There is a saying that goes like this: "Walking on a deserted mountain road at night, you will be frightened when the owl screams."

Late at night, in the east of Chuzhou City, a rapid march suddenly appeared. The rustling of horse hooves and footsteps passed quickly like ghosts, and then fell silent again after a while. There was no fighting now, and there were only a few state soldiers on the city wall.

Relaxed, after hearing the noise, the leading commander took the torch and flicked it casually. Seeing that there was no one around, he stopped paying attention.

Originally thinking that Xu Kuangheng was injured, Li Yuan did not intend to take him with him. It was not because he was afraid of the gang of desperadoes like Scarhead Ma Liu. In Li Yuan's eyes, Ma Liu and his gang were just as ruthless as their reputation became known.

After all, it was just a ragtag group of sixty or seventy bandits. Facing his own fully armed regular army of five hundred, there was no need to think about the outcome of the battle.

What Li Yuan was hesitant about was that if, as he deduced, the governor He Jingzhu was also involved, then Xu Kuangheng might not be able to stay in Chuzhou any longer if he got involved in this muddy water.

However, so far, Mr. Xu's conversation and behavior style are quite in line with Li Yuan's taste, so much so that he thought darkly that if his job was ruined, it would be a good idea to recruit him...

..

Huangmuling, the place lives up to its name.

Ten miles east of Chuzhou City, there is a raised hill far away from the official road. It is named because it is thick with trees and inaccessible. Following Xu Kuangheng's guidance, Li Yuan led his army as soon as they reached Huangmuling, and their marching speed slowed down a lot. The mountain road

In fact, it is not very narrow, and it can still accommodate four people in a row. However, the vegetation has grown too vigorously. The weeds on the roadside have even grown to half a person's height, covering them from time to time. In addition, it is also dark at this time.

It's really depressing to not have eyes open.

Marching at night had to be even more cautious. In addition to the strange and quiet atmosphere, there were sounds like howling wolves from time to time. Li Yuan had to order a hundred men to hold fire to clear the way, expand the bright field of vision as much as possible, and protect the cavalry in the middle to slow down the march.

, I walked for a while but nothing happened.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, Li Yuan lowered his head and saw that the grass and trees were gradually fading away, and the mountain road was gradually opening up. With the light of the fire, he could finally see faint ruts on it, and he knew that he had come to the right place. As expected, the sergeant from the front came to report and found that the road was broken.

A temple.

There was only one mountain road that was neither wide nor narrow to go up and down. The 500-strong imperial army was already lightly armed, but they still couldn't move fast, and the cavalry couldn't move even more. This confirmed Li Yuan's suspicion that that day

The divine soldiers descended from heaven to arrest Wang Jingguo's officers and soldiers. There must have been rumors in advance.

Liu Jiangsheng and several generals gathered together and took orders to lead people to explore the surroundings of the ruined temple. Li Yuan then ordered the entire army to camp on the spot.

At this moment, he and Xu Kuangheng were surrounding the altar eighty steps east of the temple, discussing tomorrow's battle.

"Yu Hou, Mr. Xu!" Liu Jiangsheng smiled innocently and led these generals to come over.

Li Yuan nodded, and then seriously stated Xu Kuangheng's suggestion: "Before tomorrow, I will order someone to put a bag of sand on the altar. According to Mr. Xu, the Ma Liu Society will send people here to inspect.

When that person sees the goods and wants to leave, he will definitely go down the mountain to report back. Remember not to be exposed at this time, just let the person go. At midnight, wait for Ma Liu to lead the people, and we will take action again. "

Liu Jiangsheng asked doubtfully: "Hou Yu, what if the boss also sent someone here? If you see something wrong with the altar, wouldn't it mean that they bumped into each other?"

Li Yuan smiled faintly: "No need to worry! It would be better if the boss sent someone up! I don't have to go to such trouble, I can just catch them all when the time comes!"

At this time, Xu Kuangheng, who looked like an aide in the army, took over the words in a leisurely manner and concluded: "What Yu Hou said is true! Generals, if no one comes up the mountain before the time tomorrow, we will put bait to fish and lure the horse.

Come here at six; if anyone comes up the mountain, I will catch them all as soon as Zishi comes!"

All the generals nodded solemnly, and then listened to Li Yuan's order: "Then follow the plan! Before sunrise, wait for your troops to hide their horses and hide their footprints on the mountain roads. They must assemble before noon. Mr. Xu will lead them.

You go to the place where the army is ambushed! From now on, Mr. Xu’s order is equivalent to my military order. Remember not to move without authorization. Anyone who disobeys the order will be executed!"

Xu Kuangheng was shocked in his heart. He never expected that he would gain such great trust after just discussing with Li Yuan. He quickly handed over his hands and said, "I am determined to live up to Yu Hou's high expectations!"

Seeing Li Yuan's rigorous appearance, the generals did not dare to neglect him and replied in unison: "We obey your order!"

"Jiang Sheng, take my soldiers and hide them in the temple together, and wait for orders at random!"

Liu Jiangsheng had just handed over his hand and obeyed the order, then he thought of something and asked quickly: "Yu Hou, what about you?"

The corners of Li Yuan's mouth were slightly raised, and he smiled mysteriously: "Me? Haha, I want to go to the meeting alone!"

...

The next day, the roosters began to crow on the Huangmul Ridge, and the silence returned to what it should be. As the autumn wind passed by, hidden in the woods and grass, there were not only the chirping of insects, but also hundreds of gentle breathing sounds.

This dilapidated mountain temple, with a missing corner of the statue facing several broken walls, is mysteriously quiet. Since the Huangchao Uprising in the late Tang Dynasty, the original mountain people here have long been devoured by the flames of war. It was originally used as a sacrifice for the people to pray for blessings.

The place that once existed has now become a starting point for smuggling that harbors filth and evil.

As Li Yuan expected, not even a bird had landed before Shen Shi, let alone anyone visiting. Liu Jiangsheng in the temple seized the opportunity, gently put down a bag of sand on the altar, and then hid in the temple again to wait.

Everyone was extremely opposed to tonight's plan, and believed that Li Yuan, as the coach, should not be involved in danger alone. It was not that Li Yuan wanted to take advantage of the limelight, but that tonight's target, Scarhead Ma Liu, had been a gangster for many years and was able to deal with people.

The officials must be extremely vigilant. Before Zishi takes the goods, he will send people up the mountain again and again. If he doesn't see the owner's carriage and horses, he will definitely not dare to show up in person. Then Li Yuan's plan will be completely in vain.

The sun goes down, night falls, and the bright moon rises again.

Dots of fire suddenly appeared on Huangmu Ridge, and then connected into one, contrasting with the stars in the sky.

In front of the small ruined temple, dozens of big men holding swords rushed up like black waves. Only two minions holding torches separated a path from the crowd, leading a man.

A cold and stern man in black came with heavy steps. Immediately afterwards, everyone stood hurriedly on both sides, all bowing their heads to greet him and not daring to look directly at him.

I saw that this man was not that tall. He had a dark face, a beard on his face, and a terrible scar that spread from his forehead to the back of his head. He looked very ferocious. The so-called green forest bandits often called themselves Caotou.

The emperor only respects heaven and does not fear man. The bandit leader Scarhead Ma Liu, who has long been famous for his ruthlessness and cunning in the Huaihe River area, no matter how much blood is on his hands, he actually bowed in front of the altar in a pretentious manner.

.

Ma Liu indifferently picked up the bag of sand on the altar and kept weighing it up and down in his broad palms. Then he walked aside expressionlessly and asked an unfamiliar young man in white in front of him.

: "Aren't you walking in the sand today?"

Then he pointed at the cart behind the young man that contained several sacks, and said suspiciously: "Why is there only one cart this time? Could it be that my boss can't trust me, Ma Liu?"

The young man's face remained unchanged, he grinned brightly and said, "It's been very popular recently. I heard that another Marquis Duyu from Jinling has come to the city. My boss said it's better to be cautious!"

"Du Yuhou?" Ma Liu looked back at the group of big men behind him, and then smiled disdainfully at the young man: "This is the first time that I have returned here. You might as well take a look at my brothers. Which one of them has not mentioned anything?"

Over the heads of the officers and soldiers? So what if there is a Du Yuhou? The gang of Hong men who hang out in Jinling all day long will probably be scared to death when they see the knife!"

The big men burst into laughter: "Hahaha!..."

The young man was completely calm. He cupped his hands and said, "I heard that Du Yuhou just returned from the victory in Chu State. Even your Majesty praised him for his wisdom and courage! Sixth Brother, it's better to be careful!"

Ma Liu picked his ears roughly with his fingers, and then shouted impatiently: "Humph! I mean, little brother, why are you so talkative? Your boss is a relative of the emperor! Are you still afraid of a Du Yuhou?

Deliver the goods quickly, don’t delay!”

The young man smiled slightly, then stepped aside and said, "Then please!"

"Noisy!" Ma Liu murmured a few words, and then called on several of his men to step forward to pull the cart. Just as he was about to turn around, he inadvertently caught a glimpse of the young man's exposed shoes from the corner of his eye. He was suddenly startled and shouted.

: "Yuntou Wupi! You are an officer!"
Chapter completed!