Early in the morning, nearly 1,000 Tianqi battalion and Longwu army soldiers drove into Xuanyangfang, controlled several streets around the Xiangfu, and drove away all the idle people

The smell of medicine in the ward was pervasive, the light was very dim, Cui Yuan was lying in a heavy curtain, in a state of deep sleep, Cui Yu, the servant of the ministry, introduced Li into the room, and said in a low voice: "Imperial Doctor Wang said that Xiangguo's body is very weak now because of excessive blood loss, and he has only woken up once since yesterday. ”

"Really? I couldn't have come at a good time. Li slowly came to the front of the tent, glanced through the gap, and saw Cui Yuan's face sallow, his eyes closed, and there was no trace of blood on his lips, he nodded, and turned to Cui Yu and said: "If Xiangguo wakes up, I will say that I hope he recovers soon, and I can't do without him." ”

"The minister must tell the prime minister.

Li Department glanced at Cui Yuan again, then left the Prime Minister's Mansion and went back to the palace, the room immediately quieted, Cui Yuan was still lying in the curtain tent, when the footsteps of the last person gradually faded away, his eyes suddenly opened, his eyes were bright and sharp, with a hint of mocking smile, where was the slightest injury, he turned over and sat up, took out a handkerchief, wiped the oil stains on his face, and pulled the dark line hidden in the bed.

After a while, a guard hurriedly walked in, and he saluted Cui Yuan, "Please give orders to Xiangguo!" ”

"Call me Zhu Guanghui."

Zhu Guanghui is also the personal eunuch of the original Empress Dowager Zhang, since the Empress Dowager Zhang was abandoned by Cui Yuan. She began to suspect that Zhu Guanghui was eyeliner, and gradually snubbed him. Zhu Guanghui is now the deputy head of Taiji Palace, responsible for the procurement of items in the palace, and he got Cui Yuandi's order early this morning, so he hurried over.

"Subordinates, see Xiangguo!" Zhu Guanghui was a little apprehensive in his heart, he also heard that Xiangguo was assassinated, but when he found out that Xiangguo's assassination was fake, he knew that Cui Yuan was looking for him. It definitely won't be a trivial matter.

"Did I get you done last time?"

"If you go back to Xiangguo, the matter has been done, she has already entered the palace, and Zhang Liangdi has driven away many palace maids in the past few days, and her subordinates have taken the opportunity to place her in the queen mother's bedroom."

"Well done." Cui Yuan nodded approvingly, and he turned around and took out a wax pill from the box next to the couch. Handed it to Zhu Guanghui and said, "Give this to her." ”

Zhu Guanghui suddenly understood, his heart began to beat violently, and he took the wax pill tremblingly, Cui Yuan glanced at him, and sneered: "What, don't you want to do it?" ”

"No, the subordinates are just a little nervous."

"Just pass on something, don't be so nervous, remember, her orders are the words of the true appearance!"

"Yes!" Zhu Guanghui gave his farewell. He hurried out the back door out of the Prime Minister's Mansion. On the street, the sun was so dazzling that he couldn't keep his eyes open. He carefully placed his things close to his body. After another big circle, he slowly returned to the Taiji Palace. Due to the decline of the Tang Dynasty, the number of eunuchs and palace maids in the palace is not much, the grand occasion of tens of thousands of palace people in the Tianbao period has gone forever, and many of the concubines of the first emperor have also returned to their parents' homes, so that many palaces have been vacant, Zhu Guanghui came to the queen mother's bedroom, inquired about a small eunuch, and learned that the person he was looking for was not on duty today, so he turned a corner and came to the Yeting Palace, in addition to the place where the female dependents of the convicted officials served their labor, it was also the residence of the palace maids, and soon, he found the room, the door was not closed tightly, He gently pushed it away, only to see a young palace maid writing something on the desk, she heard the movement, slowly raised her head, it was a delicate face, she was Li Flip who had returned from Taiyuan

Needless to say, everyone has already guessed what Li Chuanyun's purpose is here, her current name is Sun Qiniang, born in a small official family in Gaoling County, with an innocent background, she just entered the palace half a month ago, because she is obedient and clever, plus Zhu Guanghui is well-organized, she was soon transferred to the queen mother's bedroom, Zhang Liangdi was also one of the masterminds of the year, but Li Chuanyun did not act in a hurry, she had to wait for the opportunity to wipe out these two enemies.

Zhu Guanghui came in, Li Chuanyun immediately recognized him, she put down the pen in her hand, looked at him coldly and said, "Say it!" What did Sangkook bring to you? ”

Zhu Guanghui took out the wax pill from his arms and quickly put it on her desk, "This is it!" ”

Li Chuanyun held up the wax pill with her hand and observed it carefully, a smile of expectation slowly flashed in her eyes, this day is finally coming.

At night, the barracks of the Tianqi Camp were very quiet, the polo training had stopped these days, the soldiers were resting early, the barracks were pitch black, on the high watchtowers, the sentries were patrolling back and forth, at this time, a thin black shadow quickly ran in the direction of the barracks.

More than a dozen middle-level generals gathered together and listened attentively to Zhang Huan's orders, since the Liu Yuanqing incident, Zhang Huan has reorganized the middle-level officers of the Tianqi Battalion, he carefully analyzed each person, their origins, preferences and even family situations, all of them were investigated one by one, and all the generals who were promoted five years ago in Qingzhi would be given a heavy severance pay to let them go home, and then a group of young low-level officers were promoted to ensure their absolute loyalty to themselves, Facts have proved that he was right to take precautions at that time, and he got the news at dusk that Zhang Potian was summoned into Daming Palace by the Li Department in the afternoon.

"Everyone, from now on, cancel all soldiers' leave, cancel polo training, and no one is allowed to leave Dongneien without my approval, including you, leaving Dongnaiyuan or the duty post without authorization, and will be punished as desertion!"

The tent was very quiet, everyone was silently looking at their young boss, Zhang Huan glanced at everyone, softened his tone and said: "I am the twelve of you who are all promoted by me, I believe that you are all loyal to me, for loyalty, I never hesitate to reward, I can assure you that within ten years, each of you will become a general, and your family will live a very rich life." Of course, this also requires your contribution, and I only want you to pay the same. Or loyalty, absolute loyalty! ”

He shot his gaze at He Lou Wuji, and asked in a low voice, "General He Lou, you should make a statement first!" ”

He Lou Wuji strode out, he knelt down on one knee, raised his head and said: "The last general, He Lou Wuji, swear here." will be absolutely loyal to General Zhang Quai, if he violates his oath, heaven and man will be killed! ”

Without waiting for Zhang Huan to speak, the right brigade commander Ying Yanglang stepped out of Li Hengqiu, and he was not far behind and said loudly: "I, Li Hengqiu, am the one who has been convicted, but the general has promoted me to be a deputy general. I hereby swear that I will be loyal to General Zhang Huan, and if I break this oath, I will be crushed to pieces. ”

With that, he pulled out a short knife from his military boots, tore the placket of his chest again, and made a deep cut, and blood gushed out, staining the placket of his shirt red. Touched by their emotions, everyone knelt down in unison and shouted, "We are loyal to the general. No two minds! ”

Zhang Huan tore off a corner of the curtain. Li Hengqiu bandaged his wounds, and his gaze swept over everyone's faces one by one. Finally, he nodded with satisfaction and said, "The situation is already very tense. In the next few days, the fate of our Tianqi camp will be decided, so you go back first. Tighten your men and prepare to carry out my orders. ”

Everyone saluted and turned to retreat, but Zhang Huan gave Li Hengqiu and He Lou Wuji a look, and the two stayed, and the soldiers immediately blocked the area around the camp.

"Do you know why I want you to swear allegiance to me today?"

The two of them looked at each other and shook their heads together in confusion.

Zhang Huan stood at the door of the tent with his hands behind his back and said: "The key is my identity, the Li family has the intention of killing me, and he summoned Zhang Potian this afternoon for this matter." ”

"Does he want to use Zhang Potian to seize the military power of the Heavenly Cavalry Battalion?" He Lou Wuji had a clear mind, and he immediately found the key to the problem.

"Not bad! He only had this way, and the Tianqi Battalion was born in the Hedong Army. Zhang Huan couldn't help but smile coldly and said, "But he doesn't want to think about it, who controls Daming Palace?" ”

He Lou Wuji and Li Hengqiu were shocked in their hearts, did the general want to kill the monarch and rebel?

Zhang Huan seemed to know their thoughts, and said with a faint smile: "Don't worry, I won't be so stupid, let Cui Yuan and Pei Jun Huangque follow." ”

Zhang Huan's words made the two of them scratch their heads, and after a while, He Lou Wuji said cautiously: "I don't know that Cui Xiangguo was assassinated, but it has something to do with this matter?" ”

Zhang Huan shook his head lightly, and said with a cold smile: "Cui Yuan's assassination is just a play he made, his purpose is to leave Zhang Potian in Chang'an, and he will calmly deploy behind his back, if I guess correctly, there will be news from Hedong in the next two days." ”

Li Hengqiu couldn't understand Zhang Huan's words, he patted his chest and said: "The general doesn't have to explain to us, as long as you give an order, I Li Hengqiu will never frown!" Zhang Huan smiled and patted the two of them on the shoulder, and said in a low voice: "Although everyone is loyal to me, for the sake of prudence, I order the two of you to take turns day and night to monitor everyone's movements for me." ”

The two received the order and went quickly, Zhang Huan was the only one left in the tent, he slowly walked to the door of the tent, looking at the dark night sky in the north, although the Zhang family raised him for fifteen years, but in the face of life and death, he could only give up this kindness.

"If you can't be a hero, then let me be a hero!" Zhang Huan muttered.

This is, a soldier rushed from the direction of the camp gate, he ran to Zhang Huan and saluted: "General, your maid is outside the camp gate, saying that there is something important to look for you." ”

"Something important?" Zhang Huan was slightly surprised in his heart, no one was allowed to come in at the gate of the East Inner Garden, what would be the important matter, he walked quickly to the camp gate, the soldiers hurriedly followed behind, on the side of the camp gate, Hua Jinxiu walked around anxiously, stretching her neck to visit the camp gate from time to time, she suddenly saw Zhang Huan come out, so she hurriedly ran forward and said: "There is a eunuch in the palace looking for you, saying something very important, and I want me to find you immediately." ”

"Got it!" Zhang Huan turned over and got on the horse, picked up the thin flower brocade on the horse, let her lean on his chest, he whipped the war horse, and galloped towards his dormitory.

In a moment, a large group of knights came to Zhang Huan's dormitory, the lights in the room were not lit, the door was locked, and two black shadows were standing on the wooden platform in front of the door.

Zhang Huan got off the horse and hugged Hua Jinxiu who was a little reluctant to go, at this time. One of them was greeted by a chubby black shadow, his voice shrill and thin. is indeed a eunuch, "May I ask who is General Zhang Huan?" ”

"I am, what are you looking for me?" Zhang Huan agreed, but his gaze fell on another dark shadow on the wooden terrace, and he had a faint intuition that that person was the one who really came to find him.

"I didn't expect us to meet again so soon." The dark shadow stepped forward slowly, and she lifted the cloak that covered her head and face. In the dim night, an extremely delicate face was revealed, but it was Li Chuanyun.

She looked at Zhang Huan silently, it should be said that he was her younger brother and her only relative, and she still vaguely remembered what her mother had told her. 's father had an illegitimate child outside, but he never expected it to be Zhang Huan.

Although she is the eldest daughter of her father, and Zhang Huan is just an illegitimate child, the hatred in her heart for sixteen years has long worn off the dignity of this identity, and she has a younger brother, which means that her father's bloodline is not broken, and it means that her father's career will be inherited, which is as important as revenge. And it gave her hope.

Zhang Huan glanced at Li Chuanyun with an unusually complicated look. Nodding his head, he said, "Let's go into the house and talk!" ”

Zhu Guanghui stayed outside the house, and Zhang Huan lit the lamp. He turned around and closed the door. Only then did he find that Li Chuanyun was wearing a eunuch's clothes in his cloak, and his mind changed. I understood her intentions.

"Do you want to deal with Zhang Liangdi or the Li family?"

Li Chuanyun didn't ask him directly, she groaned, and she suddenly asked, "Why do you want to stop me in Taiyuan?" ”

"I didn't know where I came from at that time." Zhang Huan smiled and said, "But it's so hanging, I almost killed you." ”

Li Chuanyun didn't smile, she was pressed for time, there were many things to explain to Zhang Huan clearly, after thinking about it, she replied to Zhang Huan's words, "I am now in Taiji Palace, responsible for serving the Queen Mother's life, my target is still the Li family, this matter has been planned for more than a month, but I want you to leave Chang'an as soon as possible, it is too dangerous here, your power is weak, far from being their opponent, your father is only left with your bloodline, you must inherit your father's will, let him smile at Jiuquan, do you understand?" ”

"What about you? What do you do? ”

Li Chuanyun's face showed a bitter smile, she sighed and said: "I only live for revenge all my life, as long as I can avenge my parents, then there is no point for me to live, now that you are here, then I can rest assured." ”

Zhang Huan was silent, although Li Chuanyun didn't have much contact with him, and he couldn't talk about any sister and brother feelings, but he knew that once Li Chuanyun succeeded, Cui Yuan would kill her, and a kind of family affection that was thicker than water finally made him can't help but whisper: "As long as you listen to my arrangement, you should have a chance to escape." ”

Li Chuanyun looked at Zhang Huan in surprise, "Could it be that you too."

"You don't have to worry about that." Zhang Huan smiled faintly: "As long as you listen to my arrangement, I guarantee that you will not only get revenge, but you can also escape calmly with me." ”

Li Chuanyun had countless thoughts in her heart, she and Cui Yuan were originally using each other, Cui Yuan needed her hatred, and she needed Cui Yuan's power, of course she knew that once she succeeded, Cui Yuan would kill her, but what is death? She should have died sixteen years ago.

However, Zhang Huan's appearance shook her determination to die, if she didn't die, she might be able to help him fulfill her father's last wish, if her father knew underground, he would definitely let herself help her younger brother, the idea of death gradually retreated in her heart, thinking of this, Li Chuanyun said decisively: "Okay! I'll listen to you. ”

Seeing that she had made a decisive decision, Zhang Huan couldn't help but nodded approvingly and said, "Then you go back first, and someone will naturally contact you at that time." ”

Late at night, the bells of the closed doors of Chang'an began to echo in the city, and some people who couldn't rush home rushed into a neighborhood nearby, and found an inn to live in, which is the rule of the Tang Dynasty for a hundred years, once the door is closed, except for the army that executes the military order, no one can open it without exception.

At the moment when the gate was closed, a fast horse rushed into the gate of the Yanshou Fang, but the man on the horse did not let go of it, his face was full of panic, but he sped up his horse, and galloped along the street towards the workshop.

Zhang Potian's house is located in Yanshoufang, at this moment, the Tang Dynasty Rite Department Shangshu is holding a cup of tea, is standing in front of the window worriedly, staring at the northeast direction, the head of the family is dead, the storm in the east of the river will rise, he knows very well what the consequences will be, there is the Pei family in the north, and the Cui family wolf in the south, but he only has 30,000 troops in his hands, and he can't resist the two families at the same time, the Zhang family is in danger, but as the pillar of the Zhang family, he must not give up, he must do everything to save the decline, just this afternoon, The emperor Li took this opportunity in front of him.

If he agrees to cooperate with him, then after the death of the head of the family, he will once again patrol Hedong, just like more than a month ago, this is indeed a very effective method, no matter how eager the Cui Pei family is, they will not be able to attack Hedong at the risk of the world, so that they will have time to make defensive deployments.

But the condition of the Li family is that he will take away the military power of the Tianqi Battalion and kill Zhang Huan, which makes Zhang Potian embarrassed, just a few months ago, he also wrote three people for the public, but now he has turned his face, which really makes him feel uneasy, on the one hand is the crisis of the family, and on the other side is the Zhang family disciple he once admired the most, but now it is not.

The idea that Zhang Huan was no longer a child of the Zhang family suddenly popped up, and Zhang Potian's heart began to move, yes! Not only is he not a child of the Zhang family, but he may also be a scourge of the Zhang family, a scourge, Zhang Potian suddenly snorted heavily, his hand was almost crushing the teacup, and the eldest brother almost did something stupid

Just when Zhang Potian was about to make up his mind, a rush of footsteps came from outside, and Zhang Yang, who was in charge of contacting Benzong in the capital, rushed directly into his study without even reporting it, he held a red pigeon letter tightly in his hand, and shouted with a crying voice: "Fourth uncle! The head of the house, he, he went! ”

"Smack!" The teacup in Zhang Potian's hand fell to the ground and shattered.