The next day, before dawn, a sudden news swept through Chang'an City, Zhang Huan, the envoy of Longyou Jiedu and his servant, was assassinated, seriously injured, eight of the thirteen assassins died, and five were caught.

Needless to say, everyone understood that they were referring to Zhu, the king of Hanzhong, and what was amazing was that Zhu did not come out to deny it, but remained silent, and this silence made people seem to experience a kind of bitter hatred.

As time went on, the news of Zhang Huan's assassination spread more and more, and countless people gathered in front of his mansion to inquire about the news, some were sent by various high-ranking officials and important ministers, and some officials and people spontaneously came to visit.

People are worried about what kind of waves the assassination of the largest local warlord will set off in Datang, and many officials who have just seen the light of day are praying for Zhang Huan and the future of Datang.

The two carriages came quickly under the strict escort of hundreds of guards, and the people gathered in front of Zhang Huan's door got out of the way, this is the right minister Pei Jun and the criminal department Shangshu Chu Xingshui arrived, both of them had the same solemn faces, especially Pei Jun, he got the information, Zhu really sent someone to assassinate Zhang Huan, and now the only hope is that Zhang Huan's injuries are not as serious as in the rumors, otherwise once he has three long and two short, the situation in Longyou is very likely to get out of control.

It was as if a hanging river was rushing above his head, and all he could do was to do everything he could to prevent the levee from bursting.

Chu Xingshui was also worried, not only Zhang Huan was his nephew, but more importantly, he pinned too much hope on Zhang Huan. The future and future of their Chu family.

The faces of the right minister and the criminal department Shangshu Tie turned pale to make the people watching outside the door even more worried, and when the two walked into the house, the discussion suddenly spread, and countless gossip was generated in the discussion:

The imperial court wanted to hold Zhu accountable.

The 100,000 army of Longyou is about to attack Hanzhong.

As if they had grown wings, the news spread quickly, and there were even official sources who proved that the consequences were very serious, and the right minister was very angry.

The person who received Pei and Chu was Zhang Huan's concubine Yang Chunshui, who cried like a tearful person. Last night, when the soldiers carried the bloody old man into the house, she almost felt that the sky was about to fall, she was only twenty-two years old, was she going to be a widow?

Later, several imperial doctors from the palace appeared and disappeared like marquees, and the results of the diagnosis and treatment made her feel a little at ease, Zhang Huan's life was saved, and when she saw Pei Jun and Chu Xingshui at this moment, Yang Chun's tears were broken like pearls. After only two sentences, he couldn't stop crying.

Pei Jun had no choice but to follow the housekeeper to Zhang Huan's ward, where nearly a hundred heavily armed soldiers stood coldly at the door. Seeing Pei Jun and the others coming, they both drew their swords and glared angrily.

Pei Jun was angry in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face, he smiled and said, "Don't be nervous, I'm visiting you on behalf of the Queen Mother and the imperial court." No malice. ”

No one spoke, only silence and a cold blade answered him, at this time, Li Dingfang, the commander of Zhang Huan's personal barracks, came out of the house and saluted Pei Jun: "Please bear with Pei Xiangguo, the imperial doctor has instructed that the governor must recuperate and must not be disturbed." ”

In this way, Pei Jun thought about it and said: "Speaking of which, I am still the father-in-law of your governor, not an outsider. I don't feel sorry for you, but I let me see my son-in-law at the door, and I have peace of mind. ”

Chu Xingshui also said in a low voice: "I am his own uncle, and I only look at the door." ”

Li Dingfang was helpless, so he had to wave his hand, and the soldiers immediately dodged a way. But he still stared at them warily. Pei Jun walked to the door, and a strong smell of medicine and blood mixed together. Rushing to the face, he held his breath and looked sideways into the room, only to see Zhang Huan's face on a bed, his eyes closed, and he was sleeping deeply.

Pei Jun sighed slightly, beckoned Li Dingfang to the side, and asked in a low voice, "Where is the injury?" ”

"I was hit by an arrow in the leg and one in the shoulder, but fortunately it was not a poisoned arrow."

Pei Jun frowned, "Why are you so careless, can't so many of you protect him?" ”

"Report to Xiangguo, everyone paid attention to it at first, but when they saw the mansion, they lost their vigilance, but they didn't expect Zhu to assassinate him in front of the mansion."

Li Dingfang has already pointed out Zhu, but Pei Jun is a little embarrassed, whether Zhang Huan dies or Zhu dies, Datang will fall into chaos, how to make a statement, he groaned and said: "I heard that you have caught the live mouth, and you will hand it over to Dali Temple!" I will order the three divisions of Dali Temple, the Criminal Department, and the Yushitai to try this case. ”

Li Dingfang bowed and saluted, neither humble nor arrogant: "The governor said before he fell into a coma that the murderer could not be handed over without his consent, Pei Xiangguo, please forgive me for not daring to disobey the military order." ”

Just as Li Dingfang was talking to Pei Jun, Chu Xingshui quietly received a note from the hand of a pro-soldier, and there was only one sentence on the note: The Criminal Department came forward to investigate.

Chu Xingshui recognized at a glance that this was Zhang Huandi's handwriting, he immediately suddenly realized, and his heart quietly landed, he immediately stepped forward and said to Pei Jun: "Pei Xiangguo, this matter will be returned to the Criminal Department for investigation!" I will give an explanation to the court and Zhang Huan. ”

Pei Jun glanced at him, and also took the opportunity to go down the steps, he nodded, and said slowly: "Please leave this matter to Chu Shangshu." ”

The two glanced at Zhang Huan at the door again, and then said goodbye, and the people who were waiting outside the gate of the mansion saw Pei and Chu coming out, and they all surrounded them at once, hoping to get accurate news from them.

Pei Jun waved his hand and said aloud to everyone: "We have visited Zhang Shilang, and his life is fine, please rest assured." He turned around and pointed at Chu Xingshui again: "The Criminal Department is fully responsible for this assassination incident, and I will definitely give Zhang Shilang and all those who care about this matter an explanation." With that, he boarded the carriage and drove away, Chu Xingshui also said a few words of officialdom, boarded the carriage and drove quickly towards the criminal department located in the imperial city.

Midday. Zhang Huan was awakened by a low cry, in order to hide from the imperial doctor, Zhang Huan did use a bitter meat trick, he was hit by two arrows, a little blood, it was a minor injury, originally his mind was very clear, but the imperial doctors used all the good medicinal materials on the ground to calm the nerves and replenish the blood, he really fell asleep.

Zhang Huan slowly opened his eyes and saw Cui Ning sitting beside him. He was sobbing softly, his eyes swollen like peaches, and his heart was weak for a while, and if she knew that she was a plan, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"Don't cry, it's no big deal."

Cui Ning saw that he was awake and was still talking to herself, she was pleasantly surprised, and hurriedly knelt down beside him, stroked his face and said, "Huanlang." Are you—Are you really okay? ”

Zhang Huan grabbed her hand and put it on his face, a burst of warmth in her hand went straight to his heart, and he smiled slightly: "I have fought for so many years." This little injury is nothing, and it will be fine for a month at most. ”

As soon as he said this, he suddenly remembered something terrible, laughed dryly, and quickly changed his words: "It won't take a month." Three days at most would be fine, no! I'll be alive tonight. ”

Cui Ning's face turned red, and he pinched him lightly and said: "It's nonsense again, don't say three days, one month is not enough, I think you have to recuperate for at least three months." "Three months! Zhang Huan complained in his heart, he actually cocooned himself, and told her that he was a plan? However, he did have arrow wounds on his body, which had nothing to do with not making plans. He couldn't help but regret it in his heart, he had known that he would have let an injured soldier pretend to be him, and then find a few famous doctors who didn't know him for diagnosis and treatment, and he could fool the past, but he didn't think of this method last night.

At this time, Yang Chunshui came in with a bowl of freshly boiled white rice porridge. Behind her. A red shirt floated by, but it didn't enter the house. Cui Ning hurriedly helped Zhang Huan up, took the porridge bowl again, scooped a spoonful of porridge, blew it carefully, and carefully served Zhang Huan to eat.

Zhang Huan took a bite of porridge and said to Yang Chunshui: "You go and pack up your things first, and we'll leave in the afternoon." ”

"Let's go?" Cui Ning was stunned, she hesitated and said, "Huanlang, where are you going?" ”

"Naturally, it's back to Longright."

"No way!" Cui Ning stood up and categorically rejected his ridiculous thoughts, "You have a wound on your body, how can you travel a long distance, if the arrow wound bursts, it's not a joke." ”

"Don't get excited!" Zhang Huan hurriedly comforted her and said, "I didn't really go back to Longyou, I just made a gesture." ”

Cui Ning picked up the porridge bowl and knelt down again, she sighed softly and said, "You! Even if you get hurt, you have to take advantage of it, and you really can't do it. ”

Yang Chunshui answered, went out to pack her things, and when she got to the door, she heard who she seemed to be talking to, "Why don't you go in?" He's woken up. ”

Zhang Huan and Cui Ning glanced at each other, and reacted at the same time, Cui Ning put down the bowl and chased him out quickly, the footsteps gradually moved away, half loud, I saw her walk in with a food box, shook it and said: "Drop this and she will run!" ”

Cui Ning put the food box on the small table and said with a smile: "I've never seen her cook, let's see what delicious food she has made for you?" ”

Zhang Huan also looked at the box, the lid opened, and he saw a saucer inside, which was full of more than a dozen fried and browned eggs.

Zhang Huan looked at these fried eggs in a daze, he didn't have the slightest intention of making fun of them, but he felt that his nose was slightly sour.

The concubine covered her forehead at the beginning, folded the flower in front of the scene, Lang rode a bamboo horse, went around the bed to make green plums, lived together for a long time, and the two were not suspicious

In the afternoon, an army of 3,000 cavalry drove out of Yongle Fang, slowly and murderously on Suzaku Street, and the army drove out of Mingde Gate.

The news that Zhang Huan left Chang'an and returned to Longyou suddenly spread throughout the city, shock, regret, worry, and joy, the reason for Zhang Huan's departure is different, and all kinds of versions are overwhelming, but the most widely spread is that Zhang Huan returned to Longyou in anger and wanted to attack Hanzhong.

Someone reported the news to Pei Jun, but Pei Jun was busy with official business, and after dealing with the matter in hand, he chased him out and kept people, and Zhang Huan had already left; Someone also quietly told Cui Yuan, Cui Yuan only smiled and did not speak, everything was clear in his chest; Someone else reported Cui Xiaofu. Cui Xiaofu was stunned at first, and then fell into deep thought.

Zhang Huan left suddenly, as if beating a drum, and the sound reverberated and tasted in everyone's hearts, and at the same time, he mobilized his troops and galloped out of the city gate, galloping towards Hedong, Huaixi, and Hanzhong.

Night fell quietly, and in Chang'an Yanshoufang, a cavalry team of hundreds of people escorted a carriage and galloped silently on the streets of the fang.

The carriage was dimly lit. Only two people were faintly seated, discussing something in a low voice, and occasionally the roadside lights shone through the cracks in the curtains, reflecting a rough and arrogant face.

He is Cui Qinggong, the king of Ruyang County, and the person sitting opposite him and talking to him secretly is his chief staff Ma Siyi, Ma Siyi is about forty years old, with a thin monkey face, he was born in Jinshi, and because he had no hope of entering the office, he defected to Cui Qinggong to become his staff. This person is ruthless and has a unique vision, it was he who suggested to Cui Qinggong to break off the luck and blackmail the imperial court, and the blow was successful, which made Cui Qinggong's longing for many years and unsuccessful entry into the cabinet come true. Ma Siyi also won Cui Qinggong's trust.

Compared with Zhu Yi's desire to be the emperor, Cui Qinggong's ambition is slightly worse, which also has something to do with the fact that he was born in a famous family.

He just wants to divide one side and become the king of the two Huai for generations. For this reason, he tried his best to expand the army, but did not set the corresponding system in time to restrain it, as a result, two years ago, Huaixi Li Xilie became independent, and Li Huaiguang of the Central Plains became independent, these two events brought a heavy blow to Cui Qinggong, and his mentality of surrendering to the Tang Dynasty also quietly changed.

At this time, Cui Qinggong was going to Zhu's mansion, and Zhu was his subordinate when he was in Jinwuwei. Cui Qinggong has always looked down on him, plus each other's territory is east and west, there is no interest, Cui Qinggong simply does not associate with him, but in the past few days, Ma Sisu has tried his best to persuade him to give up his prejudices and join forces with Zhu to deal with Zhang Huan.

It was Zhang Huan, the common enemy, that made Cui Qinggong finally put down the shelf. Visit Zhu in person.

"Sir, do you think this assassination was really done by Zhu?" Cui Qinggong is still a little suspicious of the assassination that happened last night. He has dealt with Zhang Huan for many years, and he knows that he is not so easy to be fooled.

Ma Sisu stroked his goatee and smiled slightly: "There must be something to send someone to assassinate." Otherwise, Zhu will not remain silent, but it is also obvious that Zhang Huan is making a big fuss about this matter, if I am not mistaken, he is going to take the opportunity to march to Hanzhong, but how can Zhu sit still and wait for death, whether the two armies fight or not, it is an opportunity for the prince, on the one hand, he can take advantage of the fact that the court has no time to look east and prepare for the war in Huainan, on the other hand, he can unite with Zhu to deal with Zhang Huan, so as to pull Zhu into the prince's account again, and really become a force in the court to compete with Pei Jun, what does the prince think? ”

Although he went to visit Zhu, Cui Qinggong always had some doubts in his heart, he hesitated for a moment and said: "The strategy of taking the opportunity to prepare for the war in Huainan is extremely clever, and Guangling is rich in the world, which is exactly what I need, but Zhudi's reputation is too stinky, and I am afraid that pulling him as a subordinate will affect the reputation of my land." ”

Ma Si knew that this was Cui Qinggong's vanity in his bones, and he was still making a mistake in the vanity of the local family, he was expanding his army in Huaibei, collecting money and grain, and where was it clean? I couldn't help but despise this person very much in my heart, he secretly sneered and said: "Prince, what is the restraint of those who do great things, since the imperial court has named Zhu as the king of Hanzhong County, and allowed him to enter the cabinet, it means that the imperial court has accepted him, why care about his reputation, what matters is the practical interests, take Huainan, force the Chu family to be loyal to the prince, and then use Li Xilie to threaten Xiangyang, attracting the cooperation of the Wang family, in this way, the three families of Zhu, Chu and Wang are loyal to the prince, and they have the southeastern half of the Tang Dynasty, so why fear Pei Jun at that time?" ”

Cui Qinggong was silent for a long time, and Ma Siji's utilitarian rhetoric finally moved him, and he nodded slowly, "Okay!" Since you're here, I'll listen to you this time. ”

As the two were talking, the carriage suddenly stopped, Cui Qinggong pulled the curtain, looked ahead, and saw that there were more shadows in the night, and there were thousands of people a hundred steps away, and from time to time there were people shouting and neighing.

When he saw one of the Pathfinder guards running back, he asked in displeasure, "What's going on?" ”

"Lord Wang, in front of you is General Zhu's convoy, and a carriage broke down and blocked the street."

Ma Siwei suddenly interjected and asked, "Which General Zhu?" ”

"It's Zhu."

Cui Qinggong was taken aback, he and Ma Si looked at each other, and the two realized at the same time that Zhu was going back to Hanzhong, Cui Qinggong immediately ordered the guards: "Go and report to Zhu, just say that I have something important and want to talk to him on the street." ”

Twenty miles west of Chang'an, in Sanqiao Town, Zhang Huan's brigade had stopped for almost an hour, and before that, dozens of his heralds had rushed to Kaiyang and Longxi counties, ordering the 50,000 troops stationed there to move closer to the border of Fengxiang Mansion, and secretly sent an envoy to Fengxiang to get in touch with Han Qing, the judge of Fengxiang's army, and at the same time, sent a letter to Hu Weiyong, explaining his strategy to him.

Now, he just has to wait for news from Chang'an.

Zhang Huan leaned in the car and closed his eyes for almost an hour, and there was still no news coming, his three thousand personal soldiers were the most elite in the Xiliang army, although the lord did not have any instructions, but no one showed displeasure or commotion, and no one spoke, the team was neat, everyone's eyes were as cold as water, quietly waiting for orders, in the dark night, this army was as dignified as a mountain.

Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves came clearly from the east, Zhang Huan's eyes opened slightly, and the news he was waiting for finally came.

The messenger galloped over, jumped down in front of Zhang Huan's carriage, and reported loudly: "Governor Qiqi, Zhu has left Chang'an under the escort of a thousand cavalry, and is speeding towards this side" Did he also have a time when he was afraid? Zhang Huan smiled faintly, and then ordered: "The soldiers are divided into two routes, one way to return to Longyou quickly, and the other way to follow me to the north to detour to Fengxiang." ”