The loyal minister was forced to marry the traitor

Wei Chengju hid almost all the gunpowder in Yingdu. Originally, he wanted to take everyone to die together, but he never expected that Xiao Jiuqin would be cheaper in the end.

Half of the Huoqi Battalion remained, Xiao Jiuqin recruited them and gave them all the positions on the city wall.

Before Wei Chengju had time to react, he was caught off guard.

Seeing that the situation was one-sided, Wei Chengju sent out all available people, but Yun Zhong appeared at this moment.

The Grand Master's Mansion was razed, and Yun Qiyin was also detained. In an instant, his beard and hair were completely white, his cheekbones seemed to be shifted, and there was a little saliva in his mouth.

Had a stroke.

Wei Chengxi was startled slightly, the Yun Zhong he had in mind was sinister and cunning, although his face was always indifferent.

"You are defeated..." Yun Zhong waved away the person who was supporting him, and walked tremblingly in front of Wei Chengju.

"I lost too." Yun Zhong leaned on the table with his skinny hands, "It's destiny..."

"Where is there such a damn destiny?!" Wei Chengju pinched Yun Zhong's shoulder, "What's wrong with me?!" He pointed in the direction of the city gate, "Wei Chengdan doesn't want to be emperor, what should I do wrong?"

"Why do you want to stop me one by one!"

"How can there be so many reasons?" Yun Zhong's eyes were cloudy, "It's like I wanted to support the Yun family wholeheartedly, wanting it to have the glory of a hundred generations...but in the end it all came to nothing."

"I'm not defeated, I'm not defeated yet..." Wei Chengli walked out a few steps and asked someone to set off a yellow-green fireworks.

Yun Zhong followed him out, "It's useless, even if Wei Chengdan dies, you can't be the crown prince."

"I don't believe it!" Wei Chengju was about to go out with a knife, but Yun Zhong called him, "Wait."

"There is one more thing that is not settled..." Yun Zhong looked at Xiao Jiuqin on the city wall from a distance, separated by thousands of soldiers fighting, he suddenly smiled, "It's not always just defeat..."

"Master Hou, Yun Zhong sent someone to send a letter." Wei Chengju's defeat under the city wall was already decided, Xiao Jiuqin looked at the letter and didn't reach out.

Bai Yan took it for him, but Xiao Jiuqin pressed his hand, "I'll do it."

When the envelope was opened, it was a piece of yellowed paper with blood stains on it. The original ink-black characters had faded, but the strong handwriting could still be seen.

"Uncle Xiao..." Bai Yan's face changed suddenly.

The veins on the back of Xiao Jiuqin's hands popped out.

But there were only a few words, but he read them over and over again, and each word seemed to be covered in mist. He chewed and swallowed, but his throat was so dry that he couldn't utter a single word.

Five years ago, the Marquis of Pingjin was ambushed in northern Xinjiang, and his son went to rescue him against orders, but was led into Langhou Mountain by the barbarians from Beidi, and he ended up with no bones left.

The second son of the Marquis of Pingjin was the co-prefect of Beizhou at the time. When he learned that his father was trapped and his elder brother was dead, he asked the prefect of Beizhou for help.

Unexpectedly, the magistrate of Beizhou Prefecture delayed for a long time, and finally, without waiting for his permission, Xiao Erlang rushed to Beijiang with his cronies Day and Night Xingxing, and rescued Pingjinhou.

However, this incident finally reached the ears of the emperor, who fined Xiao Erlang eighty sticks and sent him to prison.

In the cold and windy northern Xinjiang, Xiao Erlang had no food or clothing, and his right leg was damaged by the cold.

But within a few days, Beidi made another surprise attack, Marquis Pingjin went into battle with injuries, and Xiao Erlang was named the leader of the Xiao cavalry guards, and he was forced to go into battle with his half disabled.

After that... Xiao Jiuqin closed his eyes.

His second brother was surrounded by barbarians from Beidi because of inconvenient legs and feet, and thousands of arrows pierced through his heart!

And his father is just a short distance away.

For so many years, the inside story about the death of a family in the Pingjin Houfu has been circulated and circulated, but most of them are mixed with various speculations.

Bai Yan grabbed Xiao Jiuqin's hand, "Let's go out and meet Yun Zhong."

This letter has little content, and it is a suicide note written by Pingjinhou to his family.But this letter is in Yunzhong's hands, and he purposely lures them out.

No matter what Yun Zhong wanted to do, it was impossible for Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin to ignore it.

Not long after, Xiao Jiuqin and Bai Yan led a dozen people to open the city gate and go out.

Yun Zhong was carried to the front of the battle, and Wei Chengju was also there.

"This letter couldn't have been sent to you by the Marquis of Pingjin." Bai Yan stepped forward, "Is it an accident that the Marquis of Pingjin died in the battle in Beijiang five years ago, or...someone did it on purpose?"

"Bai Yan." Yun Zhong looked at him, "One thing I regret now is that I shouldn't have let you go in a moment of soft-heartedness."

"At that time, I really didn't expect that you boy was not a loyal dog of the Pingjin Marquis Mansion, but a vicious wolf... That old man Xue Liangfu came to the door many times. He probably expected this day long ago. He never expected that you would be so fateful. Those Jin Yiwei are extremely useless, even that idiot Wei Chengfeng is."

"Wei Chengfeng has something to do with you too?" Bai Yan didn't expect this.

"But everyone takes what they need, it's just that this idiot is really incompetent. He took so many people and let you escape, and finally... fell into your trap, leaving no bones left."

Yun Zhong smiled: "You dare to kill even the prince of the current dynasty, you are bold enough."

"The grand master's words are wrong. The fourth highness died in the battle between the two armies. The lower officials don't know anything. Besides, when it comes to boldness, how can you compare with the grand master? You dare to rebel. Just because of this, the lower officials are not as good you."

"What a sharp mouth." Yun Zhong couldn't take advantage of Bai Yan, so he nodded to his subordinates, and saw one of them releasing blue fireworks.

Yun Zhong's eyes moved away from Bai Yan, and finally fell on Xiao Jiuqin.

"Haven't the two of you been investigating what happened five years ago? Today... the old man will help you clear up your doubts."

When he said this suddenly, Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin looked at each other, feeling that this person still had something to reveal, and when he was guessing, Yun Zhong raised his hand and pointed at the city wall.

"Everyone is here... let's start."

Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin turned their heads, and saw a group of people suddenly changed on the city wall, the emperor and Wei Chengdan were bound to the front, the prince of Nanyi was also held hostage by the "National Teacher", and Huai Chun held Song Que's shoulder distance They are less than five feet.

The emperor had been sick for half a year, but now his complexion is rosy, and he looks very healthy. On the other hand, Wei Chengdan's complexion is ashen, his body is crumbling, and his eyes are on Huai Chun.

"Teacher, you actually colluded with the national teacher to rob His Majesty..." Bai Yan couldn't figure out what Yunzhong meant, and exchanged glances with Xiao Jiuqin, but Yunzhong noticed it keenly. The people sent the emperor and Wei Chengdan to the edge again, "Xiao Jiuqin, if you dare to make a move, don't blame the old man for being the first to act first."

Xiao Jiuqin withdrew his hand, "If you have something to say, why bother to go round and round."

Yun Zhong smiled softly, "Your temperament is not very similar to Marquis Ping Jin, he acts cautiously, treats people very well, even if he is forced to die, he will die calmly, without any timidity."

"It's just that he said a word before he died."

"The person I am most sorry for in my life is my third son, Jiuqin. I hope that he will be safe and sound from now on, and leave Yingdu together with Xingzhang, enjoying freedom and happiness...don't get involved in right and wrong again."

Yun Zhong looked at Xiao Jiuqin, "Your father wanted you to leave, but you plunged headlong into the quagmire of northern Xinjiang, and fought for five years... In the end, it seemed that you didn't get back the emperor's trust for a moment... Instead, let him be in the Dragon Seat." It’s even more like sitting on pins and needles.”

"Am I right? Your Majesty..."

His words moved Bai Yan's heart, and Xiao Jiuqin followed his gaze to the city wall.

The emperor's lips moved, "Yun Zhong, now that things have happened, do you still want to sow discord?!"

"Whether it's sowing dissension or whether it's true, His Majesty must be more clear than the old minister." Yun Zhong ordered someone to escort him up to kneel in front of Xiao Jiuqin, "Xiao Jiuqin, you don't think you don't know this person, do you?"

Since someone raised the man's head, Xiao Jiuqin was taken aback when he saw the man's face clearly.

"Uncle Kong?"

Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin had the same reaction, "Uncle Kong, are you..." The words behind him stopped abruptly, and he suddenly looked at the emperor on the city wall.

Kong Zheng is one of Xiao Jiuqin's father's confidantes and a former imperial guard.

Fifteen years ago, he was stabbed to death by the emperor because he injured Xungui's son, but in the end it was Pingjinhou who pleaded with the emperor to save his life.

After that, Pingjin Hou saw that he was depressed and hopeless, so he simply brought him into the camp.A few years later, Kong Zheng made military achievements repeatedly because of his bravery and combat skills, but the emperor deliberately obliterated his achievements.

For this reason, Marquis Pingjin expressed his feelings to the emperor several times, and finally won the military merits and rewards that Kong Zheng deserved for him.

Pingjin Hou Xinzhong didn't have many cronies, so Kong contended for one.

Five years ago, it was clear that Kong Zheng died in battle with Marquis Pingjin, but now he appeared alive in front of Xiao Jiuqin and the others.

They didn't dare to think deeply, but Yun Zhong didn't give them this chance.

"Why don't you ask why Kong Zheng is alive?"

Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin were silent.

When they were still young, Kong Zheng also taught them martial arts, and Kong Zheng had no wife and no children, and treated them as his own. fine horses and fine wolf pelts.

When Xiao Jiuqin was beaten so badly by Marquis Pingjin that he could hardly stand up because he injured the princess's son-in-law, it was Kong Zheng who carried him back from the Xiao family ancestral hall, and together with Bai Yan took care of him for seven whole days.

Also, Bai Yan was bullied by his classmates in the academy, Xiao Jiuqin didn't know anything about it in the military camp, it was also Kong Zheng, he took Bai Yan, beat those boys to the ground, and then warned them not to bully Bai Yan again.

and also……

Bai Yan took a deep breath, "Uncle Kong, does Uncle Xiao's death have anything to do with you...?"

"It's me." Kong Zheng knelt on the ground dejectedly, "My wife gave birth to a son, I..." He didn't dare to look at Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin, and even trembled subconsciously when he heard Bai Yan's question trembling.

Kong Zheng is getting old.

Looking at the lines on his temples and his gray hair, Bai Yan suddenly thought in his heart: If Uncle Xiao hadn't died, wouldn't he be like Kong Zheng now?

But in an instant he shook his head again, Uncle Xiao wouldn't be like this.

Uncle Xiao's back was always so straight, the armor on his body glowed with a cold light, but there was always a warm smile on his face.

He would beat Xiao Jiuqin to the ground, but he would also gently rub his hair and sigh: "Why isn't Xiao Jiu half as cute as Ah Yan?"

"Xiao Jiu..." Kong Zheng lowered his head, he still didn't dare to look up, let alone look at Bai Yan.

Compared with Xiao Jiuqin, Kong Zheng dared not meet Bai Yan's gaze.

The two children are the same age, Xiao Jiuqin is only a few months older than Bai Yan, but from childhood to adulthood, Bai Yan is always the one who decides between the two.

Moreover, Bai Yan was precocious, and most of the time, adults were not as transparent as him, and often made people forget his age.

"Is my father's death related to you?" Xiao Jiuqin didn't have that much patience, and his mind was in a mess right now.

He also suspected that his father's death might not be an accident, but he never thought that it would be related to Kong Zheng, and what Yun Zhong meant by bringing him out now.

Kong Zheng and Yun Zhong...

"Kong Zheng doesn't belong to this old man." Yun Zhong didn't know what Xiao Jiuqin was thinking, he glanced at the city wall, "The former imperial guards are not ordinary people, how can this old man have such great ability to make him move? "

In a word, Xiao Jiuqin and Bai Yan recognized it.

Kong Zheng is the emperor's man.

It's just... "Ten years, the emperor put you next to my father," Xiao Jiuqin suddenly sneered, "How many ten years can a person have, you are willing to risk your own future... just to monitor my father? "

He found it unbelievable, but it seemed reasonable again, "If your majesty doesn't trust me in the Marquis of Pingjin, you can remove the military power of my Xiao family, or let the Xiao family leave Yingdu...but why did you have to..."

Looking at Xiao Jiuqin like this, Bai Yan felt uncomfortable. He couldn't say anything to comfort him, so he could only reach out and clenched his tightly clenched fist to give him some strength.

"The Xiao family wants to use it, but it can't be a counterattack sword." Yun Zhong sneered, "Xiao Jiuqin, don't you understand now? Whether it was five years ago or now, it was you, the Marquis of Pingjin, who drove everyone to a desperate situation." Your Majesty who has never regretted dying to be loyal!"

"Could it be that His Majesty forced the Yun family to flourish?" Bai Yan glanced at Yun Zhong, "Don't push everything out, who tortured me five years ago and forced me to confess? Did the emperor force you?"

As he spoke, he glanced at the city wall, and said loudly: "You gathered all the people involved in the past here today, aren't you going to spread out the things that happened five years ago? Yes!"

He suddenly pulled out a knife from the waist of the people around him and threw it at Kong Zheng's feet, "According to the military rules, how should traitors be dealt with?"

Kong Zheng froze, then smiled bitterly, picked up the long knife from the ground, and cut off his own arm neatly, "I should have killed myself, but I am weak and incompetent, and... I still have a wife and children, so I beg Lord Hou to stay with me." I have a humble life, when my son grows up, I shall go to die, and go underground to plead guilty to Lord Hou."

He knocked his head hard three times.

Xiao Jiuqin turned his head away.

Bai Yan's lips also moved, but he finally couldn't bear it, "We will never see each other again."

Kong Zheng's feet were covered with blood, he ignored the bleeding arms and forehead, and said word by word: "Little, Lord Hou and Your Excellency...you are all safe and sound."

Kong Zheng clutched his arms and left.

Yun Zhong looked at Xiao Jiu and Qin Baiyan and smiled: "You just let go of the murderer who killed Marquis Ping Jin, can Marquis Ping Jin rest in peace underground?"

"I don't need to bother you. We will find out how much Kong Zheng has done, but at least... it is not a heinous crime."

Xiao Jiuqin and Bai Yan are not stupid, they don't know about Kong Zheng, if Pingjinhou's death was caused by him, then it is impossible to see him here today.

Generals don't have so many schemes and tricks, they are sincere and accept death. Five years ago, Pingjinhou fell into heavy siege, and Kong Zheng didn't rescue him in time at most. He couldn't have killed Pingjinhou.

Yun Zhong wanted to play with the emotions of the two of them, but he just ignored one thing, that is, Bai Yan and Xiao Jiuqin didn't know how to listen to the wind and the rain.

Today, Yun Zhong wants to reveal the truth of the past, but his purpose is too simple, he just wants to make the water in Yingdu more muddy.