The next evening, a carriage quietly drove into the side door of Zhang Huan's mansion, the carriage stopped, and two guards accompanied Huang Yunqing from the carriage, Huang Yunqing's heart was quite nervous, he only pressed his handprint on the letter of allegiance yesterday, but he didn't expect Zhang Huan to meet him today, he couldn't figure out what the reason was, he was just a small clerk in Luowangfu, could it be that he finally said, Li Yu did not organize the temple sacrifice for three years?

In his thoughts, Huang Yunqing was taken to Zhang Huan's study, and the soldiers at the door let him enter the room alone, the study was very quiet, and there was a faint fragrance, the fragrance came from a bouquet of pear blossoms blooming on the table, the petals were crystal white, and the quaint vase was full of brilliant vitality, it was this bouquet of pear blossoms that made Huang Yunqing, who was in awe, suddenly have a cordial feeling, and the rumored first local warlord turned out to have an ordinary heart.

Behind the desk, he saw this legendary figure, who was writing something with his head down, not wearing an iron helmet and iron armor, nor a warlord with a purple face and leopard eyes and a lion's nose, on the contrary, he was wearing a cyan wide-body Zen robe, a black gauze hat, and three long whiskers floating on his chest, he was actually an elegant and intellectual civil official, which greatly surprised Huang Yunqing.

At this time, Zhang Huan already felt that someone was approaching, he put down his pen, looked at Huang Yunqing, and said with a slight smile: "You are Li Li's clerk?" ”

Huang Yunqing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed deeply, "Under Huang Yunqing, see Zhang Shangshu." ”

"Sit down!" Zhang Huan waved his hand slightly. Ordered him to sit down.

"I heard that Mr. Huang is a ten-year jinshi of Qingzhi?"

"Yes!" Huang Yunqing owes himself.

Zhang Huan nodded and sighed slightly: "I took the Jinshi examination in the sixteenth year of Qingzhi, but unfortunately I missed it. I've always regretted it. ”

"Zhang Shangshu is too modest, although Shangshu did not take fame, but he conquered the north and south, washed the shame of Hehuang, leveled the rebellion of the Zhu thief, made great contributions to the Tang Dynasty, and the official was the best, but I did nothing for more than ten years, what about the fame?"

The two exchanged a few words. Gradually, Huang Yunqing's fear was gone, and his good impression of Zhang Huandi increased greatly, seeing that the atmosphere was already harmonious, Zhang Huan smiled as soon as the topic changed: "I heard Mr. Huang say that Li Li has not organized the royal family to worship the temple for three years, what is the reason for this?" ”

Huang Yunqing suddenly came to his senses. He forgot his identity, he was panicked and wanted to stand up to answer, but Zhang Huan held him down and said apologetically: "I was rude to Mr. yesterday, I have severely reprimanded them, Mr. just sit down and answer." ”

After speaking, he took Huang Yunqing's letter of allegiance on the table. Tearing to pieces in front of him, he sighed angrily: "It is difficult to use the great talents of the ancients, how can you treat them as pawns and peddlers." ”

Huang Yunqing was extremely moved in his heart, and only bowed his head and was silent for a long time. He explained: "King Luo himself often said to people that he did not organize the clan because of financial constraints, no money to operate, and the dilapidated temple, so that he had no face to see his ancestors, but in fact, the real reason was caused by the contradictions within the clan. "Contradictions within the clan. Zhang Huan was stunned. How did he not know?

Huang Yunqing seemed to understand the surprise in Zhang Huan's heart. He smiled slightly: "Actually, most people don't know that on the surface, there is a harmony between the clans. There are few contacts, and there is no conflict of interest between each other, so it stands to reason that there is no contradiction, but in fact, the contradiction within them is very deep, and I only learned by chance, speaking of which, this contradiction has a little to do with Zhang Shangshu. ”

"Something to do with me?" Zhang Huan couldn't help laughing, "Mr. Huang, please speak up, I'm really a little confused." ”

Huang Yunqing smiled mysteriously and reminded him: "Zhang Shangshu think about it again, what happened when the emperor was made the crown prince by the first emperor? ”

Zhang Huan condensed, he suddenly realized, when the Li family was trapped in the west of the surrender city, the voice of the neutral prince suddenly rose, Cui Yuan and his faction advocated the establishment of Li Miao's youngest son Li Miao as the prince, and Pei Jun's family resolutely established Li Yao, the son of the heir of Shouwang Li, as the prince, and the two factions were stiff, and later after the Li family was saved and returned to Chang'an, in order to reach an agreement with Cui Yuan that Zhang Potian replaced Zhang Ruohao as the secretary of the Ministry of Rites, he agreed to set up Li Miao as the prince, and then Li had no voice.

Zhang Huan thought about it for a while, and then asked, "What does Mr. Huang mean, is it not the contradiction between Li Li and Li?" ”

Huang Yunqing nodded slowly, "Shangshu is right, Li Li and Li have a deep enmity for the establishment of the prince back then, it is said that Li also sent someone to pretend to be the prince's nurse into the palace to prepare to be unfavorable to Li Miao, Li Li sent someone to throw a knife to Li Yaodi's residence to threaten. ”

Zhang Huan has fully understood, some time ago when he proposed Yuan Zai to be the squire of the military department, Cui Xiaofu also proposed that Li Huailai, the king of Jiyang County, serve as the squire of the military department, and Li Huai is Li's brother, at that time I thought that she was fighting with herself for the military department, but now it seems that Cui Xiaofu actually has a deeper meaning, she wants to create a situation where both parties have the same hatred and hatred as themselves, so as to reconcile Li and Li Li.

"So that's what happened!" Zhang Huan was secretly taken aback, it seemed that he still thought of Cui Xiaofu a little too simply, at this time, he seemed to think of something faintly, as if a mystery was about to be guessed, but he couldn't see it clearly for a while, so he temporarily put down this thought, and asked Huang Yunqing again: "How did Mr. Huang know about this matter?" ”

"It's really interesting to talk about."

Huang Yunqing couldn't help laughing and said: "Shangyuan night palace lantern appreciation, it is said that Empress Dowager Cui specially arranged the seats of the two together, but Li Li disdained it, ran to sit behind the emperor, and afterwards Li wrote a letter, scolding Li Li for being stupid and ignorant, Li Li also replied to a letter, but it was for me to write for him, only two words, Shangshu might as well guess what is written?" ”

"Aren't you an idiot?" Zhang Huan guessed with a smile.

Huang Yunqing shook his head, he thought of those two words, and his face couldn't help showing a look of contempt for Li Li, "Forget it, Shangshu doesn't need to guess, and he won't guess, it hurts people's ears to say it." ”

"Speak up and listen!" Zhang Huandi's interest became even stronger.

hesitated for a long time. Huang Yunqing barely squeezed out two words from between his teeth: shit!

Zhang Huan was stunned, then laughed, and he stood up. He thanked Huang Yunqing and said, "Thank you Mr. Huang today, and ask Mr. for advice another day!" ”

"Don't dare! Can't! Huang Yunqing hurriedly stood up and saluted back, "Corporal Shang Shulixian, treat people with sincerity, Huang is unforgettable!" ”

Zhang Huan smiled and nodded, and then ordered his own soldiers to say: "Send Mr. Huang back, don't be lazy, don't hear it!" ”

"Yes!" The soldiers immediately and respectfully invited Huang Yunqing out of the room, and Huang Yunqing solemnly bowed his hand to Zhang Huan. Turning around, Zhang Huan put his hands behind his back, with an amiable smile, and waited until he was far away, the smile on his face gradually faded, and he asked without looking back: "Eldest sister thinks Li may be used?" ”

Seeing Li Chuanyun walking out of the back room, she nodded and said, "I think this matter is feasible." But you have to think about it precisely, my brother just commands, and I just do it. ”

"You're right, let me think about it again."

Zhang Huan put this matter aside for the time being, he walked a few steps with his hands behind his back and said: "There are still two things for you to do, first, immediately send someone to Longyou to invite Li Qiao to the capital for me; Second. It is also necessary to send more people to protect the safety of Yuan Zai, Zhang Yansheng and others, He Lou Wuji killed Li Chengye, how could Cui Xiaofu break her teeth and swallow it in her stomach, and beware of her revenge. ”

"I'll do these two things right away!" Li Chuanyun was just about to leave, but Zhang Huan stopped her again. said coldly: "And that Huang Yunqing just now, I want to send someone to keep an eye on him, if he stabs him twice, for example, Li Li sends someone to protect his wife and children, I will kill him immediately!" ”

Li Chengye has not heard from him since he went to Longyou, and none of his servants have returned. Waited five days. There was no movement, and Li Li was a little breathless. He sent someone to Longyou to look for Li Chengye and his party, but after waiting for ten days, the people sent to find them also returned, only saying that there was no news, Li Li had an ominous premonition in his heart, he began to be anxious, and after two more days, he couldn't hold back anymore, and went into the palace overnight to ask to see Cui Xiaofu.

At this time, Cui Xiaofu was already about to rest, and when she heard Li Li's urgent request to see him, she also vaguely guessed that it might be related to Li Chengye's matter, she immediately got up and rushed to the Lin De Palace, she attached great importance to this matter, if she could rebel against He Lou Wuji, it was not only as simple as breaking Zhang Huan's arm, but also Longyou was the node of Hexi, Shuofang, Hehuang, Guanzhong, and Shuzhong, if she could get it, maybe Zhang Huan would collapse on the whole line.

During this time, she also kept sending people to urge Li Li, but Li Li always told him that things needed an opportunity, so please let her calm down, and now that he is here, whether it is successful or not, Cui Xiaofu wants to know what He Lou Wuji's attitude is.

"What! Lee Seungye is missing? Cui Xiaofu stood up suddenly, she couldn't believe her ears, she confirmed in disbelief: "You mean to say that Li Chengye has no news?" ”

Li Li lowered his head, he didn't dare to look at Cui Xiaofu's eyes, and said timidly: "It's not that it's missing, it's not that there is no news, I suspect that he was killed by He Lou Wuji." ”

Cui Xiaofu sat down dejectedly, indeed, he brought more than a dozen entourages, even if something happened, someone would come back to report the news, now it is like a mud cow entering the sea, that can only be a result, he failed to persuade to surrender, but was killed.

"Queen Mother!" Li Li suddenly became furious, he stared at the blood-red eyes and said viciously: "This He Lou is unscrupulous and reckless, he dares to kill the clan, Li Chengye is the prince of Zhengerpin, the great-grandson of Emperor Gaozong, he even dares to do it, and he must not spare him!" ”

"He killed him, what can you do?"

Cui Xiaofu glanced at him coldly, she didn't like Li Li's pretentious attitude, and she was even more disgusted that he said such childish words, "You can't spare him, then what evidence do you have that someone killed him, do you want me Cui Xiaofu to announce to the world that I sent Li Chengye to win over He Lou Wuji, but was killed instead?" Hum! Use your brain to speak, and give me some useful advice. ”

Li Li's face was swollen and red, and he stood with his hands down, but he didn't dare to say another word.

Cui Xiaofu walked around the room with his hands behind his back, the bribery failed, that Zhang Huan must also know, I don't know how he will play chess, it is already the middle of March, not far from the April 1st Dynasty, he wants to take the position of Shuofang Jiedu envoy. Time is running out, the bear's paw and the fish can't be both, and the military department and Shuo Fang Jiedu make him have to choose the same.

Come to think of this. Cui Xiaofu suddenly turned around and said: "Since he can kill Li Chengye, then we might as well kill Yuan Zai, and report it back!" ”

Li Yu was overjoyed, Yuan Zai Difu was in Xinchangfang, where there were few people and more wasteland, and he hurriedly said: "I have hundreds of martial arts in the grange, and I can use them to start." ”

"Nope! You don't have to do it. You have to learn to preserve your strength, you know? Cui Xiaofu smiled and said: "Let Li Chengye's brother Li Chenghong do it, I think, he must be very willing." ”

Yuan Zai Difu is located in the easternmost Xinchangfang of Chang'an, close to Yanxingmen, Xinchangfang was originally inhabited by many Hu people, the Anshi Rebellion and the Hui Rebellion in Central China. Xinchangfang was looted twice by the rebels, most of the buildings were burned down, with the decline of the Tang Dynasty, many Hu people also left the Tang Dynasty and returned to China, Xinchangfang has become a very sparsely populated square in Chang'an, a large area of land is empty, and even many places have been opened up as vegetable fields by residents. Plant some fruits and vegetables to subsidize the family.

In the southeast corner of Xinchangfang, there is a temple called Qinglong Temple, which can only be ranked as medium among the temples in Chang'an. The incense is not very prosperous, and the monks in the temple are full of grain and vegetables around the temple, and the Yuanzai Difu is opposite the Qinglong Temple.

Although the place is not very good, Yuan Zai has taken a fancy to the surrounding open space and lush forests, which can make him enjoy the tranquility of the mountains and wilderness in the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Yuan Jae came from a poor background. Over the years, there has been poor official luck. Although he has been a waiter in the Ministry of Rites for several years, it is because of his wife. So it has not been allowed to be reused by Pei Jun.

Yuan Zai's wife is Zhang Ruohao's sister, and he has two sons, both of whom are preparing to participate in the imperial examination next year, because the family conditions are not rich, Yuan Zai only has a dozen family members escorting up and down the court every day, riding inferior horses, holding blunt knives, and has been safe and sound for several years, but since the day before yesterday, his local guards suddenly became nearly 100 cavalrymen who removed their armor, Yuan Zai also knew that the contradictions between Zhang Huan and Cui Xiaofu began to sharpen, he was careful as an official, handled official affairs diligently, and strictly controlled his family, lest he be caught, and he had to go out before dawn every day. It was already dark when I returned.

That night, as usual, he had been handling official business until dark before getting up and returning home, he was hungry and tired, tired lying in the carriage to rest, these days, the reports of the regimental training envoys from all over the country have been sent to Beijing one after another, soldiers, armor, weapons, horses, food supplies from various local governments, he has to compile these data into a book, and then check them with the data of previous years one by one, so that they can be handed over to Zhang Huan.

And it had to be done by April 1, and the workload was enormous, and it had to be dark every day.

The carriage was very dark, and from time to time there was a light shining in from the crack in the window, shining on Yuan Zai's tired body, outside the car, nearly a hundred guards were guarded on both sides of the carriage in two teams, with serious expressions, vigilantly watching the surrounding situation, in the sound of the horse's hooves, Yuan Zai was almost asleep.

The carriage turned a corner and entered Xinchangfang, where the weeds on both sides of the road, half a man high, the trees were dense, and the swarthy houses were scattered on both sides of the road, and various crops were planted between the houses.

Halfway through, they came to a large clearing, and there were no houses around, and the road passed through the middle of the clearing, and on either side there were only the foundations of a few burned houses, and a large patch of artemisia grass was half up to the waist, and the night wind blew through it, sending out a rustle! In the artemisia grass, two large trees three feet high stood majestically, like two giants, one left and one right, looking at the chariots and cavalry approaching from afar.

Suddenly, a rocket shot at the end of the clearing, and the red flames pierced the sky, cutting through a beautiful parabola, and emitting a shrill chirp.

Almost at the same time as the rocket lifted off, a hundred black-clothed men rushed out of the grass on both sides, each holding a sword, and rushed towards the Yuan Zaidi carriage with murderous aura.

The cavalry was in danger, and they quickly formed a circle and surrounded the carriage, and then the two galloped off to report the news, and the swords clanged in the silence of the night! There was a sound, from time to time there was a scream of the knife and the neighing of the war horse, and the two soldiers and horses pounced in one place, fighting each other, mixing in a line, constantly distorting, but no one could break whose formation, people fought with people, knives and knives, and it was difficult to separate.

However, these men in black were not real assassins, the real assassins were squatting on the trees at this time, and then under the cover of the branches and leaves, one left and one right, two steel crossbows were coldly aimed at the windows of the carriage, and the arrows were shining faintly blue in the darkness.

Wonjae seemed to know the danger outside, he never showed up, and time passed little by little, and the two arrows were still patiently waiting for the opportunity, like two hungry wolves waiting for the opportunity to hunt.

About a quarter of an hour later, the roar of the horse's hooves sounded in the distance, and nearly a thousand cavalry roared, trampling the artemisia grass on both sides of the road into mud, and rushed to the battlefield in an instant.

The two dozen or so people who were running slower were immediately surrounded by a large group of men, and they threw down their swords and knelt down to surrender, and a thrilling assassination seemed to be over.

At this time, the officer who led the team stepped forward to ask Yuan Zai about the situation, the curtain opened, revealing Yuan Zai's miserable white face, he waved his hand, indicating that he was fine, but at this moment, there was a click of a string, and an off-string arrow shot like lightning, only to see a star of blue light flashing, crossbow arrow poof! Ground shot in the shoulder of Won Jae.