Chapter 46: The Emperor and His Ministers Have Already Met with the Time (46)

Luo Xiuyuan didn't stay in sorrow for too long, Chang Mao interrupted his thoughts: "Your Majesty, General He has returned to Beijing and is waiting outside the palace."

"Please come in quickly!" Luo Xiuyuan was very worried about Shen Minghuan. He hadn't received any news from the front for some time.

Shen Minghuan's tactics this time were both conservative and radical. He was conservative because he was very patient and took steady steps, not seeking a quick decision, and only adopted tactics that could minimize casualties.

And radical because he had no awareness of the commander sitting in the rear, and he used endless tactics such as fighting generals, using himself as bait, and going deep into the enemy camp. The decisive factor for the victory of this battle was that he led a team deep into the enemy camp and killed the opponent's commander.

Luo Xiuyuan was almost scared to death when he received the battle report, and this man proudly said that this was a decapitation tactic of capturing the king first.

At the end of the letter, Shen Minghuan casually said that the battle was over and they were going back. After that, Luo Xiuyuan did not receive any news from them, and did not even know where this person went.

He Zhang knelt on one knee: "Your Majesty."

"Get up quickly, why are you the only one here? Where is Minghuan?" Luo Xiuyuan asked repeatedly.

He Zhang stood up as he was told, clasped his fists and said, "The prince and General Zhuo are behind, and should have reached the outside of Yanling City. I will go ahead and ask Your Majesty to summon the imperial physician. The prince is injured."

"Ming Huan is injured?" Luo Xiuyuan's voice suddenly rose, "Summon, summon, Chang Mao, ask all the imperial physicians to wait in Ming Huan Palace."

He grabbed He Zhang's hand, "Where is he injured? Is he seriously injured? Why did you let him come back like this? I can send an imperial physician over!"

He Zhang thought about it and said honestly, "It's quite serious. The prince was ambushed when he was killing an enemy general, and was hit by a poisonous arrow in the back, but his life is not in danger for the time being."

Luo Xiuyuan's hand was still holding He Zhang, and it turned white because of too much force. His cold sweat soaked his clothes. Even if He Zhang said that his life was not in danger, he could not rest assured.

The officials who were still in the palace looked at each other and saw the worry that could not be concealed on their faces.

Luo Xiuyuan walked out quickly, "Prepare the horses, I want to go outside the city."

In theory, it is very dangerous for the emperor to leave the palace rashly. Even if he really wants to go out, he must give orders in advance and let the guards prepare.

But at this moment, no one stepped forward to stop him.

Shen Minghuan is a hero of the Qi Dynasty and has made many sacrifices for His Majesty. If the news of his return to the city arrives earlier, it would not be too much for the whole court to welcome him ten miles away.

He was injured. Although they knew that it was not good for His Majesty to go out in person, if they dissuaded him, would they still be human?

*

At the same time, outside the city.

Shen Minghuan was being ambushed.

The other party did not expect it to be so smooth. They guessed that Shen Minghuan would not bring too many people back. After all, Yanling City already had 5,000 soldiers on standby.

But they did not guess that Shen Minghuan did not bring any!

Even if the old coachman had some skills, they were so many that they could wear him out to death.

Oh my God, God is too kind to them!

Before, they thought this was the best opportunity to kill Shen Minghuan, but they didn't expect that this opportunity was too good, and their consciences were a little uneasy.

Zhuo Feichen was alone, and two fists could not beat four hands. In addition, after the other party found out that he was a tough guy, they mainly delayed him and pestered him to prevent him from getting close. Zhuo Feichen was unable to split his attention.

Shen Minghuan's carriage was suddenly exposed, standing alone in the center of the encirclement, like a piece of fat meat.

Some people tightly entangled Zhuo Feichen, while others excitedly raised their weapons and chopped at the carriage.

"Minghuan!" Zhuo Feichen tried to come back to help again and again, but was kicked by the other party when he found an opportunity, and was further away from Shen Minghuan.

The person running in front had already touched the curtain of the carriage. Greed and viciousness flashed in his eyes, and he pulled the curtain down with force, "Traitor, your death is coming!"

Shen Minghuan looked at him calmly, turned his wrist, and the folding fan in his sleeve came out like a sword.

The folding fan spun in midair, the edge of which scraped across the man's throat, blood splattered, and the folding fan returned to Shen Minghuan's hand.

Shen Minghuan looked at the blood that stained the fan, shook it off, and was a little disgusted.

The man still had a greedy look on his face, and fell on his back. Perhaps he was still thinking about chopping off Shen Minghuan's head before he died to get promoted and make a fortune.

The others who thought they had won were frightened by this strange way of killing, and did not move for a while.

Shen Minghuan walked out of the carriage slowly, "Cui family?"

Not only the Cui family came, but also the famous families nearby participated, but it was indeed the Cui family who set up the game, and it was also the team led by the eldest son of the Cui family.

Cui Liang gritted his teeth and shouted: "Come on! Whoever kills Shen Che will get a reward of 1,000 taels!"

Shen Minghuan must die! If he doesn't die, their family will be ruined today.

Luo Xiuyuan came out suddenly this time, and only Chang Mao and He Zhang followed him. People heard the fighting from a distance.

Luo Xiuyuan felt uneasy: "Chang Mao, go find your uncle and ask him to bring the Xianzhen Camp over."

"But..." Chang Mao hesitated.

Luo Xiuyuan urged: "Go quickly." He had an inexplicable premonition that one of the two groups fighting must be Shen Minghuan.

He Zhang's expression was serious: "I will swear to protect your majesty to the death."

Chang Mao knew that his skills were not as good as He Zhang's, and that his adoptive father would trust him more. Although he was worried, he still took the order to turn around and galloped away.

Luo Xiuyuan listened to the increasingly fierce fighting in front of him, and his eyebrows were a little cold, "He Zhang, let's go."

He wanted to see who dared to ambush his best friend on the land of Daqi.

Although Luo Xiuyuan always said that he didn't want to be an emperor, he was actually very suitable. At least He Zhang looked at his eyes mixed with anger and murderous intent, and never realized so deeply that the man in front of him was the master of the world and had the power to make millions of corpses in this world.

He Zhang said: "Your Majesty, you wait here, I will help."

Luo Xiuyuan still waved the whip and rushed forward desperately, "He Zhang, you don't understand."

The person in front is the future emperor, and Shen Minghuan's life is more important than anyone else.

Luo Xiuyuan has always known that Shen Minghuan is very skilled, but this is the first time he has seen this man take action.

Shen Minghuan was holding a broken wintersweet with a bud on the end. He looked very relaxed, his sleeves fluttering, and his gestures did not seem like he was killing people, but rather like a sword dance.

But Luo Xiuyuan did not forget that this man was injured and had an unsolved poison, so he certainly did not appear to be as relaxed as he appeared.

"Master, Master, someone is coming." The servant shouted nervously, reminding Cui Liang who was watching the fight.

"This master is not blind." Cui Liang's eyes flashed with a hint of viciousness: "Kill them together."

He Zhang protected Luo Xiuyuan: "You dare? This is the current emperor!"

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?" There was a moment of chaos in the crowd.

Cui Liang sneered: "Why are you panicking? No matter how noble a person is, he will die if he is chopped by a knife. Go!"

He naturally knew that it was the emperor, and he knew that the current emperor and Shen Minghuan were like brothers. Since Luo Xiuyuan saw this scene, how could he let the Cui family go?

Fortunately, all of them are idiots and have no habit of bringing guards with them.

Cui Liang even felt that this was an opportunity given by God to the Cui family. The new emperor had no son. After his death, their family could completely support another obedient monarch.

In short, today, either they will be full of glory and glory, or all nine clans will fall into the Avici Hell.

Luo Xiuyuan also knows a little martial arts, but when he first learned it, he just wanted to strengthen his body and didn't spend much time on it.

He has been a prince since he was a child, and there is no shortage of people to protect him. Qu Zhengcheng also thought that he would inherit the throne smoothly at that time, and taught him more about the art of governing the country.

Therefore, his martial arts were somewhat inferior to those of the people present.

But he still walked out from behind He Zhang and was busy dealing with the opponent's attack, "General, don't worry about me, go and protect Ming Huan."

"Your Majesty!" He Zhang did not leave.

The opponent had weapons, and Luo Xiuyuan was almost chopped, but fortunately he was pulled by He Zhang.

Luo Xiuyuan panted: "Are you going to disobey my order? General He, think about your promise. You said you would be loyal to me and obey all my orders."

That was what He Zhang said when he went to see Luo Xiuyuan with the imperial seal, but Luo Xiuyuan was kind by nature and had never forced him with this. This was the first time.

For Shen Minghuan.

He Zhang once again realized the status of Shen Minghuan in Luo Xiuyuan's mind, and once again witnessed the charm of that person's personality.

It's not surprising. He is really a very good person, so everyone is willing to die for him and exchange their lives for his.

He Zhang still hesitated. To be honest, Luo Xiuyuan's skills were too poor in his opinion. His level at the age of seven was higher than this.

He Zhang felt that as long as he left, Luo Xiuyuan might not survive for more than a second.

"He Zhang, you protect His Majesty. I don't need you here." When Shen Minghuan gave orders with a cold face, his momentum was particularly terrifying, and people unconsciously wanted to follow his words.

He Zhang thought about it, and finally stayed by Luo Xiuyuan's side.

Perhaps because Luo Xiuyuan was involved in the battle, Shen Minghuan's offensive became more fierce. He threw the wintersweet branch in his hand and snatched the opponent's weapon with his backhand.

He held the sword, like a god who would never fall.

Perhaps Shen Minghuan just wanted to get rid of the people present as soon as possible to ensure Luo Xiuyuan's safety, so he didn't care about his snow-white clothes.

Blood stains clung to his hem, like a curse of the dead, dragging him to death with him.

Under Shen Minghuan's magical attack, people soon lay on the ground around, some wailing and screaming or forever silent.

Shen Minghuan threw the sword down casually, as if he disliked this piece of broken copper and iron.

There was still murderous aura between his eyebrows, but for no reason, he was not scary at all.

"Minghuan." Luo Xiuyuan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to walk up to him.

Zhuo Feichen's Qinggong was still faster. He hurried forward and said, "Ming Huan, are you okay?"

When he put his hand on Shen Minghuan, the man who was originally standing upright seemed to suddenly lose his strength and fell limply on Zhuo Feichen.

"Ming Huan!"

"Don't worry, I'm fine." He looked at Luo Xiuyuan again and smiled: "Your Majesty, I'm back."

After saying that, he turned his head and spit out a mouthful of blood.

"You call this fine?" Zhuo Feichen's eyes were red, and he said tremblingly: "Minghuan, don't scare me."

Shen Minghuan's face was pale, and there was blood on the corners of his mouth. His lips could be seen faintly.

"Is it poison?" Luo Xiuyuan almost rolled and crawled to Shen Minghuan's side: "It's okay, it's okay, the imperial doctor is ready, we will go back now, you will be fine."

As if he was comforting himself.

"Forget it, I won't go back. Grandpa will definitely scold me when he sees me like this." Shen Minghuan's tone was still relaxed: "I'm not afraid of him scolding me, I'm afraid he will be sad."

"Don't talk anymore." Zhuo Feichen yelled at him, just like when he disobeyed and lifted the curtain before, "I'll take you to find the imperial physician."

"General, it's too late." Shen Minghuan coughed and said with a smile: "You might as well not touch me, I can still live for a while."

"Stop talking nonsense, what's dead or alive." The iron-willed Zhuo Feichen spoke with a crying tone. He picked up Shen Minghuan and was about to take him back to the city.

However, Shen Minghuan was very determined. He tugged at the corner of Zhuo Feichen's clothes and signaled him with his eyes to put him down: "Don't bother, let me talk to you for a few more words."

Zhuo Feichen could sense the passing of this man's life. He had seen this process in countless comrades, so he realized so clearly that Shen Minghuan was already beyond help.

Zhuo Feichen suddenly calmed down. Rather than being calm, it was better to say that he had lost his perception of the outside world and acted only on instinct. He heard himself say indifferently: "Your Majesty, please talk to Minghuan."

Luo Xiuyuan stared and watched Zhuo Feichen slowly put Shen Minghuan on the ground. He roared, "What are you doing! We have plenty of time to talk. Take him back to the palace first!"

"Xiuyuan." Shen Minghuan protected his son: "Why are you yelling at him? I won't let you."

Shen Minghuan hadn't called him "Xiuyuan" for a long time. First he was His Highness, then His Majesty. When he was angry, he even called him "Luo Xiuyuan" by his full name.

His tone was familiar, as if nothing had happened yet. That was the happiest time for Luo Xiuyuan. Now thinking about it, it seems like a lifetime ago.

This voice seemed to have called back Luo Xiuyuan's reason. He no longer held the idea of ​​deceiving himself and forcing the two generals to take Shen Minghuan back to the palace.

Luo Xiuyuan's legs softened, and he knelt down beside Shen Minghuan, and suddenly burst into tears.

He had already written the imperial edict of abdication, and prepared to give the world as a gift to help his best friend ascend to the sky.

But his gift could not be delivered.

"I'm going to the North."

"I will come back unscathed."

"Okay, okay, I swear as you said. If I don't come back alive, let Luo Xiuyuan die without a burial place?"

"..."

"Your Majesty, I'm back."

God witnessed our meeting, so this should not be considered a broken promise.

Luo Xiuyuan covered his face and trembled.

"Xiuyuan," Shen Minghuan looked lifeless, but his eyes were surprisingly bright, as if filled with stars: "I heard it on the way, thank you for spending so much time on me."

"I..." Luo Xiuyuan opened his mouth, and found that he was choking and couldn't speak, he shook his head vigorously.

What did he do? That was the honor that belonged to Shen Minghuan.

"There can't be a force that can stand shoulder to shoulder with the court in the Qi Dynasty, so the aristocratic family must disappear." Shen Minghuan coughed twice again, "Xiuyuan, you have to avenge me."

Luo Xiuyuan said before that the Cui family had a good reputation and there was no reason to attack them. Now, Shen Minghuan's death is the most just reason.

No one can blame Luo Xiuyuan for this matter, because Shen Minghuan, a good official praised by everyone in the Qi Dynasty and the most trusted and valued friend of the current emperor, died in their hands.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Luo Xiuyuan burst into tears.

He shouldn't have tried to protect the Cui family from Shen Minghuan, he should have slaughtered the entire Cui family regardless of everything!

——It was he who harmed Minghuan.

"Why apologize? You did nothing wrong." Shen Minghuan glared at him, then looked at Zhuo Feichen: "General Zhuo, I left a gift for you in the carriage, remember to see it."

His voice gradually became weaker: "I'm so sleepy, I want to sleep."

He Zhang stood there blankly, he hadn't accepted this fact yet.

How could Shen Minghuan, who was still smiling at him in the carriage an hour ago, suddenly fall to the ground palely?

He looked at Shen Minghuan, confused, but couldn't figure it out.

He found that Shen Minghuan also turned his head to look at him, blinked at him, as if to say: You have to remember our agreement.

"Will you always respect his will and be the sword in his hand?"

"Just lack a favor..."

"Do you still want to kill me now?"

The words that Shen Minghuan said flashed through his mind word by word, and he inexplicably understood the meaning of Shen Minghuan's eyes.

Look, I died for Luo Xiuyuan. To put it in a rounded way, Luo Xiuyuan avenged you. You can rest assured to be loyal to him.

Oh, by the way, I hope you don't have any other enemies.

This man's logic has always been so overbearing. He didn't think that he was too restless and hurt himself... to this state.

According to this logic, He Zhang's benefactor is obviously Shen Minghuan, and he should be loyal to Shen Minghuan.

He Zhang staggered forward, Shen Minghuan smiled at him with difficulty, and then closed his eyes.

It seemed that he was just sleepy as he said, so he wanted to take a nap.

*

Qu Zhengcheng was also present when Chang Mao came to report. He was tasked by Luo Xiuyuan to persuade Gu Chenglin, but before he opened his mouth, he heard Chang Mao's anxious voice: "Adoptive father, take the soldiers with you, His Majesty and the prince are in danger!"

When Qu Zhengcheng heard the name of the man who was supposed to be far away in the north, his heart suddenly jumped. He quickly stood up, grabbed a horse from the Xianzhen Camp, and galloped out of the camp.

This series of actions did not even go through his brain. When he finally calmed down and thought, he was already on the horse.

Xianzhen Camp was outside the city. Qu Zhengcheng went to the direction of the Farewell Pavilion without hesitation. That was the only way back to the city.

He had countless guesses in his mind and felt very uneasy.

When he finally arrived, he saw Luo Xiuyuan, Zhuo Feichen, and He Zhang kneeling on the ground with tears in their eyes. In the middle of them was Shen Minghuan lying quietly.

Qu Zhengcheng only felt a buzzing in his head.

He had so many guesses on the way, but he never expected that the most terrible one would come true.

Qu Zhengcheng felt a little dizzy, but he forced himself to calm down. He turned over and got off the horse, and knelt straight in the direction of Luo Xiuyuan: "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

They had already lost Shen Minghuan, and they couldn't lose Luo Xiuyuan again.

Zhuo Feichen stumbled to his feet and repeated woodenly: "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

Zhuo Feichen's good impression of Luo Xiuyuan had disappeared completely. This man bore the infamy for him, and entered the enemy camp alone for him. Now that he was about to die, he was still thinking about paving the way for the other party with his own life.

How could Luo Xiuyuan deserve it? !

He was just a ray of firefly, how could he deserve the bright moon in the sky to enter the world for him and make all kinds of plans? How could this person defile himself to fulfill his holy name, how could this person spend all his efforts to create a peaceful and prosperous world for him?

How could it be worth... this person to die for him?

But this man did all these things for Luo Xiuyuan. Zhuo Feichen hated him, but he had to protect him.

"My condolences" was his bottom line.

Zhuo Feichen climbed onto the carriage like a zombie. The gift Shen Minghuan left for him was easy to find. It was placed on the table in the middle of the carriage.

It was a piece of paper with pictures and texts, and four big characters were written on the top:

"The Art of Folding Willows".

"Even if you say so much, I won't teach you the Art of Folding Willows."

"You have no reservations about more precious tactics, why don't you teach me how to fold willows?"

"Folding willows is to defeat the strong with the weak, and both sides will perish..."

"When it comes to the last resort, I hope you don't take risks..."

- "Anyway, I will always save you."

Zhuo Feichen finally couldn't help crying while holding the art of war that he had been seeking but couldn't get.

From now on, no one will save him.

He will encounter a last resort, and then he will have to take risks himself.

Because the person who would unconditionally overcome difficulties and obstacles to save him will never appear again.