has become a demon

"Heaven has no relatives."

Zhao Yuan repeated these four words, only to find it extremely funny, and laughed with tears in his eyes: "You keep saying that you can't be trapped between love and love, and persuade me to shed tears for the sake of the world. But facing the people in front of you I have been indifferent for many years. To you, others to you...even the world to you, what are you? An ant that disturbs the world of mortals? A lifeless mayfly? Or ask for credit from King Ning A tool to please, use this line of work to exchange thousands of lives in the camp for a title of national teacher, for a body of glory and wealth?"

Xie Taichu said: "Fame and wealth are like passing clouds, and glory and wealth are like dung. I never thought of this, Your Highness looks down on me."

"Then tell me why." Zhao Yuan asked him.

"Your Highness..."

"Why?!" Zhao Yuan questioned, his eyes were sad, and he was looking for an answer, "Why does my Zhao family have to kill each other because of the inevitability of heaven?! Why should my family be ruined?! Why stand by and watch?"

Xie Taichu was silent for a moment, and then he answered: "Emperor Taizu established the country, enfeoffed the relatives and children of the various clans, and established the nine kings of the frontier fortress. It was originally to defend the north and establish the foundation of Daduan. The subsequent emperors followed the example of Taizu and enshrined blood relatives and vassal princes. In the hinterland. There are not enough vassal kings to be named county kings, and the descendants of the county kings are also named generals of the country...the descendants are endless."

"Zhao's clan, as long as they are on the jade plate, they will never have to pay taxes and pay food. They also occupy a lot of land in the fief, set up private soldiers, and amass wealth. At the beginning, the number of clans was limited, but it was passable. .However, the world has been peaceful for more than 300 years, and the number of clan members has increased sharply, and the disadvantages have emerged. Does Your Highness know how many clan relatives are still alive and waiting to be enshrined by the court?" Xie Taichu asked.

"……How many?"

"I have entered the imperial history for many times to look through the golden cabinet and jade plate, and there are more than 22 clan relatives in the book. The imperial court can't afford the clan's salary, so the clansmen try to invade the land. Nanzhili, Zhejiang, Jiangsu There is even a saying in the rich area: five of the fields in the world belong to the emperor, one of the five belongs to the Confucian gentry, and the other belongs to the clan." Xie Taichu said, "If the tiller has no land, he has no money to pay taxes. The court cannot collect Taxation, Daduan [-] generations, until the Zechang years, the annual tax revenue was not half of what it was when the country was founded. If things go on like this, Daduan will collapse.”

Speaking of this, the wind and snow outside the cave was even stronger, blowing into the snow cave through the gaps in the dead branches and leaves.

Xie Taichu moved his position, blocked the entrance of the cave, and let the wind and snow fall on his back and shoulders.Then he broke off some twigs and threw them into the campfire.

"There are 6000 million people in Daduan, all of whom are unarmed. At that time, the ant nests will burst, the territory will be torn apart, foreigners will take advantage of the gap, and the splendid rivers and mountains will become hell on earth." He asked Zhao Yuan, "If the country is destroyed, the family will perish, and the people will die. How do you count the people who died tragically in the sea of ​​blood?"

The fire slowly rekindled, lighting up this small world.

The two sat quietly, the sound of wind and snow outside was like ghosts crying.The world disappeared, only the two people in this snow cave seemed to be on a small boat, ups and downs, crumbling.

"Why is it King Ning?" Zhao Yuan asked again, "Can't the prince do it? The prince can't solve the clan's family's evils? Before visiting the mausoleum, the prince made up his mind to cut down the clan."

"Although the crown prince has the image of an emperor, he resembles a worthy emperor. He attaches great importance to blood relatives and treats people with tenderness. In the end, he couldn't do such an act of cutting off his wrists." Xie Taichu shook his head, "And King Ning has a eccentric and suspicious personality, and he used his position as a vassal to rebel against him." Follow the trend. I know the threat of the vassal king in my heart. When he sits in the temple, I will definitely strike hard and cut the vassal and centralize power."

"So you planned for King Ning, fueled the flames, and allowed the prince to die tragically." At this point, Zhao Yuan stopped asking, his voice suppressed and trembling.

"It's not me who contributed to the flames. How can I have such strength." Xie Taichu answered him, "Your Highness, don't you understand? If I forcibly saved the crown prince and King Su yesterday... for every one person saved, maybe a thousand people will be killed in the future. Thousands of people. Heaven and earth are natural, all things are self-governing and have their own laws. Under such a great way, any person's actions are nothing more than a mantis arm..."

Zhao Yuan listened to his talk, talking about the prince, talking about the emperor's clan, and even talking about every dead person, and he took it calmly...

It is still the refined and elegant appearance of Xie Taichu who he once obsessed with chasing, but now the words from his mouth are too cruel and cold...

Cover your eyes with a leaf, but you won't see Mount Tai; plug your ears with two beans, and you won't hear thunder.

Maybe it was because he lost his legs, so he also lost his mind.

Zhao Yuan only felt that he had never understood Xie Taichu, nor had he seen this person clearly.What he saw was Xie Taichu's skin... and he thought that this person was his beloved whom he could hold hands with for the rest of his life.

It is he who is obsessed.

It was he who was distracted.

Like a funny buffoon, wagging his tail behind Xie Taichu and begging for mercy, begging Xie Taichu for a few eyes and a little love...

"It doesn't matter how much you are sophistry, or how righteous your words are. I only know... the one who was imprisoned last night was my grandpa, the one with incomplete bones was my father and brother, and the one who was forced to kill himself was my second uncle. I can't do that." Even if you are so calm and self-reliant, you can still analyze the future situation of the world. Xie Taichu, even if you just say a word..." Zhao Yuan laughed at himself, "Even if you just, just stop me...I won't do that Sad...my husband and I got married with impure motives, but once in the same room for a year, there was no warning."

Xie Taichu was about to say something...but seeing Zhao Yuan's sad face, he slowly pursed his lips and fell silent.

"You should let Shen Zhu kill me." Zhao Yuan laughed, already a little crazy, "I will be with my parents and elder brother Huang Quan when I die. It can fulfill your way to the world, and it will not become your burden. Are you going back to the capital to be loyal to the new emperor or to protect the married couple from being criticized by the people of the world, so it is a dilemma."

"'Qingxing Pavilion comes out of troubled times, and the world will be safe when it comes out'...Is this the ruthless way? It seems mysterious and mysterious, but it’s just a spectator." Zhao Yuan smiled sadly, and looked up at him, "How can you be compassionate when you see death and no one is saved? Why save the common people in the world?! Xie Taichu... No matter how high-sounding your words are, you are nothing but a liar who seeks fame and deceives the world."

The king of Le'an County is famous for his good temper in the capital.

No aristocratic airs, nor greedy for pleasure.

I don't like piano, chess, calligraphy and painting on weekdays.

He also asked the county king if he had any special favorites.

King Le'an cunningly replied: I have only two hobbies in my life, one is this round chessboard;

But now...

Zhao Yuan's words were resounding, almost directly asking Xie Taichu's heart.Such a decisive Zhao Yuan seems to have never appeared before.

Xie Taichu didn't know why, but felt sore in his heart, lost his voice for a while, and couldn't answer.

Zhao Yuan smiled with tears in his eyes, he couldn't hold back his laughter, tears flowed down his face, and after a while, he barely calmed down his grief, turned his head away and stopped looking at Xie Taichu.

"I don't dare to drag Reverend Ningshan any longer." Zhao Yuan said, "Put me on the main road at dawn, and you can leave and return to Shuntian Mansion by yourself. At that time, you will be appointed as the national teacher again. Assist King Ning to ascend the hall and win the stars The myth of the pavilion can be passed down to the world."

He curled up under the animal skin, his long hair draped over his shoulders, and he could no longer see his face clearly.

"...Your Highness is not a burden." Xie Taichu said in a low voice.

But at this moment, Zhao Yuan was in despair and grief, so how could he hear his justification.

The whimpering of the wind and snow overwhelmed everything else.

Not long after Zhao Yuan fell asleep in a daze, he was awakened by Xie Taichu.

At this time, the dead branches at the entrance of the cave have been removed, the charcoal fire has been trampled out, and Xie Taichu has already packed his luggage.

"Your Highness, we have to set off now, the cavalry behind may catch up soon." Xie Taichu said.

"I said I won't be a drag..." Zhao Yuan wanted to say more, Xie Taichu didn't listen to his words, and wrapped the animal skin and hugged him out.

At this time, the sky was dimly lit, the big black horse dragged the box and was already digging dry grass in the snow to eat, Xie Taichu didn't say much, got on the horse, and led Zhao Yuan all the way to the northwest.

His movements today were more hasty and urgent than the day before, and even his expression was serious, making people feel that the pursuers who had never appeared behind him were more threatening for no reason.

The big black horse galloped almost wildly all the way, without leaving any strength, and galloped all the way northwest.

That's it, at dawn, I heard the dense sound of horseshoes coming from behind.

Zhao Yuan was already in Xie Taichu's arms, and he saw the line of troops appearing from the sky, two hundred cavalry and four hundred horses.A long black line was pulled out in the distance, and it was still approaching rapidly.

"This wave is the elite cavalry of the Xuan Mansion, and it is about to bite up now... When I was still in the capital ten days ago, I sent a carrier pigeon to contact the King Fu of Ganzhou for help. When King Fu's soldiers arrive, His Highness can escape from danger." Xie Taichu said in his ear, "Your Highness, don't be afraid."

"Drive—!" Xie Taichu whipped the big black horse again, and then speeded up a bit.

After chasing like this for less than half an hour, the cavalry behind them were approaching, and their armor was shining coldly, and they even had long-handled heavy bows at their sides.

After walking for a few miles, we turned around the mountain pass and saw dozens of light cavalry waiting in front of us.

The other side yelled: "Who is coming?! But Daoist Ningshan?"

"Exactly."

The first two young people came up quickly, and one of the older ones clasped their fists and said loudly: "Subordinates of King Fu of Ganzhou, Kan Yufeng of the Qianhu of the Left Guard Camp of Ganzhou, and Tao Shaochuan of the Hundred Households of the Left Guard Camp of Ganzhou, come to welcome us with orders from the King of Fu Prince Le'an!"

After saying this, he took out the Fu Wang Ling and raised his hand.

Xie Taichu waited until he saw clearly that Fu Wangling reined in his horse and slowed down, and he was already beside the two of them.

"There will be pursuers later." He said succinctly.

Kan Yufeng said to him: "The Taoist leader takes the county king to go first, and I will break up with Shaochuan."

Xie Taichu shook his head: "It's Han Chuanjun's cavalry, there are more than [-] of them by visual inspection, and they are well equipped, so they can't fight recklessly."

All the generals in the north had heard of Han Chuanjun's reputation, and Kan Yufeng was taken aback: "Don't be alarmed, Daoist, I will defend the county king to the death."

Xie Taichu untied the belts tied around the two of them, and carried Zhao Yuan in front of Kan Yufeng. After Kan Yufeng was settled properly, he said to him: "I also ask the two generals to send the county king to Ningxia Town for a proper settlement."

Xie Taichu dismounted, untied the rein and cage of the big black horse, and said to it: "Let's go, don't hurt you."

"What is the meaning of the Taoist priest?"

Xie Taichu raised his eyes, looked at Zhao Yuan, and smiled: "I'll break the queen."

The younger Tao Shaochuan couldn't hold his breath any longer: "You stinky Taoist priest, what are you trying to do, can you be stronger than our Fuwangfu soldiers—"

"Shaochuan! You need to offend!" Kan Yufeng shouted, "Master Daoist, although my younger brother is impulsive, he is right, you..."

"I'm exhausted, especially with a big black body, no matter how hard it is to accumulate strength. Two hundred elite soldiers, the two men and horses they lead can't resist for long." Xie Taichu persuaded, "If the two die, they will catch up with Le King An is inevitable. Now the safest way is for me to stop and delay the pursuit, and the two of you will take the king of the county to Ningxia along the Great Wall to the north. Your Highness will be safe and secure when you enter the restricted area. Otherwise Everything becomes meaningless."

"Can--"

Xie Taichu arched his hands and bowed to the end: "Your Highness is in danger, so I will entrust the two major generals."

At this time, the ground shook behind him, and the sound of horseshoes came from a distance like thunder. The situation was extremely urgent and could not be discussed further. Kan Yufeng gritted her teeth, pulled the rein and said to Xie Taichu: "We will definitely protect the county king Zhouquan. !"

Xie Taichu cupped his fists: "Thank you."

Zhao Yuan suddenly said, "Thank you Taichu!"

"Your Highness..." Xie Taichu stepped forward and looked up at him, "Is there anything else your Highness wants to tell you?"

His words were gentle and gentle, just like every morning in the county prince's mansion, and like every night when he returned with the stars and the moon.Zhao Yuan was in a daze.

With his uninjured right hand, he took out the letter and the book from the inside of the sticker that could no longer see the color clearly, and from his chest.

Zhao Yuan handed over the book and Li Shu, Xie Taichu was quiet for a moment, then raised his hand to accept it.

Zhao Yuan smiled with tears in his eyes: "Xie Taichu, you have your way to go. I have my way to go. He and Li Shuyuqing, from now on, we will never owe each other, and we will forget each other in the rivers and lakes."

Fuwang cavalry has left with Zhao Yuan.

The big black horse also ran into the dense forest.

The sound of wind and snow in the valley is like a roar, pushing everything, trying to knock down everything that dares to stand, and the dense forest is crumbling in layers of wind and snow.

The only one standing is Xie Taichu who holds the letter and Li Shu between his fingertips.

He Lishu has been ravaged in every way, and is covered with blood, and the handwriting can no longer be read clearly.

——Just like this earth-shaking calamity of life and death.

Behind him, Han Chuan's cavalry team has arrived.

Someone scolded angrily: "What kind of lifeless thing is standing in the middle of the road to stop the soldiers?!"

A thin letter, but it seems to weigh a thousand catties.

The person who delivered it gave up the mourning.

The person who takes over is like holding a soldering iron.

Xie Taichu only felt that starting from the fingertips, every inch of skin and every drop of blood began to boil hotly, burning uncontrollably in the extreme cold.

"Speak up!" The person behind still cursed, "Who is it?!"

He carefully flattened it and Li Shu, put it in his bosom next to his body, and placed it on his left chest.The pain was even more unbearable, so he turned around, looked up at the densely packed cavalry behind him, and slowly drew out the long sword, not only that, but also the short sword.

The dagger was scarlet all over, and the ghost that spoke out was ferocious. The moment it was unsheathed, the sound of wind and snow seemed to hear the wailing of thousands of ghosts.

"Your Majesty, Xie Taichu, the Taoist name is Ningshan."

At this time, Xie Taichu's eyes were no longer clear, his eyes were dark and gloomy, and the killing intent had faintly emerged.