Han Yan turned around and saw blood stains where his subordinate pointed.
When he turned back, there was a coldness in his tone: "You just said that no suspicious person left the city?! Then who or what left this blood stain!"
"The blood-stained villain knows this!" the guard said hurriedly: "Before the commander, there was indeed a group of people leaving the city, but they were not outsiders. The leader was a man from one hundred households under your command!"
As he spoke, he looked around and lowered his voice: "The man from a hundred households went out of the city on an errand with a secret order and escorted two carriages. This blood stain... was seeped into one of the carriages. The villain can see it clearly.
Chu!"
Han Yan's face changed several times when he heard this.
How could he not know what secret order his men had received and who needed to be escorted out of the city?
"Do you recognize the so-called Baihu!"
Recognizable?
The guard was stunned when he heard this: "This little guy is blind and ignorant..."
There are more than one Jishiwei Baihu with a low-level official position, and their positions change from time to time. He is just a city gate guard, how can he recognize them all?
"But the villain recognizes that badge!"
And that green robe that seemed to have unlimited power.
Hearing the word "waist card", Han Yan's hand holding the reins had bulging veins.
The waist card must have been obtained from those subordinates he sent to Zhenguo Duke's Mansion!
"Who are the people escorted in the carriage? Can you see clearly?"
This sight was so murderous that the guard's back felt cold, and his tone couldn't help but weaken: "I didn't dare to step forward to check, for fear of delaying the errands of the adults, so I'll hurry up..."
Before he finished speaking, a riding crop was thrown towards him and landed heavily on him.
"waste!"
Han Yan gritted his teeth and asked: "How long have they been gone!"
"Back... back to your lord... it's less than two-quarters of an hour!" The guard replied in a trembling voice as he fell to the ground after being thrown to the ground by the whip.
"Chase!"
Han Yan drove his horse violently and led nearly a hundred security guards out of the city gate.
Less than two quarters of an hour...
The other party has a carriage, and there are old, weak, women, children, and injured people there. It is impossible to abandon the carriage, so we can definitely catch up!
"Feng Shisan!"
"My subordinate is here!"
While riding his horse, Han Yan loudly ordered his subordinates: "Take three people to take a shortcut to the Dingyun Mountain military camp to report that the Zhenguo Duke is plotting rebellion and defecting from the capital. Let them immediately divide their troops into two groups to guard Wan County Magistrate.
Dao and Jingshui River! We must intercept the person at any cost! If you make any mistakes, you must bear the same punishment as my policemen!"
Wan County and Jingshui River, one behind the other, are the only way to get to the Xu family's military camp——
Of these two lines of defense, one must be defended!
The sound of horses' hooves stirred up dust, which floated in the autumn wind, as if it would cover the sky and the sun.
The clear sky has been quietly wiped away, and the black clouds are pressing down, and the people on the horse dare not relax for a moment.
Amidst the rush of carriages and horses, Xu Mingyi looked at the undulating mountains ahead and to the side.
Dingyun Mountain is about to arrive. As long as we pass through these mountains, there is only more than half of the distance to the Xu Family Military Camp...!
At this moment, a sharp cry suddenly came from the gloomy sky above.
It’s the voice of the Third Eye!
Xu Mingyi's eyes suddenly changed.
Tianmu couldn't fit into the carriage today. Instead, he only followed behind them, as if he had taken over the job for himself, and making such a cry at this time was obviously a warning!
Soon, the chirping sounded two more times in succession.
The cry of raptors is particularly loud in the open countryside, and just hearing it is frightening for no reason.
Wu Chao and Xu Mingyi, who were walking side by side, exchanged glances, and both saw determination in each other's eyes - there must be pursuers behind them!
After waiting for a while, the sound of horse hooves came to my ears.
No one needed to give orders. Zhu Xiu and others who were leading the way immediately slowed down and let the two carriages go ahead.
As the sound of horse hooves approached, the Queen Mother and others in the car also sensed the approaching danger.
Prince Dingnan and the Xu family did not follow the rear, but followed the carriage on both sides. They had no ability to fight against the enemy, and showing off their strength would only cause trouble.
"Whoops!" Between the gloomy sky and earth, a sharp arrow flew through the wind.
Zhu Xiu pulled out the sword from behind to block it.
He was able to dodge this arrow, but it was followed by a dense rain of arrows!
Soon several people were hit by arrows and fell off their horses.
Not a word of nonsense, not a moment's hesitation, the purpose of the coming person is very clear - as long as he can stop the person, it doesn't matter life or death!
"Zhaozhao, go to the front!" Wu Chao dodged a sharp arrow with a barb and urged Xu Mingyi on the horse.
"Don't go!"
The long sword in the girl's hand cut off the long arrow coming towards her, and her tone was decisive.
If she is unable to resist the enemy, she will hide away obediently without being reminded so as not to be delayed, but since she has the strength to spare, she will count every kill!
It was impossible to run away at this time. There were only about thirty enemies among them, but from a distance, there were more than a hundred enemies... There was no chance of winning in terms of numbers, but there was no reason to retreat!
When she was young, she often heard her grandfather talk about the battlefield. Her grandfather said that although the number of people is an absolute advantage, if there is not a gap of hundreds of thousands or tens of thousands, when the armies meet each other, they will fight with murderous intent. It depends on who wants to live more.
Got it!
It is not advisable to remain passive. The girl sheathed her sword and drew her bow. The two arrows were fired without any miss. The two policemen who were rushing at the front fell off their horses.
Han Yan squinted his eyes, moved his crossbow, and aimed it in the direction of the sandalwood-robed girl.
Three short arrows were fired in succession, but before they even reached their eyes, they seemed to be stained with the smell of blood.
"Be careful!" Wu Chao suddenly turned the horse's head.
Xu Mingyi had already noticed it. He picked up the reins in his hand and hid to one side. During this gap, another cold arrow struck and hit the horse's leg.
The horse was frightened and struggled. Xu Mingyi immediately let go of the reins, and a big hand was handed to her in time. She held it hard and used the strength to jump, and the young man lifted her firmly onto the horse in front of him.
The two were riding on the same horse, and another arrow came from behind. Wu Chao suddenly leaned over to protect her.
Xu Mingyi clearly heard the sound of arrows narrowly passing above his head.
At this time, Wu Chao pulled out two long arrows from the quiver tied to the side of the horse's back.
Xu Mingyi immediately handed over the bow in his hand and took the reins held in his other hand.
This bow was the one he gave to her. It was made by a famous craftsman. If she used her full strength, she could penetrate elm wood four fingers deep at a distance of more than a hundred steps.
The young man sat on the horse and turned sideways. When he drew the bow, his tense arms showed slender and tight lines under his robe——
"咻咻——"
Both arrows fired in unison.
The long arrow went straight towards the target, and the rain of arrows could not stop it.
Han Yan couldn't dodge and was hit by an arrow in the abdomen.
Zhu Xiu and others took the opportunity to counterattack with arrows, but Han Yan fell off his horse in the chaos.
"grown ups!"
The commander fell down, causing everyone to panic for a moment.
"Wu Shisun, get away quickly!"
The Imperial Master who was hiding at the front came over to Wu Chao at some unknown time. He grabbed the reins with one hand, reined in the horse with some difficulty, and threw it hard in the direction of the group of security guards with the other hand.
"Bang bang!"
There was an explosion, the lime powder wrapped outside was exploded, and thick smoke filled the air for a while, obscuring the view.
"Let's go!" the Imperial Master shouted, turning around quickly.
After all, you are a person who needs to run away at any time, so it is normal to have some self-defense items on you. Although it cannot hurt the enemy, it is still useful to delay for some time.
This was by no means a time for fighting, so everyone immediately drove their horses.
There is a section of mountain forest ahead. Once you get out of this mountain road, you are leaving the scope of Dingyun Mountain.
"grown ups……"
Amidst the sound of coughing, a security guard quickly dismounted his horse and stepped forward to check on Han Yan's injuries.
Han Yan's face was covered in cold sweat, his face turned pale, and his eyes were hurt by lime powder, but he still gritted his teeth and insisted: "Hurry up and chase... We must not let them escape! Hurry!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard the faint sound of a horn reaching his ears.
The sound of the trumpet was loud and clear, floating through the mountains and forests.
Han Yan's expression brightened: "It's the call from the military camp to summon soldiers to defend against the enemy...! Feng Shisan has delivered the letter! Hurry, we must hold them back!"
Wan County has been passed, and the Jingshui River is less than twenty miles ahead. We must hurry up and hold back Zhen Guogong and his party before the military camp sends troops!
As long as you delay it, when the army arrives, it will be difficult for the opponent to escape!
Encouraged by the sound of the horn, all the arresting guards responded in unison, leaving two people on the spot to look after Han Yan, while the others immediately chased him into the mountains and forests!
This long-lasting sound of the trumpet also shocked Xu Mingyi and others.
The thing you were most worried about happened!
Han Yan must have ordered his confidants to report to the military camp when he left the city. At this time, troops must have been dispatched from the military camp to cut off their way!
Fortunately, the Jingshui River is not far ahead. When she was a child, she often went to the military camp with her grandfather. She knew the significance of the existence of the Jingshui River very clearly. As long as she crossed the river, she could block the pursuing soldiers...
But at this moment, there was the sound of horse hooves behind them again, and these security guards obviously intended to delay their advance——
"Are there any more thunderbolts just now?" Xu Mingyi turned to the Imperial Master and asked.
The Imperial Master nodded hurriedly: "Yes! There are some more!"
With that said, he took it out of his Taoist robe.
Xu Mingyi reached out his hand: "Give it to me!"
Wu Chao slowed down his horse a little, and the imperial master quickly handed it over.
"Slower." Xu Mingyi said to Wu Chao as he fumbled for a purse from his waist.
Then he turned to look at the Imperial Master: "Quickly go!"
The Imperial Master nodded quickly, he understood, the slower ones should run first!
"Uncle Zhu, you guys also go to the front!" Xu Mingyi urged Zhu Xiu and others who had been staying behind.
"Yes!" Zhu Xiuwei asked more and immediately urged his horse to cross Wu Chao very quickly.
Xu Mingyi turned sideways and leaned on Wu Chao's shoulder. When he vaguely saw the silhouettes of the security guards appearing in the forest, he immediately threw the things in his hands hard.
The explosion sounded again.
White mist soon filled the air, and the group of people slowed down. With their recent experience, they mostly raised their hands to shield their eyes from the lime dust.
"Keep chasing!"
It's just a little trick, how long can some gunpowder and lime powder delay it!
As soon as the idea came to mind, the people at the front suddenly fell off their horses.
One after another, more people fell off their horses.
"This fog is poisonous...take a breath!" Someone reacted and shouted immediately.
But it's too late.
The poisonous powder has already spread with the explosion, but it is difficult to disperse due to the hidden nature of this mountain forest.
Even those who hold their breath in time, even if they don't faint immediately, are unable to catch up anymore.
Moreover, horses cannot be completely immune to poisons that are harmful to humans.
After getting rid of the pursuers behind him, Xu Mingyi leaned in front of Wu Chao and breathed a sigh of relief.
Although the act of poisoning was always inferior, for her, saving her life was always the most important thing.
"Hurry up."
The young man's voice rang in his ears, and Xu Mingyi hugged one of his arms tightly.
After leaving the mountains and forests, the speed of the carriages and horses became faster and faster.
And just when everyone was full of hope and felt that life was just around the corner, they heard the sound of horse hooves again.
This time it came from the front!
The journey was thrilling, and the sound of horse hooves undoubtedly sounded like a life-threatening charm to my ears.
The people coming from the front...mostly soldiers from the Beijing camp!
But how could it be so fast?!
But now we have emerged from the dense forest, and there is a straight road ahead that leads directly to the Jingshui River. There is no way to avoid it!
Even though the other party only sent a small group of troops first, once the front army arrives, what follows will definitely be a large army that they cannot compete with...
Everyone slowed down in unison.
If it is the enemy, if you go further, you will fall into a trap and die in a hurry.
Zhu Xiu wiped the blood from his face and pulled out the big knife from behind again.
Ah Zhu also quietly grasped the long knife tightly and stayed close to Xu Mingyi's side.
"Don't be afraid." Wu Chao's determined voice sounded: "They are not the enemy!"
"..." Xu Mingyi nodded, her tense figure relaxed little by little, covered in sweat, and her face with a few messy strands of hair revealed a smile that looked like the aftermath of a disaster.
This direction cannot be the enemy!
I was so nervous along the way that I felt like a frightened bird, so when I heard the sound of horse hooves, I thought it was someone blocking the way.
Calm down and think about it, even if the people from the Beijing Camp came so quickly, they couldn't have come from the front!
As the two parties got closer, the person's true identity was quickly revealed.
Looking at the men and horses appearing in his sight, Zhu Xiu felt for the first time that Qin Wu's donkey face was so pleasing to the eye!
"Madam, look, it's Xu Jiajun!"
Prince Wu looked relieved, turned to the Xu family who was riding beside him and said, "It's the Xu family army who has come to meet us!"
Mrs. Xu smiled and nodded, her eyes a little red.
"General!"
"girl!"
"Zhaozhao, where is the old man!"
The two groups of people met each other, and Xu Mingyi saw his second uncle among the leaders.
She pointed to the carriage: "They're all in the carriage. We'll tell you more after we cross the bridge!"
All in the car.
As long as they are all here.
Xu Yun felt relieved for a moment, turned the horse's head with Qin Wu and others, and turned back in the direction of Jingshui River.
There is a rope bridge on the river bank, which can accommodate a carriage.
First, ten people got on the bridge and protected the carriage.
Duke Zhen Guo was sitting in the carriage, the bridge was swaying, and the carriage seemed to be floating in mid-air. He had passed this bridge many times, but never once was he in this mood.
This Jingshui River, which often floods during the flood season, divides the south of the capital into two parts. An official road has been built on the left side since ancient times to communicate with the south of the Yangtze River. Over the years, it has gradually accumulated aura of prosperity.
In comparison, due to the terrain, the right side lags far behind. Most of them are farmers and hunters whose ancestors made a living by farming and hunting.
When the late emperor entered Beijing and built a military camp, he voluntarily led the Xu family army to retreat to the Jingshui River.
No matter how close we are, we must have some sense of propriety when facing the status of an emperor.
This Jingshui River is his sense of proportion.
At that time, he did not expect that his so-called measured move would one day become a life-saving talisman——
After the men and horses crossed the river, Qin Wu immediately gave the order.
