Taihao sat alone in the living room, and the quiet air was filled with a sense of depression and determination. He stared out the window at the endless grassland, but his heart had crossed thousands of miles, returning to the familiar Eastern Empire. At this moment, his heart was surging, his thoughts were like a tide, and he had only one firm thought in his heart: he must leave here, return to his homeland, tell the court everything he has seen and heard, and awaken the vigilance of the entire Eastern Empire to the Turkic infiltration.

He secretly vowed to expose the invisible web of the Turkic Khanate, the dark web that had quietly covered the whole country, penetrated into all corners, and even reached the center of the imperial court. Among them, there are henchmen installed by the Turkic Khanate, who either lurk in the court or hide in the market, waiting for opportunities to move, transmit intelligence to the Turks, and manipulate the political situation; There are also the mysterious disciples of the Mad Shadow Sect, who use the art of disguise to walk the rivers and lakes, secretly incite strife, provoke incidents, create chaos for the Turks, and weaken the foundation of the Eastern Empire.

Tai Hao knew that this was a struggle related to the survival of the country and the safety of the rivers and lakes, although he was in prison, he cared about his family and country, and was determined to use his own strength to arouse the vigilance of the Eastern Empire. He wanted to make the court understand that the Turkic threat was not limited to border conflicts, but also to their penetration and subversion in the marrow. Only by working together, investigating the party henchmen, and strictly guarding against the mad shadow gate, can we completely cut off the black hands of the Turks and protect the peace and dignity of the country.

As a result, Tai Hao began to carefully plan his escape, he wanted to find a glimmer of life under close surveillance, return to the Eastern Empire as soon as possible, and reveal this secret related to the fortunes of the country. He knew that the road ahead was full of hardships and dangers, and he could even pay the price of his life, but he was fearless, because the fire of sincerity for his family and country burned in his heart, illuminating the way forward and igniting his chivalrous heart that would never be extinguished.

As the night fell, Taihao sat alone in his room, his heart burning with anxiety, he had been waiting for Arus's arrival, but he had never been able to see him. It wasn't until midnight that there was a sound of soft footsteps outside the door, but it was not the familiar Arus who pushed the door in, but a man of his age.

The family Ding was full of apologies, and said again and again: "It's negligence, let Taihao Daxia wait for a long time, I really don't want to go." The little brother of Arus was ordered to go to the palace to prepare meals for the envoys from the Eastern Empire, and I was negligent for a while, and I forgot all about the hero's dinner. ”

Tai Hao smiled indifferently and said without mind: "It's okay, it's just a supper." When will Arus return? ”

Jia Ding replied, "Tomorrow after the envoys of the Eastern Empire have left, Arus will return." I will inform him as soon as possible to come and meet the hero. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, his eyes flashed, as if he had a plan in his heart. He asked quietly: "Dare to ask my brother's surname, what position does he hold in the mansion?" ”

Jia Ding replied respectfully: "In Lower Salhan, Xi is the steward of the general's palace. ”

Tai Hao nodded slightly, and said with a smile: "In this way, I have been bothered to take care of Salhan's housekeeper for the past two days." After that, he was already silently thinking about a plan to exchange identities with Salhan, using this as a breakthrough to find an opportunity to escape from this place.

The next morning, the sky was overcast, and a rainstorm came, and the wind carried the raindrops the size of beans, raging on the grassland, as if to herald an impending change. Taihao stood in front of the window, staring at the stormy world outside the window, and whispered to himself in his heart: "The wind and rain are coming, and the time to leave has finally arrived." ”

In the early afternoon, the butler of Salhan, dressed in a cloak and a hat, braved the rain to deliver food. He carefully placed the dishes on the table, trying not to get wet from the rain. Tai Hao tasted a few mouthfuls at random, and his heart had no time to taste the taste of food, his eyes were deep, and he asked thoughtfully: "Today's heavy rain, Arus is afraid that he will not be able to come back, right?" ”

Salhan smiled slightly and comforted: "Taihao Daxia doesn't need to worry, Arus has returned safely, and he is cooking delicacies for the envoys of the Eastern Empire in the back kitchen at the moment. The envoy was in the palace at the moment, and was warmly received by General Li Jing. ”

"The envoy of the Eastern Empire is actually in the Great General's Mansion?" When Tai Hao heard this, a trace of surprise flashed in his eyes, and there was doubt in his tone.

Salhan nodded: "Indeed, the rain on this grassland comes and goes quickly, and it is said that the rain will weaken in the afternoon, and the envoys of the Eastern Empire will be able to set off and return to the Eastern Empire." ”

Taihao's heart moved slightly, and he asked with concern, "Steward Salhan, have you ever had lunch?" If you haven't eaten yet, you may wish to eat together. ”

Salhan hurriedly waved his hand and said: "Taihao is polite, I have already eaten food in the next place, and the hero please take care of himself." In his words, he appeared humble and polite, and defenseless.

Tai Hao nodded slightly, secretly glad that the other party was not suspicious. He quickly finished his meal, and when Salhan finished cleaning up, he pointed at a key point on Salhan's body with lightning speed. Only a soft sound of "snort" was heard, and Salhan suddenly froze in place, unable to move his limbs, and even lost the ability to speak.

"I'm sorry, Steward Salhan." Taihao apologized in a low voice, but a look of determination flashed in his eyes. He quickly took off Salhan's butler clothes, changed into the robe, and dressed himself as Salhan. Then, he picked up the dishes and chopsticks, strode out of the room, and walked in the direction of the back kitchen.

At this moment, he had only one thought in his heart, that is, to take advantage of the departure of the envoys of the Eastern Empire, to blend into the team, look for an opportunity to escape from this steppe, bring what he saw and heard back to the Eastern Empire, and expose the Turkic conspiracy.

Taihao walked into the back kitchen, only to see Arus concentrating on cutting vegetables, the knife flashed, the leaves were flying, and his focused expression seemed to have nothing to do with the wind and rain in the outside world. Arus looked up and saw Taihao walking in, hurriedly put down the knife in his hand, and said respectfully: "Butler, have you sent food to Taihao Daxia?" It's been a hard two days. I heard that the envoy of the Eastern Empire was about to leave after finishing his meal. ”

Taihao gently took off the hat, looked directly at Arus, and said in a low but firm voice: "Arus, it's me, Taihao." ”

Arus was startled when he heard this, turned around in astonishment, and looked at the "butler" in front of him in disbelief. His eyes widened, and it took him a while to come back to his senses, and he asked in disbelief, "Taihao Hero?" You...... How do you ......?"

Tai Hao didn't say much, and went straight to the topic: "Arus, I know that you are an aspiring young man with great ambitions, I have something to ask for today, I hope you can help me." ”

Arus looked embarrassed and frowned, clearly struggling inwardly. He pondered for a moment and asked tentatively, "Taihao Hero, ...... you Are you leaving? ”

Tai Hao nodded, with unquestionable determination in his tone: "Exactly, I must leave this place today, but I know that once I escape from the Great General's Mansion, it will definitely cause a strict investigation." Arus, can you help me avoid censorship and help me get out of the steppe? ”

Arus's face was pained, his fists clenched, his eyes intertwined with contradictions and struggles. After a long time, he sighed, looked at Taihao firmly, and finally made a decision: "Taihao hero, you have taught me to stick to the way of chivalry, and today I am willing to practice it with practical actions." I am willing to help you leave, but please be careful and return to the Eastern Empire safely. ”

When Tai Hao heard this, a wave of emotion swelled in his heart, and he solemnly hugged his fist to Arus, and said gratefully: "Arus, I Tai Hao will remember your righteous deed. If he has the opportunity one day, he will repay it. Now, let's work together to help me escape from this grassland. ”

However, how to help Taihao successfully escape has become a major problem in Arus's mind. Taihao clearly saw his troubles, and a hint of cunning flashed in his eyes, and then he asked Arus a few key questions.

"How many envoys from the Eastern Empire are there? How many carriages did they ride? Tai Hao's tone was calm, and his eyes were like torches, as if he had the entire escape plan in his chest.

After a moment's thought, Arus replied, "There is only one messenger, and there are twenty attendants with him. They brought only one carriage, and the retinue rode their horses. ”

Tai Hao nodded slightly, and continued to ask, "Where is the carriage at the moment?" ”

Arus replied, "The carriage is now parked in the stables. ”

Tai Hao's eyes were firm, and his tone was unquestionable: "Can you take me to see it?" ”

Arus's face was embarrassed, he looked down at the unfinished dish in his hand, and hesitated: "But ......"

At this moment, Arus was engaged in a fierce ideological struggle in his heart. He knew that once he helped Taihao to carry out his escape plan, he would not only put himself in danger, but also likely to trigger a serious conflict between the Turks and the Eastern Empire.

Tai Hao's expression was solemn, and he held Arus's hand tightly, his eyes flashed with earnestness: "Brother Arus, in this Great General's Mansion, you are the only one I can rely on at the moment. If you can help me get out, I am too willing to repay with my life. ”

Arus's face was resolute, his eyes flashed with determination, he patted Taihao's shoulder, and said in a deep voice: "Taihao hero, although you and I have known each other for a short time, we have a chivalrous heart. This matter is related to the righteousness of the family and the country, how can I, Arus, stand idly by? Please come with me. ”

However, at the moment when Taihao was about to step out of the kitchen threshold with Arus, a rapid sound of gongs and drums suddenly sounded, and a family member broke in in panic and shouted: "Oh no, no, Tai Hao has escaped!" ”

Tai Hao was shocked when he heard this, and he was secretly shocked in his heart: "How can it be possible to expose his whereabouts so quickly?" ”

Seeing this, Arus instantly had a plan, he grabbed Tai Hao, and said in a low voice: "Tai Hao hero, without further ado, we must act as soon as possible." Come with me. ”

They quickly returned to the back kitchen, and Arus took out a set of dirty kitchen clothes from the corner, asked Taihao to change into them, and smeared the pot ash on his face, blurring his face. Later, he hid Taihao in a row of piles of firewood, cleverly shielded with debris to make it blend in with the environment and be difficult to detect.

The sound of gongs and drums was getting closer and closer, and the soldiers who were searching for them swarmed in, and the back kitchen suddenly fell into a tense atmosphere. However, due to Arus's ingenious arrangement, coupled with Taihao's disguise and proper hiding, no one was aware of his existence. When the search party left, Arus quickly led Taihao through a hidden tunnel to the stable.

At this time, the heavens and the earth seemed to be shrouded in endless black curtains, and the wind carried the torrential rain, like countless iron horses sweeping the earth, emitting bursts of roar. The carriage of the emissary of the Eastern Empire stood proudly beside the stable, its body glittering with rain, like a silent warrior, waiting for the call of its master. The brass bells on the roof of the car swayed in the wind and rain, making a low sound, intertwined with the noisy rain around them into a tragic war song.

Knowing that the time was pressing, Arus's figure drifted like a ghost, silently approaching the carriage. His eyes were sharp, and he quickly exchanged a meaningful look with the groom who was guarding the side. Arus handed over a heavy bag of silver, and the groom took it, a flash of gratitude and admiration in his eyes, and he nodded understandingly, knowing that his mission was extraordinary.

The groom opened the door with agility, and a smell of moisture accompanied by the scent of wood came to his face. He led Tai Hao, who was sturdy, like a leopard in the night, and quietly jumped into the carriage. The dark lattice at the bottom of the carriage is exquisitely designed, the mechanism is opened, Taihao's figure flashes, and disappears into the darkness in an instant. The groom expertly closed the compartment, restored it to its original state, and then quickly closed the door, all as if it were flowing water, without causing the slightest ripple, leaving only the soft sound of raindrops hitting the windows, obscuring all traces.

The rainstorm seemed to feel the tension of this secret handover, and suddenly reined in the momentum of the fury of the storm. The dark clouds cleared, and a faint light appeared in the sky, heralding the calm after the storm. The envoy of the Eastern Empire came at this moment of calm and calm, he was cloaked, his steps were steady, and his brows were full of majesty and calmness. General Li Jing personally saw her off, she was dressed in military uniform, heroic posture, and watched the envoy team enter the carriage.

With a loud whip from the coachman, the carriage started abruptly on the muddy ground, and the wheels rolled up and splashed in all directions, and galloped out like arrows off the string. The gate slowly closed behind him, cutting out the noise and distraction, leaving only the carriage to leave a deep mark on the official road, all the way east, to the distant empire of the East.

In the carriage, Taihao hid in the dark compartment, his heart beating like a drum, but he was full of anticipation. He knew that this risky escape not only escaped the search, but also allowed him to catch the life-and-death train to his homeland. The road ahead may be even more dangerous, but at least for now, he has successfully embarked on the journey home, galloping towards the land that carries his beliefs and mission.

The carriage galloped on the grassland, like a flat boat breaking the waves in the green waves, and the friction between the wheels and the ground and the sound of the wind and the horse's hooves were intertwined into a passionate grassland symphony. However, as time passed, the speed of the carriage gradually slowed down, like a tired horse slowing down after a long journey, and the change in rhythm seemed to tell the vastness and length of the grassland, and the loneliness and tenacity of the carriage in it.

Taihao in the dark grid, after days of running and exhaustion, finally fell asleep in the bumpy carriage at this moment. He curled up in a small space, his face clearly defined by the dim light, and his closed eyes seemed to still linger with worries about the future and longing for his homeland. His breathing was even and deep, as if he had found a moment of peace in a dream, in stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

The slowing down of the carriage also seemed to add a tranquility to Taihao's dream. The sound of the wind, horses' hooves, and wheels on the grassland all softened at this moment, as if they were playing a lullaby for his dreams. The carriage is filled with the mixed aroma of leather, wood and earth, which is the unique smell of the carriage and the smell of the grassland, and they are mixed together, as if telling the indissoluble bond between the carriage and the grassland, and the story of the traveler carried by the carriage.