Throwing away Gao Zhao's letter, Li Chengzhi picked up Zhang Jingzhi's handwriting.
"It has been nearly two years since we parted ways in Gaoping... However, there was a big wedding in Beijing and Mo, but a certain person came to Beijing flawlessly. I feel very sorry..."
The tone was very gentle, and most of the letter contained words of longing, but when Li Chengzhi read it again, he was still chattering endlessly.
Zhang Jingzhi was clearly mocking him. It had been almost two years since he had even written a letter to him.
Li Chengzhi still feels very guilty for this uncle.
Thinking back then, the Li family's ancestral home was already in ruins, not to mention in Jingzhou, let alone Guanzhong, but in the small Longdong County, its influence was so small that it was negligible. If Zhang Jingzhi had not favored him,
With great help, how can Li Chengzhi summon nearly 10,000 troops to suppress the rebellion and achieve unparalleled achievements?
Afterwards, if Zhang Jingzhi had not planned to mediate despite the danger of annihilation, Li Song would never have been able to lead 4,000 soldiers to the west of Hexi without any danger.
It is even less likely that 15,000 households of refugees from Guanzhong would later move to Xihai, laying an iron foundation for today’s Li family.
For example, Zhang Xinyi, Zhang Xingyi and other Zhang family's children are all outstanding talents. If Zhang Jingzhi had not had good intentions, how could he not be promoted to an official position and follow the Li family to become a bandit?
Frankly speaking, Zhang Jingzhi treated Li Chengzhi this way, as if he were his own son.
The reason why Li Chengzhi never contacted him again after he faked his death was because the storm was coming, the undercurrent was surging, and the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous. He was afraid of exposing himself and harming Zhang Jingzhi and even the Zhang family. p>
Just like now, Xi Kangsheng just made suspicions out of thin air and had no basis at all, but he still suspected Zhang Jingzhi. And if he had frequent contact with him, even if Xi Kangsheng didn't catch the evidence, he would definitely find Zhu Si Ma
Traces.
Regardless of the rest, the fact that the younger generation of the Zhang family is getting fewer and older each year and dying more and more every year can make Xi Kangsheng's imagination run wild.
Is the Lord of Hell targeting you Zhang to death?
If Xi Kangsheng was more ruthless, there is no guarantee that he would not use Zhang Jingzhi to threaten him like Gao Zhao imprisoned Li Shixian.
At that time, should you respond or not? Should you save me?
Putting aside the in-laws, it is just to win people's hearts and prevent the Zhang family's children under his command from alienating themselves. There is no way that I can just stand by and watch.
Thinking of this, Li Chengzhi's heart skipped a beat.
Isn’t that right?
If this was really his plan, why did Xi Kangsheng send Zhang Jingzhi to his door like a gift?
What's more, it's like adding a new head, making Da Xi his deputy and sending him along with Zhang Jingzhi.
As for what Li Feng guessed, Da Xi was trying to monitor Zhang Jingzhi, etc., just like telling a joke.
Da Xi is too loyal and honest, and if he is to be cunning, he will still be better than Zhang Jingzhi in ten more lifetimes.
So, Xi Kangsheng is not afraid of meat buns beating dogs, and he will never come back if he goes away?
But given his nature and his friendship with Da Xi, if he kidnapped Da Xi to the West Sea, could he still be killed?
Thinking about it this way, Li Chengzhi felt even more strange: Isn't this old thief hedging his bets?
Just like the noble families in Guandong and Shandong, there are many descendants who hold important positions in the Northern and Southern Dynasties. Xi Kangsheng may not have planned for a rainy day, and made a move in advance to leave an escape route for the Daxi family.
The more he thought about it, the more it seemed possible. Li Chengzhi was both happy and depressed at the same time.
What’s depressing is that this old thief has figured him out, and what’s gratifying is that if his prediction is correct, Xi Kangsheng will probably give him a gift.
A good man will go to the end and send the Buddha to the West. Now that the bull's head and body have been sent, this old thief will never be stingy with a cow's tail.
After thinking for a moment, Li Chengzhi immediately made a decision.
"Xingyi!"
Zhang Xingyi made a promise and stepped into the central hall: "What are your orders, sir!"
Li Chengzhi wrote with a smile and confessed while writing: "Take my handwritten letter and return to Bigan City quickly, and then like this, like this..."
Zhang Xingyi's eyes opened wider and wider, feeling both excited and grateful.
……
Xihai County, Hequ Department.
This place was built in the Western Han Dynasty. At that time, a tributary of the Yellow River flowed through Monan. When Zhao Chongguo stationed troops in Hexi, he built the Si Yamen here. In the Later Han Dynasty, the Yellow River changed its course and the tributaries were cut off, so the Si Yamen was abandoned. It has been fourteen years since.
It has been in ruins for a hundred years.
Zhang Jingzhi and Da Xi temporarily hid here. Except for the two of them, who each had ten personal followers, the rest only had dozens of armored cavalry.
Originally there were two hundred, but because Da Xi insisted on going his own way and did not listen to Zhang Jingzhi's words, he planned to bypass the Rouran army at Nantang Mountain a few days ago. As a result, more than two hundred and twenty riders went out, and less than one hundred came back... Zhang Jingzhi suggested returning as soon as possible to revive Xi Kang, but Da Xi was unwilling to do so.
When setting off, Xi Kangsheng's advice still rang in his ears: No matter how difficult and dangerous it is, we must find out whether most people live in seclusion in the area from Daqi to Juyan. It would be great if we could meet Li Chengzhi...
But now let alone Juyanhai, even Nanbed Mountain cannot be climbed over. If he returns, how will he explain to Xi Kangsheng?
Therefore, Da Xi is as determined as a heart, and no one can persuade him in vain.
But he also knew that the longer he spent here, the lower his morale would be. At this time, there was wine and meat inside the tent, and fat sheep were roasting outside the tent, but nearly a hundred soldiers all looked sad, as if they were mourning their heirs.
If this continues, there is no guarantee that one day we will lose all morale and escape with nothing...
It is rare that there is no wind today, but the temperature difference in the north is huge, and the night is still a bit chilly. Zhang Jingzhi, wrapped in a thin fur coat, sat on the beacon tower admiring the moonlight, holding a wine bag in his hand, and from time to time he would
Take a sip.
Da Xi stood in the shadow under the city pier, his face sometimes tangled, sometimes frightened. After hesitating for a long time, he gritted his teeth and coughed lightly.
Zhang Jingzhi turned his head, saw the strolling figure, and called out suspiciously: "Xi Zhonglang?"
"Isn't it nice not to drive?"
Da Xi boarded Fengcheng, sat down next to Zhang Jingzhi, took the wine bag from his hand, drank several sips, and then handed it to Zhang Jingzhi.
Zhang Jingzhi was slightly surprised, then smiled dumbly, took the wine bag and took two sips.
Da Xi's move was a bit rude, but according to his nature, he was just expressing his closeness to Zhang Jingzhi.
How long has it been since the two of them behaved so familiarly?
It should be at least two years...
Zhang Jingzhi sighed leisurely: "But you are in a dilemma and you are undecided?"
"Yes!"
Da Xi snorted coldly as if he was angry, "That's why I came here to ask for advice!"
Like a child's mind, he showed that he had given up all the past resentments. Zhang Jingzhi laughed softly and said: "Why should we be angry between you and me?"
Da Xi stared at him: "Then tell me, is Li Chengzhi alive or dead? Regardless of whether or not, as long as you respond, I will treat what you say as true and order to return tomorrow to return to my father?"
How do you answer this?
Da Xi was so direct, it was like breaking a jar, but it caught Zhang Jingzhi off guard.
This is not a question of whether he tells the truth or not, but with Da Xi’s wisdom, he cannot deceive Xi Kangsheng at all.
They are obviously father and son, but they are worlds apart...
Zhang Jingzhi sighed and was about to respond when a faint sound suddenly came from his ears.
It's like swords striking each other, or like pearls and jade falling on a plate, with a ringing sound, crisp and sweet.
"Ding ding... ding ding..."
The sound became denser and closer, and the two of them looked at each other in horror, as if they were in a daze.
There was a mixture of fear and fear in his eyes, and he made a sudden movement, like an exploding cat, leaping vertically onto the half-collapsed wall, looking towards where the sound came from.
The moonlight is like mercury leaking to the ground, as if a veil is draped over the sea of sand. And the cold light in the distance flickers like stars falling to the ground, and the stars are everywhere.
These are not stars, but countless armored knights.
The crisp sound just now was clearly the sound of the armor leaves hitting each other.
I can see so clearly and hear so clearly. It’s clearly less than half a mile away. Why didn’t I even notice it before?
And where did these soldiers come from?
Ignoring the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Da Xi shouted loudly: "The enemy is attacking, go to the city..."
There was a sudden chaos under the city. The soldiers threw wineskins and legs of lamb and swarmed up the city wall.
But when they saw the countless cold lights surrounding the ancient city, the faces of nearly a hundred soldiers all turned pale, and their two sides trembled.
Isn’t it true that there are three to five thousand enemies coming, all of them are equipped with men and horses, and how can they still defend themselves?
With just over a hundred people, the opponent could kill them all with just one round of arrows...
There was no trace of blood on Da Xi's face, and he had already drawn the big bow with both hands. However, the arrow was frozen on the string. Although his arms were shaking wildly, Da Xi didn't know whether to loosen the string or not.
If it were the Rouran army two hundred miles away, the military formation would not be so neatly organized, and it would be impossible for both men and horses to approach the ancient city quietly.
But apart from Hu Bing, where did these thousands of cavalry come from?
Six towns, Xiazhou, or... Xihai?
Just when Da Xi was in shock and doubt, a lantern rose up in the cavalry formation, as if he was being immobilized out of thin air. Thousands of cavalry were standing outside the city in unison, so neatly that it made people feel chilling.
Then he rode out of the formation and walked towards the city. He didn't take any guards with him, and he didn't put up a shield. He looked at the hundreds of arrows on the city as if they were nothing.
In just over ten steps, he came to the horse and greeted Xi with a smile and cupped his hands: "Xi Zhonglang, are you alright?"
Da Xi's eyes suddenly popped out: This voice...why does it sound so familiar?
There seemed to be a thread popping up in his mind, and when he was about to catch it, he suddenly heard Zhang Jingzhi's surprised voice: "Faith?"
Zhang Xinyi?
It seemed that all the hairs on my body were standing on end, and I felt numb all over my body, like being bitten by countless ants and bees.
Furious anger welled up in his heart. Da Xi was shocked, confused, angry and anxious: "Zhang Xinyi, you are such a thief, aren't you dead?"
Two years ago, when Li Chengzhi was conquering the Qin and Liang states, he went to Jingzhou to ask Xi Kangsheng for help, and Xi Kangsheng sent three battalions of elite cavalry to assist in the battle.
Shi Daxi was in charge, and Zhang Xinyi was his deputy. However, in the battle of Chencang, Zhang Xinyi and his two battalions of cavalry were completely killed and wounded, leaving no one alive.
Afterwards, Xi Kangsheng categorically claimed that Li Chengzhi must have hidden him. Da Xi also argued that the battle of Chencang was tragic. Even if nearly 10,000 of the Chinese elites died, the death of two battalions of Jingzhou elite cavalry would not be enough.
Ride.
For this reason, he was severely beaten by Xi Kangsheng without saying a word, and under Xi Kangsheng's forced order, he had to alienate himself from Zhang Jingzhi.
But now I know that my father was not wrong, and it was really Li Chengzhi, a thief. How can he not be angry?
He wished he could loosen his bowstring and nail Zhang Xinyi to the city with one arrow.
But then I changed my mind and suddenly felt a heavy weight on my hand. It was Zhang Jingzhi who had grasped the arrow shaft with both hands.
"Zhonglang, you must not do it... It's not that I'm afraid that you'll shoot Xinyi to death, but the Li family's armors are all forged from fine steel. Even if Mr. Xi were here, Xinyi would not be hurt at all... That's the case
, why hurt the feelings?"
Even if he can't kill him, grandpa will shoot an arrow to relieve his hatred...
Not saying it was okay, Da Xi felt even more angry when he heard this. He squeezed Zhang Jingzhi aside and raised his bow again: "Zhang Jingzhi, I have invited you to be my best friend in vain, but you have deceived me in every possible way, and now you are even more hypocritical.
, hypocritical benevolence and righteousness are even more hateful than that traitor Li Chengzhi..."
"Why should I bother with this?"
Zhang Jingzhi sighed sadly, "If I had intended to harm you, I would have lured you to Bigan City long ago..."
After a pause, he shouted loudly: "If you don't want to die, tie up Zhonglang!"
"Who dares..."
Da Xi was immediately furious and roared angrily. But before the roar could subside, a dozen soldiers actually rushed over, and they were all his subordinates?
He screamed angrily, but in just a moment, Da Xi was thrown to the ground, sweating profusely.
Zhang Xinyi was so surprised that he stared blankly at the scene on the city.
He thought it would take a lot of talking, and Daxi might become angry and take his uncle as a hostage.
Who wants it to be so easy?
I was stunned when I heard Zhang Jingzhi yell angrily: "Why is it so sudden? You can't let Zhang Qi (Zhang Jingzhi's confidant who sent to Bigan City) inform me first?"
Zhang Xinyi smiled sarcastically: "Please forgive me, uncle. That's how Lang Jun explained it, so as not to scare the snake and alarm Xi Zhonglang. If he was allowed to escape back to Guanzhong, it would be in vain the care and attention of Xi Shangshu. Therefore, we are waiting for a quick knife to cut off the mess."
..."
"Fart, what does this have to do with my father?"
Da Xi was tied up like a rice dumpling, so he could only curse.
It wasn't just him, even Zhang Jingzhi was stunned, thinking that Xi Kangsheng clearly had bad intentions, so how could he become a favored one again?
"Uncle, there are so many people here, can I let my nephew into the city first and then explain it to you in detail?"
Zhang Xinyi pointed at Xi again and said, "Lang Jun concluded that there must be a secret letter written by Xi Shangshu in Xi Zhonglang's arms. My uncle will know it after searching..."
"If you search for a bird feather, if there is a secret message from your father, how can grandpa not know about it?"
"Zhonglang, there are some... but they are in humble positions!"
Like a dry thunderstorm, Da Xi was burnt on the outside and tender on the inside. Then he felt a lightness on his body. A soldier climbed up from him, reached out and groped in his arms, and took out a leather envelope.
"This is the master's tip. If it is critical or necessary, it can be handed over to Zhang Sima..."
Really?
Zhang Jing subconsciously took it and took another look at the soldier, discovering that this man was not only Da Xi's close confidant, but also a descendant of the Xi Kangsheng clan.
No wonder I shouted "tied". These soldiers came so quickly. Isn't it possible that Xi Kangsheng had already made arrangements?
Secretly surprised, Zhang Jingzhi couldn't wait to open the paint, and there were more than ten pieces of letter paper, which were densely written with words.
He lit the torch and swept it in a hurry, but after just one glance, he froze in place, like a sculpture: "Li Guogong, you are so disrespectful, I hope you will accept it..."
Xi Kangsheng not only gave him and Da Xi as gifts to Li Chengzhi, but also secretly ordered his confidants to send the Zhang family to Hexi...