Chapter 28 Chapter Twenty Eight

A group of fleeing teams marched on the long plank road from Fengxiang to Xingyuan. An absurdly tragic picture unfolds after sunrise.Officers, soldiers, and refugees mixed with each other, dejected and without a trace of energy.Occasionally, you can see a few tired horses in this team, and you can tell that they are the generals of the Imperial Army.And Li Xuan's dragon chariot does not show the slightest royal majesty, or in other words, Li Xuan at this time has been numb to running around all the year round, and often on this panicked escape, he will forget that he is the emperor, the one who was once famous. The emperor of the Tang Empire who unified China from all over the world.The little eunuch at the side reminded him from time to time that he hadn't eaten for two days.Has it been two days?So it has been two days since I left Fengxiang, and I will arrive at Xingyuan in a short time.Could it be that, just after four years of wandering life in Chengdu, new misery is about to begin?Li Xuan closed his eyes and tried hard to recall what happened that night... He clearly remembered the late night of December Yihai. He had just dragged his exhausted body back to the bedroom when there was a commotion outside the door. Immediately afterwards, Tian Lingzi He led Wang Jian and Jin Hui to enter the palace, claiming that foreign soldiers had committed crimes; before he could speak, he was hijacked out of Kaiyuan Gate and went straight to Fengxiang.Only later did he know that Baiguan had not received any news, just like the last time he escaped from Chang'an.But this time, more people have been disappointed, and almost no one is willing to continue to follow.The only consolation is that Kong Wei still followed him without hesitation after he ran away in a hurry for the second time.The dragon chariot was still bouncing on the plank road, Li Yan recalled the moment when Kong Wei was lying in front of his bed, and couldn't help feeling bitter: If all the ministers in the world could be like Zheng Tian and Kong Wei, that would be great!

"Your Majesty, please have a meal!" Li Xuan has been recalling what happened in the past ten days. At some point, Wang Jian has already knelt in front of him, holding a plate of rough-made snacks in both hands.Only then did he come to his senses, the team had already stopped in a cypress forest beside a post road, and the five hundred soldiers guarding him were panting heavily under the shade of the trees. He waved his hand to Wang Jian and sighed: "I'm not hungry, I can't eat anything..." Wang Jian understood that the emperor really didn't have the heart to eat at the moment.Since leaving Fengxiang, he kept asking Wang Jian for the past few days if he had any news from the people in the capital.Son of Heaven, you are a citizen of Datang.God, why don't you give the emperor a peaceful and prosperous life?Wang Jian's heart was filled with turmoil. He had completely forgotten how many people in the Central Plains lived a life of poverty under the rule of the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!But when he really walked into Li Xuan's life, he couldn't blame Datang and the sufferings of the people on him alone, even though he was the emperor. "Your Majesty, this is a specialty of Shannan. It is called 'disaster relief cake'. If you eat it and pray sincerely, you will be able to eliminate disasters in the world and save all people from fire and water." Wang Jian had an idea and persuaded Li Xuan.

There was another ray of light in Li Xuan's dead eyes just now. Although he was dubious, he hoped that what Wang Jian said would be true.He picked up a piece of cake with two trembling fingers and put it in his mouth. "Thank God! The emperor finally ate!" Wang Jian was delighted.He got up and turned to the soldiers who were resting not far away—this time the escort southward was extremely urgent, and most of the people accompanying him were his cronies and experienced generals, but he brought out Zheng Xu, a literati for the first time. . Zheng Xu had never experienced such a rush.At this moment, he was already so tired that his whole body was weak, and he almost collapsed under a big tree that could only be embraced by five people. His eyes were slightly closed, but his chest was still heaving and falling. "Sir, you have suffered all the way!" Wang Jian said to Zheng Xu respectfully.Zheng Xu opened his eyes slightly, straightened his messy clothes, patted the bluestone slab beside him with his sleeve, and signaled Wang Jian to sit down.He tried his best to swallow his saliva, and said in an almost hoarse voice: "It's okay, I'm just afraid, because I... will delay the emperor's trip." After finishing speaking, he sighed again, "I'm also afraid of dragging you down! "

"With you here, I feel at ease!" Wang Jian said from his heart.That night, Tian Lingzi asked him to quickly lead his troops into the palace to escort him southward. He said "escort", which was actually the same as kidnapping the emperor.Along the way, Wang Jian never left Li Xuan's side. He was really afraid that in the eyes of the emperor, he would become Tian Lingzi's accomplice, and he would even be designated as a treasonous minister in the future.The world is changing, and the world seems to be in chaos!Although he is not as reckless as Zhang Jie, and he tried to outwit Zhu Wen in the Zhongwu Army, but he still feels at a loss when he reaches this fork in the road that determines his destiny.At this moment, Zheng Xu became his life-saving straw, and he tried his best to hold onto it.Although he didn't know if this failed scholar could really help him turn things around, at least in his opinion, anyone who could read and write would always be better than him.

"Zhang Qianyu—" "The subordinates are here!" "I entrust Mr. Zheng to you. Wherever I protect the emperor, you have to bring Mr. Zheng back safely." "Military envoy, don't worry! With my breath here, I will definitely not let my husband suffer the slightest grievance!" "Let's drive—" Following Tian Lingzi's long shout in the forest, the soldiers moved around.Wang Jian got on his horse, and he and Jin Hui went straight to the side of the emperor.Beside Wang Jian's horse, Li Zhazha, the pawn who once broke his wrist with him, has long since become his confidant, always guarding his master around him.

At this moment, there was a sudden commotion at the end of the team.Wang Jian led the horse vigilantly, held the sword in his waist, turned around and said, "What's the noise in the rear?" A soldier ran over in a panic, rushed to Tian Lingzi's horse behind the dragon chariot and knelt down: "The military appearance is not a big deal. Alright! The rebels are coming! It’s less than a mile away! Junrong, hurry up and protect the emperor and escape..." To say that Tian Lingzi has dominated the government for more than ten years, what has not been seen in the world!But the sudden change in front of him had made him pale with fright.He no longer cared about reprimanding this pawn who leaped over the ranks, but shouted hoarsely on the noisy plank road: "My son Wang Jian, quickly protect the emperor to break through!" Among the five adoptive sons he adopted, Wang Jian, Jin Hui The martial arts are all excellent, and Wang Jian and Jin Hui are duty-bound to protect the emperor.No matter how domineering Tian Lingzi is, he knows one truth: once Li Xuan is gone, all his glory and wealth will be gone.

Li Xuan on the dragon chariot heard Tian Lingzi's words and couldn't help turning his head. At that moment, his eyes were filled with infinite gratitude to the Tenth Army Watcher who he once called "Father"—this complicated Feelings, he himself will never be able to explain clearly. The sound of the drums of the pursuers can already be heard!The innocent people who were running for their lives, and the panicked princes and grandchildren all gathered together, scrambling to escape for their lives.The originally narrow road became more and more congested, and Tian Lingzi's mount, who was rushing to the forefront, was blocked by countless officers, soldiers and civilians and could not move forward. "Wang Jian! Jin Hui!" Tian Lingzi once again cast his eyes on both sides of the dragon chariot, "Order the two of you to be the envoys of Qing Dao, and lead the army to kill the people of Sai Dao to protect the emperor!"

Immediately, Wang Jian and Jin Hui were startled—kill the fleeing refugees!What is wrong with these innocent people? The shouting and killing behind him became louder and louder, the pursuers got closer and closer, and the road became more and more congested!Suddenly, a flying arrow without long eyes shot into Tian Lingzi's arm, causing the eunuch to scream in pain.He got angry at Wang Jian hoarsely: "Why are you still standing still!" Without time for Wang Jian to think about it, he ordered his left and right to give up their lives to escort him, and he led a group of personal soldiers to rush towards the people crowded on the plank road like sharp knives breaking through the ice.He looked at the soldiers who had followed him for many years waving their sharp knives towards the unarmed people; he saw the innocent refugees covered in blood, and heard the tragic screams one after another.Turning around, Tianzi has been supported on a green mane from left to right, and is trembling on the horse’s back in horror——for the first time, he felt all the complicated emotions in the world rushing together, and for the first time, he felt There was nowhere to vent all his strength.Suddenly, an unknown fire made him numb, while protecting the emperor, he mechanically drew the sword and flew in the air... His eyes were blurred, and he didn't know whether it was the tears of bitterness and pity, or those innocent tears. blood splattered with life...

Who is to blame for all this!The people are innocent, and the emperor is innocent, which makes him feel more grievances that cannot be explained clearly. There is a saying: After a fierce battle, Zhu Mei's first pursuers were repelled.At this time, the sun had turned to the west, and Jin Hui led a group of soldiers to continue to clear the way ahead, while Wang Jian returned to Li Xuan's side, comforting the panic-stricken emperor, while looking around vigilantly. Suddenly, Wang Jian took the reins, and suddenly found that a section of plank road in front of him had been burned!The plank road is almost the only way to the land of Shu. The ancestors of ancient Shu used an astonishing way to drill holes, set up wood, and lay boards on the cliffs. The endless roads connected the Central Plains and Western Shu.The scene in front of him made Wang Jian break out in a cold sweat. If all the plank roads in front of him were burned down, it would be tantamount to sitting and waiting for Zhu Mei's rebels to catch up.

"What's going on with the plank road ahead!" Wang Jianchong shouted to his subordinates.Not long after, a detective reported back: Zhu Mei joined forces with the Jiedu envoy of Shannan West Road to surround Shengjia one after the other.In order to achieve the goal of regicide, they did not hesitate to burn plank roads and post stations.Tanma climbed up a hill, and he could see the rebels who were setting fire ahead. Enemy from belly to back!Wang Jian raised his head and shouted at Tanma on the top of the mountain: "Is there a way around here?" Tanma looked at the majestic mountains in front of him and replied: "The mountain in front is Dasanling. To the northern foot of Dasanling. But if the only plank road at the southern foot of Dasanling is burned again, we will not be able to reach Xingyuan!"

Wang Jian jumped off his horse and came to Li Xuan's horse: "Your Majesty, sit still, I will lead the horse to protect you over this mountain." "How can this be done? As a general, why don't you have a mount?" "Your Majesty, don't worry about your ministers, hurry up and start, otherwise it will be dangerous!" Li Xuan didn't know how to answer. He hastily took out a cube wrapped in yellow silk from his arms, and handed it to Wang Jian: "This is my jade seal. I'm afraid it will be bumpy. You can keep it for me. Don't lose it!" Wang Jian was so flattered that he knelt down in front of Li Xuan's horse, raised his hands above his head, and said, "I dare not fail the emperor's grace!" Then he took the seal, carried the yellow satin behind his back, wrapped it around his chest, and tied a knot tightly. , turned to Jin Hui and said: "Guangyuan, you lead a hundred people across this mountain quickly, and you must protect the plank road in the south of the Dasan Ridge, and I will follow closely behind you." "Take care, Your Majesty! Guangtu, the mountains are rugged and the roads are difficult, so be careful!" After finishing speaking, Jin Huifei mounted his horse and headed southward.Looking at Jin Hui's back, Li Xuan's nose could not help but sore, and he was on the verge of tears. Wang Jian gave up his mount to Li Zhazha, and ordered Zongji to return to Li Zha's horse in three or two steps after the command of the army was broken.Li Xuan stared blankly at Wang Jian, his heart was churning up and down, but his mind was empty and he didn't say a word. About half an hour later, Wang Jian and his party climbed over the hill. He tightened the reins with his right fist, and pulled the battle robe that was scratched by thorns with his left hand. Duan Po, you can go back to the plank road. Then the road will be smoother..." Li Xuan just nodded silently. Suddenly, a war horse rushed out of the front like flying, and came straight towards Li Xuan.Wang Jian pulled out his treasured sword in a "babble" and stood in front of Li Xuan's horse, but when he looked closely, he found that it was a soldier under his command.The man hurried to Wang Jian, almost rolled off his horse, and shouted to Wang Jian in a hoarse voice: "Military envoy, something is wrong! The plank road ahead is on fire!" Wang Jian was startled, and looking down the mountain in the distance, fireworks rose from the only last section of the plank road leading to Xingyuan, and it was faintly visible that Jin Hui was fighting with a group of people. "Zong Ji, hurry to help your uncle!" Wang Jian had no time to breathe a sigh of relief, but had to tense every nerve.He yelled at Li Xuan: "Your Majesty, hold on to the reins!" So he slammed his horse and rushed down the mountain. Wang Zongji got on his horse and rushed in front of a group of soldiers, shouted loudly and raised his gun to kill one of the oncoming generals.He looked forward and saw that the raging flames had risen to a height of one person. Jin Hui's soldiers were fighting the flames desperately, but the large pieces of wood were still burnt to charcoal in an instant, and from time to time, the fence of the plank road was also burned to ashes...