The Qiao Tower on top of Wugong County was in ruins. Tian Chengsi used a catapult to smash a hole in the roof of the building when he attacked Wugong. The soldiers made some repairs, but the water continued to leak. Finally, the roof suddenly collapsed.
The soldiers complained.
"Eating dog intestines."
"That's it. If it's not destroyed, it's not built again. Just build it again."
The soldiers who stuck their heads out from the tower looked out and saw from a distance a number of horsemen rushing towards them in the rain. Coming here in such weather, there must be something very urgent.
He put down the hanging basket in the rain and checked the order talisman. The arrival alerted the reinforcements commander Gao Shi who was stationed in Wugong County. Gao Shi even immediately sent a message to Fufeng and Yishou cities, asking Yan Wu, Tian Shengong and other generals to come in person.
come over.
"Quickly, go boil some hot water first... King of Peking, this way."
Gao Shi led the soaked Xue Bai into the city and said: "This afternoon, Du Wulang has brought the imperial concubine and General Gao into the city. Is the King of Peking here for this?"
When he arrived here, Xue Bai was no longer in a hurry. He waved his hand and said, "There is no need to alarm them yet. I have something to talk to you about."
Gao Shi was stunned for a moment, with worry in his eyes, and asked: "The King of Peking came in person, but something unexpected happened?"
"The overall situation is fine, but the rebels in Guanzhong will soon be unable to hold on. You just need to make adjustments to some details."
Soon, Gao Shi asked someone to light the stove, and the two sat across from each other in the dry hall and talked.
Xue Bai still didn't mention anything serious. He first talked about Gao Shi's song "The Song of the Swallow" written in his early years, and then recited the line "The warriors are half dead in front of the army, but the beauties are still singing and dancing in the tents." He lamented that the world has not changed in more than ten years.
After that, they talked about the old events during the Nanzhao campaign. Gao Shi's current official position was all due to the Nanzhao battle. This was also the grudge between him and Xue Bai.
"What does the King of Peking need from me? Just ask."
Xue Bai spoke casually and asked, "If the saint decrees that His Highness and I should be killed, what will Brother Gao Thirty-Fifth do?"
Gao Shi was surprised. He stood up and looked outside. No one else was there. Then he came back and asked in a low voice: "But there is a treacherous minister deceiving the saint?"
"How can there be treacherous ministers? They are all sycophants who act in accordance with the holy will." Xue Bai said, "It's time for the rabbit to die and the dog to be cooked. Now you can capture me and hand me over to Shu County. I will definitely make you a marquis and worship the prime minister."
Having said that, Xue Bai closed his eyes and waited for Gao Shi's decision. As long as Gao Shi wanted to be loyal to Li Longji, Li Heng and his son, this was the most suitable time to make great achievements.
Just like in the original history, he put down the rebellion of King Yong.
But if Gao Shi misses it, this is his sunk cost. If someone tries to persuade him in the future, he will think that he has not captured Xue Bai today, so why should he look for a more difficult opportunity?
Of course, the reason why Xue Bai dared to do this was because of his understanding of Gao Shi. Gao Shi had a meritorious deed and wanted to restore the glory of his ancestors. To achieve meritorious deeds, speculation was inevitable. What's more, he believed that Gao Shi's loyalty was to the entire Tang Dynasty.
The country, not Li Longji alone.
"Your Highness and the King of Peiping guarded Chang'an and put down the rebellion, while the saint traveled south to Sichuan and Shu, and the loyal king left for Lingwu. Who should own the clan's artifact? How can I not tell the difference?!"
After a moment of silence, Gao Shi made his choice.
Xue Bai opened his eyes, looked at the vicissitudes of Gao Shi's face in front of him, and said, "Today, I understand the poetry of Brother Gao Thirty-Fifth even more."
After making a statement, it’s time to talk about how to do it.
Chang'an was full of tired soldiers and lacked food and grass. It was difficult to resist Li Heng's 200,000 troops. Xue Bai did not expect Gao Shi to be able to defend the small towns to the west of Chang'an.
But Xue Bai said: "Eat first, and then talk after eating."
The dinner was very messy, with only some dry food. The two of them chewed silently, listening to the sound of heavy rain outside, until Yan Wu, Tian Shengong and others hurried over.
~~
As soon as Yan Wu entered the city, he felt something was vaguely wrong.
The men he brought were arranged to change clothes and eat elsewhere, and Gao Shi also took off his armor and weapons on the pretext of letting him change into clean clothes, and invited him to the government office for discussion.
After passing the gate, he heard the sound of horse hooves and turned around, only to see brothers Tian Shengong and Tian Shenyu coming, but they were still wearing armor and carrying swords.
A look of thought flashed in Yan Wu's eyes, and he stood there waiting for the Tian brothers to go inside to see Xue Bai.
When he saw that there were no outsiders in the hall and the atmosphere was solemn, Yan Wu confirmed his suspicion. Without saying a word, he clasped his fists and bowed down in front of Xue Bai.
"King of Peiping, the saint is tired of hard work, and he is fortunate to be in Shu County in the south. Now that your highness has wiped out the rebels, you must obey the will of God and the people. I am willing to die with the king of Peiping to ask for advice and persuade your highness to ascend the throne!"
Gao Shi was greatly surprised. He stared at Yan Wu's stern face and said in surprise: "How could you... say such a thing?"
Yan Wudao: "Is it possible that the King of Peking came here for this purpose?"
This matter is actually not difficult to guess. Not long ago, Xue Bai sent someone to deliver an order to him to strictly prevent the rebels from escaping, indicating that the counter-rebellion situation was excellent. As a result, Xue Bai came in person within a few days. It was most likely a coup between the DPRK and China. In addition,
, the Tian brothers were generals secretly cultivated by Xue Bai. The reason why they were allowed to accompany him must be to discuss secret matters.
Xue Bai stepped forward to help him up and said, "I won't hide it from you, it's true."
Different from Gao Shi's worries, Yan Wu's first reaction was excitement, his eyes flashed, and he said: "What is the order from the King of Peking?"
"You once served as officials in Shu County." Xue Bai said: "I plan to ask you to welcome Luan Yu back, do you dare?"
He had not told Gao Shi about this plan before, so Gao Shi's first reaction when he heard it was surprise and embarrassment.
It is said that it is to welcome Luan Yu back, but since we are discussing letting Li Cong ascend the throne by force, it is no different from rebellion. In fact, it is more accurate to say that it is to kidnap the saint. This matter is of course extremely important, but at the same time, it is also extremely difficult to do.
.
They once conquered Nanzhao and stayed in Shu County to serve as officials, but their prestige could not be compared with that of the saints. How many soldiers could be persuaded to risk beheading to kidnap the saints?
Yan Wu's reaction was completely opposite to Gao Shi's. Hearing this, he responded without hesitation: "Dare!"
Of course he dared. When he was young, he dared to kidnap the daughter of a general in the capital. After being hunted down, he killed people and mutilated her corpse. It can be said that he was quite bold, calm and decisive.
This time, he was the only one who could rob Li Longji back.
"Ji Ying." Gao Shi said: "You..."
"What's the hesitation?"
Yan Wu finished Gao Shi's words and turned to look at the Tian brothers, meaning that if Gao Shi talked too much, he could be killed directly by the Tian brothers.
He doesn't care about the friendship between Xue Bai and Gao Shi. How can he not let go of even this small personal righteousness when doing big things?
Tian Shenyu didn't understand what they were saying at first, and was in a daze at this moment. Tian Shengong understood, then he cupped his fists towards Gao Shi and said, "Gao Changshi, do it."
The two brothers were greatly favored by Xue Bai when they were still young, so there is nothing to say.
"good."
Xue Bai said: "I originally planned to let Gao Lishi enter Shu slowly, but now the situation has changed. I need to take him south quickly to welcome Luan Yu back to Shu County, and leave people to guard Shu County..."
~~
On the same night, in the same city, Gao Lishi was standing by the window of the posthouse looking at the rain, when he suddenly heard a subtle knock on the door.
He opened the door and saw a young man under thirty years old. He couldn't help but be puzzled and felt that the person looked very familiar. He was good at remembering people, but he couldn't remember where he had seen him before.
"Yan Wu has met General Gao."
"It turns out he is Yan Tingzhi's son." Gao Lishi said, "No wonder."
"My grandpa often said that I received many favors from General Gao in my early years in the court." Yan Wu went straight into the room and lowered his voice and said, "I came here at night because I have something important to talk to General Gao."
"What's the matter?"
Yan Wu said in a low voice: "The Crown Prince and the King of Peking wanted to rebel, so they tried to test me by calling me for discussion. I pretended to agree and escaped to see General Gao. I would like to report to Your Majesty together with General Gao."
Gao Lishi didn't believe it and asked, "Since your highness is guarding Chang'an and everyone expects you to return home, why should you rebel?"
"General Gao Anzhi, His Majesty is willing to pass on the throne?"
Gao Lishi was silent.
In fact, he understands the saint's character best. When he talks about "enjoying his old age", it is just because he is old and can no longer make trouble.
Yan Wudao: "General Gao, please come with me and report to the saint as soon as possible."
"Leaving now?"
"Yes, we broke away from the team and traveled under the stars and at night..."
~~
Du Wulang was sleeping soundly when he felt someone pat his face. When he opened his eyes, he saw it was Xue Bai.
He thought it was a dream and turned over to continue sleeping, but he heard Xue Bai say: "Get ready and come back to Chang'an with me."
"It would be great if it were true, but it's just a dream." Du Wulang muttered, "I miss Chang'an so much."
Xue Bai had no choice but to pat his face again.
"it hurts."
Du Wulang finally regained consciousness and asked, "Why are you here?"
"There was an accident, but it was resolved. You don't have to go to Shu County."
"Then I haven't accomplished anything. It's so useless." Du Wulang sighed with emotion, but he was not very disappointed and said: "But the imperial concubine seems to be ill. Can she leave tomorrow?"
"What disease?"
"I don't know, maybe I got caught in the rain."
"Then you guys stay here for a few more days." Xue Bai said, "I'll leave first tomorrow."
"good."
Du Wulang was so sleepy that he fell asleep again.
When he woke up again, it was already the morning of the next day, and it was still raining heavily outside the window. It was the best time to sleep. He originally planned to take a nap again, but suddenly he thought that he had seen Xue Bai last night.
"Is it a dream?"
Du Wulang then stood up, rubbed his eyes and went out. He looked for the guard outside and asked, "Did the King of Peking come last night?"
After asking two people in succession, he turned around and saw Zhang Yunrong standing there.
~~
Xue Bai rested all night, then woke up and ordered his people to prepare their horses.
"Mr. Lang, it's raining too much. Why don't you wait until the rain stops before leaving?"
"Prepare your horses first and wait until the rain subsides before setting off."
After that, Xue Bai continued to rest, waiting for everything to be ready. Later, when he heard a conversation outside, he said, "Let her in."
After that, Yang Yuhuan was seen entering holding an oil-paper umbrella.
She did look a little sick and unhappy. She stood there and looked at Xue Bai for a while, then asked: "Are you still chasing me?"
Xue Bai thought of Qimeng and felt that her beauty would distract him. He simply closed his eyes and refused to look at her, saying, "You said you have something important to tell me. What is it?"
"You're an asshole."
She is indeed used to being arrogant and always likes to mess around.
Xue Bai said: "I accepted your kindness when I was young, and I should repay you. Now you don't have to go to Shu County. I will have someone escort you wherever you want to go."
"You can't escort me yourself?"
"I have to go back to Chang'an. There will be a war in Chang'an soon. You can go there and then..."
Xue Bai stopped mid-sentence.
He smelled a faint aroma, so he raised his head. Some warm breath gently sprayed on his nose. Yang Yuhuan was leaning on him, and she seemed to feel nostalgia for his youthful breath.
Her hair and clothes were covered in water mist, which made them feel wet and cool. The hem of her skirt was completely soaked, and the skin on her originally jade-like legs was covered with thin pimples.
Xue Bai wanted to push her away, but he pitied her cold lips and had no choice but to let her be tainted by the heat brought by his bloody masculinity.
"Are you afraid?" Yang Yuhuan felt the stiffness of his movements and asked.
"Not afraid."
"I see that you are very afraid. You are afraid of that old king who wants to continue sending me to him; you are afraid of losing the identity you have earned so hard; you are afraid of being reviled by the world; you are afraid that you will be obsessed with beauty and not think about it.
Make progress...but you can't help it, you are courageous, you are a coward, you are not as courageous as him!"
"You said it wrong."
Xue Bai turned over and pressed Yang Yuhuan there. He stared at her with stern eyes and said word by word: "I am here because I have nothing to fear."
Of course he is not afraid of Li Longji. He came here just to order people to rob the other party; he is not afraid of losing Li Qian's identity. In fact, Li Longji has issued an order declaring that he is a traitor pretending to be the emperor's grandson, but the news has not spread yet.
.
But he didn't need to tell her these treason plans one by one, the eyes between the two were enough to communicate.
In fact, Yang Yuhuan was not as bold as she showed. On the contrary, she had been suppressing her inner thoughts. Sometimes she was annoyed with his coldness, so she deliberately made trouble with him and provoked him. At this time, she finally saw his determined attitude, and she
He was greatly encouraged, but he lowered his eyes shyly and his cheeks were slightly red.
My heart felt like vomiting, but I didn't know what to say.
Finally, she tilted her head and whispered three words in a low voice.
"Then you...come."
Xue Bai's suppressed ambition quickly expanded.
Just these two days, he suddenly made up his mind to rebel. Since he didn't even take the imperial power in his eyes, how could he not dare to face his heart? Indeed, from the first time he saw Yang Yuhuan, he had a crush on her.
Endless curiosity.
Curiosity has always been one of the most dangerous things in the world. He was curious about the charm of this peerless beauty. It was like seeing a very beautiful piranha flower and couldn't help but come closer and gently caress its petals.
He observed the dew on its stems and leaves, smelled its floral fragrance, and ended up being swallowed by it. So, he had to admit that he was tempted.
Her flying hair, eyes like autumn water, graceful singing voice, graceful body under the skirt, light posture when dancing, even just the tiptoes are all beautiful, how can we not make people dream?
He wants the world, but he doesn't even dare to take the most beautiful woman in the world as his own, so why should he call himself a rebel?
Yang Yuhuan was a little crazy. She kept looking at Xue Bai, as if she couldn't get enough.
For a moment, her whole life went through her mind.
Having experienced the two identities of Princess Shou and Imperial Concubine, she often felt unbearable. But she also felt that it was wrong for a woman to want to live a beautiful life? So she wanted to use singing, dancing, fun, and smiles to forget the scars and make up for the unbearable situation.
.As a result, when Chen Cang was about to be hanged to death, she realized that her life was destined to be miserable, and even a disaster for the country and the people.
It was Xue Bai who made her discover that she was still qualified to choose to be with the man she liked.
Even though she has gone through so much hardship, in the end, she can still make choices out of love for each other. This is something she thought she had lost a long time ago.
As for when she fell in love with him? In fact, she has been looking at him all this time...
~~
for a long time.
Yang Yuhuan turned his bright eyes and said suddenly: "I have something to tell you."
"Um?"
"I...have it."
Xue Bai was stunned.
Recently, he often recalled the time he spent with Yang Yuhuan in the Tai Chi Palace before going to Jie County...
"You also think it's my fault that the world is in chaos? Do you also think I'm the trouble?"
"no."
"Then why did the saint lose the world because of me?"
"He lost his motivation."
"What about you?" At that time, Yang Yuhuan suddenly approached him, looked at him with affectionate eyes, and asked, "Are you motivated?"
"have."
"I have been kind to you, and you have to have a lot of power to repay me."
Xue Bai was very determined and said: "I will have it."
Yang Yuhuan came closer, hugged him, and said softly: "This... requires more power and courage. Do you have such ambition?"
Xue Bai realized that she actually understood him.
But he is still holding back.
"It doesn't matter if you're scared." Yang Yuhuan was a little annoyed and couldn't help but provoke him, "You can't have children anyway."
"able."
"But I can't." Yang Yuhuan's eyes were full of sadness and seductiveness, her red lips parted lightly, and she asked, "What are you afraid of?"
Xue Bai is not afraid, he has long been fearless.
He and she then committed an act of transgression in the Tai Chi Palace. Afterwards, he rushed to Jie County, feeling so ashamed that he decided to regard the act of transgression as a dream.
But in fact, it was not a dream at all. He would often think of the conversation and details at that time, and they would even resurface after he fell asleep.
It was precisely because of this that he refused to let Yang Yuhuan go to Shu County no matter what...
But I didn't expect that she actually had one?
Waking up from his memories, Xue Bai didn't know how he felt for a moment.
Suddenly, Yang Yuhuan smiled, flicked Xue Bai's forehead, and said angrily: "Look at you, I'm lying to you."
"You lied to me?"
"I told you that I always put on musk, and the imperial doctor said that it was bad for my body and I couldn't conceive a child." Yang Yuhuan said, "I deliberately scare you to see how stupid you are."
Xue Bai asked: "Why are you scaring me?"
"I wanted to tell you the day before yesterday that I missed you, but you could only say 'I've frightened the imperial concubine', so I wanted to frighten you once."
After Yang Yuhuan said this, he showed a naughty attitude.
Compared to her, Xue Bai is really dull.
After a moment, she held his hand and whispered: "Don't worry, I know what you are afraid of, and I will not become a handle for others to attack you... With you, I feel that I have not withered yet.
Enough."
~~
The heavy rain was still pouring down, and the horses' hooves splashed mud.
On the way back from Wugong County, Xue Bai's mind was very confused, with all kinds of messy things, in which power and beauty were intertwined.
Sometimes he stayed at the inn at night, and he suddenly felt that those lingering pictures were imaginary pictures that he had been thinking about every day and dreaming about at night. Only because they were too real, he mistakenly thought them to be real.
But when he stood up and faced the wind and rain, he realized that he had gained unparalleled beauty, and he must have greater power to ensure that he would not sink because of it.
Xue Bai finally reined in the reins outside the gate of Chang'an City and shouted to the defenders who rushed to greet him: "I want to see His Highness."
Then he crossed Zhuque Street and rushed to Daming Palace.
"Call, the King of Peiping has an audience!"
Following this shout, Xue Bai strode into the Xuanzheng Hall.
The rainwater on his clothes kept dripping on the thick carpet, and every step he took would leave a wet shoe mark. This was actually a very rude move, but Li Cong didn't dare to blame him, he just stood up hurriedly
.
"Why don't you wipe it with King Beiping quickly... What happened? Why don't you change your clothes and come back?"
Xue Bai looked solemn and said: "Your Highness, please choose a day to ascend the throne."
"What?"
It's not that Li Cong never thought about ascending the throne and proclaiming himself emperor, but he didn't expect it to be so sudden. If he followed the etiquette system, he would have to refuse several times first. But Xue Bai proposed suddenly, so he had to ask the reason first, and then
He quickly waved away the palace attendants and asked in a low voice: "What happened?"
Xue Bai didn't need to talk about Li Longji's revelation of his identity. He only said: "Shu County's decree is to demote you and me as traitors. Li Heng has led an army of 200,000 to kill us."
Li Cong was shocked and took two steps back, acutely aware that he could not just listen to Xue Bai's advice on this matter.
Although he was the one who wanted to be the emperor earlier, when he heard about Li Heng's strength, he thought for a moment in fear. Since it was the decree of Shu County, the saint's attitude was also very clear. There was no food and grass in Chang'an.
With so many soldiers and horses, it is definitely impossible to defend Chang'an. With his own merits in guarding Chang'an, as long as he does not proclaim himself emperor, he can still negotiate with the sage Li Heng. Proclaiming himself emperor will actually show that he will fight resolutely and fight to the death.
"I want to explain to the saint when I welcome him..."
"There is no way out." Xue Bai's tone was stern, not speaking to the king at all, and said: "Your Highness, do you think that if you don't proclaim yourself emperor, Li Heng can let your Highness go?"
Li Cong had no choice but to ask: "Yan Zhenqing, do Li Guangbi agree?"
"I will ask them to persuade them to come forward. Your Highness's refusal three times is enough."
Li Cong had no power to make the decision at all in this matter. Although he was worried, he was also slightly excited. Finally, he asked: "If Chang'an cannot be defended, should we retreat to Taiyuan?"
Xue Bai was dissatisfied with his performance, but he didn't express much on his face. He just said lightly: "You can hold on."
After the agreement was reached, Li Cong sat there, looking at the footprints left by Xue Bai, thinking deeply.
Of course he wanted to be the emperor, but he also knew that once he became emperor at this time, it would be difficult not to make Xue Bai the prince. He was unwilling to let a boy who came out of nowhere become the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.
How can we contain Xue Bai after proclaiming himself emperor?
Li Cong was thinking hard and suddenly thought of a little thing... He just saw some red marks on Xue Bai's neck.
It is said that Xue Bai came back from Wugong and Xingping County overnight. Who else could he have fun with? It can only be Yang Yuhuan. Li Cong was not surprised by this. When he brought back the fake saint from Xue Bai
When he got up, he noticed something.
From this point of view, this may be the reason for the saint's sudden change of attitude.
Li Congsui thought that he could pretend to be confused for the time being, cooperate with Xue Bai, and wait until a suitable time to launch an attack.
After thinking about this matter, he felt at ease and began to look forward to becoming emperor.