Li Shaoming has always been a cautious and cautious person, and his birthdays over the years have been spent quietly in the house with his old wife and family. Pen, Fun, Pavilion www.biquge.info I just don't know why, since the year before, his birthday time has been known to outsiders. Since then, there have been more people choosing this time to give gifts.

Thinking of this, Li Shaoming, who was sitting in the carriage, couldn't help but shake his head again and again and sighed.

"But the master is still upset about those trivial things?"

The old wife Miao sat next to her, holding Li Shaoming's hand, and whispered with concern to persuade her. As the wife of Yuan, Miao was born in a wealthy family, so she naturally knew her husband's troubles and knew when to say something.

Nothing can alleviate anxiety more than the soft words of those around you. Li Shaoming's frowning brows loosened slightly, a faint smile appeared on his face, and he slowly clenched his old wife's hand.

Going home to save relatives is a suggestion made by my wife a few months ago. As it turned out, Miao was indeed quite discerning, and this move saved him a lot of trouble.

It's just that the bumps along the way are really unstable in the carriage. If it is on the official road, the carriage runs smoothly. Li Shaoming was in a hurry to return to the capital, so he followed the servant's advice and chose this dirt road, which was closer and more bumpy.

Although it is autumn, the weather is still hot. A thick curtain covered the carriage, and the air inside was dull, like a huge movable steamer. Li Shaoming lifted the curtain on the car door with force, glanced at the shadowy mountains in front of him, and then looked at the dirt road in front of him that seemed to never end, and his brows furrowed even tighter.

He called one of his cronies on horseback and asked, "Where is this?"

If you take the official road, Li Shaoming is very clear about the stops along the way. However, it was also the first time he had walked on this dirt road, and there were no people along the way, the trees were dense, and even birds and birds were rare, and he and the bustling city of Kyoto were completely two worlds.

The guard rode on his horse, raised his hand and pointed to the exit of the valley in the distance, and said loudly: "Master, this place is called the Valley of the Wild Sheep. It is said that the nearby mountains are full of wild goats, hence the name. We did not delay on the road, as long as we crossed the mountain pass in front of us, and walked for half an hour, it was the official road connecting with the south of the capital and Qizhou. ”

Hearing the word "Qizhou", the expression on Li Shaoming's face suddenly became relaxed: "I see, the distance is indeed much closer." In this way, the trail is difficult to walk, but it is worth it. Huh!"

The guards also became interested because of their master's praise: "Actually, there are many people who know about this path, but most of the merchants are reluctant to take it, but ordinary mountain people walk a lot." ”

Li Shaoming became interested: "Oh! Why?"

The guard said: "There is a group of thieves entrenched on this Luoping Mountain, robbing merchants in all directions. However, these thieves are secretive and usually do not attack passers-by in the vicinity. The place where they rob their wealth is usually far away from here, and some rabbits do not eat the grass next to the nest. Sir, you are very courageous, we have no goods or money, and the carriage is light and fast, and we can cover this path in an hour at most. After all, it should be very safe. ”

Regarding the guard's explanation, Li Shaoming nodded disappreciatively.

At the beginning, when he followed the advice of his servants and decided to take this road, Li Shaoming knew that there was a group of strongmen on Luoping Mountain. It's just that he hurried back to Beijing, and he was dressed all the way, and it was not luxurious at once, thinking about it, the robbers and thieves would not set their eyes on this kind of seemingly ordinary team. He is also a secretary of the military department, and he always feels that there is no big deal about the danger of being dispensable. What's more, this place is very close to the capital, and no matter how bold those thieves are, it is estimated that they will not rob money in such a place.

"It's so hot. ”

Li Shaoming kept wiping the sweat on his forehead with his sleeves, and ordered repeatedly: "The road ahead is spacious, so it's best to go faster." If I can go to the capital tonight, I will treat everyone well, and there will be an extra silver reward. ”

The word "silver reward" immediately swept away the dull atmosphere of the whole team, and the action became faster.

"What the lord said is that the earlier you arrive in the capital, it will be much cooler. ”

The guard smiled and accosted: "The clothes on this body are already soaked with sweat, and it is really uncomfortable to wrap around the body." When you go back to the house at night, get some cold water, scrub and scrub well, that is called comfortable. Otherwise, you have to toss slowly and endure the scorching heat along the way......"

Before he finished speaking, he heard a sudden "whoosh" crack in the air, and a feathered arrow struck straight from the side of the mountain, accurately hitting the guard's neck. His whole head was raised upward, his hands subconsciously grasped the shaft of the arrow inserted into his throat, his lips were wide open, and his mouth made a meaningless "ho-ho" sound, and he lost his balance on the spot and fell headlong from his horse.

The peaceful laughter disappeared in an instant, and everyone's faces were filled with shock and fear.

"There are thieves!"

"Protect the master. ”

"Don't mess around, speed up and rush through the mountain pass ahead. ”

Including the coachman, Li Shaoming only brought five guards. They were ordinary people, not powerful monks. This is also to facilitate travel, reduce the number of attachés, and avoid unnecessary trouble.

The coachman has followed Li Shaoming for many years, and he has seen a lot of various scenes, so he hurriedly pulled the reins and threw a perfect arc in the air. However, just as the leather rope was about to be slammed into the horses that were pulling the cart, an arrow whistled from the air and burrowed into the driver's chest from the side.

Immediately, blood spurted from the driver's mouth, and he rolled off the saddle with a scream. Before he died, he took his last breath and shouted wildly: "Master...... Quick, abandon the cart and ride a horse...... Run away!"

The military department Shangshu can be regarded as more or less half a martial artist. Li Shaoming inspected all the military camps, and his immediate efforts did not fall behind. Immediately, he quickly rolled up the front of his wide and long clothes, hugged his dazed old wife Miao, and jumped towards the car standing still.

He moved quickly and landed firmly on the horse's back. However, Li Shaoming is not a person in the army after all, and his horseback riding is becoming sparse over time, and there is no saddle on the horse's back, and when he falls, the whole person has lost his balance, and he can't help but let go of his wife, who is holding the horse's mane tightly with both hands, so he can barely stabilize and does not fall from the horse.

Miao fell into the driver's position and struggled to get up. She struggled to get up and ride with her husband on the same horse, but she was fat and clumsy. Li Shaoming turned around and pulled a few handfuls, but he couldn't catch Miao's hand, so he could only be so anxious that his eyes were on fire, but he was helpless for a while.

On the hill on the side, more than a dozen black figures appeared, running quickly towards this side. These people are obviously accustomed to walking mountain roads, and they are extremely fast, and there is no obstacle between them. Under the bright sunlight, the cold metallic light reflected from the weapons in their hands could be clearly seen.

Another guard was shot with a bow and arrow, screamed and fell off the cliff.

Li Shaoming's eyes were blood-red, he grabbed the horsehair with one hand, and shouted at Miao's repeatedly: "Hurry, hurry up." ”

Miao finally stabilized his body, and leaned out a foot on the horse's back tremblingly. At this moment, another feathered arrow was shot from the side hill, hitting Miao's right hand. The huge impact force dragged Miao on the spot, followed the inertia of the bow and arrow and retreated again and again, and then with a muffled "bang", the sharp arrow was deeply inserted into the wooden door frame of the carriage, nailing Miao's right hand firmly there.

Seeing this, Li Shaoming turned sideways and scolded angrily in the direction of the hill where the arrows were coming: "Thief, if the old man escapes, he will kill you and other dog thieves cleanly, dig out your heart and abdomen, and crush your bones and ashes!"

Behind him, Miao's weak and crying voice came: "Master, don't take care of the concubine anymore." Let's go, let's go!"

After all, they have been husband and wife for many years, and for Li Shaoming's life, Miao obviously sees it more important than himself. I don't know where she got the strength, she suddenly gritted her teeth fiercely, grabbed the shaft of the arrow with her left hand, broke it with all her might, screamed, and pulled her right hand out of the broken shaft of the arrow. Before Li Shaoming could react, Miao had already stumbled in front of the wheel, pulled out a silver hairpin on his head, raised it high, and stabbed hard at the horse's buttocks under Li Shaoming's crotch.

The sudden stinging caused the horse to raise its head and neigh. Then, he threw his legs into a deadly rage on the road.

This series of changes is simply too fast. Li Shaoming only felt that his brain was ignorant for a while, and he couldn't understand what was going on at all. The last images that remain in the eyes and brain are only the old wife with a resolute face with blood and tears on her face, and the movement of Miao raising a hairpin and stabbing at the horse.

The horse that was in pain galloped quickly, and Li Shaoming completely subconsciously grabbed the horse's mane. It wasn't until the two guards who accompanied him fell from his horse with another bow and arrow that he came to his senses from his anger, fear, and shock. Immediately, he couldn't help but say, and pulled the horse's mane hard, wanting to transfer the horse's head and go back to save people.

"Master, get out of here first!"

Beside him, the last surviving guard hurriedly leaned over, grabbed his arm firmly, and persuaded him repeatedly: "Those robbers are numerous, sir, you and I go back now, but two pieces of meat have been added to the chopping board." It is not far from the valley mouth in front, and on the official road, there are Beijing camp patrol troops stationed. Instead of wasting your life in vain, you should hurry up and go there to seek help. ”

Li Shaoming was furious at the moment, where could he listen to persuasion, his hair was open, and he roared repeatedly: "My wife is there, my wife is still there!"

The guards were covered in blood, and they grabbed Li Shaoming's arm, refusing to relax at all, and persuaded bitterly in their mouths: "Madame desperately wants the master to leave, just because she wants the master to live to ask for help! In this way, the lady and the other companions died in vain. Sir, think twice!"

Li Shaoming is not a pedantic person, but his blood is surging and he has lost his mind. Under the pleading, the guard gradually regained his composure, no longer spoke, but with infinite grief and hatred, he took a deep look at the way he came, clamped the horse's belly with his legs, and immediately galloped away in the direction of the exit of the valley.

......

Half an hour later, he had already gone on the official road.

The horse can't stand the long-term desperate gallop. Just rushed to the official road and didn't go far, the speed of the horse under Li Shaoming's crotch had been greatly reduced, no matter how hard he kicked the horse's belly, the speed just couldn't get up, and a layer of slippery sweat oozed from the horse's back.

"Run, you damn brute!"

Li Shaoming was so anxious that even the horsehair was torn off with great force. Go more than two miles further, and next to the post station is the Beijing Division Patrol Battalion. But at this time, the horses under the crotch ran out of strength and couldn't run anyway.

The guards were also loyal, and when they saw this, they hurriedly jumped off the horse, held the reins, and said sincerely: "Master, the villain's horse still has some strength, you ride forward quickly, and it is important to seek help." ”

Seeing the truth at the critical moment, even Li Shaoming, who was anxious, was moved by the guard's move, and his heart was very unbearable: "I'm leaving, what should you do? Those thieves are following behind, and they will soon catch up." When the time comes, you are also dangerous. ”

The guard's face was full of a resolute look of loyalty to the lord: "After the villain stays behind, sir, hurry up, master, it's too late." The Jingshi Patrol Camp is not far from here, and if you're lucky, the villain will definitely be able to hold out until you come back. ”

At this moment, on the road ahead, there were neat footsteps and the sound of trumpets in the distance, and when I got a little closer, I could see that it was a group of heavily armed soldiers with armor and armor.

These soldiers are fully armoured, Li Shaoming has served as a Lang official, a squire in the military department, and finally an official to the current Shangshu, and has inspected the Beijing Division and the garrisons in various places, but he has never seen such an army with bright armor and sharp swords and guns.

All of them wore pawn-style iron armor, and some of them had slightly different armor styles, which showed that they were officers. There are about 200 officers and soldiers who have already run to the front. The official road in the distance was still dusty, and the shadows could see that the entire team should be around a thousand people.

Li Shaoming was very surprised. There is still some distance from the capital, and it has not yet entered the normal patrol range of the patrol battalion. However, these officers and men were equipped with a complete set of weapons and armor, and all of them weighed more than a few dozen catties. If it was a battalion under the jurisdiction of the Jingshi, how could it come to such a place?

Li Shaoming didn't think about the word "normal training" at all. He was very clear about the situation of the battalions of the Beijing Division, except for the battalions of the Son of Heaven's guards, the rest of the troops were almost equivalent to decorations. Not to mention going into battle to kill the enemy, even the number and intensity of daily training are reduced to a minimum.

But no matter what, these officers and soldiers who suddenly appeared in front of him did give Li Shaoming a surprise. He hurriedly ran wildly, until he rushed to the officer holding the flag at the front of the line, and shouted at the highest volume he could reach: "Where are you battalion soldiers, and where are you going?"

Without waiting for the other party to answer, Li Shaoming had already quickly identified himself: "I am the secretary of the Great Chu Army, and when I meet a strong man on the road, please immediately report to your general." Hurry, this matter is urgent, and it must not be delayed. ”

The leading officer did not dare to delay at all, and hurriedly ordered the soldiers behind him to stand in place, inserted the flag in his hand, turned around, and ran quickly towards the depths of the dusty follow-up team.

A few minutes later, Yang Tianhong, who was wearing the general's standard Mingguang armor, had already come to the front of the team. Looking at Li Shaoming, whose hair was scattered, unkempt, and his face was full of nervousness, exhaustion, and infinite hatred, he owed a little debt, and said neither humbly nor arrogantly: "Xuanhuo Battalion Officer, Zhongwu Captain Yang Tianhong, I have seen adults. ”

Li Shaoming didn't care about anything else at all, so he hurriedly grabbed Yang Tianhong's hand, raised his right arm, and pointed to his own way, his fingers and voice were trembling again and again, almost begging: "General Yang, save my wife, save her!"

Yang Tianhong did not hesitate, immediately turned around, grabbed the flag planted on the ground by the team officer, pointed to the path connected with the official road, and issued an incomparably majestic order: "The whole army is on alert, the direction is southwest, and the army marches in battle formation." ”

The army, which had just stopped for a moment, immediately turned around and followed the instructions of the team officer. For a moment, the ground shook, and the sound of trumpets and shouts of killing shook the sky. That kind of earth-shattering momentum, even Li Shaoming, who was extremely anxious, was shocked, subconsciously straightened his chest, turned over his horse, and was about to follow the soldiers back to the way they came.

Seeing this scene, the personal entourage who had been protecting Li Shaoming along the way couldn't help but show a somewhat strange look on his face.

He took a step forward and raised his left hand, clasping his thumb and middle finger together in a gesture.

Yang Tianhong turned a blind eye to this.

Qin Sui was in a daze for a while, and then, his expression was panicked, and his eyes became evasive and anxious.

He hurriedly grabbed Li Shaoming's robe, which was already riding on horseback, and said urgently: "My lord, I can't go! I can't go! There are many strange things about this matter. ”

Li Shaoming was about to raise his legs and kick the horse's belly hard, but was stopped by his words, instinctively bent over, lowered his head, and quickly asked while gasping: "What, what's weird?"

Qin Sui turned to the side, cautiously glanced at Yang Tianhong, who had his back to him, and said in a low voice: "As far as the villain knows, the location where the Xuanhuo Camp is stationed is the outskirts of the capital. The battalion soldiers have not been trained for a long time, and they are completely useless, and it is impossible for them to be so strong and elite? Not to mention, there is still some distance from the Beijing Division, and if it is a Beijing garrison, how can they come to such a place?"

Li Shaoming was also in a hurry, and when he saw the officials and soldiers, he only wanted to go back to save people as soon as possible. At this time, he calmed down a little, and after listening to his words, he gradually felt that there were many doubts in this matter, so he raised his head and happened to see Yang Tianhong turn to face him, and the two of them looked at each other.

Yang Tianhong didn't explain much, but just took out his lieutenant letter seal from his bag, and said lightly: "This letter is printed here, and Master Li can taste the authenticity by himself." Adults encounter strongmen on the way, and now they should save people. Let's go first! As for what exactly is in it, I could have explained them to Master Li one by one on the way. ”