Chapter 49 10. Imprisonment

The vermilion battle flag fluttered, sharp knives suddenly appeared in the white morning light. Where the dust had settled, three rows of elite soldiers in navy blue war robes reined in their horses—the Twelve Guards of the Great Sui Dynasty. Only Yu Wenhua and the Youwu Guards in command wore navy blue.The leading general with bright red hairpin tassels and deep eyes under his helmet is Yu Wenhuaji's lieutenant Ming Jingyuan, who dismounted vigorously and said, "The last general was ordered to arrest Su Zhuangyuan, offended." The dense fog at the bottom of the cliff was embroidered with golden threads by Xi Guang, Jun Wuyi stepped forward slowly: "Who is the order of General Ming, and why did he take him?"

Ming Jingyuan stood with a saber in his hand, "I was ordered by General Yuwen, and I took the murderer." He took out a paper order from his bosom: "Da Nei's bodyguard Zhuo Yun was killed in the prison of the Zuo Yiwei Army. Su Zhuangyuan is suspected of murder. The last general has obtained an order from the Ministry of Punishment. Please come with Zhuangyuan." Jun Wuyi intercepted the other party's words calmly but definitely: "Su Tong is not the murderer who killed Zhuo Yun." "Why can the general be so sure?" Ming Jingyuan sneered. "Because he is Su Tong." The mist in Jun Wuyi's eyes disappeared, only the morning sun could be seen.

Ming Jingyuan raised his arm: "The last general had to believe what the general said, but how to explain this testimony?" Several people escorted a soldier and came up. The detained soldier was disheveled and blood-stained. He had obviously been severely tortured. When he saw Jun Wuyi, his eyes turned red and tears rolled down his face: "General Jun! I... ..." "Zhao Ziyan saw Su Changshan enter the prison with his own eyes, and Zhuo Yun died later." Ming Jingyuan raised his head and shouted: "Take the prisoner down for me!" Jun Wuyi stood between Su Chang's shirt and the sword, without moving.

None of the soldiers dared to act rashly. The expression in Ming Jingyuan's eyes was complicated and unpredictable, but he saw that Jun Wuyi leaned over to help Zhao Ziyan up, and Zhao Ziyan's face was covered with bloodstains and tears: "General, I... I should die!" Jun Wuyi held his arm and signaled him something Needless to say, he untied the rope on his body. Zhao Ziyan choked with sobs in his throat. Goshawks were circling in the valley, Jun Wuyi threw the untied rope on the ground, the sound of "pop" made the soldiers' hearts tense for no reason, and he said calmly: "The soldiers in our army have neglected their duties. Military law, General Braun."

The elite soldiers of the Youwuwei Army stood still with their knives in their hands, and there was no sound. "The general is serious." Ming Jingyuan's detailed eyes were radiant and cold: "The last general dare not overstep, but this matter concerns the diplomatic relations between the Turks and the Sui Dynasty. Whoever dares to conceal the truth will surely be furious." "The emperor entrusted this matter to me," Jun Wuyi's eyes were firm and firm: "I will bear all the responsibilities myself." "I'm afraid the general alone can't afford it." Ming Jingyuan didn't intend to give in at all, his long knife was sharp and narrow.

"How much Jun Wuyi can bear, you are not qualified to speak." Su Changshan, who had not spoken all this time, suddenly said leisurely: "What actions have Yu Wenhua made in the past three days? How many evidences have you found that Jun Wuyi deceived you?" He spoke so directly, Ming Jingyuan froze instead. Su Changshan glanced at the elite soldiers in front of him, and when his eyes passed Ming Jingyuan, it seemed that the other party hadn't caught his eyes at all: "I advise you, Jun Wuyi will still be General Zuo Yiwei for a day, you'd better respect him for a day."

His eyes were leisurely, as if he could easily see into Ming Jingyuan's heart: "When Yu Wenhuaji really brings down Jun Wuyi, it's not too late for you to be arrogant. In case the emperor and the courtiers are calmer than you imagined, what are you doing?" If you show your deeds before you finish, you can't hold your breath, it's just a joke." The sharpness of a few words made Ming Jingyuan's face change several colors. Su Changshan strolled forward: "Wei Zhanyi, the servant of the Ministry of Punishment, is from my hometown, and I intend to meet him for a while—let's go."

Ming Jingyuan was startled again, not knowing what was true. Jun Wuyi's expression moved slightly, just now, Su Changshan pressed his hand, and secretly stuffed something into his palm. "Su..." Wuhu stood up abruptly, and couldn't help but want to go forward, but was pressed down by Kyushu. The soldiers of the Youwuwei Army came to their senses and surrounded them. Su Changshan turned his head and glanced at Jun Wuyi. That kind of self-confidence is full of strength that makes people have to believe in him at any time. Ming Jingyuan came over with his horse in hand, and Chao Jun had no intention of saluting: "The last general is responsible for the responsibility, and if you offend, please forgive me, general."

Kyushu and Wuhu couldn't help but look at each other. The wind and dust were rolling, and when the Sui soldiers walked away first, Ashina Yongyi jumped on his horse and said, "Let's go." "Since Yu Wenhuaji has collected the evidence, why don't you directly refer to Jun Wuwu?" Shisan Zheng seemed to be very interested in Han politics: "The words of that young man really frightened him?" "That's because he still can't touch Jun Wuyi." Ashina Yongyi's tone was cold: "Su Tong hit the nail on the head - to bring down Jun Wuyi, Ming Jingyuan and the others still owe their homework. The foundation of General Jun in the court Deeper than they thought. Besides, he's..."

Having said that, Ashina Yongyi paused, with respect in his blue eyes. After pondering for a moment, he has turned his head, the blue sky is ruthless, the eagle is darting against the mountain wind, and the corners of his lips bend cruelly: "Have you ever seen logging? - To cut down a towering tree, the only one The method is to chop off its branches and leaves first, and remove its arms." Twelve sleeves immediately understood, nodded and said: "In the past three days, the Youwuwei Army has made great moves, and the Ninth Battalion of Xiaoqi has been transferred away from Chang'an. Shiling said that Zuoyiwei's defense of the city is better than that of Youwuwei. Good for us."

Shiling on the side nodded, and said in sign language, "You're right." The strategist among the Fourteen Silver Shadow Cavalry—Shi Ling, who is good at marching and forming formations, is dumb. The deafening sound does not necessarily need to come from the throat.Human intelligence is the strongest voice in the world. "Nine battalions are not as good as one Su Tong. He is wise and decisive at such a young age, and he speaks and laughs with his soldiers. If he becomes an official, he will be an important minister of the Sui Dynasty within three to five years." Ashina Yongyi lashed at the steed below him with a whip, and laughed loudly: "With two people like this joining hands in the court, does Yuwen have any chance of winning!" The steed neighed and rushed forward. Shi Shizheng also jumped on his horse: "The Han people have many talents. It seems that His Highness has made up his mind to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight." Kyushu pulled the horse across Wuhu: "His Royal Highness is helping Su Tangyuan and the others." As soon as this statement came out, the rest of the people were stunned. "Your Highness doesn't make a move, you don't want to stand on the sidelines." Kyushu put a silver gun in his waist: "If we make a move at this time, we will make them guilty of secretly informing the Turks—if His Highness doesn't want to help them, he won't treat Zhuo Yun Never mention anything about the assassination." — On the last day of going up the mountain, there was heavy rain, and the mountain was steep and landslide, so people and horses had to travel in several ways. Jun Wuwu was injured on the road, and his speed was hindered. Several soldiers arranged by Ming Jingyuan did not wait for him, and they all rode away first. The setting sun invaded the ancient road, and the horse's hoof stepped on the ground to shatter gold. Entering Chang'an City from the outskirts, the nearest is Nanhua Gate.Dressed in white clothes and reining in the gate of the city, the soldiers saw the comer clearly, and immediately put away their swords and said respectfully: "General Jun!" Jun Wuyi jumped off his horse: "When did the prisoners escorted by Ming Jingyuan enter the city?" "...I haven't seen General Ming." The soldiers looked at each other. Jun Wuyi frowned slightly, and a feeling of uneasiness settled in his heart.He was injured and his journey has been delayed for three or four hours, so it stands to reason that Ming Jingyuan had already arrived.Unless they didn't go through the South China Gate at all - but, what reason do they have to stay away? Flocks of dark crows flew over the city, covering the sinking sun. Suddenly, a fat doll dashed out from behind the city gate and landed on Jun Wuyi! "Uncle! You are back!" The little doll's big black eyes were beaming with joy, and the collar and trousers were covered with mud, and a clay figure was printed on Jun Wuyi's chest. Jun Wuyi was stunned, his tired eyes showed surprise and warmth, and he hugged the doll: "Mo Xiao?——" The fat baby put his muddy hands around Jun Wuxin's neck: "I came to Chang'an with my parents, and my mother said that my uncle has gone down the mountain and it will take three days to come back, so I will come to the gate of the city every evening to play and see if my uncle will come back." .” She pointed to a soldier: “A little later, brother Maoer will send me back.” The soldier who was pointed out blushed and scratched his head in embarrassment. Jun Moxiao is only seven years old, and already knows more than a dozen kinds of swords. Every time he comes to Chang'an, he would quarrel with the young generals of the Zuo Yiwei Army to wrestle with her. "Uncle, you haven't taken me to ride a horse for a long time!" Jun Moxiao looked at people with bolder eyes than ordinary girls, and acted like a spoiled child: "Shall we go home on horseback?" Jun Wuwu hesitated for a moment, seeing that the big eyes were filled with anticipation, and couldn't bear to disobey the child's intentions, so he hugged her onto the horse's back. "Uncle's horse is so fast—" "When will you lend me your sword to carve a wooden boat...don't be foolish!" "Mother made you a new dress, it's very handsome." Jun Moxiao was so happy that he kept talking, driving away the loneliness along the way, and the uneasiness in Jun Wuxin's heart was almost driven away by the children's laughter. "It's here! Lili Inn." Lord Grim stretched out his chubby hand, pointing at an inn: "I live here with my parents!" Jun Wuyi looked up and couldn't help laughing. The signboard at the entrance of the inn was made of rice grains to form a word "Welcome". Children can't read the words, but the rice grains can. Carrying the doll down and walking in, the shopkeeper behind the counter suddenly dropped the ledger and ran out staggeringly: "You... are you... General Jun?" You have no intention of stopping. "I met you once at the hunting ground in the imperial city...you are my benefactor..." the shopkeeper was incoherent, rubbing his oily hands beside his side: "You may not remember... my son was conscripted to the hunting ground last year, Being a 'tiger man', I thought he was dead and came back, but you saved him!" Jun Wuyi has no memory of this anecdote, but in the fifth year of Daye, the imperial forest hunting ground forcibly arrested the "tiger man", and the common people risked their lives to climb the mountain to the hunting ground, but he remembered it - he was immediately dismissed from his post to punish the hunting ground guard, and a military order banned him. The "Tiger Man" released everyone and returned them home. (Author's note: Tiger people, people wear tiger skins and escape in the woods for the princes and grandchildren to shoot and hunt.) "Uncle, let's go in quickly." Jun Moxiao hurriedly went to see his parents, and pulled Jun Wuwu's lapel with his small hands. Jun Wuyi asked the shopkeeper gently: "After your son retired from the army, how has life been in the past two years?" The shopkeeper's eye circles suddenly turned red: "It was good at first... My inn is doing very well. The business is comparable to that of Chang'an City Zhuangyuan Building - Zhengyue Inn. My son Lu Zi also helps in the inn, but..." Wiping the muddy tears from the corners of his eyes, the shopkeeper shook his head and said, "Luzi went out a few nights ago, but disappeared for no reason... It has been five or six days, and he has not been seen. I have reported to the government——Wei Shilang of the Ministry of Punishment is me. The distant relatives of my wife’s family heard that the Ministry of Criminal Justice is the best at finding people, and I’ve already entrusted someone to tell them, but I don’t know if they can be found.” "Servant Wei?" Jun Wuyi's eyes froze. "Yes..." Before the shopkeeper could finish his sentence, he saw a woman in a yellow shirt coming down from the inn. When she saw Jun Wuwu, her gaze froze for a moment, and then she smiled. ——The sons and daughters of the Jun family have inherited their mother's natural affinity, the shopkeeper is full of sadness, and is also slightly comforted by this smile. "Mother~" Jun Mo laughed happily. "Second Sister." Jun Wuyi walked over quickly with the child in his arms, a little surprise and warmth permeated the exchange of eyes. "We've only been here for a few days, and your brother-in-law went to the street to buy wood, and you know, he loves to tinker with those carvings." Jun Xin smiled and said, "Mo Xiao, go play by yourself, mother and uncle said say." "My lord is amazing!" Jun Moxiao stared unconvinced, but jumped out of Jun Wuyi's arms obediently. Seeing Jun Moxiao jumping to the back yard to catch dragonflies, Jun Suixin looked at his younger brother with pity: "I'm so tired from traveling all the way, go drink some hot water first." In the room, Jun Wuyi picked up a porcelain bowl to drink water, his sleeve was pulled, and Jun Suixin said "ah", "This is broken." It is strange that the skirt is not torn.Jun Wuyi smiled wryly. "The climate in Chang'an is always changing. I made two new clothes for you. They are still the white you like." Jun Suixin took out the neatly folded new clothes from the closet with a smile. The woman's plain hands are delicate and soft, and Jun Xin changed into new clothes for Jun Wuyi: "Actually, you should not always wear white in court. Pure white can't tolerate a little dirt, how tiring is it?" In front of her sister, Jun Wuwu showed a little childishness like all young people. Around the waist and the skirt, the wound suddenly felt tight, Jun Wuyi could stay still, but the muscles would not obey orders, Jun Suixin paused in his hands: "Are you injured again?" "It's okay." Jun Wuxin smiled. "It's nothing for a man to get hurt, but there should be someone by his side who will take pity on these injuries." Jun Suixin shook his head: "You can't always let my sister make clothes for you." Speaking of this, she seemed to think of something, and couldn't help laughing: "Xiaoye came to play with Mo Xiao a few times in the past few days, and she is still as heartless as she was when she was a child - you are also childhood sweethearts." "Fang Ting is like my sister." Jun Wuyi smiled lightly. "Still thinking about her?" Jun Suixin kept his hands in his hands: "The past is the past after all." Jun Wuxin suffocated. "You have been serious about everything since you were a child," Jun Suixin flattened the wrinkles on his clothes for Jun Wuwu: "It's a good thing to be serious, but you have to let go of what should be let go. Whatever you keep in your heart for too long, you have to let go of it." It’s a burden—you can tolerate enemies and misunderstandings, but why can’t you tolerate a little bit of forgetting yourself?” "Second Sister..." Jun Wuyi opened his lips and teeth slightly, and wanted to say something, but he didn't say anything. "I met the little girl in the palace," Jun Suixin said, "She doesn't laugh like she used to, and she has grown up a lot. When she entered the palace, she was cut into golden branches and jade leaves by the rules, and she can no longer have her own. Shape... But the little girl has her own way of survival, even if she can't amaze the emperor for a while, she will definitely survive. Don't underestimate her." Jun Wuyi's eyes are drizzled with dust. "No matter how strong your shoulders are, you can't bear the fate of others. The love of a king can be changed day and night. The women in the palace burn themselves like fire. What will happen when the firewood is exhausted?" Jun Xin shook his head. Sighing: "Princess Lanling's mother, Concubine Xiao, was so honored and favored before she was alive, but her death - some people say that the emperor met an assassin when he was traveling with her, and there were no guards around him, so he arrested her who was nine months pregnant and blocked her." In front of her, she was killed by a sword piercing her chest, but the princess in her belly survived..." Jun Wuxin raised his head suddenly. "Unintentional?" Jun Suixin's eyelids twitched. Jun Wuyi asked in a deep voice, "Where did Second Sister hear the rumor about the death of Princess Lanling's mother and concubine?" "There are sometimes more news from the people than from the court." Jun Suixin took his hand, "Regardless of whether it is credible or not, the court and the harem are like walking on thin ice. You still have to think about everything for yourself. " ——How many ulterior secrets are there behind the death of the princess?Su Tong's stepping into such a muddy water is probably more dangerous than falling off a cliff. The Nanhua Gate is guarded by Zuo Yiwei, while the Xihan Gate, which is closest to the Ministry of Punishment, is guarded by You Wuwei.There is only one explanation for Ming Jingyuan's going to Xihan Gate despite the near and far away—he wanted to deliberately hide the evidence of entering the city. The prison of the Ministry of punishment... Feeling more and more uneasy, Jun Wuyi suddenly stood up, and said in a deep voice: "Second sister, I have something urgent! You first..." Before he could finish his sentence, he suddenly felt dizzy, and a heavy sleepiness swept over him. "Unintentional?" Jun Suixin was startled, and found that his face was not right. Jun Wuyi propped himself up on the table, veins protruding from the back of his white hands, and the porcelain bowl turned into countless shadows in his eyes, swirling rapidly, sucking his consciousness into the darkness like a whirlpool. In Jun Suixin's yell, Jun Wuyi fell to the ground.