first minister

Dongfang Ping panted rapidly and glanced beside him. There was only one personal guard left.

But the footsteps and the same rapid breathing behind him are still like a cone attached to the bone. They can always follow after being pulled away for a while, and they can't get rid of it no matter what.

"Your Highness, take care!"

The guard gasped for breath, kicked his feet on the ground, twisted his waist and heels. The moment he turned around, the knife at his waist was unsheathed, and with the last ferocity and determination in his life, he slashed at the pursuers behind him.

Use your flesh and blood body to finally win a chance of survival for your Highness and your commander-in-chief.

When the last person left his side, a tear flashed across the corner of Dongfang Ping's eyes.

But the teardrops blown into the wind did not slow down his steps at all.

He knew that this was his last effort.

If he cannot escape, he will meet a tragic and embarrassing ending.

Those dreams of honoring mothers;

Those who want to avenge Dongfang's hatred;

Those who have kept a low profile for many years and have unrealized ambitions;

They will all be captured along with his body by the pursuers behind him.

But manpower is limited after all. He felt that his legs were getting heavier and heavier, and his chest seemed to be burning with a fire. No saliva could be secreted from his mouth, and his breathing was like spitting fire. He knew that he The limit is not far away.

He glanced behind him and looked at the pursuers who were no more than a few dozen steps away from him. He didn't understand why they were able to run so well, and there was also a deep reluctance in his eyes.

He is not willing to let everything end at this moment, and he is not willing to become the wedding dress of these people's glory and wealth.

So, he looked up and looked ahead, turned his head and rushed towards the hillside.

Naturally, the pursuers behind him would not let go. They also forced themselves to take a breath and followed him.

"Stop! Don't come here! If you come here again I'll jump out of here! You won't get anything!"

When Dongfang Ping stood on the edge of the mountaintop, with his back against the abyss, and shouted these words, the pursuers behind him stopped obediently for the first time.

Dongfang Ping breathed calmly while not giving up the last struggle, "You are just ordinary soldiers who work as soldiers to eat food. Why do you work so hard for the superiors? Even if you catch me, what will happen? I will be promoted to a minor official. Damn it, maybe the higher-ups will take away the credit, so I’ll just give you a little bit of money and throw it away.”

He looked at these soldiers and said, "I have been running Yuyan Prefecture for many years. There are many secret industries in Yuyan Prefecture, and there is an extremely secret treasure house at the border. There are countless rare treasures in it, which are enough for you and your children and grandchildren to live a lavish life." , days of glory and wealth. As long as you let me go, these will all be yours, how about it? No one knows what is going on here. When the time comes, I will say that I have lost my life. I will at most punish you a few words, but at that time, you will still care. That little bit of military merit?”

He was very confident that few people could refuse these words.

After all, what he was talking about were common things in the military, and the income gap between the two was also very huge. At the same time, everyone has selfish motives, how could they not be tempted!

However, to his surprise, after listening to his words, the seven or eight people opposite him were completely unmoved, except for a few who had a flash of hesitation in their eyes and quickly returned to calm.

He looked at these people doubtfully and continued to add, "I'm not kidding. I'm just a rebellious prince. Even if you catch me, you won't get any credit. But if you take my treasure, you don't have to fight to the death and can live happily for the rest of your life. , and it can also benefit our descendants. The most important thing is that you will not be punished if you let me go, so why not?"

He took out a token and a map from his arms and threw them over. "It's all for this. I don't need to lie. This is a treasure map. This token is a treasure retrieval order. Take this order." Cards, you can open the door to the treasure house. What I say, I mean it sincerely."

However, he thought that the other party was waiting for a price, but he miscalculated again, and the other party remained unmoved.

Just when he was about to say something more, he saw a masked figure chasing after him. Several soldiers gave way to him respectfully and stood opposite him.

Dongfang Ping looked at the other party in confusion, and the other party looked at him calmly and took a step forward.

"Don't come here! If you take one more step, I'll jump from here and you won't be able to catch anything!"

Dongfang Ping's roar made the other party stop.

"Your Highness, long time no see."

With a calm word, the other party slowly took off the mask on his face.

"It's you?!"

Dongfang Ping exclaimed uncontrollably, "You're not dead?! No, why are you in the imperial army! Why are you not dead? Hasn't the Xiao family been raided by everyone? How could the imperial court not kill you? ! Dongfang Bai is so kind-hearted?"

Seeing Xiao Fengshan, Dongfang Ping's words became incoherent.

He never imagined that the person chasing after him would be this person.

This man should have been dead long ago.

The man who had committed greater crimes than himself.

Xiao Fengshan looked at him, "So, can we have a brief chat?"

They are both rebels and losers, and their shared experience gives them a chance to talk.

Dongfang Ping slowly calmed down his shocked emotions, "No matter what twists and turns you have gone through and what stories are behind it, you are now a lackey of the imperial court. You can look back, but I am not willing to look back."

Xiao Fengshan smiled softly, "I didn't become a lackey of the imperial court, but I found my way back and learned what I should really do."

He waved his hand, "Don't talk about me, let's talk about you. I really can't think of why you would rebel. You favored Yuyan and were not involved in the turmoil in the imperial capital at all. When the new emperor came to the throne, he never had any suspicion of you. Unfortunately, he has lost his military power, and he is also a free and easy prince. Why should he start an army and cause chaos, risk his reputation and future, and gamble on a future that he knows is impossible?"

"Knowing that it's impossible?" Dongfang Ping's calm expression suddenly changed, "Why is it impossible? Dongfang Ming is the prince, Dongfang Tai is the prince, Dongfang Bai is also the prince, am I, Dongfang Ping, not the prince?"

He sneered, "Since you all think that I am a foreigner, then I will really show you that I am a foreigner!"

Xiao Fengshan looked astonished, "So that's it. But not every prince's life must end with becoming an emperor. There is only one emperor. If they all think about it that way, isn't it too difficult for themselves? Although the late emperor also thought that you I cannot inherit the throne, but I have never lost my trust in you, and even gave you military power, and you are still in charge of the elite frontier army. This is no longer harsh."

"Not harsh? Hahahaha!"

Dongfang Ping suddenly burst into a confusing burst of laughter, "Do you think he is really a loving father? You have worked so hard for your nephew, don't you know what kind of person he is at heart?"

"Fifteen years ago, my mother-in-law died. She was the person he personally begged back from my mother-in-law's clan with all his efforts. He once said countless oaths to her, but later, when he got tired of Now, when he had a new love, my mother-in-law was left out in the palace by him. What a free and carefree person she used to be. She should have been soaring in the nine heavens, but she misunderstood the sweet words of a heartless person. , was imprisoned in that small cage, suffered all the neglect and humiliation, and finally died in depression, but until his death, he never took a look. Can I not hate him? I wish I could kill him with my own hands. Tear him into pieces and let him go under the Nine Springs to beg for mercy from my mother and concubine!" "As for me, I am just a chess piece that he thinks he can control. In his eyes, there is no trust, no warmth, only use! "

"You don't understand. You have always been nobles of Tianhuang. Once your sister married him, she became the concubine and the queen. You will be angry because of his slightest neglect, but neglect and ignorance are the norm for our mother and son! "

"You always stand in the eyes of everyone. You are used to supporting and chasing. You can never understand the urge of a neglected, neglected, and exiled person to get back everything he deserves! You can't get it. Come, then tear it up and smash everything that is unreasonable!"

Xiao Fengshan searched for the woman he had only met a few times in his memory. When he was in the dormitory, she was indeed a lark-like woman. However, when he met her once at a banquet, she was indeed haggard and sickly. .

He looked at Dongfang Ping, who was getting excited, and said, "I understand, but I don't agree."

"I don't need your approval!" Dongfang Ping waved his hand suddenly, "I don't need anyone's approval in the world either! I just want to avenge my lifelong grievances for my mother-in-law."

After a burst of crazy venting, his emotions slowly calmed down. He remembered the current situation, looked at Xiao Fengshan, and smiled sadly, "You said, if I hadn't lost today, I would have founded the country and even changed dynasties. Those ministers, those My people, will you respectfully call out to the portrait of your mother and concubine, “Our Lady, the Queen Mother?”

Xiao Fengshan understood everything in his heart and sighed, "If this defeat hadn't happened, there would have been a moment."

Dongfang Ping understood the meaning of Xiao Fengshan's words and smiled as if he had looked away, "Your words can be considered a comfort."

He looked at Xiao Fengshan, "I know, you think that I shouldn't collude with Beiliang and massacre civilians. In fact, I know it myself, but I can't help it."

He pointed behind him, "Did you know? Opposite this mountain is Guanshan Road in Beiliang. The reason why it is called this is because this mountain is called Guanshan on the other side of Beiliang."

"Guanshan is difficult to climb, blocking the ambition of the people of Beiliang to go south, but at least this mountain can still be seen. But my Guanshan is in people's hearts, how do you want me to climb it?"

"Xiao Fengshan, I admit defeat today, but if you want me to go back for trial, there is no way! Since you are here in person, this great head will be given to you!"

Dongfang Ping drew his sword out of its sheath, faced the setting sun, stabbed himself with the sword, and knelt down on the top of Guan Mountain.

Xiao Fengshan didn't stop him. He looked at his body and was silent for a long time.

Even to his death, Dongfang Ping could not cross the mountain pass.

But where is my Guanshan?

He slowly picked up the map and token on the ground, looked around, and was filled with emotions.
-

To the west of Xiao Fengshan's sight, in Qingchuan Pass, Xia Jingyun was sitting in the backyard of the Shuai Mansion in the city, looking at the news sent by Chen Fugui with a happy face.

"With this great victory, great things will happen in Yuyan Prefecture!"

Chen Fugui also looked happy, but he did not forget to remind him: "But Dongfang Ping has not been captured yet. Once he escapes, I am afraid there will be trouble."

Xia Jingyun smiled and shook his head, "It doesn't matter. Looking at the overall situation, after this defeat, he won't be able to make any waves."

He stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the spring forest outside the window. "The overall situation of the world is all about one trend. At the beginning, the high-ranking families in Yuyan State were hijacked by Dongfang Ping. No matter they had ulterior motives, they wanted to Although Dongfang Ping had no choice but to surrender temporarily, it was because Dongfang Ping had considerable military strength and the support of the Beiliang people. He had great authority in Yuyan Prefecture in a short period of time, and the imperial court was far from being able to dissolve it. They are close to thirsty and may not even be able to defeat them. In a situation where disobedience is death, they can easily make a choice."

"But now, Dongfang Ping's main cavalry has almost been lost. Everyone knows that he is gone and will not last long. King Jing has come to Yuyanzhou in person with supreme military power. Then, no one will vote for Dongfang anymore. Even if he escapes by chance, what trouble can he make! To us, he is just an ordinary rebel. Even if he escapes to Beiliang, in the eyes of Beiliang people, he may not even be as useful as Wang Ruoshui. Not as good as that.”

"As long as the imperial court appeases and uses Yuyan Prefecture, it will let the powerful and powerful people who have done no evil do no harm in the past and eliminate the worries of these wealthy families. The message from Yuyan Prefecture can be settled."

Chen Fugui smiled easily after hearing this, "In this way, the criticism of the Young Master and the Marquis of Xing'an in Zhongjing City will naturally be subsided, right?"

Xia Jingyun shook his head slightly at this time, his expression became more solemn, "I hope they will continue to target me."

Chen Fugui was slightly stunned, "Why is this?"

Xia Jingyun sneered, "Think about it, I have done so many things, made so many achievements, and my position is so stable, why are they so eager to jump out and try to knock me down this time?"

Chen Fugui hummed, "This matter is indeed strange. Young Master said before that it is the wealthy families who are afraid of the New Deal who are causing trouble behind the scenes?"

Xia Jingyun sighed, "The reason why reform is difficult is because it has to touch the vital interests of those with vested interests. If it is not touched, the changes will not be effective. If it is touched, it will naturally attract strong resistance. This is determined by human nature. Even if it is Su The Qin family and the Qin family are also so cooperative because they are one with me now and support me in exchange for greater and longer-term benefits. These people will target me, I can handle it, but if they target others , they may not have a talisman like me to be able to withstand it. If these generals lose one, they will lose one."

Chen Fugui whispered: "Actually, I have always had an idea. Why don't you wait until you return to Zhongjing and take command personally before starting these things?"

"The current situation forces us to do something." Xia Jingyun said softly: "Now that the rebellions in various places have ceased, it is the time when the interests of all parties are being reshuffled and waiting for redistribution. If we wait until the interests are stable before we want to do something, it will be much more difficult. In fact, it is precisely because of my absence that I am just asking the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel to each choose one state to try it out and sum up the experience. After I return to Zhongjing, I will promote it to the whole territory. I think some people regard this as a struggle for power. You must have added some shameful means behind the scenes!"

When he said this, his eyes narrowed slightly, and it was obvious that he had some murderous intentions.

You can tolerate the struggle for power in the temple, but if you use the overall situation of the world and the common people as bargaining chips, then you are not worthy of being in this court.

Let's wait and see what information Bai Yunbian can get when he returns to Beijing.

After chatting with Chen Fugui for a few more words, Chen Fugui resigned and left, leaving Xia Jingyun some space for quiet reflection.

The night passed quietly, and the next morning, when the sky was bright, Chen Fugui came again.

"Sir, Yuyan Prefecture urgently reports that Dongfang Ping's escape was fruitless and he committed suicide on the top of Yunwu Mountain. His body was brought back by Xiao Fengshan."

After hearing this, Xia Jingyun walked to the table and looked at the map on the table, "Yunwu Mountain?"

Chen Fugui stepped forward and pointed on the map, "This is right here. It's called Guanshan on the other side of Beiliang."

Xia Jingyun was silent for a moment and sighed softly.

Guanshan is difficult to overcome, and whoever grieves for the lost.

Dongfang Ping reaped the consequences, so it would be a mercy to him if he dies.

However, with his death, the possibility of recurrence in Yuyan State was completely eliminated, and the overall situation was settled.

Thinking of this, he looked out the window with his hands behind his hands, looking towards the north, as if he was about to cross the mountains and land in Liangdu City.

Now it depends on the situation in Beiliang.

Yelvshi, don’t let me down! (End of chapter)