This place is not to stay for long!

Guo Tu, who escaped and regained his composure, suddenly realized that his current situation was very bad. thought that the lord was alive, even if Yecheng was controlled by the third prince Yuan Shang, he would not dare to disadvantage himself at this time, but he didn't expect the assassination to happen. Guo Tu originally wanted to stay in Yecheng to act as the eyes and ears of the eldest prince, but now it seems that Yuan Shang has no worries if he wants to attack himself, and he will continue to stay in Yecheng, which will be more than lucky.

Gentlemen don't stand dangerous walls!

Realizing the danger, Guo Tu immediately decided that he needed to leave Yecheng immediately. This assassination was dodged by himself, but it was difficult to guarantee that Yuan Shang would stop there, once he continued to send assassins, he would not be able to prevent it.

At this time, Guo Tu couldn't believe the people around him, the assassin who came this time was a subordinate who was quite trusted by Guo Tu in the mansion, and Guo Tu didn't know how many other people in the mansion had been secretly bought. After thinking about it, Guo Tu called the housekeeper Guo Ping. Guo Ping is the son of the Guo family, and Guo Tu is even younger, when Guo Tu was studying abroad, Guo Ping was the scholar next to Guo Tu. If even Guo Ping was bribed, Guo Tu felt that he might as well die.

"Master, this is ......" Guo Ping saw a dead body in the house as soon as he entered the 'door', and couldn't help but ask in surprise.

"Don't panic."

Guo calmed his mind and asked Guo Tu, "Master, do you want to notify the government?" ”

Guo Tu shook his head when he heard this, "Do you know who sent this assassin?" ”

"Uh...... I don't know, sir, isn't this assassin a 'handsome' generation? ”

"It's the third son." Guo Tu said that his eyes were observing Guo Ping's expression, and what made him secretly sigh was that Guo Ping's eyes were not panicked except for surprise.

"The third son? How could it be ......"

"Don't believe it, this is the Assassin's own 'sex'. Guo Ping, I can't stay in Yecheng, you also know that the lord and I support the eldest son, and if you continue to stay in Yecheng, sooner or later you will be harmed by the third prince's faction. Go down and get ready for the carriages, and we'll get out of here at once, and remember not to alarm others. ”

“…… Yes, sir, the little ones will go down and prepare. Guo Ping knew that this matter was related to the 'life' of his family, so he withdrew and began to prepare after agreeing, while Guo Tu began to pack his bags, as for the dead bodies in the house, someone came to take care of them, and Guo Tu didn't need to 'worry', and Guo Tu was not in the mood to care about this little thing at this time.

Leaving Yecheng, I'm afraid that the next time I come back, I am afraid that I will have to wait until the eldest prince leads the army to come, but how is the preparation on the eldest prince's side? Although Yecheng sent 50,000 Yuan troops over, can the eldest prince control these 50,000 people in his hands? It should be no problem, Han Meng is a martial artist, and it shouldn't be a problem for Xin to give advice to the eldest son.

"Sir, the carriage and horses are ready." Outside the 'door', Guo Ping's report was heard.

No matter how reluctant he was in his heart, Guo Tu knew that he had to leave now, if he waited until tomorrow, Yuan Shang, who had not been rewarded, would know that the assassination had failed, and it would not be easy to leave at that time.

There is a curfew in Yecheng, and in ancient times, all cities had curfews at night. However, for the high-ranking Guo Tu, such a thing as a curfew is equivalent to nothing. One of the six masterminds around the lord, how could a small city 'gate' official dare to offend. Guo Ping, who was in charge of driving the carriage, only revealed his identity, and the soldiers guarding the city obediently opened the city gate.

"Can you be in the car?" Just when the carriage was about to leave the city, Guo Tu suddenly heard someone asking, and the voice was still 'quite familiar', and when he lifted the curtain, he saw that it was Chun Yuqiong. After Lu Bu retreated, Yuan Shao settled the account afterwards and ordered someone to beat Chun Yuqiong's eighty spine cane, and also demoted Chun Yuqiong to the city 'gate' official. Chun Yuqiong thought that Yuan Shao was punishing herself, but she didn't want Yuan Shao to be ill after returning to Yecheng, and her hope of being reinstated would become far away.

From a leading general to a city 'gate' official, Chun Yuqiong was of course unwilling, but Yuan Shao was recuperating at this time, and he couldn't run to disturb him, so he pondered to find an opportunity to ask someone to help and plead for him in front of the lord. It's just that Chun Yuqiong, in addition to the 'fault' of good wine, is also a little wealthy, and wants to let others help with just a few kind words, how can there be such a cheap thing.

"Zhong Jian, haven't rested yet?" Guo Tu opened his mouth and said to Chun Yuqiong.

"Since the lord has ordered a certain to serve as the 'gate' official of the city, a certain person must naturally be loyal to his duties. Rules, you still have to go out of the city so late? ”

"Ah, there's something that needs to be taken care of. Zhong Jian, when I come back, let's find time to catch up. ”

"Okay, then it's a word, and when you come back, a certain person will definitely come to the 'door' to visit." Chun Yuqiong said and took two steps back.

Guo Tu actually didn't want to pay attention to Chun Yuqiong at first, this good drinker, he didn't succeed enough and failed, so there was really no need to make friends. But after thinking about it, Guo Tu found that Chun Yuqiong, who served as the official of the city 'gate', still had use value. This time, he escaped from Yecheng, and the next time he returns with the eldest prince, Chun Yuqiong, the city 'gate' official, may be able to play a role in deciding the outcome of the war.

Ignoring Chun Yuqiong, who was standing at the gate of the city and pondering how to ask Guo Tu to help him say a few kind words in front of the lord so that he could be reinstated, Guo Tu's carriage left Yecheng smoothly and went straight to Qingzhou.

Guo Tu supports the eldest prince Yuan Tan, and now that Yuan Shang has attacked him, he has such a big courage, either he is arrogant, or he has a 'chest'. But no matter what kind of possibility, the 'life' of the lord Yuan Shao is probably worrying. Once Yuan Shao dies, I am afraid that it will be the time for Yuan Tan and Yuan Shang to go to war.

……

Yecheng Yuan Mansion

Yuan Shao's wife, Liu, was sitting on the 'bed' looking at her husband Yuan Shao, looking at her husband's increasingly thin face who was suffering from illness, Liu couldn't help but cry secretly. There was a sound of footsteps outside the 'door', and Liu looked up and found that it was his son Yuan Shang who came.

"Mother, haven't slept yet?" Yuan Shang stepped forward and asked.

"Mother is here to accompany your father, Xianfu, your father is sick, and you need to '' about the big and small affairs in Hebei, go and rest, don't be tired of yourself." Liu said gently.

"Mother rest assured, the child is healthy and fine." Yuan Shang said and stepped forward to look at his father, and found that his father was still asleep, so he said to Liu: "Mother, please wake up your father, it's time to take 'medicine'." ”

After Yuan Shao fell ill, three pairs of 'medicine' a day needed to be taken on time, Liu also knew about it, and when he heard Yuan Shang mention it, he found that it was indeed time to take 'medicine', so he woke up Yuan Shao softly. Yuan Shao, who was sleeping in a 'daze' and 'daze', opened his eyes and drank the 'medicine' under Liu's service, and fell asleep again.

"Mother, you go and rest first, the child wants to stay here with his father." Yuan Shang said softly to Liu.

"Well, just for a while." Liu nodded lightly, and took the 'waiter' and 'girl' back to rest, and Yuan Shao's father and son were left in Yuan Shao's room. Yuan Shao was asleep on the 'bed', while Yuan Shang, who was sitting at the head of the 'bed' and looking at Yuan Shao, was uncertain at this time, as if he was making some major determination.

After sitting for a while, he instructed the 'waiter' and 'woman' to go to her husband's room to have a look, and if Yuan Shang was still there, let Yuan Shang go back to rest, if not, then don't bother, come back and report. The "waiter" and "woman" left in response, and came back after a short time to report, saying that the third prince had left, and the Liu family knew that they could rest at ease.

When the morning dawned, Liu got up early and prepared to visit her husband as usual to see if his condition had improved. But as soon as Liu entered the 'door' and saw her husband lying on the 'bed' with his head 'covered' motionless, Liu thought that her husband had woken up at night at night, and she had 'covered' herself on it, so she stepped forward to uncover the quilt, but she didn't expect to see her husband's face, Liu was stunned for a moment.

The face is pale, and the lips are purple, which is ...... Liu, who knew that something was wrong, reached out to probe her husband's snort tremblingly, and there was still a trace of breath. Liu's heart was cold, sadness came from it, and the quilt in his hand slipped off immediately, and tears poured out uncontrollably.

My husband is dead! Liu felt as if the sky had fallen at this time. Before leaving last night, it looked fine, but after only one night's work, the couple were separated by 'yin' and yang, and there was no time to see each other again.

"Ahh The 'waiter' and 'woman' who hadn't waited for the order for a long time glanced at it curiously, and then let out an exclamation, although he covered his mouth in time, this exclamation immediately sobered up the Liu family, who was immersed in grief.

"Don't panic, quickly go and order someone to ask the two gentlemen of trial and Xu Yu to come over, by the way, and my son, let him come over quickly." Liu commanded calmly.

Not long after, Yuan Shang, Xianping, and Xu You, who heard the news, rushed over, and when they came, the three of them didn't know that Yuan Shao was dead, but they only knew that the Liu family sent someone to invite them, but at this time, when they saw the Liu family standing at the 'door' to greet each other, the three of them chuckled in their hearts at the same time, knowing that the situation was not good. No one likes to wear filial piety clothes when they have nothing to do, and when he saw Liu's head tied with a white belt and a filial piety suit, Yuan Shang screamed sadly: "Father", and rushed into the house.

"Madam, the lord really ......," Xu You asked Liu with a look of disbelief. The answer was Liu's silent nod.

"Lord......" Xu Yu screamed sadly, his eyes were full of tears, and he staggered into the 'door'.

“…… Please also ask the lady to mourn. The judge wiped the corners of his eyes, comforted Liu, and then walked into the house, and saw Yuan Shang lying on the side of the 'bed' sighing and crying bitterly, and Xu You stood aside and wept silently.

The judge first bowed three times to Yuan Shao, who died of illness, and then signaled Xu You to help Yuan Shang up with him, and said: "Third son, this is not the time for you to cry bitterly, although the lord is gone, but the great cause of the Yuan family still needs you to inherit, and first stop the sadness, the business is important, and the overall situation is important." ”

"Mr. Trial, my father, my father's ......" Yuan Shang couldn't cry, he couldn't extricate himself, and he was helpless when he saw this, so he had to say to Liu, who was also sad and sad on the side: "Madam, please persuade the son." ”

Hearing this, Liu nodded slightly, and stepped forward to persuade him, it can be seen that Yuan Shang is still crying bitterly, Liu couldn't help but slap Yuan Shang's face, not to mention, this time Yuan Shang really didn't cry, just looked at his mother with some horror.

"Cry, cry, cry, you know crying. Yuan Xianfu, is it time for you to cry? Liu hated that iron could not become steel, and looked at Yuan Shang and shouted.

“…… The mother is angry, and the child, the child does not dare. ”

"Your father is gone, you are sad and sad for understandable, but as Mr. Shen said, the right thing is important, and the overall situation is important. Your father's inheritance still needs you to inherit, how can you be reassured by crying like this? ”

"Yes, the mother is angry, and the child knows his mistake."

Seeing that Yuan Shang finally stopped crying, the judge hurriedly said, "Son, what Madame said is good. Now that the lord is dead, and you are the heir that the lord deliberately set up before his death, you should succeed to the throne immediately at this time, so as not to let some well-intentioned people take advantage of the 'chaos' to take advantage of the loophole. ”

Xu You, who was on the side, also nodded and agreed: "Childe, what Zhengnan said is extremely true, it is a big deal for Gongzi to take over as the lord of Hebei at the moment, if this matter goes wrong halfway, wouldn't it be impossible to call the lord to go." ”

"Two gentlemen, Yuan Shang has no master of the six gods at this time, everything is arranged by the two gentlemen."

Hearing Yuan Shang's words, the trial and Xu Yu immediately went their separate ways, and the trial went to control the city defense of Yecheng, and the four 'gates' were closed tightly to prevent the news of Yuan Shao's death from leaking out prematurely. Xu You went to inform the civil and military officials of Yecheng, and at the same time came to condole and finalize the matter of Yuan Shang's succession to the lord of Hebei.

Yuan Shao had already set Yuan Shang as his heir long before he died, and most people did not oppose Yuan Shang's succession, but were surprised by Yuan Shao's sudden death.

When the civil and military officials basically arrived, they saw Xu You running in with a anxious look, and as soon as he entered the hall, he raised his eyes and looked around, waiting for Xu You's trial to see this, "Ziyuan, who are you looking for?" ”

"Due south, can you see Guo Tu?"

"Didn't see him, he's not at home?"

"No, I thought he had gotten the news." Xu You shook his head and replied.

"Public rule? I saw him last night. "Hearing that Yuan Shao died, Chun Yuqiong also came, and after hearing Xu You's conversation with the judge, he 'interjected' and said.

"Last night? Zhong Jian, when did Guo Tu leave last night? Did you say where you were going? Xu Yu hurriedly asked when he heard this.

"It was almost past last night, but I didn't say where to go, but it seemed that I was in a hurry." Chun Yuqiong replied when he heard this.

“…… Zhengnan, why did you say that Guo Tu left in a hurry last night? Xu You suddenly lowered his voice and asked the interrogator.

"Ziyuan, what do you mean by this?" The judge frowned and asked in a low voice.

Seeing this, Xu You pulled the trial aside and said, "Zhengnan, this matter is strange, just now when I went to Guo Tu's house, I learned from the Guo family's subordinates that one person died in the Guo family last night. ”

“…… Do you suspect that the lord is not sick? ”

"I'm not sure, but there must be a reason for Guo Tu to leave at this time." Xu You shook his head and replied.

The judge was silent for a moment, and then said: "The lord is newly mourned, and that Guo Tu did not go far, but he ordered someone to chase after him, if he comes back, it means that he has nothing to do with this matter, but if he refuses to come back, it means that he has a ghost in his heart." ”

"Due south, Guo Tu has always supported the eldest prince, but he left suddenly last night, according to my estimate, he probably went to Qingzhou. Once the eldest prince knows that the lord is dead, it is difficult to guarantee that there will be no changes in Qingzhou. This time, he sent someone to chase Guo Tu, whether Guo Tu wanted it or not, he must be 'invited' back. ”

"Hmm...... It's up to you. The judge nodded in agreement with Xu You's opinion, looked up at Chun Yuqiong not far away, and beckoned, "Zhong Jian." ”

"Zhengnan, what's the matter?" Seeing this, Chun Yuqiong walked over and asked.

"Zhong Jian, Guo Tu only left last night, presumably he didn't go far at this time, it is better for you to take five hundred cavalry to chase after him, and ask him to return to Yecheng. How is it? ”

"Don't worry, don't worry, I'll take someone there."

"Zhong Jian." Without waiting for Chun Yuqiong to turn around and leave, Xu Yu stopped Chun Yuqiong and said, "No matter how Guo Tu shirks, you must bring it back." As long as you can bring it back to Yecheng, the third prince will thank you. ”

“…… Ziyuan, isn't there another secret in this matter? Chun Yuqiong asked curiously.

"You and I are both cronies of the old lord, and there are some things that don't have to be hidden from you. The lord is interested in the third prince, but the eldest prince has always been unconvinced, but Guo Tu is the eldest prince. Now that the lord is not here, if the eldest prince knows about this, he will not be willing to be succeeded by the third prince. When the brothers read the wall, Hebei will be in turmoil, which is probably not what the old lord is willing to see under Jiuquan. ”

"Ziyuan rest assured, then Guo Tuken will come back with a certain person. If he refuses, he will be tied up and brought back. Chun Yuqiong, who understood, assured Xu You, turned around and left.

Seeing Chun Yuqiong leave, Xu You and the trial came to the mourning hall where Yuan Shao's body was parked. In the center of the mourning hall was a coffin, in which Yuan Shao's body lay down. Next to the coffin, there was a mother and son of the Liu family who knelt in linen and filial piety.

Seeing the trial and Xu You coming in, Yuan Shang hurriedly got up to greet him, "Mr. Xu, Mr. Xu, I'm sorry for you." ”

"Childe don't say this kind of outward words, the two of us want to see the remains of the lord again, and I hope that the prince will allow it." The judge said to Yuan Shang.

Yuan Shang was stunned when he heard this, then nodded, led the judge and Xu You to the head of the coffin, and said in a low voice: "Father, disturb your rest, please don't blame the child." After speaking, he reached out and took the white cloth covering Yuan Shao's face.

The judge and Xu Yu stepped forward to watch together, and saw that Yuan Shao's face was pale, and his lips were purple, and it didn't look like he was dying. Xu You glanced at Liu, who was kneeling on the side, and said to Yuan Shang in a low voice: "Son, please come with me, someone has something to say." ”

Yuan Shang nodded when he heard this, and when he came to the inner hall with Xu You and the judge, he heard Xu You speak: "Son, the death of the lord seems to be a little strange. ”

"Well, my husband also found out, and my mother said that my father seemed to have died of poisoning." Yuan Shang nodded and said, shocked that Xu Yu and the trial didn't know how to speak for a while. Yuan Shang ignored it and continued: "I wanted to order someone to investigate, but my mother said that Yecheng should not be 'mixed' or 'chaotic' at the moment, so I will find an opportunity to discuss with the two gentlemen before deciding. ”

"Thanks to Madame for stopping it, otherwise this matter would be really difficult to handle. Childe, I wonder what your plans are? Xu You nodded slightly and asked Yuan Shangdao.

"I'll listen to the two gentlemen."

"Okay, thank you for your trust. According to a certain point of view, this matter should not be publicized to the public for the time being, and the matter will be secretly investigated, and the truth will be announced after it is ascertained. At present, the most important thing is to take over as soon as possible to avoid the turmoil caused by the death of the lord in Hebei. Xu You nodded and expressed his opinion.