At the time of the third watch, the head of Chang'an City was as black as ink. A cold wind whistled through the city, and the defenders of the city huddled in sheltered places. Cursing and violent coughing were heard from time to time in the dark corners.

Dozens of torches ascended the stone steps on the inner side of the Jinguangmen Tower, and they entered the tower without disturbing any of the defenders. The castle tower is the best place to shelter from the wind, and there is even a bonfire lit inside, and several generals in charge of guarding the Jinguang Gate are eating meat and drinking wine around a rattling iron pot around the fire.

After dozens of figures entered the city tower, a general frowned and looked at the people who came and scolded: "Get out, don't you know that you are not allowed to come in here?" Stay outside, and keep vigil for a good life. ”

A man in black, surrounded by dozens of soldiers who came in, gently lifted the cloak on his head, revealing gray hair. The man laughed and said, "General Song, what a great majesty." The old man is scared by you. ”

Only then did several of the drinking generals see the old man's face clearly, and they were so frightened that they crawled up, and in a panic, they overturned the iron pot, and the meat and vegetables in the pot overturned on the bonfire, and suddenly smoke and squeaked. After a while, there was a smell of burnt paste in the air.

"It turned out to be Marshal Zheng, the lowly rank was blind, but he didn't know that Marshal Zheng was coming, damn it, please forgive the marshal." Several generals hurriedly stepped forward and kowtowed, blaming themselves repeatedly.

"That's it, it's nothing. You've worked hard, too. What is the movement of the enemy? Zheng Qiushan walked slowly to the outside of the city tower, opened the closed long window and looked down at the city.

"There is no change, the lowly rank is staring at it, please rest assured Marshal Zheng." The guard surnamed Song was busy.

"Very well, but be cautious and don't make mistakes. If there is any change, it is necessary to report to Li Xiang in time, after all, it is now the matter of him commanding and defending the city....... ”

"Humble duty understands!"

Zheng Qiushan nodded, looked under the city wall, and suddenly said, "The city gate is blocked, how can I get out of the city?" ”

General Song was surprised: "What are you doing when you go out of the city?" ”

Zheng Qiushan frowned and said, "I asked you how you can get out of the city, why do you ask so much?" ”

General Song hurriedly said: "Oh, if you go out of the city, I'm afraid you can only use a rope to fall." ”

Zheng Qiushan said: "Then take a rope and send a person out of the city." ”

General Song hurriedly said: "Vice Marshal Zheng, I'm afraid this won't work, Li Xiangguo has ordered that no one is allowed to steal out of the city." Disobeyed his orders, and he couldn't eat and walk around. ”

Zheng Qiushan shouted coldly: "Are you afraid of disobeying his military orders, aren't you afraid of disobeying the orders of the commander?" You all only recognize him, not Ben Shuai, right? I want you to obey orders immediately, and if you dare to disobey, Ben Shuai will cut off your dog's head right now. ”

General Song was taken aback and hurriedly said: "Don't dare, Marshal Zheng's order is naturally obeyed, but if Li Xiangguo asks about it, he will also ask Vice Marshal Zheng to take care of it." ”

"Don't worry, to tell you the truth, Ben Shuai has the emperor's order, this is the emperor's order, what are you afraid of? Go ahead and do it. ”

"Oooh." Several generals acted at once, ordered a long rope to be fetched, and tied it tightly around the stone fence at one end.

Zheng Qiushan turned back to a man with a cloak covering his head: "Be careful, remember my words, and do what I teach you." ”

The man with the cloak over his face nodded repeatedly. The rope was tied to the waist of the cloaked man, and the other soldiers who had ordered the retinue were also tied to the rope, and all the people pulled the rope together, and slowly fell the three from the city. Zheng Qiushan ordered the guards to put down the drawbridge, and watched the three of them walk across the moat from the drawbridge into the darkness ahead, then turned around and instructed several generals to pay attention to the movement at any time and pull people up before dawn.

The three people who went out of the city walked in the direction of the Shence army camp with one foot deep and one foot shallow, and before they walked a hundred steps away, there were footsteps and the sound of horses' hooves in the darkness beside them, and soon more than a dozen black shadows surrounded them, and the blades in their hands flashed, surrounding the three of them.

"Don't do it, I am a messenger in Chang'an City, I ask to see you Wang Dashuai, please give me a briefing." The man in the cloak presented the nameplate, and one of the Scout scouts took it and sped away in the direction of the camp. The rest of the people slowly walked towards the camp with their swords and a few people.

Wang Yuan's big tent was brightly lit, and although it was the third watch, more than a dozen generals and Wang Yuan Gao Xianzhi were all discussing the siege of the city with a fire. The guards came in to report that a messenger was coming from the city, and Wang Yuan was stunned after receiving the nameplate, and immediately laughed.

"What? Who's coming? Gao Xianzhi asked.

Wang Yuan smiled: "See for yourself." ”

Gao Xianzhi took the nameplate and glanced at it, frowned and said, "This person is Zheng Qiushan's eldest son, and he is an official of the Ministry of Officials." Why did he come? It's just a messenger's words, and there is no need for Zheng Qiushan's eldest son to come. Zheng Qiushan is not afraid that we will chop his son alive? ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said, "Things have become interesting. Zheng Qiushan sent his son to see me so late, I am afraid that it is not a messenger, but something else. I was just trying to muddy the waters, but now it seems like I've had a windfall, and I wonder if a big fish will catch the bait. ”

The generals were puzzled and asked one after another, Wang Yuan waved his hand and said, "You all go back to sleep, it's not good if there are too many people." It's better for my brother to stay, let's see if this is a big fish. ”

The generals reluctantly left, they also wanted to see what was going on, but unfortunately the commander had made some mysterious moves in the past few days, and it seemed that he was implementing some plans, but he did not make it public. Eighty or ninety percent of the people who came tonight were related to the plan, and the marshal would definitely not let others watch, because no one wanted to inquire about what the marshal didn't want to say.

The black-clothed messenger is Zheng Kaizhi, because Zheng Kai is quite calm and thoughtful, Zheng Chongzhi is reckless, and this matter cannot be faked by others, so Zheng Qiushan asked Zheng Kaizhi to take this risk. He also knew that Wang Yuan would not hurt Zheng Kaizhi, and a person of Wang Yuan's status would not embarrass his son.

Zheng Kaizhi entered the camp nervously, got into a carriage and was carried to the tent of Wang Yuan in the middle camp. After getting out of the car, looking at Wang Yuan's brightly lit tent and the soldiers in front of the tent with fierce eyes, Zheng Kaizhi felt a little stunned. But he had no choice but to walk head-on, accompanied by a few guards, to the brightly lit tent.

Zheng Kaizhi originally thought that inside the big tent there must be a group of generals of the Shence Army with swords and eyebrows and angry eyes, but after entering the big tent, he found that the entire big tent was empty. Under the giant candle, a small table was placed on the side, and two figures in wide fur sat opposite each other next to the small table, concentrating on playing a game of Go.

The guards signaled Zheng Kaizhi to stand still and not to step forward, and several people stood quietly at the door of the big tent and watched the two of them fall like flying, judging each other from time to time. Zheng Kaizhi rubbed his hands and stood there waiting, but he was anxious in his heart, but he didn't dare to step forward.

Soon after, the man on the right who tied his hair with gold silk sprinkled a handful of white seeds in his hand on the chessboard, and said with a smile: "I lost, I didn't expect my brother's chess strength to be so strong, and the overall situation has been decided in such a short time." ”

The man on the left in a black fur and a velvet hat laughed and said, "You are not on the chessboard, and you should lose." ”

The two got up with a smile, and at this time, the guards standing at the door of the big tent hurriedly went in to report: "The big marshal, the senior deputy marshal, someone is here." ”

"Oh? Is it coming? Why didn't you say it earlier? Come in, please. ”

The man on the left turned his head to the door of the big tent while talking, this person had a clear face, sharp eyes, three strands of beautiful hair trimmed neatly and meticulously, and his expression revealed a calm and steady temperament.

Zheng Kaizhi had never seen Wang Yuan, he thought that this person was Wang Yuan, so he hurriedly stepped into the tent, bowed to the man and said, "Zheng Kaizhi has seen Wang Dashuai in Xia." ”

"Hahaha, I'm not Wang Dashuai, that one is, you recognized the wrong person." Gao Xianzhi pointed at the person sitting across from him and smiled.

Zheng Kaizhi blushed, turned his head, and saw a resolute-faced young man standing on the right smiling at him. He never thought that the young man in front of him, who looked no more than twenty years old, was the Wang Yuan Wang Dashuai who stirred up the world and shook the world, and he was a little speechless for a while. It's no wonder that even his father Zheng Qiushan has never seen Wang Yuan, but he just heard about Wang Yuan's appearance, so how can it count. So he didn't get Wang Yuan's detailed appearance before he came.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, Wang Dashuai, I'm rude." Zheng Kaizhi hurriedly bowed to Wang Yuan.

"It's okay, you're not the first to admit the wrong person. Mr. Zheng, please be seated. Wang Yuan said with a smile.

Zheng Kaizhi said a few polite words, suppressed the tension in his heart, tried his best to behave calmly and decently, and sat on a wooden bench next to him.

"Master Zheng, did you come smoothly? I heard that your city gate is blocked, how did Zheng Dagongzi get out? Wang Yuan asked with a smile.

"Oh, down there is a rope that falls down to the city." Zheng Kaizhi replied honestly.

Wang Yuan laughed and said, "It seems that you took some risks and brought some sincerity." But I don't know who Zheng Dagongzi came to our army for? Did Li Mao send you? ”

Zheng Kaizhi groaned slightly: "It's not a secret, only my father knows about it, and Your Majesty and the rest of the civil and military ministers in the court don't know about it." The reason why I chose to come in the middle of the night is for the sake of secrecy. ”

Wang Yuan and Gao Xianzhi glanced at each other, turned their heads and asked with a smile: "It's strange, you came to our army as an envoy, but it doesn't mean that Li Mao came, so what else do we have to talk about?" I don't have anything to say to your Zheng family, what did Zheng Qiushan ask you to talk to me about? I'm curious. ”

Zheng Kaizhi reached into his arms, took out a letter and handed it over with both hands, and said in a low voice: "My father wrote a letter, let me present it to the two handsomes." After reading this letter, the two commanders knew that I had come today. ”

Before Wang Yuan could stretch out his hand, Gao Xianzhi on the side reached out and grabbed the letterhead, and said with a smile: "I'll take a look." ”

Wang Yuan smiled bitterly and was speechless, Gao Xianzhi didn't want to rush to see it first, but since Li Mao released the text of the crusade against Chengdu, the security around Wang Yuan has been raised to a certain level. Li Guangbi also issued a huge reward order, and many people who wanted money and did not want to die have also sneaked around. It's just that Wang Yuan's protective forces are strong, and these people are often crushed by the personal guard battalion in charge of this matter at the slightest change. But this also reminded the people around Wang Yuan to always be vigilant against the other party's assassinations and sneak attacks. Therefore, all Wang Yuan's food and drink need to be checked by a special person, not to mention some letterheads and some things that Wang Yuan has passed through by himself, and it is necessary to prevent anyone from doing anything. Like the letterhead handed by the enemy messenger, it needs to be checked by someone else's hand before it is possible to smear the poison and hide the poison. Although Wang Yuan personally felt that there was no need to be so nervous, the people around him unanimously decided to do so, and Wang Yuan could only acquiesce. Gao Xianzhi won the trust first, that is, he wanted to see if there was anything unusual first. Originally, he was specifically responsible for this matter, but now that there was no one else around, Gao Xianzhi took the initiative to reach out.

Gao Xianzhi took out the letterhead, checked it for correctness, and simply read it. The letter was not long, Gao Xianzhi quickly finished reading it, and then handed the letter to Wang Yuan with an expressionless face. Wang Yuan quickly looked at it, and a look of surprise appeared on his face.

"Two handsome, what is written in my father's letter is still detailed? The two marshals should know what they mean. ”

Wang Yuan folded the letter, stuffed it into the envelope, and muttered: "Ling Zun said in the letter that he has insight into my plan? said that I used Li Mao's hand to kill Li Guangbi, so as to make the city civil unrest and achieve the result of victory without a fight. I have to say that Ling Zun still has some ability, and I do have this intention. However, what did Ling Zun want to explain by sending you to deliver this letter? Show me that he is wise? ”

Zheng Kaizhi shook his head and said: "My father is not showing off himself, my father just wants to tell Wang Dashuai that Wang Dashuai's thoughts are not unknown to anyone." In the next place, it is also on this basis to discuss some things with the marshal. ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "You mean, you were entrusted by your father to use this handle to blackmail me?" ”

Zheng Kaizhi hurriedly waved his hand and said: "How is it coercion, it is cooperation." My father said that this is a matter of mutual benefit. The father can not debunk the shamsome's scheme, but the handsome must also agree to the conditions proposed by the father. So everyone has something to gain. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said, "You want to talk to me about a deal, right?" Tell me, what does Ling Zun want me to promise him? ”

Zheng Kaizhi: "It's very simple, what my father means is that he can cooperate with Wang Xiangguo except for Li Guangbi." Even Chang'an City can be ceded to Wang Xiangguo. But my father hoped that Wang Xiangguo would make His Majesty retreat to Luoyang and promise not to advance eastward. With Tongguan as the boundary, the truce and the troops were no longer hostile. ”

Wang Yuan showed a strange expression on his face, and suddenly laughed and said, "It's a good idea for Lord Venerable." Kill his political enemies with my hand, and then he will take power and sit in Luoyang. This abacus is shrewd. Not bad. Sure enough, he was born in business. ”

Zheng Kaizhi's face was shy, and he smacked his lips and said: "This is a two-way policy, not for the good of my Zheng family." ”

Wang Yuan stood up suddenly, and Zheng Kaizhi was busy standing up for some reason, but seeing Wang Yuan smile, he said: "Master Zheng, I invite you to take a look at a few things, can't I teach you to run for nothing, right?" ”

Zheng Kaizhi was stunned and said: "Let's talk about things, let's go and see after we talk, I have to rush back before dawn." ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "The guest is as he pleases, and he can't delay your efforts." It only takes a moment to talk, but it doesn't take a few hours. If you don't go, I'll have to send you off. ”

Zheng Kaizhi was helpless, so he had to smack his lips and be speechless, not knowing what Wang Yuan was going to do. But seeing that Wang Yuan summoned him, Zhao Qing whispered a few words in his ear. After that, he beckoned to Zheng Kaizhi, led Zheng Kaizhi out of the big tent, and walked to a clearing at the east head of the Zhongying under the support of all the guards.

There was a row of unidentified objects covered with oilcloth in the open space, and after Wang Yuan and Zheng Kaizhi arrived here, Liu Dehai was already waiting here.

"Liu Dehai, we have a VIP in the army, let me salute and welcome you." Wang Yuan said with a smile.

"Okay!" Liu Dehai turned around and ordered, and thousands of artillery battalion soldiers rushed to remove the covered tarpaulins one by one. Suddenly rows of black and shiny tiger squat cannons were revealed.

"Wang Dashuai, ...... are you?" Zheng Kaizhi wondered.

"Master Zheng, this is the firearm in my Shence army, called the Tiger Squat Cannon. Mr. Zheng is a distinguished guest, so he should show you the power of this thing. Later, I asked Zheng Dagongzi to cover his ears, this guy's voice was like thunder. Wang Yuan said with a smile.

In that room, Liu Dehai gave a series of orders, and the gunners were nervously busy. Set up the running position, adjust the angle, and check the gun chamber. Soon everything was in place.

"All ready!" The commanding general raised the command flag in his hand.

"Goal! Enemy walls. ”

"Fire!" The flag waved down.

"Boom, boom, boom!" A series of roars resounded through the heavens and the earth, and the silence of the night was particularly harsh. The earth seemed to be shaking, and strings of tongues of fire erupted from the muzzles of the cannons, and the cannonballs arrived at the head of Chang'an City in an instant with the trajectory of shining fire and white smoke.

A series of fires and explosions suddenly flashed over the head of Chang'an City. Although miles away, it seemed that the limbs of the defenders could be seen flying in the light of the explosion, and the panicked ghosts and wolves could be heard at the head of the city. Although dozens of shells did not completely hit the top of the city wall, only half of them did not fall above the city wall, and the rest exploded far or near, but this round of shelling still killed and wounded hundreds of defenders on the city wall within a radius of more than 100 steps. Let all the defenders at the head of the city huddle under the battlements run and scream as if they had been burned with their buttocks.

The generals defending the city thought that the enemy was attacking the city, so they hurriedly sent orders to prepare for defense. But after this round of bombing, there was no movement. Except for the screams of the ** on the head of the city, calm was restored in all directions.

Zheng Kaizhi's ears were buzzing, and he stood in place in a daze with a dizzy head. He didn't have time to cover his ears, so he was shocked by the loud noise. The smell of ** choking in his nose made him cover his mouth and cough constantly