Man Tang Huacai

Chapter 464 Returning
Chang'an, Shangyuan Festival.

Chunmingmen Street no longer has the old scene of swaying wine curtains and orchids in the crowd, not to mention the brilliant lights of Yuan Ye, which only ignite the flames of war.

The strong men who defended the city fought on the top of the city, and women and children were also pulled to carry wood and stones.

There was a sound, and it was a young woman who didn't hold the stone in her hand and threw it to the ground. The person who was leading the team to supervise the team was a strong woman. She immediately turned around and shouted: "If you don't move it quickly, it will delay the defense of the city. You will be rewarded!"

"I really can't carry it anymore... I am the concubine of King Guangping. My surname is Shen. I am the biological mother of Prince Fengjie. Can you let me go back to Baisun Courtyard?"

"It doesn't matter whose concubine you are!" The strong woman put her hands on her hips and raised her voice, saying: "Don't think I'm going to be cruel to you. If the city is broken, the worst thing will be for a little girl with tender skin and tender flesh like you. If you don’t move quickly, you’ll leave me as my concubine!”

Shen Zhenzhen tried a few more times, but still couldn't move the stone. Lihua burst into tears and begged: "I have been hungry for many days and I really have no strength. If you send me to King Guangping, I will thank you very much." "

"Where is the king in Chang'an?"

The strong woman was upset when she saw her weak look. She stepped forward and clapped her hands and emphasized: "It's a war now! A war! There is no one to serve you masters. I have taken away all the business of serving people in Israel in the past. I will do my part to defend it." city!"

Shen Zhenzhu had never been reprimanded in such a tone before, and her face turned pale with fright, but she really couldn't do such heavy work. The strong woman still thought she wasn't scared enough, so she made some very insulting gestures with her hands and threatened: "If you're afraid, use all your strength to suck the breast!"

Faced with the rude movements and smelly breath, Shen Pearl tried her best to push, but her strength was too weak and she couldn't struggle out. She felt that her dress was being torn off violently, and her skin was exposed to the cold wind.

"He remembers." Shen Zhenzhu quickly explained for Li Chu, saying: "As soon as the saint left the city, he sent someone to take Tiao Lang and I. When we arrived at the city gate, there were too many people fleeing and they were crowded together. We were Dispersed."

Li Yuetu didn't ask any more questions. Seeing Shen Zhenzhu's clothes were disheveled, he took off his cloak and put it on her, and helped her get on the horse.

"Second sister." Li Yuetu asked, "I am guarding the Daming Palace. Why is the second sister urgently calling me to do something?"

"Help!"

Shen Zhenzhen hurriedly ran after her, and saw a general coming with troops to support her. She stepped aside, not paying attention to the shouting of "Yan Xiang is coming!" behind her, and ran towards Baisun Courtyard.

"do not want!"

As she walked towards the Prince's Palace in Guangping, she met someone on the way and couldn't help but ask: "Where are the people here?"

The strong woman looked up and saw that there were rebels climbing up the ladder to attack the city and killed one of the defenders. At this time, even she was so frightened that she screamed strangely and ran away.

The soldiers opened the fence and whispered at the same time: "Princess, please don't make any noise. Yan Xiang has confiscated all the horses and strong men, and the little people are also doing it quietly... This way, please."

"puff."

The West Market is now closed, with defenders stationed here and surrounded by fences.

"Sister Shen?"

"All the kings have fled, and the palace people have either been sent away or relocated by the court. No one lives here, so of course we must demolish it first."

Shen Zhenzhu raised her tearful eyes and saw that Li Yuetu had arrived on horseback. She got off the horse and helped her up.

Shen Zhuzhu followed the man into an alley, still thinking about her son. The man in front of him suddenly turned around, pushed her against the wall, lowered his head and wanted to forcefully kiss her on the mouth.

"Sanniang."

"I am the concubine of King Guangping and the biological mother of Prince Fengjie. I don't know where to turn?"

When it comes to her son, Shen Zhenzhu is worried.

"Ha, the city of Chang'an is about to be destroyed. Who can save you? Let's be happy before the city is destroyed..."

"How come you are still in Chang'an?" Li Yuetu asked, "I thought you followed my brother out of the city. Did he forget to take you with him?"

Chunming Gate was not far from Yongxingfang. Although she was weak, she still arrived before she could run no longer. However, when I looked up, I saw that Baisun Courtyard was deserted, and many houses had even been demolished.

"Boom."

Ningguo Princess Li Nu and her husband Xue Kangheng quickly came forward.

A foul smell came over her, and she almost fainted. She struggled to push him away, and at the same time turned her head, the rough beard pricked her delicate face, causing pain.

In a barracks in the southwest corner, many princes and nobles are hiding here secretly with their retinues.

Although she gave birth to the eldest grandson of the East Palace, she never had a name. Li Yuetu could not call her sister-in-law, nor could he call her by her rank title, so she always called her like this.

"The county lord."

They entered the West Market and saw that the place had been converted into a military camp and was filled with the smell of horse shit.

Li Yuetu was not familiar with this place, so he took out his command talisman and said, "Princess Ningguo asked me to come."

Then, a rough palm touched her.

"Where's Tiao Lang?"

Li Yuetu saw this and said worriedly: "Isn't it possible that Tiao Lang is also missing?"

A sharp arrow suddenly penetrated the evil man's body. He fell on her, and the warm blood flowed to Shen Pearl. She couldn't help but vomited it out and cried loudly.

"Put it on first."

The two rode together and rushed all the way to Xishi.

Shen Zhenzhu finally met someone familiar and trustworthy, and she burst into tears.

"Pretend it's not true. I saw them protecting Tiao Lang on his horse and heading out of the city."

"Come with me."

The man took advantage of the situation and sucked hard on her neck, making a "pop" sound, which scared her out of her mind.

Suddenly, a corpse fell next to them with a dull sound, and blood splashed on Chen Zhenzhu's face.

"Of course I'm leaving," Li Nu said.

"Where?"

"Chang'an City can no longer be defended. When the city is broken, we will go to Shu County to join His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, Shen Zhenzhu couldn't help but ask: "Then we can see King Guangping?"

Li Nu then asked Li Yuetu: "Who is this person you are leading?"

"Can the second sister not recognize Tiao Lang's biological mother?"

Li Nu recognized Shen Zhenzhu at this moment, and thought to himself, the journey to Shu County was dangerous and long, so what was the point of bringing such a weak and classless palace servant?
However, Li Yuetu said: "Chang'an City has not been conquered yet, so it is best to consider defending the city first."

"The city will be broken soon." Xue Kangheng said: "I got the news that the rebels have already attacked the city."

Li Yuetu said: "We can still repel them by attacking the city, but if people's hearts are lost, how can we defend the city?"

At this time, a guard general rushed over and winked at Xue Kangheng. Xue Kangheng went over and whispered a few words to him, then called Li Nu and said, "We have to go."

Li Yuetu rushed forward and asked, "What happened?"

Xue Kangheng frowned and said hurriedly: "Chunming Gate has been breached, we have to leave immediately."

"Really?"

"go!"

Li Nu acted decisively and immediately took Li Yuetu's reins and led her towards the city gate.

Soon, the group arrived at Yanping Gate in the west. At this time, the gate was still closed. Although there were defenders, most of them had gone to the east to support them.

Xue Kangheng rode forward and immediately opened the city gate, turning around and waving to the team.

"quick!"

The team quickly filed out of the city gate. In front of them, the suspension bridge could barely be lowered. After crossing the suspension bridge, you will reach the free Guanzhong Plain. Fortunately, looking around, there was no trace of the rebels.

They were like fish entering the sea and quickly rushed towards the Qinling Mountains.

Li Yuituo looked back at the majestic Chang'an City, feeling something was wrong, and said: "Second sister, I don't think Chang'an City has been breached. Maybe Yanxiang has been defended."

"Will Xue Lang lie to you again?" Li Nu asked.

Li Yuetu was in a daze for a moment before he realized that the "Xue Lang" in Li Nu's mouth referred to his husband-in-law Xue Kangheng.

Speaking of which, Li Nu actually first married Zheng Xun, a direct descendant of the Zheng family in Yingyang. Later, they divorced, and soon fell in love with the handsome Xue Kangheng. The two have been married for just over a year. It is a perfect match between husband and wife. deep……

"puff."

Ahead, Xue Kangheng suddenly fell off his horse.

"Xue Lang!"

Li Nu exclaimed and looked around, only to see an arrow stuck in Xue Kangheng's chest. After the back of his head fell to the ground, he was bleeding and he was dead.

The incident happened so unexpectedly that before she could react to the shock of losing her husband, rebels were already rushing towards her in the woods ahead.

"Seize the city gate!"

The rebel general first pointed at the gate of Chang'an City, and upon his command, his knights immediately rushed out like an arrow from a string, passing by the fleeing team. But there were also rebels who surrounded them and burst into laughter of surprise.

"General! We have captured a group of nobles and beauties! Hahaha..."

"Whoosh."

Li Yuetu stretched his bow and nocked an arrow, and shot an arrow at the rebel soldier who was shouting, hitting him right in the face.

Women of the Tang Dynasty, especially princesses and princesses, have always been very tough. They usually like to play polo and hunt, and are very skilled in bow and horse. Li Nu was throwing himself down next to Xue Kangheng. He also pulled out the arrow from his husband, got on his horse, took out his bow, and pointed it at the rebel general.

However, hunting is completely different from fighting. Only one of the rebel soldiers was shot and killed when they were initially caught off guard. Once they reacted, even though they killed several servants in protest, several people pressed towards Li Yuituo, asking her to know how powerful she was.

"what!"

Shen Zhenzhu encountered two dangers in a row and panicked.

Li Yuetu had thin arms and legs, but he swung his sword vigorously and shouted: "Second sister, you and I are the descendants of the Li family, why not die in the country?"

"Kill!" Li Nu was determined to avenge her husband, his eyes full of grief and anger.

Although these words may sound generous, the indisputable fact is that they, the descendants of the Li family, officials and nobles, secretly opened the city gates and fled to follow the saint before Chang'an was conquered, and they wasted their lives in vain. Mention, but also the loss of the city gate, affecting the whole city.

At the rear, the running rebel knights had already rushed to the suspension bridge and were firing arrows in an attempt to break the ropes of the suspension bridge.

There were even rebel soldiers who jumped on the suspension bridge when it was raised and were hung high.

At this moment, a long horn sound came from the west.

"Woo——"

"Tang Army reinforcements are here!" The rebel sentries rode back with arrows hanging on their backs, shouting: "Tang Army reinforcements have arrived!"

"Take Chang'an first! Enter the city!"

"Quick! Let Cui Qianyou send troops and horses quickly and tell him that we are going to capture Yanpingmen right away!"

"..."

Li Yuituo was feeling guilty because Chang'an City was about to be lost. When he heard that there were reinforcements, he immediately decided to defend Chang'an at all costs. He drove his horse towards the flag of the rebel general and shouted at the same time: "Charge with me!"

There were many defenders who led her out of the city, and they followed her blindly and rushed over.

The rebels had not killed her before, not because of her superior martial arts skills, but because they saw her as a beautiful woman and wanted to capture her alive. Now the situation has changed, and the rebel guard immediately shouted: "Kill!"

The rebels drew their bows and aimed at Li Yuitu.

"General! Look!"

Following this exclamation, everyone turned their heads and saw a large banner swaying in the wind above the smoke and dust billowing from the west. It was the dragon flag symbolizing the emperor.

Suddenly, cheers rang out from above Chang'an City.

"The saint is back!" Soon, the cheers spread to the whole city, and the entire city of Chang'an was boiling. Once there was hope for this abandoned and almost conquered city, it was like a dead tree blooming with spring, and it instantly glowed with vitality.

Countless soldiers and common people got excited and rushed to the top of the city, waving flags and shouting in unison.

Their voices were so loud that it was difficult to hear orders communicated between the rebels.

~~
Xue Bai came back from a hurried march, especially the last section. When the sentry horse realized that the rebels were about to attack Chang'an City, he ignored the fact that he had not slept well for several days and kept urging the soldiers.

Generally, in a battle, the formation must be rearranged every dozens of steps. And in this situation, of course they couldn't maintain their formation. All the infantry had fallen behind, and the cavalry were also scattered.

When Xue Bai rushed to the gate of Chang'an City, there were only more than thirty cavalry left around him, and the horses were exhausted from running. No matter how good his equestrian skills are, any knight who is looking for trouble on horseback will already be in trouble.

Fortunately, the dragon flag was still transported within sight.

Chen Xuanli snatched it back from behind Li Heng's team and carried it in a cart pulled by four horses. The flagpole, which was so high, did not fall apart in such a wild run.

"Xue Bai, the governor of Changshan, fortunately lived up to his command and welcomed back the saint!"

Xue Bai did not immediately attack the rebels. Instead, he reined in his horse and shouted to the top of the city with a fearless attitude.

Soon, the city gave him a reaction.

"Welcome the saint back to the city!"

The city gate, which had been urgently closed under the rebel attack, was reopened. A group of cavalry lined up in the city cave, waiting for the suspension bridge to be lowered completely.

The rebel soldiers climbing on the suspension bridge had not noticed what was happening, and were raising their knives to cut off the rope.

"Don't chop!" a rebel commander shouted.

"call--"

The knife had already cut the rope, and the heavy suspension bridge crashed down.

"Kill!" the Tang Army cavalry in the city roared.

"retreat!"

There was a loud sound of gold ringing. The rebel generals knew that the morale gap between the two sides was huge and they could not engage in battle, so they decisively ordered a retreat.

The Tang Army cavalry in the city actually didn't have much battle experience. Seeing the rebels escape, they gained confidence and attacked them.

Xue Bai did not follow the team in pursuit. After he calmed down, he felt very sleepy and almost fell asleep while sitting astride the horse.

"Mr. Lang, Princess Hezheng is here."

"Who?"

After probably squinting for a moment, Xue Bai turned around and saw Li Yuetu coming this way.

Seeing her, he thought of Li Tengkong and Li Jilan. He wondered if they were okay in Hedong. If Chang'an could be defended, he could bring them back. Then I thought of Yan Yan and Qing Lan in Yangzhou...

"What are you looking at me for?"

Li Yuetu arrived in front of Xue Bai, waited for a while, and saw no response from him, so he asked with a guilty conscience.

Xue Bai came back to his senses, but still said nothing.

"You know everything?" Li Yuetu lowered his head in shame and whispered: "I also know that it is shameful to act like this."

"Let's talk after we enter the city." Xue Bai said lightly, his tone deliberately showing displeasure.

In fact, he just arrived in a hurry and had no idea what was going on.

Li Yuetu had a noble status and was inexplicably afraid that he would be unhappy. He didn't dare to say anything. After thinking about it, he added, "I have something to ask you."

"Let's ask after we enter the city."

"Xue Lang." Shen Zhenzhen walked towards him, made a Wanfu blessing, and asked, "Xue Lang welcomes back the saint. I wonder if you can see King Guangping."

When Xue Bai heard this, his eyes fell on her like a torch, and he looked up and down.

Shen Zhenzhu met the villain today, and when she felt Xue Bai's gaze again, she couldn't help but panic and lowered her head in fear.

"King Guangping is naturally guarding the saint." Xue Bai replied.

Shen Zhenzhu was overjoyed and couldn't help but ask: "Then... is he back?"

The concern in his tone suddenly showed.

"Who are you?"

"I am his concubine and the biological mother of Prince Fengjie."

Xue Bai said: "Since I gave birth to my eldest son, how can I still be just a concubine?"

Shen Zhenzhu was speechless and at a loss for words.

Li Yuetu had no choice but to step forward and whisper to Xue Bai: "Brother's wife, Ms. Cui, is the daughter of Mrs. Han and Cui Xun. She is a little jealous and does not want to give her a title."

"Well, let's go back to the city."

~~
Yan Zhenqing is much older, with a lot of white hair on her temples, and deep "Sichuan" lines on her brows.

He was wearing armor with blood stains on it. He stood at the city gate and looked at Xue Bai with deep eyes, but the concern hidden in them gradually surfaced.

Xue Bai said nothing, stepped forward, bowed deeply, and let Yan Zhenqing pat him on the shoulder like a child.

The two of them had a lot to say, but Yan Zhenqing said: "Let's talk about the rest after we go home. We first welcome the saint back to the palace."

"it is good."

After that, the rebels attacking the city on the east side of the city also retreated. After the battle, Wang Sili, Li Chengguang and others came over one after another and knelt down on the side of the road with faces showing fear.

They were defeated in the Battle of Tongguan and have not been beheaded like Gao Xianzhi so far. It is not that the saint pardoned them, but that the saint fled and could not take care of them.

The Holy Driver was about to arrive, and it was inconvenient for them to ask Xue Bai in public whether he had controlled the Holy Spirit. They could only wait and see what Xue Bai did.

Gradually, the flags of the six forbidden armies of Beiya entered the city, and generals such as Guo Qianli and Chen Xuanli came one after another on horseback. Behind them, the saint was sitting on a carriage with curtains hanging around him, but he did not show his face.

Everyone thought that the saint would encourage them at the city gate, but the chariot did not stop. Only Gao Lishi stood on the shaft of the chariot and said: "You guys have worked hard to defend the city, and your majesty has rewarded them. Don't stand in the way today." Here we are, let the soldiers enter the city first."

The imperial driver then went to Tai Chi Palace.

There are three imperial palaces in Chang'an City. Xingqing Palace is adjacent to Chunming Gate and Daming Palace is located in the north of the city. They are both safe. Moreover, Prince Li Cong has been discussing politics in Daming Palace, so he temporarily arranged the saint in Taiji Palace.

In front of Zhuque Gate, Li Cong hurried over to greet him with a very humble attitude.

However, even he did not receive any encouragement from the saint here. He then saw that the saint was kidnapped and returned to Chang'an by Xue Bai, obviously unwillingly, and he might even be gagged at this time.

With this conjecture, he followed the Holy Emperor through the imperial city and entered the palace city through Chengtian Gate.

When they arrived at the Tai Chi Hall, most of the officials were left outside the hall, and the saint was finally carried off his chariot.

Li Cong took a closer look and was stunned when he saw the half-burned face under the wrapping cloth.

The first thought in his mind was that this saint was probably a fake and that Xue Bai had found someone to replace him. However, as soon as the idea came out, he immediately felt a stern gaze falling on him, which was indeed the saint's attitude towards him in the past.

Looking at Chen Xuanli and Gao Lishi, Li Cong couldn't figure out how to get these two people back if the saint was fake.

"His Majesty……"

Li Longji did not speak, but raised his hand to signal Gao Lishi to help him up.

But he was seriously injured, and with all the traveling, the wound had been opened again, and every move caused severe pain.

However, despite such severe pain, he actually endured it without saying a word, and was supported by Gao Lishi as he trudged towards the dragon chair. During the process, it could be seen that he was very familiar with the Tai Chi Hall. When he arrived at the dragon chair, He stroked it gently with his burned hand.

This action seemed so familiar to everyone. This was the saint's usual habit.

Li Longji decisively sat down on the dragon chair. Although he was a disfigured man, his aura was the same as before.

Gao Lishi and Chen Xuanli stood still as usual, while Yang Guifei avoided it.

"My son, welcome your Majesty back to the palace!" Li Cong saluted quickly.

Gao Lishi said: "The sage's oral instructions are passed down, and the prince listens to the decree."

"The minister is here."

"The sage decreed, 'I am ill, and the prince will temporarily take charge of state affairs.' I hereby express my gratitude." Gao Lishi's voice was so loud that it spread outside the palace.

Li Cong was overjoyed and without any doubt, he responded: "I obey the order!"

When he stood up again, he felt that the saint's face was much more pleasing to the eye.

Who says that the emperor must be dignified? Now, his eldest son, who was famous for his ugliness, was much more handsome than the saint.

~~
"Xue Qing has made new achievements this time. How should I reward you? Tell me, if you want any official position, just ask for it!"

After welcoming the saint, Li Cong met Xue Bai immediately in the Sheren Courtyard to the west of Taiji Hall, and seemed extremely enthusiastic.

"You have repeatedly made extraordinary achievements for the country, but you are still just the governor of Changshan. Others only think of you as a saint and you are stingy."

However, Xue Bai originally had a warm smile on his face, but after hearing this official's promise, the smile gradually faded.

Since Li Cong had previously informed the world that Xue Bai was the son of Prince Li Ying, why not give him a royal jade certificate but instead give him an official title for "Xue Qing"?
Xue Bai's eyes then fell on Bian Lingcheng. Of course he could see who was advising Li Cong.

Bian Lingcheng suddenly felt frightened. Like Shen Zhenzhu, Xue Bai looked down and lowered his head.

Li Cong was embarrassed. Seeing that Xue Bai didn't answer for a long time, he felt more and more discouraged and kept rubbing his hands.

"Abai?"

Li Cong changed his tone to a friendly tone and asked with a smile: "What do you want? Just ask."

Xue Bai seemed to be asleep and still didn't speak.

Li Cong became more and more embarrassed. He never thought that he would be in such an embarrassing situation. He couldn't help but glared at Bian Lingcheng. After waiting for a while, he reached out and patted Xue Bai's back gently.

"Abai?"

"Your Highness, forgive me."

Xue Bai seemed to suddenly wake up, stood up, and said ashamedly: "I haven't slept for several days, I am very sleepy, and I have lost my etiquette."

"No disrespect to etiquette, no disrespect to etiquette." Li Cong waved his hand decisively and said with concern: "Ah Bai has been working too hard running back and forth. It's time to take a good rest... Go and send the white jade pillow in the palace to Ah Bai's mansion."

After that, he urged Bian Lingcheng: "Why don't you go quickly?!"

Only then did Bian Lingcheng realize that he was actually asking him to get it, and he quickly apologized and left.

Li Cong looked at Bian Lingcheng's back and said, "This old slave is so clumsy."

His original intention was to find a reason to scold Bian Lingcheng so that Xue Bai could breathe a sigh of relief.

Unexpectedly, Xue Bai said: "Your Majesty, Bian Lingcheng is not guilty of clumsiness. First, he is embezzling and accepting bribes. Second, he persecutes the loyal and good. Third, he is alienating the emperor and his ministers. He should be executed."

Li Cong paused, pouted, and said after a long while: "But after all, he was left by His Majesty to be in charge of the palace keys. Now is the time to employ people, how about giving him another chance to change his ways?"

"Your Highness has a clear vision." Xue Bai responded casually, knowing Li Cong's attitude.

He has just returned to Chang'an, so he is not in a hurry.

On the contrary, Li Cong was already prepared to argue with Xue Bai. Seeing his attitude, he couldn't help but feel a chill running down his spine, and two words came to his mind.

——Powerful minister.

(End of this chapter)