Surrounded by strong ministers

The cold and sharp blade is full of killing intent, fierce and vigorous.

The blade strikes, killing intent.Xiao Zong didn't respond at all, standing straight in front of the stall, neither dodging, dodging, nor backing away, his face seemed indifferent but he was a little dazed.

He was not good at martial arts since he was a child, and when he fought with the royal brothers and brothers when he was young, he was always beaten to the point of being powerless. No matter how hard he practiced, Xiao Zong never once turned his brothers around in the skill of dancing swords. bottom position.The old general Pei Zhu who was in charge of teaching martial arts to the princes once said euphemistically to Emperor Renming that His Majesty the Fourteenth Prince is really not suitable for practicing martial arts. , It will be somewhat effective to make up for one's weakness with diligence, but there is still a difference between a little talent and no talent.Old General Pei said that His Highness the Fourteenth Prince may be a bit slow in his perception of the crisis, because in this way, the Fourteenth Prince will be less aware of the opponent's moves, and he will not be able to respond in time.After hearing these words, Emperor Renming was silent for a while, and said to Pei Zhu that you mean that Zong'er has no qualifications, and his reaction was a little slow?Pei Zhi faltered, and Emperor Renming never insisted on Xiao Zong in terms of martial arts.

At this time, Xiao Zong was facing the bone carving stall owner with a sudden attack, vividly showing his slowness in martial arts and self-protection.He stood still.

"Be careful, Your Majesty!" In a blink of an eye, Sima Xian at his side made a quick move, and pushed the emperor violently. A dagger in his sleeve slipped out, and met the sharp blade that was going straight for the emperor's neck.

There was a piercing clang.

The cold blade shone with a biting light and drew a cold light on the side of Xiao Zong's neck.

"Escort!" Han Su shouted behind him.As soon as he finished speaking, more than a dozen brazen figures suddenly appeared in the surroundings.

Following Xiao Zong out of the palace, the guards of the forbidden army who had been hiding in the dark all this time saw the light of the sword in the hand of the owner of the bone carving stall, and immediately divided into three groups. His body was as fast as lightning, and he stepped forward to rescue him, and banned him all the way. The guards surrounded Xiao Zong and retreated, another way jumped directly to attack the lawless thug who assassinated the emperor, and another way flew to Xiao Heng and other little children to protect a group of little masters.

In an instant, the small streets and alleys became a melee. The assassin who pretended to set up a stall to do business and attacked Xiao Zong was not alone. The moment he bent down and fucked the guy, behind several stalls selling groceries scattered on both sides of the small street at the same time Five or six people sprang out, obviously someone had made arrangements earlier and came prepared.The assassins were all tall and strong, with wild faces, and the weapons in their hands were different from the swords that the Central Plains warriors used to use. They were shaped like curved hooks, with thin and wide blades.

Holding such two knives, the assassin flew towards Xiao Zong and his party, and fought fiercely with the imperial guards who came forward to escort him. For a moment, the sound of cold iron clashing was heard in the lonely street, and in the darkness, the swords collided and pulled out a A blinding spark.

After being dazed for a moment for the first time, Xiao Zong has already reacted.In fact, he was very clear-headed all the time, and when he saw the stall owner swinging a machete at him, he knew he was being attacked, but although this idea kept reverberating in his mind, his body instinctively didn't know how to react, just like when he was a child Every time he competes with his brothers with a wooden sword, he clearly sees the opponent's wooden sword beckoning to his arm or shoulder, but it always takes him a while to remember which move he should use to block it, or How to dodge, and when he thought about what to do, the hot steamed buns had cooled several times, so every time he could only watch helplessly as the royal brother picked his chin and throat with wooden sword fingers.

Xiao Zong knew that he had encountered a surprise attack, and was pushed by Sima Xian to avoid the fatal knife. He immediately thought of what happened to the emperor's nephews. Seeing that Xiao Heng and others were safe and sound, he breathed a sigh of relief, and looked for Sima in a blink of an eye. Xian.When the second son of King Chu was blocking the fatal blow for him, he heard a muffled groan.

The assassins used double knives, and when the stall owner slashed at him with one scimitar, he slashed at Second Master Chu with the other machete.

Surrounded by the guards, Xiao Zong retreated to the side to avoid the chaos. In the dark streets and alleys, clusters of sparks were struck by the swords.He was watching from the sidelines, and he could clearly see the situation in the arena. His ten guards and Sima Xian fought against six or seven outlaws who didn't know where they came from. One of the outlaws had already been killed. The selected guards were all the best among the military attachés of the imperial army, and their martial arts skills were naturally extraordinary, but the few assassins were as good as half of them.Xiao Zong frowned, this kind of sharp blade shaped like a crescent moon is the usual weapon of some tribes in the northwest, this one looks not simple.

A scimitar flew out, circled a few feet in mid-air, and plunged obliquely into the dirt wall of the side street with a pop, most of the blade was buried in the wall, but it was Sima Xian who picked up an assassin and slashed at him. A hard blow.

Sima Xian's hand gestures were like clouds, and the scimitar he snatched from the enemy seemed to be raised lightly, but in fact it was as fast as lightning. The cold blade that slashed down fiercely, against the two enemies alone, still had the upper hand.

Xiao Zong knew that the second son of the King of Chu believed himself to be capable, and he didn't take his worrying situation seriously these days in Beijing. He heard what Han Su said, and sometimes he was quite conceited in his words. Xiao Zong only expected Sima Xian Probably he did have some skills, but he didn't know that his martial arts were so superb.

The owner of the bone carving stall suddenly slashed at him, and the second master of Chu probably didn't dodge it. Xiao Zong looked at Sima Xian, who was like a dragon in the fight. With a flowery face and a frivolous smile, it turned out to be Guisha Shura.

Slightly pondering for a moment, Xiao Zong said to the guards around him: "There is no danger here, go and block for Prince Chu and protect him to a safe place." He probably also saw the target, except for the sudden cold light in front of the bone carving booth that greeted him at the beginning, but the murderers who jumped out later all went towards Sima Xian. There are not many assassins running here, but there are quite a few who are desperate to attack the second son of Chu. The attack on him at the beginning seems to be a bit of an intention to confuse the public.

Xiao Zong frowned slightly, this outburst was more and more impure.

After thinking for a moment, he came back to his senses, seven or eight guards still surrounded him tightly, but no one responded to the order to rescue Sima Xian, Xiao Zong frowned: "Didn't you listen to what I said?"

The leading military officer in the bodyguard turned around, knelt down to plead guilty, looked boldly at Xiao Zong, hesitation flickered on his resolute face, "But the emperor and the Taifu..."

"Zhen and Taifu..." Xiao Zong just wanted to say that he and Han Suliu would take care of each other, when he suddenly found an arm tied around his waist, and the hand on his waist was white and slender with distinct knuckles , and then found that the arms tied around his waist were a little tight, and he was half hugging his shoulders and leaning against his chest.

Han Su yelled to protect him, and after getting him out of the dangerous situation, he kept paying attention to the fight on the field, didn't pay attention to other things, and didn't feel that there was anything wrong. The breath on the side of his neck suddenly became clear and warm.

Xiao Zong turned his head, looked at Han Su, moved his body slightly, and clearly felt the fingers pressing on his waist moved, and then seemed to press even tighter, Tai Fu's face was as gentle as usual in the dimness.

Xiao Zong's head was occupied by the assassin, and he couldn't help feeling a bit distracted, thinking at the wrong time, the current situation is like this, so they shouldn't cause any talk.Subconsciously glanced at the imperial military officer from the corner of his eye.

Han Su's face was always calm and at ease, he glanced at the fighting field twice, looked away, and said to the uncomfortable Xiao Zong: "The emperor's safety is always the most important thing, how can we send all the guards to protect others. Don't worry too much, the emperor, the guards are gaining the upper hand now, Sima Xian is free and easy in the face of the two assassins, and he is more comfortable with the one, he will not be surprised. Besides, Commander Cheng, "Glanced at the half-kneeling The local military officer, "Commander Cheng set off fireworks earlier to send a message. The imperial city patrol guards must have seen it, and they will arrive soon. No matter who instigates this group of thugs, whoever their target is, they will not be able to succeed, and their defeat is certain." , Your Majesty, please relax."

As soon as he finished his words, there was a burst of noise from the brightly lit Qifeng Street in the distance. Two rows of torches rushed into the small street like a long dragon, walking clangingly, and the iron-clothed armor quickly approaching. It was indeed the Imperial City Guards chasing coming.

The leading general gave an order to the fully armed soldiers under his command, and before Xiao Zong, he suddenly knelt down to plead guilty, Han Su calmly withdrew his hand, Xiao Zong subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief.

At this moment, the outcome of the fight is clear at a glance.There were still three assassins left, and they were seriously injured, but they hadn't put down their scimitars yet.When the imperial city guards rushed in from the street, they tried to escape, but were blocked by Xiao Zong's guards, and now they were pointed at by a group of soldiers guarding the city, and it was impossible to escape, but none of them Abandoning weapons and surrendering, he resisted stubbornly under the cold weather.

With a long and sharp sound of "Clang", Sima Xian chopped off the machete in the hand of the bone carving stall owner, and put the sharp blade on the opponent's neck.The fighting in the field stopped suddenly, and the other two assassins were also captured alive by the imperial army almost at the same time.

Xiao Zong went forward without thinking too much.

"Tell me, who ordered you?" Sima Xian said coldly, pointing at the owner of the bone carving stall, his stunning face was cold in the beating firelight, and the brows were filled with gloom and hostility.

Xiao Zong frowned slightly, and his frivolous smile faded away. This was the original appearance of the second son of the King of Chu.

The assassin smiled coldly, "You don't need to know." Leaning forward suddenly, he hit the blade in front of him, and the long knife pierced his throat.

Seeing this, the imperial guards hurriedly stopped the other two captured assassins, but they were still a step too late. The two men bit the poison embedded in their teeth and died immediately.

"Dead man." Han Su said.

Xiao Zong frowned, didn't say anything, and turned to look at Sima Xian.The second son of the King of Chu was holding the blade. I don't know if it was because of the fierce fight just now. Xiao Zong saw that his hand holding the knife was trembling slightly, his face and body seemed to be straightened, and his gloomy complexion was strangely pale. There is really a bit of ghostly evil spirit in the firelight.

His gaze sized Sima Xian around, and finally stopped at his left shoulder. The brocade robe was torn open, blood stained a piece of his clothes, and he had indeed been stabbed. "Come here, escort Prince Chu back to the residence to heal his injuries." Xiao Zong said.

Sending Sima Xian away, Xiao Zong stood in the alley for a while. This fight was very fierce, but due to the noise of people on the surrounding streets, it did not cause any chaos. , There has been a commotion in the downtown area.Xiao Zong comforted his terrified little nephew in the side street who would not let go of his shoulders for a while, and waited for the Imperial City Guards to clear the side street and Shanhou Street, and then drove to the street entrance, and then led the group of nephews together with Han Go back together and get into the car.

The guards of the imperial city escorted the car all the way to the palace, Xiao Zong sat on the wide chair and frowned slightly, secretly exploiting the incident of the attack. Beast totems and tattoos are customs handed down from ancient times in the northwest. With the tough and rough appearance of the assassin, and the double scimitar in his hand, the visible clues are very clear.

Xiao Zong rubbed his forehead, thought carefully back and forth, his head hurt a little.In fact, he understands that no matter who planned the ambush, it will be over on the surface or in private. Even if he knows the real mastermind behind the scenes, he can't do anything to him for the time being. Keep an eye on it.

However, he can't do anything to people, but he can't let people do whatever they want.

Xiao Zong got on and off the car in the middle of the road, followed Han Su to escort the emperor's nephews back to the palace, and led a group of guards to Zhuxiangyuan by himself.

The Zhuxiang Courtyard is not as heavily guarded as the Dongxing Pavilion, but Xiao Zong also assigned a lot of guards here. It is true that his purpose of deployment is to protect the second son of the King of Chu, but it is also his purpose to see what the King of Chu wants to do. thought.In recent days, Zhao Ye, the school lieutenant in charge of the defense of Zhuxiangyuan, reported that the king of Chu sent many family letters to his youngest son.

Xiao Zong entered the courtyard, and Zhao Ye led him to Sima Xian's bedroom. When he arrived at the door, the medical officer just healed Prince Chu's injuries and exited. Xiao Zong asked about his injuries, and left guards outside to guard him. , entered alone.

There was only one oil lamp lit in the room, the light was dim and dim, Xiao walked in, Sima Xian didn't lie on the bed recuperating like a wounded patient, he was sitting on a small couch with his back leaning on the soft cushion, with the curtain half-drawn beside him, The whole person was shrouded in darkness, he didn't know what he was thinking, his face was serious, and there was a gloomy look between his slightly frowned eyebrows.

Seeing Xiao Zong coming, he didn't seem surprised, his gloomy expression subsided, the corners of his lips curled slightly, and he leaned slightly on the couch, "The emperor is here, please forgive me for not being able to stand up and bow down."

Xiao Zong approached the couch, "There is no need to be too polite." He glanced at Sima Xian lightly, "Are you waiting for me?"

Sima Xian did not shy away from looking directly at Longyan, and raised his eyebrows lightly, "The emperor is kind and gentle. Just now, there was a crisis in the small street, and the humble minister was injured again. The humble minister wanted to use the emperor's kindness and respect for his subordinates." Compassionate, will definitely come to visit.”

Xiao Zong didn't say anything, but looked at Sima Xian's injured shoulder.Because the injury was on the shoulder and arm, it was inconvenient to wear clothes. A navy blue robe was only draped over Sima Xian's shoulders. Under the robe, there were layers of white gauze that was slightly scarlet. A little ruthless, Xiao Zong thought of the report from the medical officer outside the door just now, and sighed slightly in his heart, a little sighed.

Sima Xian also looked at his wounds, and said: "Those dead men from the Northwest came for the ministers, and they killed them by tricks. It seems that King Qin really killed the ministers quickly." In a blink of an eye Glancing at Xiao Zong, after a moment of silence, he chuckled and said coldly, "Smearing poison on the blade is such a sinister method, the King of Qin is not ambiguous at all, and he is determined to win the life of the humble minister, but it is a pity that he is so secretive. , I don’t know that Weichen has eaten poison since childhood, so it’s not so easy to die from poison.”

Xiao Zong looked at Sima Xian, but didn't speak.The assassin's knife was poisoned, and when the medical officer told him about it, he was a little surprised and a little puzzled, but now that he heard this sentence, he understood it, and after he understood it, he felt that it was over.

It's fine if you get stabbed, why bother to use poison.

pass.

As for the sudden change in Qifeng Street not long ago, if it was said that King Qin arranged to kill Sima Xian, he would rather believe that it was a bitter plan by Prince Chu to frame King Qin.If the king of Qin was really plotting behind the scenes, according to that man's ruthless temper, this assassination would have been too hasty and hasty. A few people, he, the emperor with his hidden guards, would dare to attack. With such a no-brainer, he can rest easy and not have to worry about that man all day long.Besides, Qifeng Street was pointed out by Sima Xian, and the king of Qin was as capable as he was, and he couldn't be so capable that the unknown prophet would sit on the sidelines and wait for rabbits.As for those scimitar totem tattoos, they are even more unclear. If the dead men are so clearly recognized at a glance, how can they be called dead men?

The layout seemed well-thought-out, but in his eyes it was full of flaws.

Seeing that Prince Chu's complexion was slightly pale and faintly blue due to injury and poisoning, Xiao Zong's expression was calm and indifferent, but he couldn't help but sighed slightly in his heart. For the realism of this scene, Sima Xian It took a lot of thought, but Xiao Zong asked himself silently, does he look really stupid and easy to fool?

"The king of Qin wanted to kill this minister, but he was planning to pick a fight between the emperor and his father. Now he is in prison in the residence, and he is unwilling to be controlled by the emperor. The disadvantage is that although he is restrained, he is not completely ready to die, if the emperor does not get rid of him as soon as possible, he may suffer endless troubles." Sima Xian looked at Xiao Zong, and his words were not insincere.

Xiao Zong looked at Sima Xian, feeling a little helpless calmly, the Prince of Chu really still insisted on that He Chu Kang Qin, it was a cliché, thinking that his uncle put pressure on his youngest son in his family letters, so that he had to hurt himself Come to tease him.

Looking at Sima Xian who was waiting for him to express his opinion, Xiao Zong condensed for a moment, and said calmly: "I have fully understood what the king of Chu means, and I hope the king of Chu can also understand what I mean. I have my own decision about the king of Qin. No need for others to bother you." Wei Wei paused, then continued, "Sima Xian, I have two words for the King of Chu, first, the King of Qin is my bargaining chip, and it is still useful; second, the loyalty of the King of Chu lies with me. King Qin already accepted it when he 'sealed the soul'." He hoped that these two words would make his uncle think about it, calm down a bit, and think twice before acting.

Sima Xian's expression changed several times when he heard the words, and he remained silent for a while, his expression a little unnatural: "What is the emperor's intention? King Qin was poisoned that day, and it was Wen Ting...what does it have to do with the Chu Palace?"

Xiao Zong stopped and said no more, he had come to the purpose of this trip, turned around and planned to go back to the palace, when he reached the door, he couldn't help turning his head and said something to the prince of Chu who was sitting on the couch with a frozen face, "Since I was young, do you know how many people have acted in front of me?"

Sima Xian watched Xiao Zong stepping out of the threshold, his slender eyes flashed thinly, and the sharp eyes finally turned into a touch of sarcasm.

The assassin was indeed arranged by him.

How was the progress of the matter of removing Qin, his father asked urgently, he had to pick up another incident, and persuade the emperor to deal with the Northwest War Wolf.He couldn't bow his head in front of the prince of the medicine jar.

The news came from the palace that the emperor was out of the palace, and he hastily deployed dead soldiers on several streets, using himself as a bait.

But it turned out to teach people to see through at a glance.

Sima Xian looked at the faintly bleeding wound on his shoulder and arm. This scene was planned by him, and the knife was also arranged in advance by him, but the poison was not in his plan.

If he hadn't beaten the thief and taken the poison secretly to resist the poison, he would really have met the king of Hades right now.

Who is directing a play within a play.