Your Highness asked me to pay him back his honor

It was snowing and the sky was bright, but the capital was still unusually quiet.

The city of Bianliang is prosperous. On New Year's Eve today, there should have been the return of Nuo rituals to send disasters and pray for blessings. The streets are filled with the smell of new wine and the sound of thousands of firecrackers.The common people lined the road and cheered heartily, and the morning bell of Daxiangguo Temple would ring to the most remote city walls.

At this time, the rooster crowed three times, but there were only scorched bones and blood in the city.

The Jinshui gate was closed tightly, and under the city tower, countless black cavalry surrounded in silence.

"The city wall needs to be strengthened, and all households with water tanks should be carried up to the city. The bigger the better."

The victorious victories patrolled the city overnight, and the armor was still not disarmed until dawn, and the defenses on the city were guarded one by one.

Halfway through his speech, he saw someone approaching not far away, his eyes lit up, "Your Highness!"

Xiao Shuo rushed over late at night, but at this time he was already awake, his armor was properly put on, and he brought some people over.

Marquis Du Yu was on the side, he didn't see Yun Lang, and he was secretly worried, "Young General—"

"No problem." Xiao Shuo said, "It's just that I'm tired, let's rest for a while."

The two were relieved, looked at each other, and breathed a sigh of relief.

Fighting is all about fighting, and defending the city has to take care of all parties, which consumes more energy and mind.The winning streak hung on his heart all night, when he heard that Yun Lang was okay, his heart suddenly relaxed, and he couldn't help but sat on the rolling log by the city.

Xiao Shuo looked at Lian Sheng's blue eyes, took the wine bag from the soldier, and handed it to him.

Lian Sheng was stunned, bowed his head in joy, took it with both hands, and took a sip cherishingly.

"Your Highness even remembers this."

Du Yuhou saw it, and couldn't help laughing, "In the army, even the general was always punished by the late king for drinking... But when it comes to fighting tough battles, the good wine is given by the late king."

Du Yuhou hadn't fought so hard in a long time. Although he suffered several injuries in yesterday's fight, he was more energetic than usual. "It's really fun to be able to live like this for a few more days, as if I were in northern Xinjiang. "

"Where do you talk so much?"

Lian Sheng told him to reveal his bottom line, and with a blushing face, he raised his leg and kicked, "Back then in Beijiang, you drank less alcohol? Didn't you just calculate the score and push me out, insisting that I drank a large amount of a tank !"

Du Yuhou protected the injury on his leg, sucked in the air-conditioning, and limped to hide.

Behind him, the Colonel Si Xiaowei in front of the hall immediately came up, tried his best to stop General Lian, and apologized in a loud voice.The soldiers who moved the gravel and logs couldn't intervene, so they could only sway excitedly. Occasionally, when they saw a lively place, some people would laugh and say hello.

The imperial guards stationed outside the palace didn't often enter the palace, so they couldn't recognize the faces behind Xiao Shuo.I only know that King Yan and General Yun suppressed the rebellion with an iron fist and put down the rebels in the inner city, and turned the world around and brought everyone back to life.As long as there are two people, there is a backbone.

After passing through life and death, all the taboos of unfamiliarity and taboo have long since disappeared, regardless of the guards in front of the palace, there was a commotion in front of His Highness King Yan.

Behind Xiao Shuo, the privy envoy who came out in casual clothes couldn't help but frowned, and said in a low voice, "How decent is it..."

"My lord's soldiers are well-organized." Shen Zhizheng said coldly, "Almost broke through the Youchengtian Gate, and set fire to the Wende Hall, so brave."

The privy envoy told him to stab him, and his face turned ugly in an instant, "You—"

"It was the adults who came here early in the morning. They said that they couldn't sleep, and insisted that this king take it around to look around."

Xiao Shuo said calmly, "If you came here to quarrel, please go back to the palace to quarrel. The enemy is at hand, so as not to disturb morale."

The privy envoy didn't say a word, so he blocked it firmly, gritted his teeth, and his face became more and more gloomy.

Shen Zhizheng didn't take it seriously, took a look at Xiao Shuo, and climbed up the tower.

Jinshuimen is not a city tower built to defend against the enemy. It is magnificent and dazzling, but it is far less sturdy than the fortress made of rice-pasted stones on the northern border.

There was a fierce battle last night, and there were many gaps in the city. At this time, the soldiers were busy moving sand and gravel, trying to repair and fill them.

The city is surrounded by layers of black cavalry, the flat official road and the empty field in front of the gate, all the way to the residential area of ​​the town.Looking down from the top of the city tower, it is so dark that you can't see the end at a glance.

"My lord." The accompanying official of the Political Affairs Hall looked terrified, and advised in a low voice, "If the rebel army moves, I'm afraid it will be dangerous here..."

"What danger are you afraid of?"

The sergeant at the side heard the words, and interjected, "Last night, I was scared out of my wits. If I give them ten courage, they will not dare to call."

When the officials left the palace, they all changed into casual clothes and went out. At this time, they looked like ordinary civilians.The sergeant put down the heavy sandbags in his hands without hesitation, "With the young general around, the city can't be lost. Even if we fight over, the big deal is to change one life for another. Are you afraid that they won't succeed?"

The privy envoy didn't know what was going on last night, and when he heard the words "Major General", his heart was tense, "Who led the soldiers last night?! Is it possible to obey the imperial order? Is there a general order for soldiers—"

Shenzhi Zhengshi interrupted, "My lord."

The privy envoy has hit a wall everywhere during this period, and he is almost ashamed, and his heart is instantly vigilant, "What are you doing?"

Shen Zhizheng went down the tower, and his eyes fell on the privy envoy, "Although you and I are not conspiring with each other... there is a word, the truth should advise you."

The privy envoy frowned and stared at him, and said warily, "Why are you persuading... When did you have such kindness?"

"If you are just a mediocre waste, when the future is unknown, you will just give me a vacancy to support you for the rest of your life."

Shen Zhizheng looked at him, and slowly said, "If you still don't know whether you are dead or alive, and at this point, you are still trying to struggle... then stay away from the truth."

Shen Zhizhengshi has good intentions, "I am worried about the truth, and I am implicated by you."

The privy envoy was stunned when he heard the last, he was so angry that he was about to explode, he saw Xiao Shuo's figure, and swallowed it back.

The courtiers were afraid of Xiao Shuo, not only because the emperor condoned him, but also because King Yan's behavior was indeed rebellious and lawless, and if he was annoyed, he might really do anything.

Last night the palace gate put down the rebellion, except for a few who dared to go out and fight to the death with King Yan, everyone huddled in the Wende Hall, listening to the shouts of killing, they were almost scared out of their wits.

Xiao Shuo was bloody all over, and when the rebels returned to the palace to return to the palace, the murderous blood almost made the old man who had been instructing the government every day to fall off his seat.

The privy envoy had never fought a battle, and at this moment, he was beside King Yan, fearing that King Yan would really dare to cut someone when he got angry, his face would turn blue and white, he swallowed his anger, and stormed off the city with a flick of his sleeves.

The courtiers who came were frightened by the battle that was so close in front of them. They didn't know whether to go or stay for a while, so they tied their hands and stood there in suspense.

"Go down."

Shen Zhizheng said slowly, "I have something to say about the truth, just talk to King Yan and leave."

As if they were being amnesty, everyone rushed to leave with Xiao Shuo and left the city in a hurry.

Xiao Shuo wanted to inspect the defense of the city, he didn't see him off, he just returned the gift and signaled the soldiers to make way.

Shen Zhizheng went straight to Xiao Shuo, "His Royal Highness King Yan."

Xiao Shuo lowered his hand, "What's the matter, sir?"

Shen Zhizheng frowned, "After hearing what Cai just said, does King Yan have anything to ask this old man?"

"What adults think is a matter for adults."

Xiao Shuo said calmly, "The situation of the battle is important. I will guard Bianliang and come to listen to your lord's instruction."

Shenzhi Zhengshi was stunned at the same place, seeing Xiao Shuo really didn't hesitate at all, turned around and wanted to lead people to patrol the city, and hurriedly chased after him, "Wait!"

Xiao Shuo ignored it, arranged several troop movements, and took over the cloak from the soldiers.

Shen Zhizheng chased after him for a few steps, his expression sank, and he finally made up his mind, "His Royal Highness! General Yun's jade unicorn, I know where it is."

Xiao Shuo paused slightly and stopped in place.

Shen Zhizheng walked up to him, "Do you know why the Privy Council has come to this point, and would rather die than die with General Yun?"

The thin light in Xiao Shuo's eyes flashed across, breaking through the darkness, and fell on Shen Zhizheng.

In the situation in the DPRK and China, the Privy Council and the Zhengshitang are in charge of military affairs, and the situation is the same.In this dynasty, the position is vacant, and he is called the deputy prime minister when he participates in political affairs, but he is actually the head of all officials.

This person has a wealth of resources from both sides, and the city is extremely deep. Apart from being a privy envoy, he is seen in all directions in the officialdom, and he is highly relied on by the emperor.

Come today, it is hard to guarantee whether it is to test the formula.

"This thing has been tossed and turned, and it is now a witness, and it is kept in the Zhengshitang."

Shen Zhizheng stopped in front of Xiao Shuo, "If you are willing to listen, I will return this thing to you."

Xiao Shuo raised his eyes suddenly, with a cold look in his eyes, he raised his hand to signal the soldiers to retreat and guard the surroundings.

Shen Zhizheng was dumbfounded, "Cai Buzhi is really right."

Xiao Shuo gave in silently, and walked slowly to the leeward place.

Shen Zhizheng looked at him, a little surprised, "This old man and Cai Taifu are old acquaintances, isn't King Yan not surprised?"

"It's not unexpected for anyone to meet someone." Xiao Shuo said, "Things are going up in the world, and everyone has their own ambitions. It's not surprising that those who were acquaintances were forced to part ways, and those who were best friends became strangers."

Shenzhi Zhengshi paused slightly, looked at him for a while, his eyes were complicated for a long time, and he sighed softly.

Xiao Shuo said, "My lord, you don't need to say thank you."

Before Shen Zhizheng could speak, he couldn't help being stunned, "How do you know that the old man is here to thank you?"

Xiao Shuo didn't have the patience to fight with him, he frowned and didn't speak anymore.

Shen Zhizheng looked at him for a long time, but finally couldn't see through it, so he forced a smile, "Forget it...whether you can bear it or not is up to you."

Shen Zhizhengshi handed over "that unworthy student of the old man... there is King Laoyan, and he will help him out of righteousness."

Xiao Shuo turned sideways to avoid his gift.

Seeing the senseless impatience in his eyes that could hardly be restrained, Shen Zhizheng became dumb for a while, and stopped going around in circles. "The Privy Council's recruitment of soldiers, from the first emperor's dynasty to the present, has not changed the greatest resistance. One is Duan Wangfu, and the other is General Yun. "

"During King Duan's reign, Shuofang's army could not be splashed with water and the wind could not blow through. It was rotated every three years, and after taking military merits to guard the frontier and returning home, he supplemented the Forbidden Army and went straight to the front of the palace. Half use."

Shen Zhizheng said, "After the death of King Duan, General Yun defended the Shuofang Army for another year. The soldiers held together in sorrow and became a monolith."

Shen Zhizhengshi "If you want to break this iron plate, you have to start with the prince and General Yun."

Xiao Shuo's eyes froze, "How did you do it?"

"That jade unicorn is a life-saving object given to General Yun by the former empress, and everyone in the palace knows it."

Shen Zhizhengshi said slowly, "During the search of Zhenyuanhou's Mansion, Dali Temple reported that there were witchcraft hidden in Zhenyuanhou's Mansion. The Zhengshitang sent people to monitor according to the rules, and dug out the puppet nightmare array with jade unicorns."

Shen Zhizheng looked at Xiao Shuo, "At that time, Prince Yan's mansion closed its doors to thank guests, and no outsiders were seen...the prince probably didn't know about this matter."

Xiao Shuo listened quietly, his eyes were so dark that no waves could be seen.

Shen Zhizhengshi said, "It involves courtiers and clans. The Zhengshitang dare not judge lightly. When I report to Wende Palace, the first one to come is General Yun."

"This case was originally extremely dangerous."

Shenzhi Zhengshi "searched for traces. It was a servant of Prince Yan's mansion who went to General Tongyun to ask for a jade unicorn. In the nightmare formation, there was a handwritten letter by the prince and a piece of Yun brocade cloth. If there is more evidence of the jade unicorn, it will be almost impossible. To reverse the case, let alone the situation at that time... the prince should have known it well. The late emperor was powerless, and there are very few people who can influence him."

Xiao Shuo asked, "What did he do?"

"At that time, the Marquis of Zhenyuan's mansion had not yet been convicted, and General Yun's rank was still there. He entered the political affairs hall, took away the evidence and left without saying a word."

"The officials in charge of that case stepped forward to stop it, but General Yun insisted that the jade unicorn hidden in the Nightmare Formation was fake, King Yan was innocently wronged, and there were villains with ulterior motives."

Shen Zhizhengshi "During the dispute, General Yun took the evidence and threw it into the Jinshui River."

Xiao Shuo's chest froze, and he slowly closed his eyes, trying to keep his expression away.

"If the sufferer does not investigate, the evidence will be damaged, and the case will be closed."

Shen Zhizheng Shi said, "The sponsoring officials were suspicious, and cooperated with the Kaifeng government to investigate secretly for several years, and found out a dark line between Dali Temple and the Privy Council along the way."

"The servants of Prince Yan's Mansion were bought by someone sent by the Privy Council. That handwritten letter was intercepted from dozens of letters between Prince Duan and the prince, and they were transferred and traced with water to form a seamless piece of criminal evidence."

Shen Zhizheng said, "Those letters... are all secretly intercepted by the Privy Council from the correspondence between Jingzhong and Shuofang under the pretext of interrogation."

Shen Zhizheng said slowly, "Not only did this letter be falsified, several well-known generals of the Shuofang Army were transferred to relegation from afar, and they all used this method. If the official in charge hadn't managed to seize it, I'm afraid it would still cause endless harm..."

Shenzhi Zhengshi paused, and met Xiao Shuo's gaze, "Why, don't you believe what the old man said?"

Xiao Shuo shook his head, "It's just that my lord, as the head of all officials, manages a lot of things every day, so I know too much about this case in detail."

Shen Zhizheng was stunned for a moment, and then smiled wryly. The old man's figure slumped for a moment, and he turned around and walked slowly to the city wall.

The black iron cavalry stood at the bottom of the city, unable to see their faces clearly, and unable to tell who were hiding under the heavy armor.

"Every day manages everything."

Shen Zhizheng said slowly, "The old man just hates why he didn't think of finding out the details of the case until he was convicted and exiled."

Xiao Shuo's thoughts moved slightly, and he frowned.

Shenzhi Zhengshi turned around, took out a kit from his sleeve, and handed it to him, "This object flows along the water veins in the palace. It should have been scattered in the underground of Yanfu Palace. The Zhengshi hall was searched three times, and the physical evidence was taken back. today."

"Afterwards, General Yun came to look for it a few times and thought it was lost, so he had to give up."

Shen Zhizhengshi said, "The Zhengshitang is still investigating the case. Although it is in the eyes, it is inconvenient to return it."

Xiao Shuo took it with both hands, "Your words have offended me, and I will come to the mansion to make amends."

Shenzhi Zhengshi looked at him, "Look at the truth, how do you judge in your heart?"

Xiao Shuo lowered his eyes, "I don't understand court affairs, how dare I comment."

"A good student taught by Cai Buzhi."

Shenzhi Zhengshi sneered, "Why don't you dare to say it? It's nothing more than being able to use the wind and the wind, right or wrong?"

Xiao Shuo shook his head, but did not answer.

Shen Zhizheng looked at him for a long time, sneered slightly, and said mockingly, "Cai Buzhi and I are from the same age, and I was a Jinshi three years behind him. When he was the Taifu, the old man was just a servant, and when the old man became the top of the hundred officials. , but he still guards that ruined academy, and he only knows how to show off a few students every day."

"Cai Taifu is upright and upright, he doesn't know how to adapt."

Xiao Shuo said, "You shouldn't be involved in politics."

"That's right... the old man studied the way of being an official, but he scoffed at it."

Shen Zhizheng said in a low voice, "So I became more and more alienated from him, and finally there was nothing to say, and we parted ways."

Xiao Shuo had already obtained the jade unicorn, he didn't want to say any more, and didn't answer.

"The old man has never been used to him."

Shen Zhizheng sneered, "If you are an official, you should go to a high place, or you should be an extremely human minister with unlimited honor? Can it be regarded as his ability to teach one or two students who can do it well?"

Xiao Shuo frowned, glanced behind him, and bowed his hands, "I will pass this on to you, my lord, I will come to the mansion today, and I will bid farewell today—"

Shen Zhizheng suddenly stretched out his hand and grabbed him firmly.

At this time, the Deputy Prime Minister no longer looked like the head of a hundred officials, Xiao Shuo's expression was heavy, and when he was about to speak, he paused slightly.

Shen Zhizheng's chest heaved violently, he gritted his teeth hard, and his hands were shaking violently.

"The old man is smooth, leak-proof, and well versed in officialdom."

Shen Zhizheng said in a hoarse voice, "After several turmoil, I can still protect myself and be listed as an important position..."

Shenzhi Zhengshi stared at Xiao Shuo closely, "But the old man's students are not like this!"

"The old man's student is harsh in nature, jealous of evil like hatred, meticulous in his actions and known for his inner wisdom. If he can repay the imperial court and promote the clean, even if he is not as good as the two of you, he will definitely not be inferior to Kaifeng Yin!"

Shen Zhizheng's chest was heaving, and some waves had never been seen on his old face, "If it wasn't for the murder of a traitor, the court is full of dogs, and the king is obsessed with power, he should leave his name in the history!"

The guards had already cleared away the idlers, the surroundings were silent, the empty city was whimpering in the cold wind, and the dead leaves and branches that had been through the winter had been swept away.

The old prime minister with pale beard and hair was swept by the cold wind, and his eyes were full of fierce hatred that could not be concealed.

"The old man has been tactful all his life, and now he doesn't want to be tactful anymore!"

Shen Zhizheng said in a cold voice, "If the two of you want to clean up the ruins and purify the court, I will help you. Now this court, it doesn't matter if it is smashed!"

Xiao Shuo held the kit bag containing the jade unicorn, raised his gaze, and looked at the extra figure not far away.

Yun Lang had also woken up, and the soldiers knew that they would not stop him, so they quietly let the major general go up the tower.

He had been listening for a while, but his eyes were still as clear and clear as fresh snow, meeting Xiao Shuo's heavy eyes that couldn't be melted away, he closed them firmly, and returned them to one place.

Xiao Shuo was silent for a long time, and raised his hand in a salute without opening his mouth again.

Shen Zhizheng did not dodge or evade, accepted his gift, without further words, walked down the tower with a flick of his sleeves.