When Zhang Dequan felt sorry for himself, Wang Yuan and Xuanzong were starting their game.

"Emperor Taishang, the minister knows that the Emperor Taishang will not agree easily, and the Emperor Taishang is not confused. This was clear to the minister before he came. But in fact, the Emperor Taishang should not overestimate the chips you have. The current situation of the Emperor of the Ether is really not to talk about what he can bargain with his ministers. Besides, the Emperor Taishang should also understand that the current situation is irreversible, and I, Wang Yuan, do not want to sit still, and Li Mao will not let me go. Whether the emperor authorizes it or not, whether he wants it or not, it will be a life-and-death battle. ”

"Hehe, then why are you still talking to me about this? You don't have to come. Xuanzong sneered.

Wang Yuan shook his head and said: "Of course the minister can not come, the minister just wants the people to suffer less." Even if the minister is called a chaotic minister and a thief, the minister can still defeat the court soldiers. What if the people of the world are not convinced? It's a big deal to kill more people and get more blood on your hands. Your Majesty should know my ability to guide the army, and the minister is not a person who brags. But the minister is still thinking about the people of the world, they have suffered too much in the past few years, the minister does not want to let them suffer more, the minister wants to quickly end the current turbulent situation, so that the world can return to the peace as soon as possible. And to do that, it takes a little more effort. The Emperor Taishang used to be the lord of the Holy Ming, and when he knew the difference between the two, the minister didn't need to go into too much detail. ”

Xuanzong sneered: "Of course I understand, you just want to justifiably take away my Li Tang's world. If I had promised you, I would have become a sinner for the ages. ”

Wang Yuan smacked his lips and said, "Emperor Tai, I said, even if you don't agree, can you Li Tang's country be saved?" Shall I not have the power to destroy him? The Emperor Taishang don't drill the horns, you know, I can't come, the result is actually the same. ”

"In that case, why should I make it easy for you? I agreed to your conditions, just to help you get things done quickly. What's in it for me? Xuanzong shouted.

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Emperor Taishang, don't you need the right conditions?" I naturally thought about the conditions, as long as the Emperor agreed to my conditions, I would rescue the Emperor and support the Emperor to restore the throne. What about this condition? That's exactly what the Emperor had in mind. Hehe. ”

Xuanzong was ecstatic in his heart, this was one of the conditions he had in mind, but he didn't expect Wang Yuan to take the initiative to put it forward, which was exactly what he wanted. But Xuanzong knew that this condition alone still did not work, and this was just an empty title. He must strive for more favorable conditions, otherwise even if he is supported and reinstated, he is just a puppet in the hands of Wang Yuan.

"Wang Yuan, I'm old, it's time to run out of oil and dry up, don't you think I still have too much interest in the throne? However, after I go out, I can temporarily reset the throne to reassure the people of the world. But I want you to promise me two other conditions. First, after the world is settled, I will return to Chang'an, and you will be in your Shu land. Your soldiers and horses are not allowed to step into Chang'an. You are not allowed to hold me hostage and treat me and my successor as puppets. Second, I can bring all the four provinces of Hexi, Xijian, Nanlong, and Right under your jurisdiction, and you don't need to pay taxes, and everything is up to you. All you need to do is send troops to help the court when it needs it, and fulfill your duties as a courtier. In addition, it is equivalent to me sharing the world of the Tang Dynasty with you. But you need to promise that you will never usurp the throne, never be an enemy of the imperial court, and always submit to the Tang Dynasty. "Xuanzong said categorically.

Wang Yuan looked at Xuanzong quietly, and the look in his eyes was very strange. Xuanzong was furious by him, and suddenly felt that his request was too much, whether Wang Yuan would leave with his sleeves in anger, and whether he would be left behind. After all, as Wang Yuan said, he actually doesn't have any capital to negotiate, and he just has the identity of the emperor of the Tang Dynasty. But if Wang Yuan really turned his head and left, his identity would be useless. Not long after, he is not going to die in the hands of his unfilial son Li Mao. And I don't want to defend this rebel anymore.

Xuanzong was up and down in his heart, and just wanted to speak: If you think this condition is too harsh, maybe you can discuss it again. However, Wang Yuan on the other side suddenly spoke: "I agreed, and my word is a certainty." ”

"Promised?" Xuanzong looked at Wang Yuan in a daze, he couldn't believe his ears.

Not only Xuanzong, but even Gongsun Lan, who was standing on the side, looked at Wang Yuan in some surprise, as if to blame Wang Yuan for agreeing to such conditions.

"yes, I promised." Wang Yuan smiled heartlessly.

Xuanzong felt that it was very unreal, so Wang Yuan agreed to his conditions? That's how easy it is.

"Do you want to ...... Think again? Xuanzong asked the stupidest sentence in his life.

Wang Yuan stood up and said softly: "Emperor Taishang, the road back to Chengdu is long, long and difficult, let's not waste time here." Zhang Dequan, help the emperor, we should go. ”

……

At the fourth watch, the sky was as dark as dyed ink. Wang Yuan and his entourage drove Xuanzong out of the north gate of Huaqing Palace. On the square, a patrol of soldiers and horses patrolled back and forth not far away. This time, there was no need to adopt a dodge strategy, and more than twenty barbarian guards in guard armor walked straight out of the hall and headed straight for the patrol team.

The patrol guards on the square were a little puzzled, and the guards in the hall came to the square outside the hall for some reason. But they didn't have much suspicion either, and it wasn't until the other party came straight to their side that they felt something unusual. Because they found that none of the other party's faces were familiar. By the time this was learned, however, it was too late. The opponent's sword slashed together, and he brazenly attacked at close range, killing more than ten patrol guards.

After that, Wang Yuan took Xuanzong to cross the square surrounded by all the guards and quickly rushed back to the back garden. The fifty guards in the back garden were already waiting, and the servant Xiao Shanzi was actually waiting in the back garden to escape together. Without delay, everyone quickly climbed over the wall of the back garden, climbed the steep cliff into the mountain forest, and began to evacuate over the Xixiu Ridge overnight.

Soon after, the Lishan Palace was full of fires, and the gongs clanged and became lively. That's when someone has discovered the anomaly. Patrols rotate in the square for half an hour, and although the bodies of the slain guards are dragged to an inconspicuous location, the guards who change shifts will look for them if they find out that the guards in front of them are missing. Bodies dragged under the base of the wall will be found quickly. Once the body is found, then the absence of Xuanzong in the temple will be quickly discovered.

Everyone in the mountains and forests hurried to the southern foothills, because after the other party found out, it was a race against time. The other party will naturally quickly find the corpse in the back garden, and will also realize that Xuanzong was rescued from the back garden. Then it is easy to judge the escape route of the other party.

The good news is that it is impossible for the other party to chase Wang Yuan and the others through the mountains and forests for the time being, because with the ability of the defenders of Lishan Palace, they do not have the ability to pursue through the forests. But the bad news is that they don't have to chase after them directly, but only need to quickly report the news and mobilize troops and horses to intercept them in all directions.

When the sky was twilight, everyone arrived at the place where the horses were stored on the southern hillside. All were sweating profusely and exhausted. If it weren't for the barbarian guards in front of them, the cavalry guards would have suffered greatly in the dense and dark mountain forests. If nothing else, it's extremely difficult to get your way in the dark. But all this is much simpler in the presence of the barbarian guards. The brutes not only easily discerned the direction, but also opened up the road and found the best route, which was quite useful.

Wang Yuan was secretly glad that he had brought the barbarians to participate in this operation, and the timing of Ge Luofeng's eldest brother was just in time. If he had arrived a day late, he would have set off with a hundred guards, and although the mission might not have failed, it would definitely not have been as smooth as it is now.

Xuanzong was also so tired that his face was like a blank sheet of paper, he said that he could walk on his own, but in fact, after leaving the back garden of Lishan Palace, it was the guards who carried him on his back and drove him away. Even so, he was half exhausted, and when he arrived at the horse's hideout, he was like a dead dog, lying on the ground, barely speechless.

After resting for a while, eating and drinking, they immediately mounted their horses and set off. Wang Yuan knew that he couldn't delay time at this moment, and he had to hurry as soon as possible. Don't look at the calm now, maybe in a few hours, there will be soldiers and horses coming from all directions. At this time, although everyone is tired, it can only be a race against time.

The crowd mounted their horses and galloped, and a few hours later, when they arrived at the remnants of the mountain side of Zhongnan Mountain. The brother in charge of the lookout sent a message that he saw a soldier and horse rushing from the south of the mountain pass, twenty miles away. Wang Yuan was surprised by the speed of the other party's movements, this cavalry must have been outflanked, but they were a step slower and fell to the rear, and at this moment they must be chasing after the footsteps of their horses' hooves.

Twenty miles of land is actually nothing in the eyes of the cavalry, as long as they relax a little, the other party will catch up. Wang Yuan ordered everyone to speed up and shake off their opponents. The mounts of the guards were all selected horses, and their feet were definitely stronger than those of the pursuers. However, after galloping forward for more than ten miles, only three or four miles away from the pursuers, several guards who were responsible for protecting Xuanzong hurriedly came to report that Xuanzong could not hold on.

Xuanzong actually rode with a personal guard, who was responsible for protecting Xuanzong from falling off his horse. But after all, Xuanzong still needs to control his body, and he also has to endure the bumps of the horses. And all this has made Xuanzong unable to support it.

Wang Yuan rushed to check it out, and saw that Xuanzong was already panting like a cow and sweating like pulp, and his whole body was no longer able to sit on the horse, as if he might be unconscious at any time, he knew that he had to stop and let Xuanzong rest and recover. In fact, Xuanzong has worked very hard, and the guards are all strong young people, and they are all exhausted, not to mention that he is already an old man in his sixties. Pampered for so many years, there has been such suffering. Coupled with the encounters in Lishan Palace in the past few months, his body is actually very weak.

Wang Yuan didn't want Xuanzong to die halfway, otherwise this would be the biggest failure of the trip. After urgent consultations with Zhao Qing, Tan Ping, Ah Shui, Gongsun Lan and others, everyone decided to set up an ambush on the spot and annihilate the rear. Another reason why Wang Yuan decided to annihilate this group of pursuers was that Wang Yuan was worried that if he allowed them to chase after him and left it untreated, he would probably cause great trouble when he reached the territory of Jinzhou in front. If the defenders of Jinzhou were to block in front, and there was such a force of cavalry making trouble behind, would they have to be attacked in front and behind. Rather than this, it is better to take the opportunity to solve this chasing force.

The news of the expedition soon came, and the number of cavalry in the rear should be about 1,500. This made Wang Yuan feel a little tricky. I thought that there was only a chasing army of hundreds of people, but obviously, this cavalry was not exactly the defenders of Lishan Palace, and perhaps it was temporarily transferred from Chang'an City. The cavalry of the imperial court soldiers and horses is insufficient, don't look at their hundreds of thousands of troops, but the number of cavalry is probably less than one or two thousand, and I am afraid that I can only mobilize so many cavalry for a while.

To deal with so many cavalry, Wang Yuan must plan well. After checking the surrounding terrain and wind direction, Wang Yuan immediately ordered all the cavalry guards and war horses to move to a mountain col and barren grassland on the right to hide their tracks, and at the same time let fifty barbarian guards go to the ravines on the side of the road to set up an ambush nearby.

Soon, the more than 1,500 cavalry in the rear galloped on the barren grass and field paths, and the other side already knew that the other side did not have many soldiers and horses, so they were unscrupulous when marching.

In fact, this 1,500 cavalry was the cavalry of the forbidden army led by the general of the Dragon and Tiger Guard. Lishan Palace is only more than 40 miles away from Chang'an, and in less than an hour after the Emperor Taishang was robbed, the news has already spread to Chang'an City. Li Mao was furious and ordered to immediately send troops to chase after him. He volunteered to lead the forbidden army of 1,500 elite horsemen out of the city to the south, crossing the mountain pass, intending to intercept the people and horses who had kidnapped the emperor in Lishan.

However, they did not expect the other party's movement to be so fast, coupled with the ruggedness and difficulty of the road through the mountain pass, when they arrived at the wilderness of Shannan at the eastern foot of Junnan Mountain, they found that the other party was already on the way to the west. So he led the cavalry in pursuit. Finally, at noon, I saw the back of the other party's more than 100 riders.

On the right is the remnants of the Jungnam Mountain, and on the left is the shrubs and grasses that are crisscrossed by ravines. The brigade of cavalry could only run on the remains of a road in disrepair at the foot of the mountain. Although the road is also full of weeds, after all, there are occasional troop vehicles, so there are still traces of the road, and it is difficult for trees and thorns to take root. However, the narrow path forced the cavalry to run in a fish-through formation, unable to spread out in a large area.

A small dirt slope in front blocked everyone's view, and more than 100 horsemen who were originally visible in the long grass in the distance also temporarily lost their traces. The degree of speed rushed out of seven or eight miles, and landed on the bulging breakthrough. Then he suddenly found that in the long grass and wilderness in front of him, the figures of the opposing soldiers and horses had disappeared. It stands to reason that standing on this breakthrough is condescending and should have seen more clearly, but suddenly unable to see the other party, this situation is a little wrong.

"Be careful, everyone, they're gone. Either the mountain road ahead turned and was blocked by the hillside, or they found out that they were being pursued by us, so they hid. Zhang Cheng is sloppy, the two of you lead two hundred brothers to rush forward to check, and the rest of the brothers stay vigilant and keep a distance to follow behind. The degree quickly ordered.

The two Praetorian Guard captains shouted a promise, and led two hundred cavalry to gallop downhill and rush forward. After running for six or seven miles, they found that the hillside on the right had indeed turned a corner, and the mountain road had also turned into it along the mountain. Then, in the long grass a few miles ahead, there were traces of men and horses, and they were fleeing quickly.

The two lieutenants were relieved, so they hurriedly sent a message to the degree that they were slowly following a few miles behind, telling them that the other party was in front of them, but the hillside was blocking the view. When he heard the news, he was relieved and immediately ordered to speed up and catch up. The other party was only six or seven miles away, and they would soon catch up with them.

The pursuers galloped and came to the recess of the hillside. Suddenly, the horse's hooves in front of him stepped on something, and there was a popping sound, like the sound of a skin bag bursting. The sound was hidden in the hooves of the horses, and it was even more imperceptible. But the strange smoke rising from the grass was quickly noticed by the soldiers.

Hundreds of multicolored smoke rose rapidly from under the horse's hooves, spreading and rising so fast that it was smacking. Like a sudden rise of morning mist and water vapor, it soon enveloped the pursuers. As the colored mist on the ground quickly erupted, the front end of the team was all wrapped in colored mist, like a group of heavenly soldiers and generals wrapped in colorful clouds.

"What's the situation?"

Zhang Cheng, a cavalry captain in the thick fog at the front of the team, asked loudly. After asking this sentence, Zhang Cheng felt dizzy for a while, and his heart was indescribably nauseous. The next moment he felt the tingling of his eyes, the numbness of his tongue and the disobedience of his body.

"What's going on?" Zhang Cheng asked loudly with his eyes closed.

No one answered him, only the screams of horror all around and the frenzied jumping and neighing of the horses. He could feel the brothers around him being thrown off the horse one by one, the sound of bang-bang bang, and the sound of screams and cries were endless. The next moment, Zhang Cheng himself was also thrown up by the mount under his crotch and fell heavily to the ground.

Zhang Cheng struggled to stand up, and struggled to open his eyes, which were tingling and dry, like being burned by flames. In a haze, he saw a small black cracked skin bag on the ground in front of him, at the root of a small clump of withered grass, which was frantically spewing out of five-colored smoke. The smoke was bright and beautiful, but it gave people an inexplicable sense of fear.

"Poisonous miasma...... The well-informed Zhang Cheng shouted in his heart, he was ten years ago