Competing in the morning and evening

They got out of the hole one after another, only to hear the door of the woodshed creak, and a middle-aged man pushed the door in and stammered with a slightly shocked face: "Master, master, why are you here?"

Yan Liang regained his official authority in front of the servants, and said in a low voice: "Don't ask questions that shouldn't be asked, Ah Fu, can you go and see if it's safe outside?"

That Ah Fu went away in response, and after a while brought another woman, and said, "Master, come out, it's safe outside."

Yan Liang led Yuan Xizheng and Tang Cihu out of the firewood room and into the wing room. After the Ah Fu made tea, he said: "Master, I'll get you some food and some hot water."

"Don't make too much noise." Yan Liang waved his hand.

Tang Cihu waited for them to go out before he sneered and said, "I can't blame the Northern Qi Army for not being able to find you every time they blockade Jingzhou. So you hid in Xiangyang City."

Yan Liang was also quite complacent, and said: "The most dangerous place is also the safest place. Everyone thought I hid above the Han River. You know, I, Yan Liang, is also the governor of Jingzhou. How could I do such a thing?" In the case of defeat, I will not retreat but advance, going deep behind the enemy's rear."

"Bah!" Tang Cihu couldn't help but spat at him.

The alley where Afu's house is located is not far from the tower of Xiangyang City, but it is very remote.The couple also opened a small restaurant, the business is not bad, but even if they take in a few more people, they will not easily attract people's attention when they buy food and goods. It is indeed an excellent hiding place.

"Are these two reliable?" Yuan Xizheng asked.

Yan Liang smiled and said, "The two of them have a son who is working for me in Jianye."

Tang Cihu sneered again, Yuan Xizheng closed his eyes, and said: "Clean up the room for me first, I want to take a rest, I won't eat."

Yan Liang responded, and he didn't know what method he used. Ah Fu came in a while, and quickly cleaned out the largest wing in the east.Yuan Xizheng didn't talk too much, just went in and closed the door behind his back, which made Tang Cihu, who was still intoxicated by the thrill of victory, startled for a moment.

Yan Liang chuckled, and whispered, "Do you know why?"

Tang Cihu glanced at Yan Liang with one eye, and said, "Why do you say?"

"Everyone says that the Second Highness of the Northern Qi Dynasty has a habit of breaking sleeves, but I think our Lord Consort is also suspected of Long Yang..." Yan Liang said leisurely.

"You villain dare to slander the adults!" Tang Lahu was furious, and couldn't help pressing his hand on the knife.

Seeing Tang Cihu turn his face, Yan Liang hurriedly said: "Just kidding, kidding!" Then he slipped into another room.

Only then did Tang Lahu resentfully stuff the half of the scabbard knife back into the cloud, looked at the room, remembered Chu Yin's instructions, and couldn't help feeling depressed.He always thought that he didn't like this beautiful man who looked like a woman very much, but when Yan Liang talked and laughed at Yuan Xizheng, Tang Cihu felt an uncontrollable anger in his heart, and only then did he realize that he was actually very Respect for this young man who was always quiet.In Tang Cihu's eyes, Yuan Xizheng's initial appearance had already attracted enough attention from him, not to mention that under Yuan Xizheng's strategizing, he led the 30 troops of the Northern Qi Dynasty to death with [-] cavalry. What he is really dissatisfied with is Yuan Xizheng's indifference and turning a blind eye to them.

Ah Fu's meals are very rich, there are wine and vegetables, Tang Jihu has been hungry and hungry for more than ten days of hardship, even if there is Yan Liang who is not pleasing to the eye, he still has enough to eat and drink.Yan Liang didn't dare to provoke this Tang Cihu who murdered as casually as he drank soup, he sipped his wine and ate vegetables in a leisurely way, compared to Tang Cihu's gobbling, it was more elegant.Tang Cihu ignored Yan Liang's pretentiousness, held his wine glass and thought of his seven hundred brothers, now he didn't know how many of them would survive, so he couldn't help but sighed.

Yuan Xizheng was lying on the newly laid silk quilt, looking at the moonlight outside the window, but Li Yan's red eyes were shining in the bright moonlight, the hatred that was revealed made Yuan Xizheng toss and turn, his heart was like being burned by fire Burn the same.

After a sleepless night, Yuan Xizheng opened the door of the room, saw Ah Fu coming with water, and motioned for him to bring the water into the house.

The warm water seemed to wash away some of the tiredness on Yuan Xizheng's face. When he reappeared, Tang Cihu felt that Yuan Xizheng looked more energetic than yesterday, and he couldn't help but secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

The Northern Qi army was running out of food and grass, so the 30 troops naturally couldn't stay in Xiangyang for too long.

Soon came the news that the Northern Qi Army had reorganized and retreated.

Ah Fu came back happily to repay the good news, both Yan Liang and Tang Cihu were overjoyed.In the Southern Dynasties and Northern Qi wars, the Northern Qi army had never been so easily forced back. Every time they lost, many soldiers were killed.Therefore, before the two armies went to war, the Southern Dynasty had already softened by three points. This time, it not only destroyed the prestige of the Northern Qi Dynasty, but also greatly increased the morale of the Southern Dynasty.This credit is really enough for the two of them to advance to three levels in a row.

At this moment, Yan Liang remembered that Yuan Xizheng had given him a great credit for insisting on keeping him. When he thought of this, he couldn't help flattering him: "It's because of the majestic power of the son-in-law that the Northern Qi army had to retreat northward." !"

Yuan Xizheng ignored his flattery, but frowned and said, "Apart from this, is there anything else?"

A Fu hesitated for a moment, glanced at Yuan Xizheng, and said: "There is a wanted order from the son-in-law outside, and it only says that whoever can provide information about the son-in-law will be rewarded with a reward of ten thousand taels, a thousand households, and a hundred acres of land."

"It's a big deal." Tang Cihu sneered, and said, "One message can reward so much."

"It's not suitable to stay here for a long time." Yuan Xizheng waited for Ah Fu to go out before saying calmly.

Tang Cihu frowned, and said: "My son-in-law, although the Northern Qi army is busy retreating northward, they haven't left completely. This Li Yan is eager to trouble you. We might as well stay here for a few more days."

Yuan Xizheng remembered Ah Fu's flickering eyes when he talked about the arrest warrant just now, and couldn't help but frowned slightly, but Yan Liang said straightforwardly: "What the son-in-law said is that we should leave here earlier."

He said the same thing, Tang Cihu didn't say any more, he knew that his wit was nothing compared to the two men in front of him.Ah Fu came back from shopping outside, only to learn from his mother-in-law that Yan Liang and the others were leaving.

"Master, there is chaos outside, why don't you stay for two more days before leaving?" Ah Fu bent over and said.

"No, you also know that the Northern Qi army has to withdraw northward, and the rest after this is peace talks. At this time, the safety of the son-in-law is the most important thing, and the Northern Chu army can use him as a bargaining chip." Yan Liang said with a pleasing expression: "Ah Fu, you have watched the secret passage for me for so many years, why don't you follow me back this time, firstly, your family can be reunited, and secondly, I can also report to the court to give you Rewards for meritorious deeds."

That Ah Fu hesitated for a while when he heard it, but finally said: "Master, once we close the door, we are afraid that someone will suspect it, and then it will hurt the master. I'd better stay here and show you the secret passage, and wait." When it's peaceful, leave here to find the master." His words were impeccable, Yan Liang smiled and nodded, which was regarded as approval.

Ah Fu worked hard to pack some food for Yan Liang, packed a package and sent the three of them to the woodshed.The original hole was blocked by a pile of firewood, and Yan Liang told Ah Fu to move it away.

But at this moment, there was a noisy sound outside, accompanied by the sound of doors being smashed, as if the Northern Qi army was searching people from house to house.

Tang Cihu frowned, and said to Yan Liang: "You go down first!"

Seeing that Yuan Xi was not making a show of arguing, Yan Liang had no choice but to turn her head to Ah Fu and say, "You lead the way!"

Ah Fu hesitated a little, and said: "Master, why don't I stay here and block the Northern Qi army for you!"

Yan Liang snorted coldly and said, "Why are you panicking, isn't your mother-in-law blocking it?"

Ah Fu had no choice but to jump into the entrance of the cave. Tang Cihu and Yan Liang also jumped in. Yuan Xi used his sword to pick up a pile of firewood, and then jumped down. The falling firewood happened to cover the entrance of the cave.

Tang Cihu was very anxious, the current Northern Qi army wished they could eat Yuan Xizheng.If Yuan Xizheng fell into the hands of the Northern Qi army at this time, his life and death would be unpredictable. Even if he could escape by himself, he would definitely have lost all of his previous contributions, and it is hard to say whether he would be killed.

On the other hand, Yuan Xizheng looked calm, and waved the dirt on his body when he got out of the cave and said, "Let's go!"

Yan Liang turned his head to Ah Fu and said kindly, "You have done a lot this time, sir, I will write it down, you go back and guard this secret passage."

Ah Fu was greatly relieved, just turned around to see Yan Liang showing a fierce look, and stabbed Ah Fu in the back of the back with a knife, but neighbor Ah Fu died without even uttering a word.

Yuan Xizheng turned his head slightly, but Tang Cihu sneered and said, "This man has guarded four or five dog holes for you. You have worked hard without credit, but you are vicious enough."

Yan Liang changed his mournful expression again, and said: "It is precisely because this servant has stayed in Xiangyang for four or five years that I dare not take the risk of keeping him. This servant is also for the sake of the son-in-law, so I cruelly killed myself. A loyal slave..." He rolled up his sleeves and wiped the corners of his eyes as he spoke, Tang Cihu made a gesture of wanting to vomit.

Yuan Xizheng knew that it was Ah Fu who had hesitated several times just now, which had already made Yan Liang suspicious, and coupled with his refusal to leave with him, this prompted Yan Liang to become murderous.This Yan Liang looks cowardly and greedy for money, but he is flexible, decisive, and ruthless. He regrets that he can live so well while guarding a lonely Jingzhou.It's just that poor lady A Fu is still waiting for A Fu to go back in fear, Yuan Xizheng thought in her heart and sighed secretly.

I don't know how Yan Liang got in touch with him. He got a light boat not long after he went out, which was obviously one of the escape methods he arranged. Tang Cihu cursed in a low voice: "No wonder you can't kill this villain."

Yuan Xizheng bowed his head and boarded the boat. The sun was rising, and the reeds by the Han River were greeted by the wind.But Yuan Xizheng didn't know why in his heart, there was always a kind of not going back, but parting, the wind was rustling, the water was cold, and he felt desolate.The fog dissipates at sunrise, and the smoke and dust from the galloping horses in the distance can be seen far away. The light boat dare not neglect, and the fisherman lightly taps the penny, and it seems to float a mile along the river.

Yuan Xizheng suddenly saw a maroon horse galloping along the river. At this time, who else could catch up with the smooth sailing boat besides Li Yan's mount and riding skills.It seemed that the voice of Li Yan's calling came from a distance, Yuan Xizheng couldn't help but feel his heart tighten, and Tang Jihu said behind him: "My son-in-law, it seems to be Li Yan!"

Yuan Xizheng thought hoarsely for a while, Tang Cihu sneered, and said: "It's true that there is a way to heaven, he won't go, and there is no way to hell, he will come in!" He turned his head and shouted: "Bring my bow and arrow! "

Yan Liang immediately handed over a black iron bow, Tang Cihu filled the bow with arrows, his one-eyed eyes just showed a fierce light, a slender white hand rested on his arrow, Tang Cihu couldn't help being stunned, Yuan Xizheng actually stopped him from shooting arrows.

Before Tang Cihu could ask, Yuan Xizheng had already brought the bow and arrow, and said, "Could it be that your archery is better than mine?" Xi Zheng's whole body is calm and composed, like a sword drawn from its sheath, cold and ruthless.

The unfeeling arrow shot towards Li Yan with the bone-piercing cold. For a moment, Li Yan almost forgot to dodge. The thousand-mile horse under his crotch was suddenly frightened, raised his hooves and neighed, and Li Yan was thrown off the horse unexpectedly. The arrow feather also penetrated firmly into the horse's belly.

Tang Cihu yelled a pity, and said: "It was only a short distance to send this Li Xu back to the west."

Yan Liang snorted softly, Tang Cihuguang looked at the sharp arrow, but he saw the pain in Yuan Xizheng's eyes.This arrow Yan Liang knew that Yuan Xizheng was shot unwillingly, but military affairs and personal feelings are nothing. Behind Yuan Xizheng are thousands of people in the Southern Dynasty. If he defected to the enemy at this moment Not to mention the kind of unethical feelings, even the infamy of a traitor can make him have nowhere to go.

A few people went back to Jingzhou by light boat. Now Jingzhou is a completely empty city, with neither human habitation nor food. Li Yan's 30 army apparently searched Jingzhou City, but they couldn't find anything useful. thing.However, Li Yan's army seemed to be quite gracious, and they did not burn down the bustling border town in anger. It will inevitably be greatly discounted.

After the three of them, they seemed quite relaxed. Although Li Yan posted a notice to arrest Yuan Xizheng, but unfortunately he seemed to be in danger himself. The Northern Qi Emperor was furious and ordered Zeng Li to escort Li Yan back to Beijing.In the past ten or so days, everything has been very different.Without food and grass, the Northern Qi army had to withdraw its troops and lost the protection of secret weapons. Conquering the Southern Dynasty became a difficult task, but the tea, silk and salt of the Southern Dynasty were necessary, so the Northern Qi and the Southern Dynasty started another peace talk. And Bei Qi had to lower their high heads this time.

Yuan Xizheng became famous all over the world because of this battle, but Emperor Chang rewarded Chu Yin heavily, but only gave Yuan Xizheng a few understated words of encouragement.Tang Cihu was promoted three ranks in a row and was named General Rongwei, but it was a pity that he only escaped three or four of his [-] riders, which was both joy and sorrow.Yan Liang had an extra job as Sima of the Ministry of War, and he was still the governor of Jingzhou. In addition, he was awarded a hundred taels of gold and was given the title of Xiangfu Gong.

Seeing Yuan Xizheng, Gu Chongen secretly smiled and said: "This Yan Liang is really unlucky. If there is another public character added to the back of this Duke Xiangfu, it sounds like a eunuch in ten percent, which is more similar to the title of Grand Duke. .”

Yuan Xizheng only smiled slightly when he heard this, and Gu Chongen saw Yuan Xizheng's forced smile, and pointed to the people singing and dancing in the restaurant: "Aren't you happy that you have accumulated so much merit, what's the point of missing some rewards?"

Yuan Xi smiled, turned her head and said, "In Lao Gu's eyes, am I someone who cares about rewards?"

Holding the wine glass, Gu Chongen pointed at Yuan Xizheng, and then whispered: "You said that Emperor Chang favored the King of Liang, but he ignored you, the son-in-law. What's the reason for this?"

Yuan Xi contended for a seat, peeled the peanuts for a while, and then arranged the peanuts one by one with her slender fingers, and said with a smile: "Your Majesty probably doesn't want to give up King De, right? King Liang was rewarded because he is the leader of this battle." Commander, if I receive a generous reward, it is inevitable that others will think that the Holy Majesty has already planned to abandon King De and favor King Liang."

"Correct." Gu Chongen poured himself a glass of wine, sighed and said, "This is the biggest problem of the Holy One, indecision."

Yuan Xizheng shook the wine glass in her hand and asked, "How are you doing in Beijing and China?"

Gu Chongen raised his sparse eyebrows, and said in a low voice, "King Liang is unstoppable, these Beijing officials have very bright eyes."

Yuan Xizheng put down the wine glass, stood up and said with a smile: "That's nothing to do with me, I'll take a step first."

"Hey, I haven't finished talking yet." Gu Chongen said to Yuan Xizheng's slender back, Yuan Xizheng waved his hand and left the restaurant without stopping.

Spring is early in the south of the Yangtze River, just after the New Year, it seems that the spring is already blooming.The joyful songs and laughter outside seemed to disperse the breath of early spring, making people feel a kind of warm laziness.

Yuan Xizheng didn't seem to be affected by the atmosphere at all, just bowed his head and walked forward, and soon came to a dark alley, suddenly turned around and waved his hand, just heard a sound, and several people fell down in front of him.

"My son-in-law, my son-in-law, don't get me wrong, we were sent by King Liang to protect you." The hidden guard on the ground said repeatedly, covering his legs.

"The King of Liang asked you to follow me." Yuan Xizheng frowned slightly. These people are average in skill, but they are all good at stalking.

"My lord was afraid that the Northern Qi army would be jealous of you and it would be detrimental to the son-in-law, so he asked us to follow from afar, so we can take care of anything." The dark guard broke out in a cold sweat. They have always been good at tracking, but unexpectedly But it was exposed in just a few hours.

"No need, you all go back, I will tell the prince about this matter." Yuan Xizheng stepped past them, turned and walked out of the alley.

The hidden guards had no choice but to watch Yuan Xizheng go further and further away, and beat the ground bitterly, only to realize that Yuan Xizheng shot them down with a few peanuts.When they returned to the palace, they thought it was King Liang's anger that was waiting for them, but the prince just hummed lightly and waved them down, he couldn't help but heaved a sigh of relief and was secretly puzzled.Everyone thought that King Liang was gentle and gentle, but only the secret guards who grew up in Prince Liang's mansion knew that if they failed to complete the task, King Liang's punishment would be severe and merciless.

"Jing Yuan, what do you think the son-in-law's intention is in dumping the hidden guard?" Chu Yin asked the middle-aged man next to him indifferently.

Dongfang Jingyuan thought for a while, and then said: "Yuan Xizheng's temperament has always been solitary, but it is too arrogant to ignore the prince's kindness."

Chu Yin smiled slightly, and said, "Jing Yuan, I know that you are also a counselor, and you will inevitably be a little dissatisfied with Ziqing, but a counselor should pay attention to demeanor, otherwise it will be easy to fall into deception."

Dongfang Jingyuan showed shame, hurriedly bowed and said, "Your servant deserves to die."

Chu Yin waved his hand and said with a smile, "You're being serious. It's human nature to be unconvinced. But you're right. Arrogance is Ziqing's biggest problem... but it's not his fatal weakness."

Dongfang Jingyuan waited for the prince to say what Yuan Xizheng's Achilles' heel was, but Chu Yin changed the subject and talked about the current situation. Naturally, Dongfang Jingyuan couldn't ask Chu Yin to continue the previous topic.Such a Dada question was held in his heart, so that when Dongfang Jingyuan came out, he was still trying to figure out the meaning of the second half of Chu Yin's sentence. If arrogance is Yuan Xizheng's biggest problem but not his biggest weakness, then Yuan Xi The biggest weakness of Zheng is not his fault, could it be an advantage?Thinking of this, Dongfang Jingyuan couldn't help but smiled wryly, this is really a tongue-twister puzzle.

Dongfang Jingyuan put aside this question for the time being. In fact, after Yuan Xizheng had an in-depth conversation with him last time, Dongfang Jingyuan no longer had any intention of competing with Yuan Xizheng.But he knew that an emperor might not like his advisers to fight each other, but he also didn't want his advisers to hug each other. It feels like Dongfang Jingyuan has been carefully handling this size.

Yuan Xizheng walked into Prince Liang's mansion, paused for a while, and then the door opened. There were still some acquaintances in the palace, and they laughed repeatedly: "The son-in-law is here, please come in." Yuan Xizheng nodded slightly at them, and then Then he headed towards Chu Yin's study.

Chu Yin's study was much more heavily guarded than before. It could be said that there were multiple checks, but Yuan Xizheng always entered directly. These guards were respectful as if Yuan Xizheng was the real master of Prince Liang's mansion.In all honesty, Yuan Xizheng felt that even the guards of Yuyuan might not be so respectful to him, because in their minds, no one could replace Ryan.So what is the truth, Yuan Xizheng stepped across the threshold of the study and crossed this question lightly in his heart.

Chu Yin was making tea when he saw Yuan Xizheng coming in and smiled, signaling the person in front of him to sit opposite him.

Compared with more than two years ago, now Chu Yin's body has completely lost the uneasiness and embarrassment of that year, showing a kind of calmness from the inside out.Yuan Xizheng understands that behind this kind of calmness is the confidence of a superior. The current Chu Yin is no longer under the control of others. On the contrary, his current strength can gradually and more control the current situation. Bureau.

There is always domineering behind the confidence of the superior, and Chu Yin can feel Yuan Xizheng's faint resistance. At the beginning when he had nothing, it was also the time when he was closest to Yuan Xizheng, but Chu Yin kept reminding Yuan Xizheng Keep your distance, because he can't lose on a crucial news.However, when he was very close to winning, Chu Yin found that Yuan Xizheng was far away from him, and the opportunity to get close to Yuan Xizheng no longer existed.

"You're angry." Chu Yin handed Yuan Xizheng a cup of tea.

Yuan Xizheng took the tea with a smile, and said, "I just didn't expect that it was someone sent by the prince."

This sentence was not Yuan Xizheng's heartfelt words, Chu Yin knew it, but instead of continuing to dwell on this settled issue, he continued indifferently: "My spies at Lao Liu's place gave me a piece of news, and I heard that they There's a lot of movement there. I'm afraid they'll do you a disservice, so you can't be left alone."

Yuan Xizheng didn't refute, but said indifferently: "Why does King De have a better countermeasure?"

Chu Yin shook his head and said with a smile: "They may have gotten the news that I will attack him first."

Yuan Xizheng was taken aback for a moment. Now Chu Yin spends most of his time discussing countermeasures with Dongfang Jingyuan. Based on Dongfang Jingyuan's understanding of Chu Mo, he always thought that they would take the lead in dealing with Chu Hao, but he never thought of Chu Yin. Chu Min was chosen.

"Do you know why?" Chu Yin raised his eyes to look at Yuan Xizheng, and then slowly said: "I promised you that as long as I have the strength, I will avenge the blood of Yuan Village's entire family for you. Ziqing, it's actually in my heart What has been left on hold is not the throne, but your blood feud." His eyes met Yuan Xizheng's eyes, those eyes were like eagle eyes, sharp, with a bloody smell, but not lacking in caution, exploring , as if with just one glance, he could see through what Yuan Xizheng was thinking deep in his heart.