Has always been bleak

Wang Zhongsi officially left Jiedu in Hexi and Longyou towns, and the news that he will return to Taiyuan to sit in town soon spread quickly.

The facts are established, and Wang Zhongsi's prestige is still there, so the subordinates stopped talking and started to pack their bags.

However, Ge Shuhan was not included here, he stayed.

After Wang Zhongsi resigned, Hexi was handed over to An Sishun, a famous Khitan general who has been stationed here for a long time. An Sishun has served here for more than [-] years from the second year of Kaiyuan to the seventh year of Tianbao, and is proficient in border affairs; Moreover, he was born with the nine surnames of Zhaowu, and he has a natural sense of closeness with many local Hu people, and he will never intentionally stir up disputes between Hu and Han. With him sitting in Hexi, Wang Zhongsi is still very relieved.

As for Longyou Jiedushi, Ge Shuhan took over.

Hexi and Longyou were able to choose their successor according to Jieshuai's wishes. This probably shows that Jieshuai has not completely lost his Sacred Heart?Xiao Yi could only guess like this.

I can only comfort myself like this.

Few people know that Jie Shuai's resignation this time is not directly returning to Taiyuan, but returning to Chang'an first.

Leaving the station at this time, only a few personal guards and soldiers will go to Chang'an. Once the Sacred Heart changes, the general will no longer have the power to resist.

Wang Zhongsi originally planned to keep Xiao Yi in Longyou, beside Ge Shuhan.Only in the army can it be possible to realize Xiao Yi's ideal, and returning to Chang'an is not only hopeless for his military achievements, but also means that he will face the danger of being captured and killed by Li Linfu.

Even if Wang Zhongsi resigned, Ge Shuhan was strong enough to keep him, and keeping him in Longyou was the best choice for Xiao Yi, which Rong Xiang hoped for.Although he has 1 people who want to see Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi's life is more important. As long as Xiao Yi is safe and sound, it is good that he does not see him for a few more years.

But Xiao Yi himself gave up the most correct choice for him.

He didn't know why, but he just felt that being by Jie Shuai's side and being able to protect Jie Shuai's safety was the most important thing, even more important than avenging Wei Jian.It is not too late for a gentleman to take revenge for ten years, but the change that Jieshuai is about to face is imminent.

This is how he explained it to himself.

This naive and ignorant young man didn't realize that his original admiration for Wei Jian had transferred to Wang Zhongsi following Wei Jian's passing and Jie Shuai's loving care for him.

Xiao Yi seems to be strong, but in fact there is always such a soft place in his heart that cannot be touched, which needs to be protected by such a father-like person.This is an inherent shortcoming, and he has no way to really make up for it.

Wang Zhongsi never expected Xiao Yi to be so persistent when he became stubborn. He had spoken the truth and issued orders, and Xiao Yi said from the beginning to the end: "I want to follow Jieshuai."

For the first time in his life, Wang Zhongsi was helpless towards his subordinates.He couldn't really tie Xiao Yi up in the army and just leave by himself!What's more, even if he really did this, with Xiao Yi's temperament and martial arts, as long as he had the chance to escape, he would definitely follow him thousands of miles away, even if he was charged as a deserter.

This young man's temper is really not like Wei Jian's at all, I don't know how he grew up like this.

Although his trip was dangerous, Wang Zhongsi said in his heart, but it is still possible to keep this young man safe.

Wang Zhongsi and his party consisted of 500 people, and when they left Liangzhou City, they sent 200 to guard Li Guangbi back to Lingwu. People are ready to move, and he needs to return to sit in town as soon as possible.Wang Zhongsi himself took only [-] people and went straight to Chang'an.

Xiao Yi and another man nicknamed Seventh Brother are the two supervisors of the guards' personal barracks. Each leads 100 people, arranges shifts, and takes turns to guard.Without talking all the way, they soon arrived at Wuhuanyi in the western suburbs of Chang'an. This place was less than [-] miles away from the main city of Chang'an, and it was still early in the morning. However, Wang Zhongsi and his troops camped near Wuhuanyi and stayed there. .

On the way back to Beijing, Xiao Yi was inseparable from Jie Shuai except for his rest time because he had to protect him personally. Therefore, he also came into contact with more secrets that he couldn't touch before.

It turns out that Jieshuai and Jingzhong have been exchanging letters.

It turns out that Jie Shuai has always been well aware of the changes in the court.

It turned out that I still underestimated Jieshuai.Although Jieshuai didn't say anything, the whole situation was actually under his control. If he didn't want to be defeated, no one could knock him down, even the mighty Li Linfu.

There is only one person in this world who can defeat Jie Shuai.

Emperor.

In fact, the emperor had no way to really defeat Jieshuai. Jieshuai had guarded the border for many years, and his prestige in the army had already surpassed that of the emperor himself.That's why some emperors wanted to take down Shibao City, but Jieshuai didn't want to, so the army was directly defeated.

As long as he is in his own army, Jie Shuai is invincible.

But such a powerful Jieshuai willingly left the station and went to the crisis-ridden Chang'an willingly, leaving behind his safest and strongest wings, and facing the Supreme with the softest side.If he loses, it can only be because of his loyalty and affection.

His treatment of Supreme, to a certain extent, was equivalent to Xiao Yi's treatment of him.

General admiration, general trust.I am willing to present my softest part in front of that person, even if it is bloody.

Faced with such tenderness, he should have been gentle.

Wang Zhongsi had too many guards with him, and the Wuhuan Station itself could not be opened, so he had to camp nearby. Normally, if there was a similar situation, Wang Zhongsi would camp in a temporary camp with his own soldiers. Uncharacteristically, he insisted on living in a separate small courtyard in Wuhuanyi.

There are only three rooms in the courtyard, the main room must be reserved for Jie Shuai, and the other two are pitifully small, even if they sleep on top of each other, they can only squeeze a dozen or so people.There were too few guards, so Xiao Yi was really worried. After discussing with Seventh Brother, he divided up into a team of 20 people to ensure that three teams would patrol inside and outside the courtyard at the same time. camp rest.As for Xiao Yi and Xiao Qi, each of them guarded Wang Zhongsi for six hours.

Xiao Yi was not sure why Jie Shuai had to live in the outskirts of Chang'an instead of going directly to Beijing, but he guessed that it was always inseparable from the emperor's ambiguous attitude.Regarding the defeat of Stone Castle City, Jie Shuai wrote a letter and took all the responsibility for the defeat on himself.Afterwards, Xiao Yi slowly thought about why he did this, and finally figured it out.

What the supreme being is most angry with should not be the defeat itself, but the shame brought about by the defeat.He asked to attack, but Wang Zhongsi dissuaded him, but he was defeated as Wang Zhongsi expected. Doesn't this mean that he is not as good as Wang Zhongsi in terms of strategy?

His dignity does not allow such a failure to exist.

Therefore, he needs someone to take responsibility for the defeat.

Or Dong Yanguang, or Wang Zhongsi, others are not qualified.

Dong Yanguang had already plucked himself clean, so only Wang Zhongsi was left.

It can only be Wang Zhongsi.

Therefore, Wang Zhongsi wrote a letter, taking all the blame, eluting the Supreme, and making himself vulnerable.Only in this way can the dignity of the Supreme be preserved.

Only then can the Supremacy, who has become suspicious, believe that he can still kill Wang Zhongsi, who is already so powerful and terrifying, in a flip of his hands.

Only in this way can the emperor feel safe.

Can't and don't want to support their own self-respect, the only option is to die and survive. This is Wang Zhongsi's response, and it is also Rong Xiang's suggestion.

It's just that Xiao Yi always had a bad premonition in his heart, "There is no beginning in prostitution, and there is an end in seldom restraint." Jieshuai, he is probably ready to be put to death, but there will be no life.

Jie Shuai didn't want to go straight to Chang'an, he was afraid he was still waiting, waiting for the emperor's attitude.He has always had the greatest kindness and respect for this old man. Although he said "If you know your own opinion, you will be punished, you will have no regrets", but the word Mingzhu is what he really hopes for.

In his heart, Xuanzong has never changed.

As for what the emperor was thinking, Xiao Yi didn't want to think deeply, he could only force himself to focus on the personal protection of Jieshuai, meticulous, thoughtful and all-encompassing.

Every time he dreamed back at midnight, the scene that made him cry in cold sweat, he never wanted to see again in this life.

Even Ling Chi, as long as he hasn't reached the final cut, there is still hope for life.Even though he was in extreme pain, he was still alive. As long as he was alive, there was hope.

On the third day after resting in Wuhuanyi, the palace officials came.When a person like Jie Shuai returns to Beijing to report on his duties, he must report to the palace first, so it is reasonable for Xuanzong to send an internal official to deliver the decree.However, Xiao Yi, who had been tense all the time, seemed to smell something bad. It was obvious that Brother Seven was on duty at this time, and he was resting, but when he heard the news, he jumped off the bunk and rushed to the place in a hurry. By Wang Zhongsi's side.

He came so fast that the carriages and horses from the palace had just parked in front of the gate. The emissary ordered the eunuch to get off, and with an unmistakable flattering smile on his face, he gave a deep salute to Wang Zhongsi who was welcoming him out, saying: "Jie Shuai has worked hard all the way! Our family is one step late! Jieshuai forgive me, forgive me!"

Behind him was a small internal officer, holding a tray in his hand, and the bright yellow silk was particularly eye-catching.

The life and death of Jie Shuai lies under this small piece of yellow silk.

It's a pity that this is a secret decree, the inner officer lifted Wang Zhongsi up with a smile on his face, walked with him arm in arm, and entered the inner room.Xiao Yi and Seventh Brother could only stay outside the door, listening as quietly as possible. Unfortunately, the voices of the two in the inner room were too low. Although Xiao Yi had good ears, he could barely hear a few fragmented syllables. No surprises.

The time they talked in secret was very short, and within less than the time for a cup of tea, they came out together again, sitting in the hall, talking and laughing happily.

The edict was delivered by the internal officials on behalf of the emperor, and he should be seated both emotionally and rationally, but now he deliberately sat with Jieshuai Zhaomu after delivering the decree. Does it mean that Jieshuai has not fallen out of favor in the eyes of the emperor's close servants?So, does it mean that Jie Shuai is safe?

But if the emperor had really raised his hand, why didn't he immediately declare Marshal Jie into the palace, and have a clear discussion face to face, but let the internal officials deliver a very secret decree?

Xiao Yi was thinking wildly, but Wang Zhongsi called his name from the hall: "Xiao Yi, there is a big red carved lacquer box on the desk in my bedroom, go get it."

A box with big red carved lacquer?Xiao Yi was startled.Never seen this thing before?Is it the bribe that Jie Shuai specially prepared to give to the internal officials?He said "No", and when he turned around, he looked at Brother Seven with a thousand words in his eyes, Brother Seven nodded slightly.

Xiao Yi bypassed the septum and quickly walked into the back hall.This main house is not too big, but although the sparrow is small and well-equipped, it is divided into three entrances. The outermost is the hall, which is where Wang Zhongsi and the internal officials are talking now; behind the partition is the second entrance, which is the study room. In the living room, there is a thick brocade mattress on the floor, which is obviously where the edict was announced by the internal officials just now; further inside, there is a screen to separate the inner room, and there is a small clean room in the connected part .

The inner room is Wang Zhongsi's bedroom.

Wang Zhongsi held several positions and was busy with official duties. In just two days, the documents and files had already been covered with large cases. Xiao Yi took a quick glance, but he didn't see any big red boxes. I searched carefully little by little, even the bottom of the big case, but found nothing.Recalling Cai Jieshuai's original words just now, isn't it in the inner room, but in the study?

He exited the inner room, and searched again on the big case in the study, but there was still nothing.

As he was rummaging through the room, he heard a few strange noises in his ears.

It is not right to say that it is an abnormal sound, because the sound is actually very normal. It is the sound of soldiers packing up the teacups.Wang Zhongsi was surrounded by soldiers who had been serving for many years, they were well-trained, and their movements were always light, so the sound was extremely subtle, if it wasn't for Xiao Yi's amazing hearing, he wouldn't have heard it at all.

But this small voice shocked Xiao Yi into a cold sweat. He threw away the things in his hand, exerted strength with his feet, walked around the partition in two steps, and fixed his eyes on Wang Zhongsi's original seat.

This shock was no small matter, not only Jie Shuai, but even the internal official disappeared, but Seventh Brother was packing the teacups with his own soldiers.

Xiao Yi didn't have time to think about it, he rushed over and picked up Seventh Brother's collar, lowered his voice and hurriedly asked: "Where's Jie Shuai?"

Seventh Brother was puzzled: "Jie Shuai? Send the internal officials out."

Xiao Yi was very anxious, and said without hesitation: "You let Jie Shuai go alone! Are you a fool!" After finishing speaking, without waiting for Brother Seven to answer, he turned around like a whirlwind and rushed out, shouting in his mouth: "Everyone Anyone who can move, follow me! Jieshuai is in danger!"

Although Seventh Brother didn't know, he went in, but the words "Jie Shuai and Dangerous" still made him change color in horror. He didn't think much, and hurriedly led people to follow him out.

But Xiao Yi's footsteps are not something ordinary people can keep up with. He has rushed to the outside of the courtyard in three steps and two steps, and the carriage that was originally parked at the door is about to leave the gate of the post station.

Xiao Yi's heart almost jumped out of his chest, and he pulled out his saber with a groan, stepped on the big tree next to him to borrow his strength, jumped up the courtyard wall, turned over in the air, and was already in front of the carriage. Separated, with a horizontal knife in the chest, shouted: "Where are you going to take Jieshuai!"

The carriage had just started, and the horses hadn't started to speed up yet. Someone was blocking the way. The driver hurriedly reined in the reins, and the carriage stopped steadily. The curtains shook a few times, and then returned to calm.

Wang Zhongsi's voice sounded: "Back off."

Familiar, calm, calm and fearless.

Xiao Yi stood there upright, his face was full of stubbornness, and he didn't even have the slightest intention of retreating. The soldiers who poured out from the station surrounded him one after another, and quickly blocked the way of the carriage.

When Wang Zhongsi entered Beijing this time, he did not bring many people with him, and he had to take turns to rest, and he had to leave some minimum troops inside to guard against being taken from the rear. At this time, there were actually no more than seventy people surrounding the carriage. That's all.

But these more than seventy people are all iron-blooded soldiers who have been tempered on the battlefield. They are all awe-inspiring, like steel knives out of their sheaths. No one will doubt their ability. The pillow-like Royal Forest Army will be torn apart in a moment.

If you want to leave alive, you have to hand over Jieshuai first.

The inner officer in the car has turned pale.When Wang Zhongsi listened to the order in the inner room and asked him to cooperate in such a scene, he was a little disapproving at first. He really didn't expect that it would be so difficult to take Wang Zhongsi away in front of these soldiers.

Wang Zhongsi patted him on the shoulder calmly, and comforted him: "Please forgive me, senior officials. These soldiers are rough people. They offend their lords, and they will be punished. I will let them disperse as soon as possible. Don't panic, senior officials." . " After finishing speaking, he signaled the servant in the car to roll up the curtain.

The curtain of the car was slowly rolled up, Wang Zhongsi was dressed in casual clothes, and he simply sat there without getting angry, his eyes were everywhere, and the soldiers fell to their knees with a clatter: "Jie Shuai!"

Xiao Yi was also almost suffocated by this substantive gaze, his knees softened, and he also knelt down.

"If you want to trap me in infidelity, just surround me." Wang Zhongsi glanced over the crowd, and finally stopped on Xiao Yi's head, and said calmly.

Xiao Yi gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and raised his head suddenly, his voice choked up, "Jie Shuai!"

How much pleading, how much despair is there in this call?

Wang Zhongsi looked at him for a long time, and finally sighed softly, stood up slowly, walked out of the carriage, leaned over and touched Xiao Yi's head lightly, and said in a warm voice: "Xiao Yi, the word farewell, It's today's homework, you have to study hard."

Couldn't learn it, and didn't want to learn it, Xiao Yi gritted his teeth, the veins on his forehead burst out, the saber in his hand was buzzing, and he couldn't stop shaking.

Wang Zhongsi shook his head very slowly: "This is my own choice, it is a matter between me and the Supreme, and has nothing to do with you. If you still think that I am your commander in chief, then retreat quickly. "

Xiao Yi's heart was bright at this moment.Jie Shuai used Longyou to keep Ge Shuhan, coaxed Li Guangbi away with Shuofang affairs, and then took an unfounded box to trick himself into the inner room. He sent away all the people who might fight for him with their lives. up.

It turned out that Jie Shuai had already made preparations to face the emperor's wrath alone.At this moment before he left, he was still apologizing for the soldiers under him, taking all the problems on his own shoulders.

Everything they do now, and the consequences, have to be borne by the commander in the first place.

Xiao Yi could no longer control his voice, and hissed out a few fragmented words from between his teeth: "If, Ruoer, etc., you hurt my Jieshuai, my family Jieshuai, a hair, then, there is such a knife !” After saying that, he held the handle in his right hand and the blade in his left hand, and exerted strength with both arms, he broke a hundred-steel-smelting knife into two ends, and inserted it into the ground in front of his knees.

The light of the saber flickered violently under the sun, and it didn't stop for a long time. Xiao Yi knelt on the spot, watching the carriage go by. Blood dripped down his drooping left hand on the ground, but he couldn't feel any pain.

Wang Zhongsi stood outside the Hanyuan Hall of Daming Palace, looking at this majestic and magnificent palace from a distance, with mixed feelings in his heart.

In recent years, Xuanzong liked to listen to politics in Xingqing Palace and rest in Daming Palace.After repeated repairs, the palace is bigger, more beautiful and more comfortable than when it was first built.The evolution of the style of the Daming Palace actually confirmed the change of Xuanzong from the side.

From working hard to govern, to indulge in peace and happiness.

Wang Zhongsi would be lying if he said he had no opinion on Xuanzong's changes, but when he finally met the emperor and looked up at Xuanzong's apparently much older face, he left behind everything he had before and burst into tears Out of the eyes: "Your Majesty!"

Xuanzong looked at this middle-aged man who was full of wind and frost and straight as a pine, and felt a little dazed for a moment. How many years had he not seen this child?The high-spirited young man back then is now full of hair.

"Loyal heir." Xuanzong called softly, "Come closer, let me take a good look at you."

Wang Zhongsi didn't get up, he walked close to the throne with his knees, and raised his head slightly.

Xuanzong's eyes scanned him slowly, from hair to fingers, he didn't miss any place.This is the hero he created by himself, and it was once his pride.

But why can't a hero be like a steed, loyal until death, without any disagreement?

Xuanzong closed his eyes wearily, and opened them again, his eyes became clear again: "Zhong Si, you have grown up, but I am old."

Wang Zhongsi burst into tears, his lips moved, and he said for a long time: "Your Majesty, the spring and autumn are at their peak, and they are not old."

Xuanzong smiled slightly: "You still don't know how to say flattering words." He patted the armrest of the throne, "Sit down and talk to me."

How dare Wang Zhongsi sit on the throne!He only sat a little bit close to the side on the footsteps under Xuanzong's seat.

Seeing that he was still so respectful, Xuanzong felt a little relieved: "Loyal Si, these years of hard work have caused you hardship."

"This is what I should do." Wang Zhongsi said sincerely, "Your Majesty, don't say that and kill the minister."

"Shuofang and Hedong have been very safe these years, thanks to you." Xuanzong said unhurriedly, "I planned to hand over Hexi and Longyou to you, but unexpectedly, you refused."

Wang Zhongsi hastily got up and knelt down, and said: "Your Majesty, it's not because I don't want to do this, but because I don't match my virtue and my ability is limited. I really can't take care of the four towns." Before he finished speaking, Xuanzong pretended He said angrily, "What are you kneeling for? Get up and talk properly. I'm just chatting with you, and I don't mean to blame you."

Wang Zhongsi kowtowed again, then got up and sat down again, but he only felt that his back was clammy and cold, and the cold sweat was dense, almost soaking through his heavy clothes.

Xuanzong sighed, "I'm getting old!" He said quietly, "However, these years, he claims to have governed the world pretty well, so it's comforting. It's a pity that I let Shibao City come back in my hands. It’s really a big failure.”

He looked at Wang Zhongsi: "Zhongsi, in this life, I have almost done everything I should do. In the end, there is only one thing that is still a pity. Because of the Shibao City, the land of Hehuang has been expanded for thousands of miles. I want to do it before I die." , take it back. Zhongsi, can you fulfill this wish for me?"

He smiled, but there was scrutiny in his eyes: "I'm old, I'm afraid I won't be able to wait for your safe long-term plan, loyal heir, I want you to take down Shibao City this year. If you agree, Sizhen It's still yours."

His cold hand held Wang Zhongsi's hand: "Zhongsi, you will definitely promise me, right?"

The author has something to say: (Nine surnames of Zhaowu: There is a saying that the nine surnames of Zhaowu were originally from the Yue family. The nine surnames of Kang, An, Cao, Shi, Mi, Shi, He, and Mu are all surnamed Zhaowu, so they are called the nine surnames of Zhaowu." ", it is called "Sogdian" in Western language, good at doing business, and has been doing business on the Silk Road for a long time. The Helong area is on the Silk Road. Both Lushan and Shi Siming came from the nine surnames of Zhaowu.

An Sishun and An Lushan are relatives. An Lushan's mother took An Lushan to marry into the An family, and made Lushan take the surname "An". Relationship, just not blood.An Sishun and An Lushan had a good relationship when they were young, and they both became very big officials in the Tang Dynasty. The highest An Sishun was in Jiedu of Hexi and Shuofang towns, and the highest in Anlu Mountain was Fanyang, Pinglu, Jiedu, the three towns in Hedong, look at the map of the Tang Dynasty, and you will find that the two brothers control the fortresses on the border of the Tang Dynasty.But compared to the two, An Sishun has more Sinicization, and has a stronger thought of loyalty to the emperor. An Lushan has objections, but An Sishun has not. He has written many times to remind the emperor that An Lushan has objections, which can be regarded as Loyal minister.It's a pity that after An Lushan raised troops, An Sishun was dismissed from the army and went to Beijing, and became an official with little power like his younger brother. Later, he was falsely accused by his brother Shuhan, who had always been at odds with him, and the two brothers were killed.In the Daizong Dynasty, Guo Ziyi, the great hero who quelled the Anshi Rebellion, wrote a letter requesting that An Sishun be rehabilitated.

I think the unjust killing of An Sishun is a big stain in Ge Shuhan's life. The key is that I can't find any other reason to rationalize Ge Shuhan's behavior other than public revenge.Geshu is a very contradictory existence in my heart. He dared to go to Beijing alone to intercede for the convicted Wang Zhongsi, and he fought fiercely. Later, he had a stroke during the Anshi Rebellion, and he was able to take command and hold on to Tongguan until he was forced out by the foolish Xuanzong. He was defeated outside the pass, no matter what, he is a hero, and he is also a tragic hero with his own cuteness.In addition, this person also has the addition of poetry, "The Big Dipper is high, and Geshu carries a knife at night." I really like "Geshu Song" since the first time I heard it. I think the word Geshu has a wonderful charm, It seems to be naturally brave and aggressive, which doubles my favor.Later, I gradually learned some more stories, and found that this person was not perfect, and he would still do things to frame good people, so I was very sad. My childhood idol was always perfect, and once the fantasy was broken, the disappointment was often doubled, but No amount of stains can erase his great military achievements, so he has always been contradictory and no longer admires him, but he definitely can't hate him, that's the kind, 1 people say he is not good, and you also know that he has such and other shortcomings , but still feel that he is a great hero. )

(Zhaomu and sit - the north is respected, the south is next, and the east and west are relatively equal, so the equal seat is generally called Zhaomu and sit.)

☆, decision making