The journey home is long and stormy
Chapter Quote:
The journey back home from the capital is filled with dangers and hidden dangers.
When old friends and new enemies appear, you will realize that the road ahead is long.
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Three days had passed since they left Bianjing, and the group traveled leisurely along the official road to Daming Prefecture. Autumn was deepening, the maple leaves along the road were as fiery as fire, and the distant mountains were as dark as ink. It was the best season in the north.
Lu Junyi, riding the lead horse, turned back and smiled at Yan Qing, who rode beside him, "Xiao Yi, you handled the situation in the capital beautifully this time. Not only did you avenge your parents, but you also brought treacherous officials like Gao Qiu and Cai Jing to justice. It truly rejoices everyone!"
Yan Qing gently stroked the horse's mane, but his expression was not relaxed. "You are too kind, sir. But I always feel that things are going too smoothly. Gao Qiu has been operating in the court for many years and has many followers. I am afraid it won't be so easy..."
Before he finished speaking, a flock of birds suddenly flew up from the woods ahead. Yan Qing's eyes flashed, and he raised his hand to stop the team: "There's an ambush!"
Almost at the same time, the sound of crossbows piercing the air rang out from the grass beside the road! Dozens of sharp arrows shot towards them like locusts!
"Form a formation!" Lu Junyi shouted, and the Liangshan heroes immediately formed a circle in a well-trained manner, drew their swords and blocked the arrows.
Yan Qing's eyes were as sharp as lightning, and he had already seen the direction of the arrow. He took out his crossbow and fired three small arrows in rapid succession. Only three screams were heard, and three men in black fell from the trees beside the road.
"Protect Master and Xiao Yi!" Lu Zhishen roared, brandishing his staff and charging into the forest. Wu Song, Li Kui, and the others followed closely behind, and the forest was filled with the sound of killing.
Yan Qing did not move, but carefully examined the arrows on the ground. These arrows were well made, with special patterns engraved on the arrowheads - they were actually military standard!
"They are not ordinary bandits." Yan Qing said in a deep voice, "They are soldiers in disguise."
Lu Junyi's face changed when he heard this: "Could it be..."
At this moment, Lu Zhishen suddenly cried out from the forest: "Oh no! There's a tripwire!"
But then they heard the neighing of horses, and several people who had rushed into the forest fell off their horses. Then, a huge net fell from the sky, covering Lu Zhishen and Wu Song!
"Hahaha! Liangshan bandits, why don't you surrender!"
A general emerged from the forest, dressed in the uniform of the imperial guards, followed by hundreds of elite soldiers. Yan Qing recognized the general; it was Gao Lian, Gao Qiu's adopted son!
"Gao Lian! Your father has been executed, how dare you still cause trouble?" Lu Junyi shouted sternly.
Gao Lian sneered, "Lu Junyi, do you think that everything will be fine if you overthrow my adoptive father? Let me tell you, there are many people in this court who want your lives!"
He waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately surrounded everyone. Yan Qing took a closer look at the equipment of these soldiers and was secretly shocked - these were clearly the elite of the Palace Front Division!
"Someone in the palace wants to silence us." Yan Qing whispered.
Lu Junyi understood and sneered, "Why? Are you afraid that we know too much?"
Gao Lian didn't answer, but instead looked at Yan Qing. "Master Yan, someone asked me to bring you a message: some secrets are best left buried forever. If you know what's best for you, commit suicide here and keep Lu Junyi and the others safe."
Before Yan Qing could answer, he heard a long laugh from afar: "What a big tone! I want to see who dares to touch my brothers from Liangshan!"
But then they saw a group of people galloping from behind. The leader, wearing a white robe and holding a silver spear, was actually Leopard Head Lin Chong! Behind him were Xu Ning, Zhang Qing and other Liangshan heroes, probably more than a hundred people!
Gao Lian's face changed drastically: "Lin Chong! You... aren't you in Liangshan?"
Lin Chong reined in his horse and pointed his spear at Gao Lian. "I heard someone was trying to embarrass my Liangshan brothers, so I've come to help! Gao Lian, your father has been executed. If you know what's best for you, retreat quickly and you might as well save your life!"
Gao Lian gritted his teeth and said, "Master Lin, I respect you as a good man, but today's matter is not your business!"
"Oh?" Lin Chong raised an eyebrow. "Then I'd like to ask, who gave you the courage to kill an imperial official in broad daylight?"
This question left Gao Lian speechless. He couldn't possibly say he was following a secret order from some noble in the palace.
At this moment, a large sedan chair with eight bearers suddenly appeared from the side of the road. A feminine voice came from the sedan chair: "It was I who gave him the courage."
The curtain of the sedan chair was lifted, and a woman in gorgeous clothes walked out. It was Yang Guifei!
Yan Qing was shocked. This Yang Guifei was Huizong's new favorite, and her brother Yang Jian was even more of a rising star in the court. Could it be...
Yang Guifei looked at Yan Qing coldly. "Master Yan, you overthrew Gao Qiu and Cai Jing, and I am grateful to you. But...isn't it time to return the account book in your hand to its original owner?"
It turned out to be because of the embezzlement account book! Yan Qing immediately understood that Yang Guifei and her brother must be involved!
"Your Highness, you're joking." Yan Qing said calmly, "The account book has been submitted to His Majesty. If Your Highness wants it, you should ask for it."
Yang Guifei's face darkened. "Yanqing, don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit! Since I came here in person, I must be determined to win!"
She waved her hand, and suddenly a large number of archers appeared around her, with the tips of their arrows flashing coldly in the sunlight.
The situation suddenly became tense. Although the Liangshan people were brave, the enemy had the advantage in numbers and the attack was sudden. If a fight really came to a head, the outcome would be unpredictable.
At this tense moment, smoke and dust suddenly billowed in the distance, and a group of cavalry came galloping, with the word "Zhong" embroidered on a large flag in the front!
"It's General Zhong Shidao's troops!" Lu Junyi said in surprise.
But then a white-haired old general took the lead and said in a loud voice, "Your Highness! His Majesty has ordered that Your Highness return to the palace immediately!"
Yang Guifei's expression changed drastically: "Zhong Shidao! You...why are you here?"
Zong Shidao bowed from his horse and said, "I, an old minister, have been ordered to inspect the border defenses. I have come here by chance. Your Majesty, please come in."
He glanced at Gao Lian and asked, "General Gao, what is your crime for mobilizing the imperial guards without authorization?"
Gao Lian looked ashen and knelt on the ground without saying a word.
Yang Guifei gritted her teeth, but did not dare to disobey the imperial edict, so she had to get into the sedan chair and leave in disappointment.
Zhong Shidao then dismounted and approached Yan Qing, sizing him up carefully with admiration in his eyes. "A hero is truly born young! I've heard all about your life in the capital. Well done! Well done! With such an heir, Yan Hong's spirit can finally rest in peace!"
It turns out that Zhong Shidao and Yan Qing’s father were colleagues!
The old general continued, "His Majesty was worried that something might happen to you on the way, so he sent me here to meet you. As expected, His Majesty was right!"
Yan Qing was deeply moved and bowed in thanks, saying, "Thank you, General."
Zong Shidao waved his hand and said, "No need to be so polite. My military camp is thirty miles ahead. If you don't mind, you can come and rest in the camp."
Naturally, everyone was eager to do so. They immediately gathered their troops and marched towards the Zhong family camp.
On the way, Zong Shidao and Yan Qing rode side by side and whispered, "Child, do you know why Yang Guifei came here in person just now?"
Yan Qing shook his head.
The old general sighed, "That account book has far-reaching implications. More than half of the court officials are implicated. Yang Guifei and her siblings are key figures in this. You've stirred up a hornet's nest!"
Yan Qing was silent for a moment, then asked, "Old General, what do you think we should do next?"
Zong Shidao's gaze was profound. "Your Majesty may be wise, but the power structures within the court are intertwined and intertwined. It will be difficult to eradicate these corrupt officials in one fell swoop. Child, your future path... I'm afraid it won't be peaceful."
He suddenly lowered his voice and said, "There's news that someone has put a large reward on your head. I'm afraid the world will be in turmoil soon."
Yan Qing smiled slightly: "Thank you for the reminder, General. However... since I, Yan Qing, have chosen this path, there is nothing to fear."
Zhong Shidao nodded in appreciation: "Good! You have courage! As expected of a descendant of a military family!"
That night, everyone held a banquet in the Zhong family camp. After three rounds of drinks, Yan Qing walked out of the tent alone and looked up at the starry sky.
Lu Junyi followed him out and asked with concern, "Xiao Yi, are you worried about the future?"
Yan Qing shook his head: "You worry too much, sir. I was just wondering... In this vast world of Jianghu, isn't there a piece of pure land?"
Lu Junyi patted his shoulder and said, "Wherever there are people, there are rivers and lakes. But as long as you have a clear conscience, anywhere is a pure land."
The two looked at each other and smiled. As they were talking, they suddenly saw a meteor streak across the sky, trailing a long trail of light before disappearing into the distance.
Yan Qing suddenly recalled the loneliness of his past life's retreat, and the passion of fighting alongside his brothers in this life. Perhaps... this kind of life was what he truly desired.
"Sir, let's go back to Liangshan directly tomorrow." Yan Qing suddenly said.
Lu Junyi was stunned: "Not going to Daming Mansion?"
Yan Qing smiled: "Liangshan... is our home."
At this moment, he suddenly understood that no matter in past or present life, Liangshan Marsh and those loyal brothers were his true home.
Little did he know, in the distant darkness, a pair of cold eyes were already staring at him. A bigger storm was quietly brewing...
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Chapter 65 End
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