Chapter 8 Chapter 23

"General Chu, please get on board." A soldier said to me politely, but I knew that no matter how polite he said it, I was still a prisoner. At the same time as the Yu Shu pardoning me, it was the second prince's recall order.Due to the failure of the night attack planned by the second prince, the emperor urgently issued a recall order, ordering the second prince to return to the imperial capital to obey his orders.This is probably also Wenhou's strategy, the emperor's news is so well-informed.The second prince must have known that he had fallen into Shao Fengguan's trap, he was sitting on the bow of the boat with his body covered in bandages, still a little cursing.

I stepped onto the boat, Lu Gongxing followed me, and took me to bow to the second prince.The second prince was not as vicious as the previous few days, but he just nodded lightly.Although my life was not in danger, I was still escorted back to Beijing on the grounds that I was seriously suspected of assassinating the second prince. Just as he was about to enter the cabin with others, a soldier hurried over and said, "Your Highness, General Shao and General Bi are here to see you off." Some people on the pier rode over, and the first ones were Shao Fengguan and Bi Wei.The second prince snorted and turned his head away.Shao Fengguan had lied to him for so long, before he always thought that Shao Fengguan was a member of his own faction, although now he wouldn't yell at him, he wouldn't give him a good look.But Bi Wei was called the reinforcements, but actually wanted to take his life, the second prince must have guessed it roughly.

Looking at his appearance, I suddenly felt a sense of sympathy.From my point of view, the second prince chased me fiercely and showed no mercy, but in fact he was also the one who was framed, and my situation was somewhat similar to his. Thinking of this, my hatred for the second prince suddenly weakened a lot.If I were the second prince, I would definitely press on to a suspect like me. Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan came aboard, and they saluted at the same time, and Bi Wei also said with emotion: "There is no command from His Highness in front of the enemy, and the last general will be left alone. I hope His Highness recovers from his injuries as soon as possible and returns to the front line. "

He is very talented in acting, and he is more flawless than his tactics. If you don't know the details, you will definitely feel that Bi Wei really hopes that the second prince will stay in the army.The second prince sneered, and said: "General Bi was just joking, Gu Zhi has no morals and incompetence, and is really a carbuncle of the frontline soldiers. After returning to the imperial capital, the old army of Gu Zhi will be led by General Lu Gongxing, so there must be no mistakes." Compared with the self-willed second prince, it is definitely a hundred times more difficult to deal with Lu Gongxing.But I think that Bi Wei only needs to force the second prince away, and he has achieved his goal, and it is possible that he and Lu Gongxing will unite sincerely.However, what is his purpose in forcing the second prince away?Is it because of the prince?

I looked at these people on the side, and I felt chills in my heart.In the face of the great enemy, these people don't think of unifying the outside world, but instead restrain each other.The second prince said that he is a "superior", which is quite interesting. He may realize that he is indeed a superficial in the eyes of Shao Fengguan and Bi Wei. Hou least wanted to see the scene.Maybe once the second prince leaves, the situation of the battle will change again. Bi Wei said: "Your Highness is wise and mighty. It is a blessing for the three armies to be able to supervise the battle at the front. However, swords and guns have no eyes, and His Highness has a body of ten thousand pieces of gold to fight against the stone. If there is a mistake, the minister and others are truly unforgivable crimes. I hope Your Highness will calm down." Rehabilitation and a speedy recovery are the blessings of the last general."

He said it in a serious manner, as if it came from the heart.I watched him say these words without changing his face, but I greatly admired his thick skin.Bi Wei can't be considered a resourceful general, but this man does have his ability to talk nonsense when he sees people, and he talks nonsense when he sees people. The second prince sneered, "It's very good." He grew tall, and said sharply, "Lu Gongxing." Lu Gongxing bowed and said, "The end is here." The second prince reached out and untied the waist knife.This waist knife is not something that the second prince usually uses, his usual saber is extremely gorgeous, although this waist knife is wider than the ordinary knife, but there are almost no decorations on the scabbard, it is simple and unpretentious.The second crown prince said: "General Lu, after returning to the imperial capital alone, you will have full command of the Dongping City defenders. You can do things cheaply. You will be in charge of this Zhenyue Saber for the time being. Command the entire army to come here as if you were alone."

Lu Gongxing took it over and made a big salute: "The last general respects the order." The second prince's words were so harsh that everyone around was stunned. Bi Wei stammered, "Your Highness, is it Zhen... Zhenyue Sword?" The Zhenyue Sword is the sword of the military saint Na Tingtian. Since the founding of the empire, this Zhenyue Sword and the Dingguo Sword used by the emperor have been collectively called "the treasure of the country".It is called the "treasure of the town", naturally there are literary reasons, but also because there is a saying in the army that in terms of military merit alone, Natingtian has surpassed the emperor, so Natingtian's saber is indeed the most precious sword in the empire.The two swords of Zhenyue and Dingguo have always been stored in the treasury, but they never thought they would be worn on the waist of the second prince. Moreover, this sword that has become a legend is so ordinary and inconspicuous, it is really surprising.

The Zhenyue sword was held in Lu Gongxing's hand, and the second crown prince said: "That's right. Back then, the military saint Natingtian fought all over the world, was invincible in every attack, and he was never invincible in battle. This is the sword he wore on his body!" Speaking of the last word "knife", he suddenly reached out and grabbed the handle of the knife, and with a "clang", the knife was out of its sheath.Like a wave of water, the lingering sound is like a long thread. On the big river, the sound of the river is surging, but it can't cover the sound of Zhenyue's knife being unsheathed. The people around are listening to the lingering sound of the thread. .

The second prince raised the saber straight up. The sun was rising on this day, and he was facing the east. As soon as Zhenyue's saber was unsheathed, it was still inconspicuous, but as soon as he lifted it, the blade suddenly shone coldly, and the edge of the saber was different. The light flowed, and under the reflection of the morning light, the blade of the blade seemed to grow a foot suddenly, and even the light of the blade seemed to become tangible, enough to cut gold and jade. The knife is still an ordinary knife, and it doesn't have too much murderous aura, but it just makes anyone feel a burst of fear when looking at it.This kind of vision is due to the illusion of the water waves and the morning light, but this kind of aura of the king's dominance, where there is no knife, it is like a thousand troops waiting in battle, enough to smash any obstacle into powder.

As soon as the Second Prince raised his saber, Lu Gongxing was the first to bear the brunt of it. He knelt down. Even though I stood aside, I felt an irresistible chill in my heart. I was trying my best not to kneel down, but I heard "plop" "Twice, the two soldiers escorting me have already knelt down first.As if contagious, the soldiers standing beside the second prince and the attendants of Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan also knelt down one by one, and a large group of them knelt down on the bow of the boat. At this time, only Bi Wei, Shao Fengguan and I were still standing. This knife really has a strange power that can take away people's souls. Although I tried my best to warn myself not to be afraid, my knees softened involuntarily.I used to think that my Baipi Dao was one of the most precious swords in the world, but I didn't expect the Zhenyue Dao to have such majesty.

This is not exuded by the knife itself, but the majesty left by the famous general who used this knife hundreds of years ago. I stood desperately, but my legs were already shaking. I don't know how much longer I can hold on.The second prince knew that he had made a bad move and had fallen into the trap of Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan, so that his reputation in the army had plummeted, so now he must give him a chance.If it wasn't for the early morning like now, and the waves of the river, it might not have such power. At best, it was just a sharp knife, but the second prince sternly shouted, and Lu Gongxing fell to his knees first, adding infinite murderous aura all at once, like All souls have been taken away.And the second prince took out the Zhenyue Knife to fight against the Chicheng Knife that Marquis Wen handed over to Bi Wei. Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan were startled by the second prince's sudden shout and trembled. The veins on Bi Wei's forehead protruded from the skin, and sweat dripped down. Shao Fengguan didn't seem to be doing anything good.Both of them must be unwilling to kneel down to the second prince, but the second prince is like the incarnation of Tingtian at this time, it is really beyond their ability to resist.In the minds of every soldier, Na Tingtian is a god, an unworldly famous general who can only look up to, no matter how clear-headed they are, they cannot resist this sudden mental blow. This is also a form of mindfulness. I was already in a daze, so I was about to kneel down, when I suddenly thought of these words, I couldn't help being shocked. I have memorized the "Tao De Heart Sutra" by heart, but I have been at a loss, but at this moment, I feel like lightning flashes in my mind, and I seem to see something in a flash. Indeed, this is the mind-bending technique! The second prince may have learned a little mind-bending technique.In fact, everyone has more or less some mind-bending skills, attracting people's attention, and letting others do what they say. Isn't this a kind of mind-bending skills, and what the second prince knows is just superficial.The second prince suddenly showed the saber of the sky, it hit the common gap in the hearts of the soldiers, and captured the souls of everyone around him. Thinking of this, I took a sharp breath and pinched my right thumb on the second knuckle of my middle finger.The pain from my fingers made my body sink suddenly. I seemed to be floating in the air just now, but now I have stepped on the ground. What the Second Prince used was the principle of mind-stimulation. Although he couldn't control the bodies of others like Zheng Zhao, he was able to make the people around him feel as if they had lost their souls. After figuring this out, the demonic power of the Zhenyue Saber seemed to disappear without a trace, and what the second prince was holding was just a bright waist saber.The light of the knife was shining, and the shape could not be seen by the rising sun, but that was all. A knife is just a knife after all.If this knife is held in Na Tingtian's hands, the overwhelming majesty is enough to destroy the strongest will, but in the hands of the second prince, Zhenyue knife is just a knife. Shao Fengguan and Bi Wei are still fighting desperately.Shao Feng seems to be able to hold on, but Bi Wei has the intention of bowing his knees.Bi Wei has a mighty appearance, but it seems that he is far less strong than Shao Fengguan. Now he must be feeling extremely uncomfortable, the sweat dripping from his head, and he is about to fall to his knees. Suddenly, a horse gallops towards him. He shouted: "General Shao, General Bi, the snake man is attacking the city again!" It was an orderly.Hearing this man's cry, Bi Wei suddenly let go, let out a long breath of relief, bowed to the second prince and said: "Your Highness, the last general and General Shao went to the head of the city to organize resistance, it's impolite." It was only a short moment for the second prince to pull out the Zhenyue knife, but Bi Wei must have felt that it had been a long time.Just now, I felt as if one or two hours had passed. Shao Fengguan and the others didn't know that this was a mind-stimulating technique, so they must have felt that this short moment was even longer.Shao Fengguan also saluted, and suddenly said: "Your Highness, the last general has reported the matter of General Chu to His Highness the Crown Prince, and His Highness, please make a decision after returning to the imperial capital." The second prince was also taken aback by the yell of the messenger just now, and immediately put the saber into its sheath.His expression was also very tired. Hearing what Shao Fengguan said, he glanced at me and said slowly: "I have my own ideas, hmph." Shao Fengguan used to appear as the second prince's confidant, and the second prince obeyed him, but he almost died in the hands of the snake man until he lost his prestige in the army. It was all thanks to Shao Fengguan, he must have hated Shao Fengguan to the bone, What's more, this statement is already a clear threat.Of course the prince is cowardly and incompetent, but the prince has the support of Marquis Wen behind him, and the second prince dare not be too presumptuous for Marquis Wen. Shao Fengguan didn't care, and bowed to the second prince again, and left with Bi Wei.Before turning around, he glanced at me again and nodded slightly, as if to reassure me.I didn't report Bi Wei to the second prince, although I was afraid of his threat to me, but Shao Fengguan still threatened him at the cost of breaking with the second prince, and he kept his word.Since I was imprisoned, I have hated everyone extremely, but Shao Fengguan's move was beyond my expectation, and there was a faint warmth in my heart. Shao Fengguan and Bi Wei have led their people to the south gate.Lu Gongxing stood up at this time, and he made another big salute to the second prince: "Your Highness, General Chu is really innocent, I hope His Highness will make a long-term plan, don't act presumptuously, and I will leave at the end." After he finished speaking, he got on his horse and left. The second prince looked at his back in a daze, and after a while, he raised his head and said, "Let's go!" The boat sailed slowly out of the dock.After the snake man's water raid, the north gate has been strengthened, and the tower is densely covered with heavy troops.I was escorted into the cabin by those two guards, and before entering the door, I looked back at Dongping City.After the baptism of war, this majestic and famous city still has an indestructible momentum. When I came here, I was still the chief general of a partial division, and I never dreamed that I would leave as a prisoner so soon.I couldn't help but smiled wryly, and walked in. Because the snake man had raided from the river, the second prince decided to return to the imperial capital by dry road.Although the dry road is a bit bumpy, the north bank of the river is still under the control of the empire, so it is much safer.The ship set off from Dongping City and crossed the river to Dongyang City. The guard of Dongyang City is Shao Fengguan's partial general. Inside the city, Dongyang City is still a peaceful scene. The guard of Dongping City has received Shao Fengguan's order, and the generals are already waiting at the south gate pier.The second prince got off the boat, surrounded by his own soldiers, and I was followed behind him by two personal soldiers. The guard knelt on the ground and said, "Your Highness, the last general, Lian Baice, is waiting for your Highness." Lian Baice was short and shrewd, quite similar to Shao Fengguan's Chinese military officer Zhuge Fang.Shao Fengguan is a wise general, and the people he employs are all similar to him. They are all shrewd and capable, but they lack the brave generals to charge forward.But if Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan can be combined into one, it will be a perfect general with both wisdom and courage. "Let's go, what are you thinking!" A soldier pushed me.I just lost my mind and walked a little slower.My hands are tied together, and my feet are tied together with a step-long rope, so walking is not a problem, but I can't run when I run, and I can only walk step by step.At this time, it seems that it is not my turn to comment on the merits and demerits of Shao Fengguan and Bi Wei, so I can't help laughing.Lian Baice noticed me, looked at me from a distance, but didn't speak. The second prince waved his hands and said, "General Lian is exempt from the ceremony. Is there a sitting cage in Dongyang City?" Lian Baice's expression changed, and he said, "Your Highness, are you going to put him in the imperial capital in a cage?" The second prince's voice was not loud, but I could hear it clearly, and my face turned pale.Sitting in a cage is a form of torture used by the Sanfa Judiciary for prisoners. Compared to other tortures, sitting in a cage is not surprising. It is just a wooden cage with sharpened wooden sticks tied to the walls on all sides. Inside, leaving a gap just enough for a person to sit on.If a person sits upright in the cage, there is nothing wrong with it, except that the cage usually lasts for three or four days. Once a person is sleepy and leans to the side, the sharp wooden stakes will immediately penetrate into the body. Pain will wake people up immediately, even a nap is not enough.And even if you want to commit suicide, because there is not enough space, you can only let the wooden stake go in a little bit, that kind of pain is really unbearable.No matter how powerful a tough guy is, after sitting in a wooden cage for three days, the pain of death will make people ask for any confession, and even beheading his head immediately will not feel terrible.Hearing that the second prince was going to put me in a cage and transport me to the imperial capital, I couldn't help but tremble. My hands and feet are tied up now, if the second prince really wants me to be transported to the imperial capital in a cage, that means he will kill me on the way.Rather than dying in such pain, it is better to put all your eggs in one basket.I used all the strength in my arms, and I just waited to use my strength to knock down the two soldiers around me.Even if you die under the knife, it is better than sitting in a cage for ten days. As soon as I made a move, there was a "choke", and two long knives appeared in front of me and behind me at the same time.These two long knives were pulled out by the second prince's two remaining bodyguards. The second prince originally had seven bodyguards, and five of them died during the night attack, but these seven bodyguards were not ordinary.I remember that when I first returned to the imperial capital, I met the prince. There were also seven highly skilled personal guards around the prince. They fired seven shots at once, and I had no room to fight back.The seven guards on the second prince's side are not inferior to the seven guards of the prince. Although there are only two of them now, there is only one sound of the two long knives being drawn out of their sheaths. Take the shot, and sealed my front and back again. Now I am about to make any changes, and they are already in their hands. However, dying under their swords is better than sitting in a cage.I squatted suddenly, hooked one foot, and hooked a soldier beside me.The guard must have never thought that I would dare to do this. After being hooked by me, he was thrown out with a "huh", and was running into the guard in front. With this personal soldier blocking me, the guard in front of me couldn't subdue me with a single blow.Although I threw that bodyguard forward, I actually put all my energy on the one behind me. To deal with him, you can only win by surprise. After I kicked out a soldier, he was half lying on the ground, and the knife behind me was right above my face.Once his knife fell, I would be like a caterpillar under a giant axe, with no room to resist, not to mention that I didn't stand up straight now, and my hands and feet were tied again, and my feet were tied with a step-long rope. You can't even kick with your feet. The only way out now is to break the rope.After freeing my feet, at least I can run around wildly, and with my feet free, two or three ordinary people will not be my opponents.I made up my mind, twisted my shoulders on the ground, and my feet flew up one after the other. Before the guard could react, the rope between my feet was already wrapped around his knife. As long as there is more force, the rope on the foot will be cut by the knife.I was overjoyed, my feet were already bent, I didn't know that my feet had just bent down, but I felt no force on my feet, I was shocked, but there was a huge pain in my shoulder, the guard actually let go of the long knife, Kicked me on the shoulder. This kick was so powerful that I felt as if I was kicked apart by him. Seeing the guard kicking me again, I immediately arched my body and stretched my hand towards the handle of the knife between my feet. The two guards used narrow-edged knives with a slightly curved shape.This kind of knife was commonly used by islanders. Later, some warriors in the imperial capital discovered that although this type of knife was not suitable for charging in battle, it was quite powerful when stepping down, and it was light and sharp.Although I am not very used to this kind of knife, but with the weapon in hand, I feel much more at ease. As soon as my fingers touched the handle of the knife, I felt the cold air in front of me, and the knife had already slashed straight down in front of me.It was the guard in front of me who pushed away the personal soldier who was tripped by me and attacked.I clamped the handle of the knife with two fingers, separated my feet, and cut the rope between the feet on the blade, but the guard's knife was already at my door. The cold saber air forced the bridge of my nose to ache. At this time, I had no choice but to fight back.If he used his knife again, the tip of the knife would penetrate his brain. My heart sank, but I didn't know that the knife didn't fall, but I heard the guard praise: "General Chu is very skillful!" Although I caught them by surprise, but my hands and feet were bound, and the opponent counted two personal soldiers, it was one against four, and I was able to win a knife, which also made him admire.It's just that he couldn't allow him to admire at this time, he just stopped his hands, I stretched out my arms, grabbed the long knife with both hands, and swung it upwards. If I swung the knife sideways, it would definitely cut off his feet.It's just that he stopped attacking just now, and he was quite honest when he shot, I really can't do such a vicious attack. The knife hit right on his knife.He held the knife with one hand, while I held the knife with both hands. With a sound of "dang", the two swords hit each other, and sparks burst out. I swung his knife away. I succeeded with one knife, bent one leg, and knelt on the deck. On the ground, the long knife crossed left and right and made two cuts, forcing him to move away a few steps, and then he stood up.As soon as the man stood up, his left leg kicked out violently.The guard behind me was kicking at my vest, I used my knife to meet the person in front, but paid more attention to the legwork of the person behind me, I used my heel to sweep his toes, and there was a "bang", Although the guard's legs were good, he was not as ruthless as I was. My kick made him fall backwards. I probably broke two of his phalanges. Once he fell, he couldn't get up again. I kicked the person behind me, my hand trembled, and the saber was long.Although on the boat, I would probably not be able to escape, but there was a dead person on the left and right, who died in pain in a cage. I would rather die as a rebel in battle. My knife dance was getting faster and faster, and the guard stepped back step by step, already stretched to the left and right, unable to parry.My sword skills have always been among the top in the military academy, and after seeing Zhou Nuo's Zhanying Dao in Tianshui Province, my sword skills have improved even more. better than me.Although this guard's sword skills are strong, he is far inferior to Zhou Nuo after all. If the two join forces, I will probably lose, but if I fight alone, I can handle it with ease. Suddenly, with a "snap", an arrow shot past my ear and hit the mast behind me.I had forced the guard back steadily, but I was also shocked by the arrow and stopped, took a step back with my knife, and leaned on the mast.I saw Lian Baice standing in front of the second prince holding a bow with an arrow attached to the bow.Seeing that I had stopped, he yelled sharply: "General Chu, if you don't give up your sword and capture me, I will shoot you in the chest with the next arrow." Did he not shoot me on purpose?I smiled and said, "General Lian, being shot to death by an arrow is the way a soldier should die. It's better than being tortured to death in a cage." Lian Baice gritted his teeth, and said sharply: "General Chu, General Shao ordered General Shao to guard Dongyang City at the end. He was supposed to guard Dongyang City because of his horns, to watch and help each other. There are no prisoners or cages in the city." If you don't have a sitting cage, can't you make one now?Just as I was about to say, the second prince poked his head out and said, "Chu Xiuhong, if you act recklessly again, you will be killed immediately." I said angrily: "If you don't forgive me, you won't forgive me!" I shook the knife, and the tip of the knife pointed towards the guard again.To rush to the second prince, he is the first obstacle, and only by making a quick decision can I have a chance to get in front of the second prince. The guard's face has changed, the saber energy in my hand is stronger than before, he has fear in his heart, and the saber technique is more scattered.I stabbed his chest with a knife, and he stretched out the knife in a hurry. When I turned my wrist, his knife swung to one side when it was touched by my sharply turning blade. My knife had passed through his knife. The point of the knife touched his chest. One more force, and he will be pierced by me.Although he showed some mercy to my subordinates just now, I will never be merciless. Originally, I was going to die, so it's better to drag my back before I die. Don't blame me, blame your bad life. The corner of my mouth twitched, and I was about to make a sneer, but my right shoulder felt a sharp pain, and a short arrow pierced my shoulder! This arrow is not long, but the part protruding from the skin is only more than half a foot, and the one piercing into the flesh is probably as long as that.The arrow came so suddenly that I didn't even feel any sign of it, so I couldn't help being shocked.This arrow hits so deep, I'm afraid that one of my right arms has been crippled.Although I still don't feel much pain, the fear in my heart already makes me tremble all over.I looked to the side, and Lian Baice was lowering his bow, and said coldly: "General Chu, if you don't surrender again, I will forgive you for being rude." There is no place to hide in the bow, if Lian Baize ordered someone to shoot arrows, I would not be able to escape no matter what.Just now I still had the courage of the flesh and blood, and when I heard his voice, I felt a sudden sensation in my heart, and the knife fell to the ground. Lian Baice walked over, picked up the knife and handed it to a soldier beside him, saying: "Come on, take General Chu down." Two soldiers from Dongyang City came to pull me up, and Lian Baice suddenly said softly: "General Chu, please rest assured, we will guarantee that General Chu will be delivered safely to the imperial capital." I looked at him in a daze, blood flowed from the arrow wound on my shoulder.Although I still can't feel much in my right arm, but the injury is so serious, I must not be able to hold a knife before it recovers, and now even if I resist it, it will be useless.However, Lian Baice's words let me see a glimmer of light.Lian Baice is the general of Shao Fengguan, and Shao Fengguan entrusted him with such an important responsibility, so he is naturally very capable.I'm afraid, Shao Fengguan has already told him to protect me to reach the imperial capital safely.As long as I can reach the imperial capital and have Zhen Yining speak for me, then my life will be taken back. I stood up slowly, Lian Baize suddenly stretched out his hand and pulled out the arrow on my shoulder.I was shocked, the arrow was buried deep in the flesh, if pulled out like this, even the flesh would be brought out, I only thought what he said, but in fact it was trying to harm me, I was regretting it, but when the arrow was pulled out of the shoulder, it didn't It was very painful, and what was pulled out was only a short section. This arrow did not have an arrowhead, it was just a section of the arrow shaft.This half of the arrow shaft doesn't go deep into the flesh, no wonder I don't feel too much pain. Lian Baice put away the broken arrow, walked up to the second prince and said something to him, a small soldier next to me was a little surprised, and said in a low voice: "General Chu, General Lian has a hundred steps to penetrate Yang, piercing through seven shards. Yes, he shot you with a broken arrow on purpose." Lian Baice's archery skills seem to be better than those of Tan Qing and Jiang Zaixuan.If he had shot me with an ordinary arrow, it would have killed me easily at such a short distance.He shot me with a broken arrow, it seems that Shao Fengguan really took care of him. The Second Crown Prince suddenly said: "General Lian, there's no need, I have personal guards, that's enough." Lian Baice said: "Your Highness, there are so many swords and soldiers, and there are refugees on the dry roads. If there is anything wrong with your highness, General Shao and the last general will die. Therefore, General Shao has ordered the last general Gather a hundred-man team to escort His Highness to Beijing, and the food and grass are all ready, so His Highness doesn’t need to refuse.” The second prince brought dozens of soldiers, which was enough, but if Lian Baice sent a corps of hundreds, then his soldiers would be in the minority, and he would be controlled by others and could not do whatever he wanted.Shao Fengguan asked Lian Baice to come forward to explain the matter. At this time, the boat was sinking. Lian Baice pushed everything on Shao Fengguan. The second prince can't refute the big truths like His Highness. He can't say that his life is worthless.And with this centurion guard, it would be impossible for the second prince to torture me on the road. The second prince looked helplessly at Lian Baice, said nothing more, and said to a servant beside him, "Get your horse ready, let's go." A guard was taken aback and said, "Your Highness, don't you want to rest for a night before leaving?" The second crown prince scolded: "Stop talking!" He sat in a sedan chair prepared for him, and shouted: "General Lian, Gu is leaving soon, your centurion is ready to follow." There was no way he could prevent Lian Baice from not sending a centurion, and deliberately leaving in such a hurry, so that he could be caught off guard.Lian Baice showed a slight smile on his face, and said: "Your Highness, don't worry, the last general has ordered the centurion, and we can start right away." The second prince was startled, his face sank.Lian Baice was exhausted, everything had been predicted, he was really not Lian Baice's opponent.I was afraid that he would turn into a rage. What if he didn't want to be escorted by the centurion?After all, Lian Baice was only an officer. But the second prince's face just sank, and he shouted in a low voice: "Let's go!" His sedan chair had already set off.I was a little puzzled, but when I saw the corner of Lian Baice's mouth twitching, he seemed to be smiling with malicious intentions, and suddenly realized. If the second prince rejects Lian Baice's "good intentions", then one can imagine what accidents will happen on the road.Even if he was attacked on the way back to the imperial capital, no one else could be blamed, the second prince must have thought of this, even though he was very angry in his heart, he didn't dare to tear himself apart with Lian Baice at this moment.He seized the loopholes in the pardon and won a move, but then he fell into Shao Fengguan's schemes. So far, he has been led by the nose by Shao Fengguan. Although the status of the second prince is much higher than that of Shao Fengguan, Shao Fengguan is absolutely obedient to him in name, but in fact, the second prince is almost a puppet in his hands. It's time to give up.It seems that the words "soldiers and conquests" in "Seven Essentials of the March" are really wise words. I was brought to Lian Baice by two soldiers.Now it's the guards of Dongyang City guarding me. Although they don't dare to be careless, they are very respectful to me.Lian Baice looked at me and said with a smile, "General Chu, we will bid farewell from now on. I don't know when we will meet again." He spoke softly.I said lightly: "Whether I see you or not is not an important matter. I don't know how long my life will last." "General Chu, the world is like a game of chess. Today you can know what will happen tomorrow. If there are some things that should not be said, let's just forget them." There was some deep meaning in his eyes, but I really didn't dare to believe that they, the unfathomable people in the city, just nodded and said: "I have forgotten the things I have to forget." "That's good." He turned around and shouted, "I'll bring it to the cart prepared by General Chu." There were two soldiers driving a cart by the side.The compartment of this car is a big wooden cage, but it is wrapped with tarpaulins around it, enough for ten people.Lian Baice gave way to me: "General Chu, please stay in this prison car for a few days because of your grievances. General Shao has ordered me to arrange everything in the imperial capital." He intentionally bit down the words "General Shao" very strongly, and I knew what he meant, so I didn't say anything more. This Shao Fengguan seems to have the intention of saving me.I had fallen into the abyss of despair when I heard the second prince say that he would put me in a sitting cage, but at this moment, the desire to survive was rekindled.As long as there is the support of Marquis Wen, even if the second prince wants to harm me, I may not be able to save the day. When I stepped into the prison van, I couldn't help being surprised.There is a brand new set of quilts inside, it looks like a prison cart, it is simply a big cart for the young master when he goes out to play.I turned my head to look, and Lian Baice was standing at the back of the car and smiled at me, saying: "General Shao ordered me to prepare this prison car. I was in a hurry and disrespectful. General Chu Haihan." I couldn't help but want to laugh.If this is a prison van, being a prisoner is almost a treat.It suddenly occurred to me that this prison car should be ready, and it should not be done in a hurry. It seems that Shao Fengguan really wanted to save me. Thinking of Shao Fengguan's unsmiling, often sad face, I couldn't help but sigh.As the saying goes, one should not be judged by one's appearance, Shao Feng may not look good on the outside, but this person is truly remarkable.Although the second prince has a reputation for both civil and military skills, most of them are flattering words, but Bi Wei is good at tricks but not good at tricks, so he can't be regarded as a handsome talent. Shao Fengguan ranks last among the four generals of "earth, fire, water, and wind". But it is much more than Bi Wei. The empire is not without generals.The second prince is actually not too bad. If he had no clan status, he would probably be a good mid-level general. Bi Wei and Shao Fengguan are even more rare generals. This Lian Baice is also a very good wise general.It's just that these people have their own intentions and hinder each other, so it's really hard for them to exert their due strength.It stands to reason that Dongping City has gathered so many elite soldiers and generals, no matter how powerful the snake men brought by Shandu are, they will not be our opponents. This is why the sky wants to destroy us. Even though I knew that my life would not be in danger, I couldn't feel happy at all. Lian Baice probably saw that I was worried, and said: "General Chu, don't worry, this time to escort you back to the imperial capital, General Shao specially ordered your subordinates from the vanguard battalion to lead the team, and General Chu does not have to worry that His Highness will harm you .” A subordinate of my Vanguard Battalion?I suddenly thought of Cao Wendao.Could it be Cao Wendao escorting me?The Qianfeng Camp is now in the hands of Qian Wenyi. Although he betrayed me, he is talented enough to take on the job. Cao Wendao may not be convinced by him, but he may be the one.Just as I was about to ask, Lian Baice had already said to the outside: "General Chen, come and meet General Chu." General Chen?I didn't know which general in the vanguard battalion was surnamed Chen for a while, but a man came over, bowed at the door of the car and said: "Commander, last general Chen Zhong, I have met Commander." It's Chen Zhong!I was a little taken aback.This mighty brave general is the descendant of Chen Kaidao among the twelve generals at the time. Although this man lacks the ability to adapt, once he is ordered, he will execute it without compromise. What is even more outstanding is that he is powerful enough to match Snake people fight against each other, and they are indomitable in doing things.He was originally a small officer in Xing Tiefeng's battalion. I was not familiar with him, but his supernatural power left a deep impression on me.When I saw him, my heart skipped a beat. Xing Tiefeng didn't get along well with me. After Ye Xi came back, it was Xing Tiefeng who sued me in front of Bi Wei. In the end, there would be so many troubles, and the second prince would insist that I was rebellious.Shao Fengguan didn't call others, but called him here. What does this mean?His subordinates are not from my vanguard battalion, probably Shao Fengguan specially sent him to lead the whole team. I looked at Chen Zhong, but Chen Zhong just saluted respectfully and then retreated.At this time, Lian Baice waved to me and said, "General Chu, I wish you a smooth journey." 他将门放下来，我听得那门上有大锁的响动。方才我已忘了自己还是囚徒的身份，此时听得这锁的响动，才猛地惊醒过来。 尽管这木笼布置得舒适异常，但毕竟还是个囚笼啊。 我坐在椅子上，摸着当成车厢壁的篷布。篷布下面是粗大的木头，一旦把篷布撤去，这木笼就原形毕露了。只是有这篷布蒙着，总让人觉得这里总是个舒适的所在。 因为蛇人在大江上突袭过一次，二太子这次回帝都不敢走水路，而是从大路上走了。平常的速度走来，从帝都到东平城约摸有两千里，快马加鞭，日夜兼程，能日行五百余里，那么三四天便可到了。二太子身上带伤，当然不能这么赶法，走走停停，抓得紧些大概十天上下才能回到帝都，要是路上拖一拖，就至少要十二三天了。 十二三天，这十二三天里东平城会不会有什么变故？二太子走后，他那两万人的嫡系就由路恭行统领。以路恭行之能，总不会和二太子一样与毕炜格格不入，说不定反而会打开一个更好的局面。 我躺在床上，抱着头想着。阳光透过篷布映进来，暖洋洋的有些热。 夏天快来了吧。我坐了起来。 今天是三月二十八了。距高鹫城破，正好两个月。两个月前，我还在高鹫城里与蛇人拼命厮杀，两个月后，成为谋刺二太子的嫌犯押解回京，送交三法司审理。 从东平城到帝都，要途经之江、建徐、方阳三省地界。建除虽然人口较少，但地方却大，建徐境内这一段路非常荒凉。而从东平城一直到屠方镇守的北宁城，这一路都没有驻军，如果邵风观要对二太子做点什么手脚，多半会是在建徐境内。 我们是第三天进入建徐境内的。之江省与建徐省交界处，已是荒凉不堪，路上偶尔碰到的几个村子也极是破败，村民们衣衫褴褛，目光呆滞地看着我们经过。记得跟着天水省的贡使团去帝都时，那时路上也见过一些村落。尽管一东一西，但这些村落倒是相差无几的。 在木笼里呆着，左右无事，我又按照那部《道德心经》来打坐。这些天我天天打坐，也不知有没有进展，反正别人的心思我仍然什么也读不懂。说不定，郑昭说的读心术是靠天赋那句话也没错的，我就缺少学读心术的天赋。不过打坐可以让自己忘掉许多，虽然这木笼里布置得很舒适，但天天呆在里面，从来不能出去一次，实在闷得很。 我正打着坐，忽然有人在前面喊了一嗓子：“停！”马车一下停了下来。 那是二太子要歇息了。这两天总是如此，趁天没黑二太子便停了下来，每天只是走上三四个时辰，走的路大概连两百里也不到。这速度，也和船差不多了。 我虽然颇受优待，但仍然不能出木笼的。这时只听“哗”一声，盖着木笼的篷布拉起了半截，我眼前登时一亮，也受用了许多。 陈忠将篷布拉开后，向我行了一礼道：“楚将军，实在抱歉，末将不能放你出来，只好这样放放风了。” 我长吁一口气，道：“这样挺好。” 夕阳在山，路边的树叶也象涂上了一层金色。因为人少，树木越发显得郁郁葱葱，迎面吹来的风里也带着泥土沁凉的芳香。虽然隔着木笼，看着周围，仍然心胸为之一空。 陈忠这时拿了一竹筒米饭过来道：“楚将军，请用饭吧。” 之江省的竹子很多，这竹筒米饭也是人们外出时常吃的。因为竹子随处都有，把米装在里面放到火上煮，既不用带炊具了。煮出的饭又有一股竹叶的清香，味道倒也不错。 我大口大口地吃着，陈忠也拿了一竹筒米饭在吃，突然前面一阵混乱。陈忠放下筷子，登高看了看，喝道：“出什么事了？” 一个士兵忽然过来道：“陈将军，鼠虎！有三头鼠虎！” 有鼠虎！我的心猛地一沉。鼠虎是帝国境内最为凶猛的野兽，在回帝都的路上我也遇到过一头，那次为了救她差点送命。现在二太子走在最前，只怕这三头鼠虎攻击的是他们。 鼠虎性情凶残，和别的猛兽不同，往往会死死地纠缠不放，牧人的羊群遇到一头鼠虎往往会被鼠虎杀得一头也不剩。有三头鼠虎齐来，不知道二太子那些亲兵侍卫能不能应付。 陈忠从一边抓起一杆枪，喝道：“第一队的跟我来！” 他骗腿上马，带着十个人向前冲去。他这百人队原本是廉百策的属下，陈忠只怕也并不熟，全队一下子变得乱糟糟的，有人去持枪，有人又要带马，人头攒动，秩序大乱。 陈忠真的缺乏应变之才啊。我被关在笼子里也出不来，不过就算鼠虎冲过来，我在笼子里倒是最安全的。我坐了下来，正要接着吃饭，刚坐下，却听得“啪”一声，一支箭正射在边上的一根柱子上。 这当然不会是鼠虎射出来的。我一惊之下，人一下伏到了车板上。 有人要趁乱取我的性命！ 我又惊又怒，脑子里乱成一片，盯着这箭射出来的方向。这会是谁射的？边上有个士兵也注意到了，大声叫道：“有人射箭！”但他的喊声反而让周围更加混乱。 会不会是邵风观要灭我的口？ 二太子要从我嘴里取得口供，现在不太会杀我。他想杀我的话，先前早就可以杀了，也用不着等到今天，那么八成是邵风观派人下的手。这邵风观说得好听，原来竟是打这个主意！ 我已经恼怒异常，但是却不敢乱动。囚车虽大，也不过一丈来长，五尺来宽，在这么点地方，要杀我可是容易之极。 “啪”一声，又有一支箭射来。这一箭穿过了柱子，扎在车板上，离我的身边不过两尺多一点。箭扎得很深，箭尾还在不断抖动。这支箭有不少人都注意到了，有个士兵叫道：“有人要刺杀楚将军！” 他们没有人指挥，一群人在车前挤做一团，似乎想围住我，但这样却更是乱成一片。我一把抓过茶几挡在身前，厉声叫道：“在车前的站好，用盾牌挡住我，在外围的上前去搜捕刺客！” 这和我随唐开他们的贡使团回帝都时，在鬼啸林遭到曾望谷伏击如出一辙啊。我不由得看了看身后，生怕另一边也会有刺客出现。 那些士兵听得我的喝声，却也自动分成两排，当先一排向前追去，另一排举起了盾牌将两边围了起来。这囚笼顶上有木板盖着，除非用雷霆弩才能够透板而过，倒是不必担心。 这时前面发出了几声猛兽的怒吼，又传来一阵欢呼，想必那三头鼠虎已经被拿下了。我却不敢分心，只是盯着四周，哪里还敢有半点大意。可是那刺客大概胆小，两箭不中，却再也不放箭了。 这时从前阵传来一阵马蹄声，陈忠带着那十个人回来了。他一回来，这儿的士兵也发出了一阵惊呼，他浑身都是血，几乎象是在血水里打了个滚，一个小军官迎上去，惊道：“陈将军，受伤了么？” 陈忠将手中的大枪往地上一扎，跳下马来，道：“楚将军没出事吧？”他的动作很自然，不象受伤的样子。那小军官道：“方才有个刺客。” 陈忠一惊，大踏步向囚车走来，到了跟前，他行了个大礼，道：“统领，你没事吧？” 他倒一直把我当成前锋营的统领。我道：“没事。你受伤了么？” 陈忠咧嘴笑了笑道：“那畜生哪里伤得了我，被我一撕两半，身上才沾了些脏东西。楚将军，你可要当心，邵将军关照过我，要谨防刺客的。” 邵风观关照过么？这句近乎讽刺的话却还没有先前那一句让我震惊。那头鼠虎竟然被他硬生生撕成两半？这陈忠的一身神力实在惊人之极，邵风观如果让他来杀我，我没地方可躲，在这种力量下实在是毫无躲闪的余地吧。 这时前面又有人叫道：“殿下到！”陈忠一惊，道：“殿下怎么过来了？统领，请稍候，我去见过殿下。”他转身又向边上的士兵吼道：“好生护着统领，不得有误！” 这时二太子的声音响了起来：“楚将军可曾出事？”他坐在一架辇上，由两个亲兵抬着过来。陈忠到他跟前，跪下道：“殿下，请放心，楚将军没事。” 二太子的辇已到了囚笼前，他道：“你让这些士兵走开。”陈忠喏喏连声，道：“快让开了，让殿下过去。” 二太子到了囚笼前，看着我，忽然叹了口气道：“楚将军，让你遭受这无妄之灾，孤心中有愧啊。” 如果他斥骂我几句，那也是我意料中事，但我完全没想到他会这么说。我只觉喉头一堵，跪下来道：“殿下，末将绝无不轨之心，望殿下明察。” 二太子看着我，半晌，叹了口气，轻轻道：“我也知道。” 二太子虽然刚愎自用，但也不是傻瓜，他应该知道的吧，只是因为两位太子之争，我夹在当中成了两方相争的工具，尤其时方才的遇险让他更想起了我到蛇人营中去救他的情景，此时在他心里也许也会有愧疚。我看着他，鼻子一酸，几乎要落下泪来。 二太子似乎也不忍再看我，道：“起辇，我们回车中去。” 那两个士兵又抬起他向前走去。看着他的身影，我几乎要叫出声来，告诉他一切的实情，可是话到嘴边还是顿了顿，仍然没有出口。 这时被我叫出去搜捕刺客的那一阵士兵回来了，他们拿着一张弓和几支箭，小声跟陈忠说着。说了一阵，陈忠走了过来让人给这囚笼外面钉一层木板，以防刺客再有行动。 我听着几个士兵在钉木板的声音，脑子里觉得空空洞洞的。这个刺客十有八九是邵风观派出来的吧，可是假如我把一切事都跟二太子说了，二太子到底会如何对付我？到底是和邵风观说的杀我灭口，还是引我为心腹，用我来扳倒毕炜，以至扳倒文侯，甚至把太子也拉下来？ 我想着，眼前只觉眼花缭乱，心里也乱成一团。