Linzhi

The five years of Jiayou is destined to be an uneasy year.

East Turkic Fu Nian Khan aggressively invaded the west. In just three months, the momentum was like a broken bamboo, and the annexation of Western Turkic was completely completed. Khan, revered as Tage Khan, means that the mountains are generally admirable.

This may be true for the Turks, but for the Central Plains people, Fu Nian is not Tag Khan, but a difficult enemy.

Many people suddenly realized that the reason why the East Turks were silent and peaceful before was just preparing for the annexation of the West Turks this time.

Originally, the Western Turks were restraining, and the Eastern Turks were certainly a powerful enemy in the Central Plains, but they were not so strong that they would make people tremble. But now, the entire north has been shrouded in the shadow of the Turks' iron hooves.The important Longxi right way in the northwest has always been occupied by Xiao Yu.

Even Emperor Jiayou, who knew nothing about military affairs, knew that with the appetite of the Turkic people, Xiao Yu's Liang Kingdom would definitely not be able to satisfy their greed. Form an alliance and deal with the Central Plains Dynasty together.

This cognition made many people's hearts flustered. Even Emperor Jiayou stayed in the harem unintentionally for several days, even tossed and turned insomnia, worried, and specially summoned Li Kuan, Fan Yi and others into the palace. When all the important towns were in full battle, it was only a little bit relieved.

In this eventful autumn when people's hearts are shaken, there is news that King An sent people to Western Turks to rescue Princess Zhending.

Princess Zhending brought more than [-] remnants into the city. It was impossible to hide such a big movement, and He Rong didn't intend to hide it. He submitted a memorial and said that he wanted to enter the capital with Princess Zhending. See.

Impeaching him for acting without authorization, there were a lot of willful and reckless memorials, and Emperor Jiayou was also secretly angry that this son always wanted to make trouble—Princess Zhending was not the princess of this dynasty, and she had been the regent of Western Turks for a long time, so she was already considered a Turkic Well, this Turkic civil strife, the Central Plains Yuanshui can't save the near fire, so you can only sit and watch. This is helpless, but you brought people back, quietly, and there were so many people all at once , if Fu Nian uses this as an excuse to ask for someone, will the court give it or not?

If it is given, what is the face of the court?

If you don't give it, it may give the Turks an extra excuse to start a war.

It is not a matter of a day or two for King An to be impeached. He has a lot of debts and no worries. He has long been calm, and many people secretly scolded him. Anyway, he can't hear it.

But he still couldn't ignore Emperor Jiayou's thoughts, so after Princess Zhending returned, he immediately sent a letter, saying that he wanted to take the opportunity of returning to Beijing to report on his duties, and take the princess back to pay homage to the emperor. The princess has been in a foreign land for a long time , I miss my homeland and hope to revisit Chang'an.

He Rong's request was quickly granted. Emperor Jiayou wanted to teach his son a good face-to-face lesson so that he would not always make his own decisions in the future. He Rong hoped to take this opportunity to let Princess Zhending appear in front of everyone.

In addition, Emperor Jiayou also recalled King Xing and King Wei to report on their duties. Yu Gong, he wanted to hear He Zhan’s opinion on the matter of Turkic growth. In private, he also asked Wei Wang to come back to discuss the family relationship. Le—his eldest son has been left in Chang'an.

The day after receiving the order, He Rong and Princess Zhending set off.

The more than [-] troops of Princess Zhending stayed in Lingzhou and were incorporated into the army. This was proposed by Princess Zhending on her own initiative. These real Turkic people are good at fighting immediately, and their physical strength is better than ordinary Central Plains soldiers. He Rong Naturally, they are willing to let these people improve Lingzhou's defensive strength.

But he also specifically asked Lin Miao not to treat the Turkic soldiers separately from the Central Plains soldiers, and they must be treated equally. Once the army bullies the weak and gathers crowds to reject the Turkic soldiers, it should be clearly stopped and severely punished, and the Turkic soldiers must be dispersed. Go to each camp, lest the two sides form a camp and provoke trouble.

Xue Tan stays in Lingzhou, his wife and children are here, with him, He Rong has no worries, and Zhang Ze is a child from Wuweihou's family after all, and Zhang's family is in Chang'an, and he should take care of everything. Go back and have a look.

The group did not rush on purpose, but they all rode horses, and their footsteps were not slow, and they soon arrived at the outskirts of Sanyuan County, not far from Chang'an.

It was getting late and it was too late to enter the city, so everyone decided to stay at the official post and head straight to Chang'an tomorrow without stopping.

The postman at the official post got the news in advance and had already prepared the courtyard house, cleaned it, and heated hot water for the nobles to use.

The official posts of this dynasty were shared between public and private, that is to say, ordinary people can go in and rest if they pay money when they pass by the official post, which is convenient for some scholars and merchants to settle down. If you can afford the money, you can't get in.

The Sanyuan official post where He Rong and the others stayed was also the same, because it was very close to Chang'an, people came in and out, and near dusk, there were people passing letters to and from the front of the post, and some carrying burdens and yelling fruit snacks, it was very lively.

Hongyan followed Princess Zhending for decades, and this time she also fled from the Western Regions back to the Central Plains along the same way, and then came to the Sanyuan official post from Lingzhou. The princess loves her as a sister, and personally takes the responsibility of taking care of her. She also inadvertently takes a closer look at the familiar hometown, and helps the swan goose into the courtyard in a hurry.

He Rong gave them the biggest room, and the princess thanked her, but she didn't give in too much.

The postman nodded and bowed: "Your Highness, do you want the villain to find a doctor? It happens that a doctor has been living in these two days, and he is going back to his hometown to visit relatives!"

He Rong said: "No need, we brought our own medicine, you bring some hot rice and hot soup, we are all hungry."

This was the first time for the postman to receive a nobleman of He Rong's status. He was terrified and had no place to put his hands and feet. He was afraid that the greeting would not be good, so he obediently responded and hurried to work.

The hot rice and hot soup were delivered quickly. Everyone was exhausted all day, and they didn't even talk about it. They just wanted to go to rest after eating.

The attendant was about to ladle soup for He Rong, but Zhang Ze noticed a small bug floating on the soup with sharp eyes. He couldn't help showing a disgusted expression, and hurriedly stopped the attendant, called the postman, and prepared to change the soup.

"Is the food here so bad? Even His Highness is cheating? We still gave you money!" Zhang Ze's long-lost playboy got angry again.

The postman said in shame: "Your Highness, all the ingredients for us here are transported from the city. When you sent someone to tell you, the ingredients are almost used up. I'm afraid I can't change them now. Can you let the villain come back tomorrow morning?" Into the city to buy?"

"That's all." He Rong waved his hand: "Qingbai."

"The villain is here." The follower responded.

He Rong: "Go to the door and buy some snacks for us."

The postman hurriedly said: "How dare His Highness spend money, I will buy it right away, Your Highness wait a moment!"

Qingbai glanced at He Rong, saw him nodding, and followed the postman out.

Zhang Ze tutted his tongue in disgust: "Let's not talk about the worms in the soup, look at this dish, the leaves are all wilted and yellow, it's just perfunctory!"

He scooped up a spoonful of soup, scooped out the worm, smelled it, and splashed it on the ground again.

He Rong said: "Going out, let's do it, you have been honed in the army for a long time, why did that dandyism come out again?"

Zhang Ze said with a smile: "We are almost in the capital. Don't let those people in Chang'an know that we are arrogant and think that we can handle everything casually outside. Why don't we belittle His Highness?"

In fact, He Rong had no appetite at first, so he smiled and let him go.

Zhang Ze didn't want to drink the soup either, so he picked up a piece of chopsticks and put it in his mouth. After thinking about it, he walked to the yard with the chopsticks and looked towards Huang who was lying lazily on the roof. Cats say hello.

The cat was also acquainted with people, and as soon as it saw the meat, it immediately jumped off the roof, took it away without any politeness, and ran under the tree to eat happily without even meowing.

There was a lot of fat in the pork ribs, and everyone felt bored immediately, seeing the fat meat made them even more unappetizing, so Zhang Ze had no problem with feeding a plate of pork ribs to the cat.

The yellow cat washed its face with its paws while eating. Zhang Ze took another piece of shiitake mushroom from the house and handed it in front of it.

Princess Zhending settled the swan geese, came to the hall, and saw Zhang Ze squatting outside teasing the cat, she couldn't help shaking her head.

It's really getting back to life.

He Rong asked: "What's wrong with Hongyan? If it's serious, I'll take a token and send someone into the city to find a doctor."

Princess Zhending said: "No, it's probably because the water and soil are unacceptable. I sent someone to bring the heart of the stove over, flush it with water and let her swallow it. There are also some pills. It should be effective tomorrow. If not, then go to the doctor."

Voices came from the hall, and outside a door, people passed by from time to time. It was almost night, and the city gates were closed. Many travelers who had no time to enter the city would choose to stay here, and the official post became lively all of a sudden. .

The yellow cat had long been used to these movements, and was still eating the meat with relish, but suddenly its legs and feet twitched, and it stopped eating. As if drunk, it staggered two steps, fell directly to the ground, and did not move anymore.

Zhang Ze's complexion changed drastically, and he rushed into the room without even thinking about turning around, reaching out and hitting the chopsticks of vegetables picked up by Princess Zhending.

He Rong and Princess Zhending were startled for a moment by Zhang Ze's movement, and they looked outside at the same time.

The yellow cat was lying there quietly, without a sound.

"Immediately ask people to surround the official post, and no one is allowed to leave. Call all postmen and cook servants here." He Rong said in a deep voice.

He was still calm, but Zhang Ze couldn't calm down no matter what, he asked He Rong in a trembling voice, "Your Highness, didn't you eat anything?"

He Rong patted him on the shoulder: "I was talking to the princess just now, and I didn't have time to eat, so go."

Princess Zhending's expression turned ugly for a moment, but she was a weather-beaten person after all, so she recovered quickly.

"Before you entered Chang'an, someone came to show you off."

He Rong didn't even drink tea, and asked someone to bring water bags that they had filled with water on the road. The quality of the water was not as good as that freshly pumped from the well, but at least it wouldn't kill him.

"Isn't that very lively?"

Princess Zhending saw that he still had time to joke around, so she couldn't help but said: "Who wants to kill you?"

"I don't know." He Rong picked up a chopstick of vegetables and smelled them, but there was no smell. "However, this game is not very clever, because the other party can't guarantee that I will be the first to eat it because of the poison in the dish. Once there is an accidental injury, I will be vigilant. This should be the other party wanting to warn me."

Zhang Ze quickly ordered people to surround the station. The commotion shocked everyone in the station, and everyone complained, but seeing the murderous faces of the soldiers, they didn't dare to speak up.

The postman followed Qingbai to buy the fruit and came back. He didn't know what happened. When he saw the motionless cat lying on the ground in the yard, his face turned pale, and the fruit scattered all over the ground. He knelt down and begged for mercy: "Your Highness, Your Highness, please forgive me, this is none of my business!"

He Rong: "Who handed these meals?"

The postman stammered: "After the cook is ready, the servants in the official post will bring it up. The villain has also seen it."

The kitchen is a place for people to enter and exit. Anyone can go, including the guests in the official post. There are a lot of different religions and different schools, and there is a mixed bag of fish and dragons. He Rong didn't think he could find anything out of the trial, so he simply handed it over to Zhang Ze.

Zhang Ze did his part and had people search everyone's luggage and rooms first, but nothing was found. Apart from He Rong and his party, there were two other caravans and three traveling scholars staying in the official post today.

The scholar was ashamed and humiliated by Zhang Ze's interrogation, and he refused to let Zhang Ze search his luggage, and even quarreled with the soldiers, but faced with the sharp long knife, he weighed his teeth not as sharp as a sword, and finally gave in.

The merchants naturally did not dare to oppose Zhang Ze, and the luggage in the house was searched at will, but after a round, nothing was found.

But Zhang Ze is not all fruitless, he has made even more shocking discoveries.

"Your Highness!" Panting, he pushed the door open and came in, regardless that He Rong had undressed and was about to go to bed.

"We just found this on your saddle!"

Zhang Ze put a few slender silver needles on the table, under the candlelight, the silver needles shimmered.

As long as He Rong gets on the horse tomorrow, the silver needle will pierce the horse's body, causing the horse to run wild in fright, and the person on the horse will naturally be in danger.

This is really going to put He Rong to death.

"Since we entered the post station, has anyone approached the stable?" He Rong asked.

Zhang Ze: "I asked. The groom went to see the horses, and the postman also asked people to feed them. There was also a caravan man. We came in front, and they walked behind. They should also go to the stables to lead the horses. I told them The postman asked for their customs clearance certificate, and the other party was a caravan from Yangzhou, starting from Chang'an, but the strange thing is, it is reasonable to say that it is this hour, but they are in a hurry to set off for the night journey. I have already sent people to catch up. I don't know if I can catch up."

He Rong pondered and said, "This kind of thing will only happen more and more in the future, and I guess there is more than one party who wants to kill me."

Zhang Ze obviously thought of it too, and his face turned pale.

If it was from the same group of people, He Rong would not have made such a fuss by poisoning the food. If it wasn’t from the same group of people, it would mean that He Rong had made too many enemies. Such a thing, this time it won’t work, maybe next time besides.

When they were in Lingzhou, it was their territory. Whether He Rong killed Zhou Shu or rescued Princess Zhending, no one could do anything to him, but Chang'an was different. Before they entered Chang'an, there were so many murderous intentions, etc. Looking at them, when they entered Chang'an, wouldn't they be caught in the urn?

Thinking of this, Zhang Ze couldn't sit still.

"Why don't you tell Your Majesty that we don't enter Chang'an, but just go back home?"

He Rong glanced at him: "Do you think I can come and go whenever I want to Chang'an? After entering Chang'an City, at the foot of the emperor, those people dare not mess around, but are safe. During the journey to Chang'an, Let's just be careful ourselves."

After all, Marquis Wuwei's blood is flowing in Zhang Ze's bones. It's not that he lacks ability. It's just that Marquis Wuwei was standing in front of him in the past, so he didn't need to go to the front. On weekdays, although he is still a fool, with a playful smile, and Xue Tan can be called the "two slaves" of the governor's mansion, but when it comes to business, he dare not neglect in the slightest, otherwise He Rong would not trust him with this trip.

Hearing what He Rong said, he immediately sent more people to guard the room of He Rong and Princess Zhending. All food and drink had to be tested for poison, and all luggage had to be checked. Even the grass eaten by horses was not spared. After seeing the evidence, Zhang Ze can't arrest people for no reason, but it is still possible to make these people unsafe. After such a toss, the people in the official post dared not speak out, and kept praying for these great gods to leave quickly.

Zhang Ze wanted to leave this ghostly place quickly. If he dared to poison the food in Lingzhou, the murderer would be found out in less than a day, but the trouble with this place is that it is easy for people to get in and out, even the servants in the official post , casually bring a relative in for a walk, and no one may find out, it can be done without traces, making it impossible for people to find out.

The night fell as expected, Hongyan took the medicine, and his energy was obviously much better. Seeing Princess Zhending guarding her in front of the bed, she felt very sorry and wanted to get out of bed.

"What do you want to do, and toss!" Princess Zhending held her down, "You have served me for so many years, what happened to me taking care of you?"

Hongyan's eyes turned red: "It's useless to be a slave."

Princess Zhending: "You are useful enough. If you are really useless, you will not be able to survive in Turkic, and you will not be able to accompany me for so many years. There will be a long time in the future. I still have to rely on you, you Don't fall down first."

Hongyan nodded again and again: "The servant has to serve the princess for a long life... What happened outside just now?"

Princess Zhending said something about someone trying to kill He Rong, and Hongyan was startled: "Impressive prince, there are people so bold?!"

"He has offended too many people, anyone may kill him."

Hongyan worried: "Then if you are with him, will you be dragged down by him?"

Princess Zhending said leisurely: "Hongyan, I have experienced three dynasties, from the former dynasty, to the Turkic court, and to the present court, what I have seen and heard is either a group of demons dancing wildly for money, or the weak and the strong chasing after each other. It is so big that there is no place to settle down. If the country is strong, there is no need for women to make marriages, and barbarians from all directions come to surrender. I have only seen such a grand occasion in history books, and I want to know if I can witness it in my lifetime. See a world of peace and prosperity?"

"Do you think King An will be the Ming Lord in your mind? I heard that there is still a prince in the court..."

Hongyan was a little surprised.

In her opinion, this court is no different from the previous court, and they didn't even dare to fight the Turkic people. Even King An, who had saved them, seemed courageous and insightful, but he was just a man entrusted in Lingzhou. That's all for the prince, what can he do for himself?

Princess Zhending sighed: "I don't know if he is the Lord of the Ming Dynasty. It is too early to say this. Now that the Western Turks are gone, to me, that's all. Life in the world is like a long journey. Guest, I don’t know where is our real hometown!”

They have been away from home for decades, and one day they don't even know where their home is. Although Chang'an is nice, it is no longer a place they are familiar with.

Hongyan also became sad, but suddenly heard shouting outside, followed by another big movement, couldn't help being startled, Princess Zhending held her down, let her continue to lie down, and said that she went out to have a look, but Hongyan How to sleep, also followed out to see.

Many soldiers had already gathered in the yard, and they held torches in their hands, illuminating the yard brightly.

The postman Li who greeted them during the day knelt in the center, trembling, and there was another person lying beside him, whose life and death were unknown.

Zhang Ze, Qing Bai and the others all looked ashen.

After Hongyan inquired about it, he found out that there was another assassination incident just now. The other party dressed up as a handyman in the kitchen, and came with Li Postman to deliver supper to King An. After entering the room, the assassin went into trouble and wanted to Unexpectedly, Zhang Ze had already prepared for the assassination of King An. He had exchanged rooms and clothes with King An before, which made the assassination fail.

Postman Li said with tears in his voice: "Your Highness, forgive me, the villain really doesn't know... The villain has only seen this handyman a few times on weekdays, and he doesn't remember his appearance. It was dark, so he didn't look much. The villain never thought he would be an assassin!"

Princess Zhending didn't listen any longer, and took Hongyan back to the house first.

Hongyan was still in shock: "Three times in a day, I really hate King An! If I enter Chang'an, will it be more..."

"Entering Chang'an, it's safe, don't worry."

Princess Zhending's judgment is the same as that of He Rong and the others.

That night, many people tossed and turned with insomnia. Princess Zhending woke up just after dawn, and went to ask Zhang Ze again. The case of last night really became an unsolved case.

The assassin was dead, and the handyman who was pretended by the assassin was also dead. From the face and clothes of the assassin, it was impossible to judge the identity of the other party.

Staying here to continue the investigation will undoubtedly lead to no results and will take time.

The other party's arrangement was too comprehensive and seamless.

In desperation, Zhang Ze had no choice but to suggest that He Rong set off as soon as possible, and strive to reach Chang'an within a day.

He Rong agreed, and ordered the assassin's body to be tied to the horse and brought back together.

As for the postman Li, although it is more likely that he will be wrongly used, he can't just let him go, and he will be taken back together, ready to be handed over to the Ministry of Punishment for interrogation.

It's not suitable to stay here for a long time, not only Zhang Ze and the others thought so, but even the other guests who were resting in the official post all decided to go on the road immediately and leave this ghost place.

Chang'an is approaching.