with guns and bows in full battle, but the entire spacious street was lonely, not even a dog. Suddenly, on the side of the east city occupied by the eight major families, an old man with a bright head and a commoner clothes came out slowly, followed by only a handsome boy. , Someone recognized the identity of the old man, and the whispers gathered into a wave of voices, and the lineup of the Guiyi Army suddenly became commotion. Cao Ziyan looked with his sword, and saw the old man in the ancient Han and Tang Dynasties, wearing a quilted Zen robe, wearing a high crown, and wearing high-toothed wooden clogs. , suddenly raised his arms, and said in a loud voice: "This old man is the Jiedu Envoy of the Guiyi Army, the Observation Envoy of Guashasu Ganliang and other eleven prefectures, the Chancellor of the Ministry of Rites, and the descendant of Jinwu General Zhang Yichao, Zhang Chengxian!" The voice on the other side became more intense, Zhang Cheng paused for a moment, and then said: "Soldiers of the Guiyi Army, do you know what Guiyi is? Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty felt my heroic feat of Guiyi Army. He once praised me, which can be used as an explanation. : The loyalty of loyal ministers, and the long horns of Kunyi. The story of Dou Rong Hexi, seen in the heyday; Li Ling taught archery, nothing more than a righteous journey! Guiyi Army was founded by Yichao Gong, the ancestor of the family. Yichao Gong had great ambitions. He liked to recite "Feng Changqing Xie Biao Wen" since he was a child: He hoped that the society would be restored, and the rebellion against Hu would be defeated. The minister's wish has been fulfilled.Looking up to the sky and drinking poison, and sealing the seal to the sun, he will be a minister of corpse admonishment, and die as a ghost of the holy dynasty.If you are dead but know, you will form a grass army, go back to the wind, lead the banner of the king's teacher, and fight against the bandits.Life and death rewards kindness, no gratitude... Lord Yichao wholeheartedly restores our Han soil, promotes our Han people's aspirations, but regrets my descendants' disdain, which led to our decline. Is it not possible to welcome each other in the city, to return to the homeland, and to welcome the old people?Should we kill each other surrounded by wolves? " Cao Ziyan became short of breath and shouted, "Shoot him! Shoot him!" On the long street, the wind was blowing, making Zhang Chengxian's long beard flutter in the wind, as if there were spirits of ancestors hovering over it, and the soldiers of the Guiyi Army looked awe-inspiring, who would dare to make a move? He snatched a pair of bows, set up an arrow, and aimed at Zhang Chengxian. Zhang Chengxian raised his voice and said: "Yang Taiwei has 100,000 armored soldiers, and the banners point to the west. Wherever he passes, he will surrender. Now, he is going to the righteous army. For the wealth and honor of the Cao family, do you want to resist the heavenly army with your arms like a cart? " "Whoosh!" A cold arrow was shot in the face, the little Tongyou flashed behind Zhang Chengxian, and he came in front of him, rolled up his sleeves, and the cold arrow disappeared without a trace. Seeing this strange situation, Cao Ziyan couldn't help being dumbfounded. Zhang Chengxian shouted loudly: "Soldiers, if you want to be the volunteer army, stand up! If you want to be the Cao family army, shoot your arrows at the old man and the Shazhou people who raised you!" The commotion on the opposite side suddenly stopped, and after a long silence, someone came striding towards the side of the street with a sword in their hands, but when one person made a move, others followed one after another. Soon, the Guiyi army was like a tide, pouring towards the east city Coming over, Cao Ziyan's futile, desperate, and hoarse shout came from the clanging of armor: "Stop! Stop!"
Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao's bodyguards rushed forward immediately, and the four scimitars struck Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's bodyguards first, and while the bodyguards swung their knives to block them, they swirled like a whirlwind, and the four scimitars staggered down. , rolling towards Zhang Chengxian with a whimpering sound, the power of this knife seemed to cut his head in four. There was a sharp whistle, like a crane roaring in the sky, Zhang Chengxian remained motionless, but behind him, the boy with red lips and white teeth, handsome as a little girl suddenly flashed in front of him like a ghost, waved his arms, "Keng Keng Keng Keng! "Four crisp sounds of weapons clashing, fragments of the big sleeve flying all over the sky, the little boy revealed a white arm, and a sharp dagger held upside down in his hand was exposed. The Zhang family's nephews were horrified when they saw the Patriarch being attacked. They had already seen the child's superb martial arts and believed that she had enough power to protect the Patriarch. The location of the ambush, of course, if it weren't for this, people like Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao, who had been in trouble with the Zhang family for a long time, would not have gone to the banquet rashly, without any suspicion.Even so, after seeing the thunderbolt light of the four guards and swordsmen, they were still in a cold sweat, and they were greatly relieved until Xiaotong successfully defuse the opponent's attack. Several nephews of the Zhang family rushed forward to help the old Patriarch down, but Zhang Chengxian waved his hands and stood motionless on the spot. The little boy swung four sabers, twisted his waist and swayed to the left, then suddenly sped up and rushed towards the enemy in front of him. The light of the sword flew across the sky, like a wisp of silver thread fluttering. Light, a silver-like sword light shuttles back and forth, two beams of light dance in the air, looking ahead, sometimes behind, looking left, sometimes right, looking up, sometimes down, too fast to catch the eye , the other three swordsmen were about to rush to Zhang Chengxian, but they were stopped by Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's guards. Seeing that their companions were in danger, they hurriedly turned around and killed them. The speed of attacking and retreating with another guard is still a little bit behind. Gang Lie's saber wind is only whistling behind the boy, which is always a little bit behind, and it can't hurt him. The swordsman who was suppressed by the boy was really good at martial arts, but unfortunately his wide-opening and closing Western Region swordsmanship couldn't be used with such swift and lightning-like swordsmanship. He split the grid, retreated seven steps, suddenly roared, gave up defense, and chopped down Huashan with a powerful move, the boy pulled away and retreated quickly, leaving a phantom on the spot. The light of the knife pierced through the phantom, and the tip went straight into the ground, with a "bang", yellow sand flew up, the swordsman clenched the handle of the knife with both hands, his eyes widened angrily, and he remained motionless, with blood gurgling from his throat.But the little boy didn't even look at it. As soon as he retreated, the sword in his hand immediately transformed into a heavy sword shadow. A soul-stirring sword cry sounded suddenly, and the dazzling sword light flashed across the throat of a swordsman. Immediately, the man was moved forward by the little boy, facing the light of another swordsman's sword. The red light flashed and blood splashed everywhere. The swordsman was caught off guard and cut his partner in half with a single knife. . There were only two swordsmen left, and the boy's movements were clearly relaxed. A young boy with flowery eyebrows, with a white lotus arm bare, a silver thread curled in his hand, pointing east and west, moving freely and swiftly. Retreating, drifting like the wind, her demeanor is indescribably beautiful, those big eyes that are as clear as water still have time to glance at Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao from time to time. At this time, the people outside the courtyard also moved their hands. Although Yin Chucai and Li Xiyu's people had prepared in advance, the guards of each family stood together alone. They killed one or two, and the rest of them fought together, while the guards of the other families saw their master watching from the sidelines, so they also drew their weapons and stepped aside, not knowing whether they should do it or not. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao couldn't help being startled when they saw the boy's terrifying martial arts. Over the past few decades, the Zhang family has gradually declined. General, they really didn't expect such a little boy to have such martial arts, the two suddenly retreated, and looked at each other, Cao Zi said: "Retire, bring the soldiers!" The two rushed to the door, as long as they grabbed the horse, no one could stop them.Unexpectedly, at this moment, those domestic servants in green clothes and caps suddenly pulled the sleeves of their right arms, and there was a sound of "chih la la", everyone bared their right arms, with sleeve crossbows tied on their arms, aiming at their bodies. Within a short distance, even if the two turned into birds, they would never escape. It wasn’t long before the sleeve crossbow was invented in the Central Plains. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao had never seen this kind of thing before. Seeing those people raise their right arms and tie a small cylinder under their arms, although they knew it must be right. They didn't know what it was, but they still sped up and ran out. At this moment, they suddenly heard a loud voice from behind: "Don't shoot arrows, you have to live! Get rid of their guards!" Immediately, they heard two screams, the two could hear clearly that it was their bodyguards, they couldn't help feeling chills in their hearts, exerting force with their feet, they were able to overtake the galloping horse in a short distance.The little boy took care of the two swordsmen, and a swallow chased after him. Cao Ziyue and Suo Chao ran out like a competition. Seeing that they were only three steps away from the gate, they heard the sound of the clothes ripping through the wind. Both of them were kicked in the back of the heart at the same time, and they all jumped forward, their heads resting on the threshold. Cao Zi said that the clothes and skin on his chest were scratched, and he felt a burning pain. His head was on the thick threshold, and he was dizzy. Ya is not big, but it is as heavy as a mountain, pressing his whole body firmly to the ground. The little boy stepped on Cao Zi and said, pointing his sword at Suo Chao, rubbing his nose with the back of his left hand, and said crisply: "You are the second prince? You don't look like a prince in a dragon robe, you are more like a eunuch." , fight with my uncle? Humph!"
Half of the city, with Guiyi Street as the line, the teams of nephews, generals, guards, and tenants from the eight great families of Zhang, Suo, Yin, Li, Si, Yan, An, and Linghu to the east, and the Guiyi Army to the west The two sides are at war with each other, and they are on the verge of breaking out. Because Cao Ziyan, who guarded Shazhou for his father, did not attend the banquet in person, the Zhang family failed to control the Guiyi army. The terrain occupies half of the city, and at the same time, he sent people out of the city to contact Ai Yihai, and dispatched his Qingqi to Shazhou. The Patriarch of the Suo family was controlled by Zhang Chengxian, and he used him as a hostage to coerce the Suo family to join the rebellion. Now the confrontation between the eight major families in Shazhou and the Cao family who controls the army has formed.Cao Ziyan issued an ultimatum: within an hour, he must release his second disciple, surrender and surrender, or launch an attack immediately. In Zhang's house, Zhang Chengxian with his sleeves behind his back, walked slowly, listening to his grandson Zhang Qian narrate the situation of the confrontation on the street, and suddenly stopped and said: "Although my Zhang family has not asked about Shazhou for a long time, but when I return After all, the rebel army was established by the ancestors of my Zhang family. I don't believe that the soldiers who belong to the rebel army will throw guns and arrows at the old man. I will go and say surrender myself!" The nephews of the Zhang family turned pale when they heard this, and his fourth son, Zhang Yu, changed color and said, "Father, absolutely not, now we have brought the eight major families over and occupied half of the sandbar, we just need to hold the half of the sandbar In Zhoucheng, it can be regarded as a great success, once Yang Taiwei's troops arrive, the situation will definitely turn around, how can father take risks lightly at such an old age?" "Stupid!" Zhang Chengxian scolded coldly, looked around at his nephew's family, and said earnestly: "Cao Ziyan didn't invite me to visit this old man in person. Now the Cao family has controlled the Guiyi Army for decades? My Zhang family is relying on my ancestor Yu Yin and the prestige of Lord Yichao. Only by being stronger and domineering can we strengthen our influence on the soldiers of the Guiyi Army and completely control Sha state situation. If we wait for Taiwei Yang's reinforcements without further action, the shock we caused to the Guiyi Army will gradually disappear, and before Taiwei Yang's reinforcements arrive, Cao Ziyan will launch an attack, even though our Eight Great Clans have joined hands , but the army is in the hands of Cao Ziyan, our nephews, family generals, and tenants, how can we be well-trained opponents of the army if we really want to fight?If you are not careful, all previous efforts will be wasted. " Zhang Chengxian put his hand on his son's shoulder, patted it lightly, and his old eyes were moist: "Son, you are almost seventy now, with gray hair and wrinkled face. Your eldest brother, second brother, third brother, Both have passed away before my father and son. As a father, in this lifetime, I only have two wishes. One is to go to Chang'an, worship the tomb of Lord Yichao, offer a glass of water and wine, and fulfill the filial piety of the children and grandchildren; I want our Zhang family to prosper again. The Yin family and Li family are big families in Shazhou, and they are content with the status quo, but the Zhang family is different. Our Zhang family created the Guiyi Army with one hand. Those who have been called the emperor, no matter what, they can't be reduced to a merchant family, guarding the palm-sized place in the desert to live. The descendants of our Zhang family, even if they can't be called the heroes of the whole life, they must be the heroes of the whole life. This is not considered lost. The face of our Zhang family ancestors." Zhang Chengxian sighed for a while, and then said: "Half of the city's work may be wasted. For my father, I must take the entire Shazhou City and hand over a complete city to Yang Taiwei. Only in this way can I become the progress of my Zhang family." Body rank, do you understand?" Zhang Yu said excitedly: "Father, I will go there for you!" Zhang Chengxian shook his head, raised his eyebrows, and said: "The Zhang family is gradually declining. As a descendant of the Zhang family, I cannot escape the responsibility of my father. If you can follow the ancestors, and make this righteous act with a wave of your arms, Jiuquan will be honored." Only then will I have the face to meet my ancestors, my son, don’t argue with my father!" Hearing Zhang Chengxian's idea, Ma Yi immediately shook his head and said, "No, it's too risky to do so. Even if ordinary Guiyi soldiers dare not harm the old man, but the Cao family has ruled Shazhou for many years, it is inevitable that there are some confidantes, but there is one person If you cast a cold arrow, the old man will be in danger of life. Absolutely not." Zhang Chengxian said with a smile: "I believe that Taiwei Yang has not attacked the city for a long time when he is stationed in Maguazhou, and he does not want to fight with his brothers from the Guiyi army. If he can surrender to the Yi army without fighting, it will be a great merit. The death of one person can prevent the death of hundreds of soldiers, and it is equally worthwhile. The old man has made up his mind, so you don't have to stop it." Ma Yi repeatedly dissuaded him, but Zhang Chengxian insisted on going. In desperation, Ma Yi had no choice but to say: "In that case, please put on the soft armor, old man, and let me go with you. Sir, don't cross the street. If anything happens, Ma Yi Yi will go all out to ensure the safety of my husband, otherwise...uncle will definitely blame me." Zhang Chengxian laughed and said: "Seeing you, the old man knows that Taiwei Yang is a righteous person. Cheng, I listen to you, so I wear a soft armor and try my best to save my old life, hehehe..." Both sides of Guiyi Street were full of soldiers and civilians with guns and bows in full battle, but the entire spacious street was lonely, not even a dog. Suddenly, on the side of the east city occupied by the eight major families, an old man with a bright head and a commoner clothes came out slowly, followed by only a handsome boy. , Someone recognized the identity of the old man, and the whispers gathered into a wave of voices, and the lineup of the Guiyi Army suddenly became commotion. Cao Ziyan looked with his sword, and saw the old man in the ancient Han and Tang Dynasties, wearing a quilted Zen robe, wearing a high crown, and wearing high-toothed wooden clogs. , suddenly raised his arms, and said in a loud voice: "This old man is the Jiedu Envoy of the Guiyi Army, the Observation Envoy of Guashasu Ganliang and other eleven prefectures, the Chancellor of the Ministry of Rites, and the descendant of Jinwu General Zhang Yichao, Zhang Chengxian!" The voice on the other side became more intense, Zhang Cheng paused for a moment, and then said: "Soldiers of the Guiyi Army, do you know what Guiyi is? Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty felt my heroic feat of Guiyi Army. He once praised me, which can be used as an explanation. : The loyalty of loyal ministers, and the long horns of Kunyi. The story of Dou Rong Hexi, seen in the heyday; Li Ling taught archery, nothing more than a righteous journey! Guiyi Army was founded by Yichao Gong, the ancestor of the family. Yichao Gong had great ambitions. He liked to recite "Feng Changqing Xie Biao Wen" since he was a child: He hoped that the society would be restored, and the rebellion against Hu would be defeated. The minister's wish has been fulfilled.Looking up to the sky and drinking poison, and sealing the seal to the sun, he will be a minister of corpse admonishment, and die as a ghost of the holy dynasty.If you are dead but know, you will form a grass army, go back to the wind, lead the banner of the king's teacher, and fight against the bandits.Life and death rewards kindness, no gratitude... Lord Yichao wholeheartedly restores our Han soil, promotes our Han people's aspirations, but regrets my descendants' disdain, which led to our decline. Is it not possible to welcome each other in the city, to return to the homeland, and to welcome the old people?Should we kill each other surrounded by wolves? " Cao Ziyan became short of breath and shouted, "Shoot him! Shoot him!" On the long street, the wind was blowing, making Zhang Chengxian's long beard flutter in the wind, as if there were spirits of ancestors hovering over it, and the soldiers of the Guiyi Army looked awe-inspiring, who would dare to make a move? He snatched a pair of bows, set up an arrow, and aimed at Zhang Chengxian. Zhang Chengxian raised his voice and said: "Yang Taiwei has 100,000 armored soldiers, and the banners point to the west. Wherever he passes, he will surrender. Now, he is going to the righteous army. For the wealth and honor of the Cao family, do you want to resist the heavenly army with your arms like a cart? " "Whoosh!" A cold arrow was shot in the face, the little Tongyou flashed behind Zhang Chengxian, and he came in front of him, rolled up his sleeves, and the cold arrow disappeared without a trace. Seeing this strange situation, Cao Ziyan couldn't help being dumbfounded. Zhang Chengxian shouted loudly: "Soldiers, if you want to be the volunteer army, stand up! If you want to be the Cao family army, shoot your arrows at the old man and the Shazhou people who raised you!" The commotion on the opposite side suddenly stopped, and after a long silence, someone came striding towards the side of the street with a sword in their hands, but when one person made a move, others followed one after another. Soon, the Guiyi army was like a tide, pouring towards the east city Coming over, Cao Ziyan's futile, desperate, and hoarse shout came from the clanging of armor: "Stop! Stop!"