A sudden heavy rain forced Cui Ang and Qu Zhen, brothers and sisters, to stop. Although they had prepared bamboo hats and raincoats during the salute, it was still not enough to see under such heavy rain. The two only

I can huddle under a big tree with a cloud-like canopy and wait for the heavy rain to pass.

The creek not far away started out as a trickle, but gradually became larger. It started from a clear mountain spring and became murky, then became bigger and bigger, and finally turned into a huge mountain torrent sweeping down.

Stones as big as sieves were also swept up by the flash floods and rushed downwards, and then hit bigger stones, causing even bigger splashes.

Qu Zhen tilted her head and glanced at Cui Ang.

Cui Ang left him alone and ran very fast. Qu Zhen was originally angry, but in the end there was no difference between their fates. They both became prisoners.

Qu Zhen originally thought that they would definitely die this time, but unexpectedly Xiao Ding actually released them.

This was originally considered a happy event.

Qu Zhen was still full of joy when she left the Western Army.

But the further I walked, the less confident I felt.

He is a military commander.

This time there was a huge defeat, and a hundred thousand troops were routed. Next, even the Shaanxi Road would not be able to be saved, and the imperial court would definitely hold him accountable.

Cui Ang was a civil servant, a top civil servant, and a member of the capital.

Even for the sake of his own face, those in the capital would cover up for him.

Moreover, Cui Ang is the official's confidant, the real confidant.

Unlike those in the capital hall, they often go against the officials and make them angry.

But this time I was afraid that as soon as I returned, I would be taken to the market entrance and have my head chopped off with a knife.

"Ms. Cui?" Qu Zhen turned her head and said cautiously.

"Huh?" Cui Ang didn't look back, looking at the rumbling water not far away, "What's the matter?"

"We, what should we do next?" Qu Zhen said.

"What do you want to do?"

"What else can we do? We can only find Zhang Cheng first, and then ask him to send someone to escort you back to Bianliang!" Qu Zhen said: "You go to Bianliang and ask the officials for reinforcements, and you will continue to gather troops on Shaanxi Road.

Horse, prepare to resist Xiao Ding’s counterattack!”

Cui Ang showed a trace of sarcasm on his face, turned his head, glanced at Qu Zhen, and said: "Do you think Zhang Cheng will pay attention to you now?"

"I don't dare to ignore it!" Qu Zhen muttered.

"You dare not go back to Bianliang. Do you think it is safe to go to Zhang Cheng? Even if he doesn't chop you on the spot, he will send you to Bianliang in a prison car." Cui Ang said coldly.

"No matter what, I am still his boss!"

"Boss?" Cui Ang chuckled: "After I was captured, I was tied up by Li Yi at the top of the city. Zhang Cheng didn't hesitate at all. He came up and gave me an arrow. If Li Yi hadn't been prepared, I would have been killed.

Zhang Cheng was shot to death with one arrow."

"He is so bold!" Qu Zhen exclaimed.

"Why doesn't he have the courage?" Cui Ang said: "Now our army of 100,000 has been destroyed. All the remaining soldiers and horses on the entire Shaanxi road are in Zhang Cheng's hands. Countless grain, grass and ordnance were transported by the imperial court in order to attack the Western Army.

It's all in Zhang Cheng's hands. Next, the court will rely on him, not us."

Qu Zhen was refuted and had nothing to say.

In terms of words, how could he be Cui Ang's opponent?

"So, if Zhang Cheng chops us down, no one will say anything." At this point, Cui Ang suddenly stopped, "He will really chop us up."

"He really knows how to do it?" Qu Zhen asked tremblingly.

"He is really good at it!" Cui Ang said with certainty: "Cut us down and then say it was Xiao Ding who killed us. The imperial court may want them to do this! Especially people like Xia Jie and Chen Gui, they may even send people

Implying Zhang Cheng to do this."

"Why?"

"Idiot!" Cui Ang said coldly: "I am the prime minister of the dynasty, and you are the lieutenant. We were both captured, and then released by Xiao Ding. Is it nice to say it out loud? It would be better to be on the battlefield.

Fighting with the thief until the last moment, and finally both dying on the battlefield brings honor to the court."

Hearing this, Qu Zhen was speechless.

"So, we can't go to Zhang Cheng. Next, we even have to avoid Zhang Cheng!" Cui Ang glanced at the guards around him, "Can you trust those people?"

"Believe it or not, these people are all members of my Qu family!"

"That's good!" Cui Ang said: "Next, we have to avoid Zhang Cheng's forces and quietly leave Shaanxi Road!"

"Going back to Bianliang?"

"We can't go back yet!" Cui Ang shook his head and said, "If we go back now, how will we explain to the court?"

"If a hundred thousand troops haven't come back, we can't hide it for long!"

"But there are a lot of details on how to report back to the court, which is related to our lives and career!" Cui Ang exhaled: "Next, let's find a place to take shelter first. Take a look at Shaanxi Road and the entire

Let’s talk about how the world develops!”

"Where is there a place to hide?"

"Yes!" Cui Ang said, "Go to Huazhou!"

Qu Zhen suddenly jumped up: "Yes, why didn't I think of going to Huazhou? Isn't the current magistrate of Huazhou your son Cui Bo? Others dare not take us in, but he will definitely take us in.

!”

He cupped his fists with both hands and bowed deeply to Cui Ang: "Ms. sir, Qu Zhen is a martial artist and doesn't know anything. From now on, I will all rely on you. If my husband gives you any orders, the general will be ignorant and know how to do it."

I can do it for my husband!"

"Let's talk about it after we go!" Cui Ang nodded: "This time the trouble is very big. If you can't come up with a good solution, you can't show up. Showing up will mean death."

"If that doesn't work, we can only remain anonymous!" Qu Zhen said.

Zhang Cheng is withdrawing his troops in large strides.

After the Western general's caution ruined his final plan, he began to retreat.

Under his orders, Shaanxi Road gave up large tracts of land.

Those who evacuated, including officials, gentry, and common people who could leave, all began to run backwards.

The actions of the Western Army on the Shaanxi Road in the past few years are still fresh in the minds of people here.

A large number of people were forcibly moved away by the Western Army and moved to the north of Hengshan.

Not wanting to be robbed by the Western army, they could only retreat with the army.

The entire Shaanxi Road fell into chaos. It was rumored that Cui Ang was captured by the Western Army, leaving the Shaanxi Road without a leader. At this time, Zhang Cheng dared to jump out and issue such an order for a large-scale retreat. Officials from all walks of life could only dream of it.

Because in this way, they can put all the responsibility on Zhang Cheng afterwards.

It was Zhang Cheng who forced them to retreat.

It was those Qiu Ba under Zhang Cheng who used swords and guns to drive the officials and people back.

These local officials who are responsible for protecting their territory are also very helpless!

Under Zhang Cheng's order, the west side abandoned Huanzhou and Qingzhou and concentrated all the troops in these places to Linzhou and Fangzhou. The east side once again abandoned Suide and concentrated all the troops in these places.

All of them were concentrated in Yan'an Prefecture, especially Sanchuan City, which was built after the last battle of Sanchuankou and was the focus of Zhang Cheng's defense.

The troops in his hands can no longer defend everywhere.

Defending everywhere will only lead to losses everywhere.

Now that he is retreating on his own initiative, he can not only concentrate his forces for defense and ensure that the Jingzhao Mansion is not lost, but also have the power to counterattack when necessary.

If Hedong Road and Qinfeng Road were still more powerful, they could even launch a flanking attack to annihilate the Western Army that penetrated deep into Shaanxi Road.

Zhang Cheng wrote a memorial to the imperial court, and also sent routes to Qinfeng Road and Jingdong Road, hoping that the two routes would pacify and enable them to cooperate fully to stop the Western Army at this time of national crisis.

Xiao Ding attacked from both sides this time. Even if he defeated the Liao army and the Song imperial army, his own strength must have been severely damaged. Xiao Ding must be able to understand the posture he put up.

But Xiao Ding will definitely test it next.

If he, Qin Feng Lu, and Hedong Lu could act tougher and braver during his temptation, Xiao Ding would never dare to go deep alone.

Hope so!

After inspecting the defense of Sanchuan Pass again, Zhang Cheng unexpectedly received a piece of news.

Xiao Ding released Cui Ang and Qu Zhen.

"Du Qian is in charge, but we didn't see Cui Xianggong and Qudu Commander!" Gan Quan said: "Is there a mistake in this matter? Xiao Ding is simply lying? He caught such an important person of ours.

, is there any reason not to hold it in your hand to increase your bargaining chip?"

Zhang Cheng shook his head: "You don't know Xiao Ding, so you don't know him either. If he said he would let him go, then he must let him go. Although this man is a rebel, he is still a man who dares to act.

"

"But where have Mr. Cui and the others gone?"
To be continued...