Although Kuai Lantu's personal soldiers obeyed the order to make way, they did not put away their swords, leaving only a narrow path with swords and knives everywhere for Fu Zhicheng. The bandit Fu was not vague either, and led a hundred or so elite soldiers up the mountain. Everyone was wearing armor and holding a sharp weapon, and they marched in two rows side by side, each with their weapons pointed at one side.

The two sides fought with swords all the way, and Fu Zhicheng and his men charged forward with gritted teeth amid the sound of metal and stone.

He didn't look like he was here to ask for forgiveness, but rather to confront Gu Yun and ask for punishment.

The southern Xinjiang garrison troops below surrounded the apricot forest and approached the mountain with a covetous look on their faces.

Kuai Lantu had not expected that he would be so bold as to not even put on a show and not take Marquis Anding seriously at all. His jaw tightened involuntarily.

Fu Zhicheng led his men up the mountain like a storm. As soon as he appeared, a strong murderous aura hit them in the face.

The roadblock Sun Jiao was the first to be hit. As he hurriedly retreated, he stepped on a bandit who was tied to the ground. The bandit let out a loud roar, which made Sun Shilang's two chopstick legs become limp.

Before Fu Zhicheng opened his mouth, the people on this side had already prostrated themselves before him.

Chang Geng looked down from the attic with great interest, and said to the stunned Shen Yi beside him: "I remember now."

Shen Yi listened attentively.

Chang Geng: "Lord Sun's biological sister married Uncle Wang Guo as his concubine... Tsk, the Emperor is really a fool, why would he let his brother-in-law's brother-in-law join the Ministry of War? Dealing with a bunch of dissatisfied generals all day long, doesn't he feel tortured?"

"..." Shen Yi paused for a moment, "Your Highness just said that the Marshal does not want to protect Fu Zhicheng wholeheartedly. Please enlighten me."

Chang Geng: "Otherwise, why are we staying in this bandit camp? If he was determined to protect Fu Zhicheng, he would have rushed to the Nanjiang camp at full speed to call him to task."

Shen Yi was speechless. He was indeed wondering about this, but due to his unconditional trust in Gu Yun over the years, he thought Gu Yun had some tricks up his sleeve.

"I guess when I saw these lawless bandits blocking the road, I guess my adoptive father had already started to weigh the pros and cons. If Fu Zhicheng came to ask for forgiveness himself, I'm afraid my adoptive father would consider letting him go for his hard work and great contributions. But now..." Chang Geng smiled, "Being greedy is not wrong, being cunning is not wrong, and even being stupid is not wrong, but Fu Zhicheng shouldn't openly provoke the Black Iron Camp."

Three generations of people have worked hard to manage the Black Iron Camp. As long as the reputation of the Black Iron Camp remains, no matter whether the military power is actually in the hands of the emperor or Gu Yun, the surface stability of Daliang can be maintained.

Fu Zhicheng stared at Gu Yun for a moment, and finally he was somewhat rational. He put the iron sword back into the sheath, bowed and said, "It's been a long time since we last met. I hope you are well, Marshal Gu."

As soon as he lowered his head, the guards behind Fu Zhicheng put away their weapons and stood in a human wall, loyally performing their duties. The atmosphere suddenly relaxed.

Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao were secretly glad that it seemed that inviting Gu Yun was the right move.

"Not very well," Gu Yun looked at Fu Zhicheng for a while, and said unexpectedly, "General Fu, Governor Kuai just told me that as the Governor-General of the Southwest, you colluded with bandits and had connections with Southeast Asia, and your intentions of rebellion were obvious - what do you think about this?"

Fu Zhicheng: “…”

No one expected that Gu Yun would be even more stupid than Fu Zhicheng. In front of the Southern Xinjiang army surrounding the mountain, he did not even beat around the bush and questioned directly.

The situation below was tense, but Chang Geng in the attic remained calm. He seemed to like the bow that Gu Yun gave him very much. He was unwilling to put down the heavy bow weighing dozens of kilograms and always carried it on his back. Now he took it off and held it in his hand. He took out a handkerchief from somewhere and wiped it carefully again and again.

Shen Yi pondered for a moment and said, "But if he gives up Fu Zhicheng, won't he just sit back and watch the emperor forcibly implement the drum-beating order?"

Chang Geng said calmly, "General Shen, have you ever thought about this? Once the drum-beating order was issued, even the old farmers in the village knew that the drum-beating order divided the military power of my adoptive father, the Black Iron Tiger Talisman. The commanders of the four directions opposed it. Why didn't he speak out?"

Shen Yi blurted out: "Why?"

Chang Geng: "Because he grew up with the emperor, he understands his stubbornness better than anyone else in the world. As long as the drum-beating order is not implemented and the emperor cannot control the military power, he will be restless. Opposition will only increase internal friction and at most cause discord between the emperor and his subjects, and a villain will take the throne. This compromise must be made sooner or later. The question is how to compromise."

His last few words were almost drowned out by a roar from below.

Kuai Lantu was not a cowardly Sun Jiao. When he heard Gu Yun's question, he immediately knew that this matter could not be resolved peacefully. In Xingzilin today, either he or Fu Zhicheng would die. There were still large armies from Southern Xinjiang at the foot of the mountain. Those who talked too much would die quickly. It would be better to take down the Fus before they could react. No matter how many Southern Xinjiang garrisons there were, they would be leaderless and at the mercy of others, wouldn't they?

Governor Kuai made a prompt decision, bypassing Gu Yun and pointing at Fu Zhicheng, saying, "Catch this traitor!"

The governor's generals, who had been ready for action, rushed forward immediately upon hearing the order.

Chang Geng pulled out a heavy iron arrow from the quiver and slowly drew the bowstring on the attic. The tail of the bow emitted a fine white mist, which sprayed on the side of his face. The face was wet with moisture, revealing a kind of gentle and jade-like handsomeness.

Shen Yi was secretly shocked. This bow was special for Gu Yun. Although it had a golden box, it was impossible for an ordinary person to pull it to achieve the effect of the White Rainbow Arrow. Chang Geng pulled the bow to its full extent and aimed, his hands were as steady as a rock, without any shaking - this young prince's kung fu was probably more than just "not letting go".

Shen Yi: "Even if the Marshal really wants to compromise, who can replace General Fu to clean up the mess in Southern Xinjiang?"

Chang Geng: "I would like to hear the details."

Shen Yi quickly took stock of the generals in the court: "Except for the newly appointed Jiangnan Navy and Land Commander Zhao Youfang, who has some ability, the others are useless. There may be some brave generals, but to be a commander, it is not enough to just be able to fight. Qualifications and experience are indispensable. You also have to be able to argue with local forces and even the useless people in the Ministry of War. The emperor can't just drag the commander of the navy to the mountains of southern Xinjiang, right?"

Fu Zhicheng in the attic certainly refused to surrender. The general of Southern Xinjiang lived up to his reputation for bravery and chopped off a head with a sword. He turned around to face the heavy armor approaching from behind. Without dodging or evading, he swung his sword straight up, flew onto the shoulder well of the heavy armor, and turned over in the air. The three accompanying Southern Xinjiang soldiers reacted and followed closely, rolling up with the lasso in their hands like a whip, tightly wrapping the heavy armor.

Lighter and Fu Zhicheng roared at the same time. Fu Zhicheng held the iron sword in both hands and thrust it down fiercely, accurately thrusting it into the gap behind the neck of the heavy armored man. The sword pierced through the neck of the man in the armored man. The heavy armored man took a step forward stiffly and stood still.

The blood then dripped like a stream.

Fu Zhicheng rode on the heavy armor's shoulder, reached out to touch the blood on his face, and stared at Kuai Lantu with an eagle-like gaze.

Kuai Lantu finally took a step back subconsciously.

At this moment, an arrow swooped down from a height like a rainbow, and the shrill sound echoed throughout the bandit's den. Fu Zhicheng's pupils shrank suddenly, but he was too late to dodge. The arrow accurately brushed past Kuai Lantu's official hat, and blew it in half in mid-air, and his hair was scattered, turning Kuai into a male ghost with disheveled hair. Then it went straight through the chest of the heavy armor, smashing the double-layer steel plate to pieces. Fu Zhicheng was forced to stagger and fall down by the impact, and the iron arrow was still moving, and it was nailed to the ground.

The ground exploded into a pit, and the three Southern Xinjiang soldiers retreated at the same time, with the arrow tips just hitting the intersection of their three tripwires.

The tail of the arrow vibrates continuously, like the buzzing of a bee.

"Too presumptuous," Chang Geng said in an almost inaudible voice. Then, as everyone looked back in fear, he pulled another iron arrow onto the string and whispered to Shen Yi, "General Shen, don't forget, there is still one person."

Shen Yi was still immersed in his stunning shot, and it took him a while to find his voice: "...I'm sorry, I can't think of it."

Chang Geng: "It's far away in the horizon, yet it's right before our eyes."

Shen Yi was startled and asked in a lost voice: "What?"

Chang Geng: "Yes, it's you."

Gu Yun in the attic did not look as relaxed as usual, and his face was tense and looked particularly cold: "Governor Kuai, I have always wanted to ask you, who gave you the courage to raise so many private soldiers?"

Kuai Lantu's face turned pale, his ears were filled with the "buzzing" sound of the iron arrows, he couldn't figure out which side Gu Yun was on, and suddenly panicked: "General, you don't know, the governor of Nanzhong is located on the border, in order to prevent mobs from causing chaos, the court has granted amnesty, and there is a defense army..."

Gu Yun: "The defense forces of the world, except for the emperor's imperial guards, are not allowed to use lighter steel armor than light fur cavalry, and the imperial guards' heavy armor gold box cannot exceed six seals - Kuai Lantu, am I wrong or you?"

Kuai Lantu took a breath of cold air.

Of course he knew he was overstepping his bounds, but this matter was neither big nor small. He could make a big accusation, but if he could overthrow Fu Zhicheng and allow the drum-beating order to be implemented, it would be a minor mistake in a great achievement, which was nothing at all. Now that things had come to this, he could not turn back. He clenched his fists tightly and said sinisterly, "With traitors around, are you going to argue with me about the excessive guards now?"

Gu Yun frowned slightly, as if he was not used to talking to people in person. He was completely different from the smooth talker he was on the rebel ship in the East China Sea. Kuai Lantu immediately thought he had caught his fleeting look and suddenly felt that the legendary Marquis of Anding was not that scary.

Kuai Lantu risked his life, thinking: "He is just a young man of noble status. Without the old marquis's subordinates, what would Gu Yun be?"

Fu Zhicheng shouted angrily: "Kuai, who do you say is a traitor?"

Kuai Lantu raised his voice and said, "Everyone, we are now surrounded by the rebels. The only way now is to capture the rebels and not give them a chance to react! Please also restrain your men and do not indulge in rebellion!"

Fu Zhicheng laughed in anger. He was ugly to begin with, and when he laughed he looked like a devil: "Catch me, you try!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Zhicheng's personal soldiers took the lead and rushed into the main hall of the bandits' lair. The Southern Xinjiang Army's personal guards and the governor's defense team immediately engaged in close combat.

The small Xingzilin bandit den was quickly filled with armor and weapons.

Shen Yi didn't understand why Gu Yun was still pretending to be timid and watching the fun. He was so excited by the deafening shouts of killing that he almost turned around and went downstairs. But when he turned around, he saw Chang Geng without changing his expression. The tip of the arrow was always pointed at Gu Yun's surroundings. Anyone who was so bold as to dare to approach would be pierced into a string.

"Don't worry, General Shen. My adoptive father has a plan in mind and I'm keeping an eye on it too." Chang Geng spoke with a self-assurance and unquestionable confidence.

In an instant, an idea suddenly occurred to Shen Yi's mind - was Gu Yun deliberately intensifying the conflict between Fu Zhicheng and Kuai Lantu just now, trying to kill someone with a borrowed knife?

Chang Geng: "If Fu Zhicheng is arrested today, the position of commander-in-chief of Southern Xinjiang will be vacant. Although the emperor is stubborn, he also knows the importance of the matter. The important border area needs a general to guard it. Looking at the court and the public, no one is more qualified than General Shen. Besides, in the final analysis, the emperor suppressed my adoptive father's military power, but it was just too suspicious. They grew up together and the safety of Daliang still rests on my adoptive father's shoulders. Once the drum order is issued, the black iron tiger talisman is useless. Whoever becomes the commander-in-chief of Southern Xinjiang has the power of command but no actual military power. Since my adoptive father has already made his attitude clear, shouldn't the emperor give General Shen a sweet date and make it easier for him?"

Chang Geng paused and said with a smile, "General Shen, you see, although the emperor doesn't like me, his adopted brother, very much, he never misses a cent of the rewards he should give me during festivals. The total salary is even higher than my adoptive father's."

Shen Yi ignored the complicated question of "Who is supporting the family?" He looked at Chang Geng in shock, his expression changing several times, and after a long while he sighed, "Your Highness is really different now."

The boy they brought out from Yanhui Town was so innocent and stubborn, his joys, sorrows, anger and happiness were all obvious. Shen Yi secretly admired his determination many times - if it were an ordinary child, he would have turned from a small town boy into a prince of the current dynasty overnight and would have been dazzled by the prosperity of the imperial capital. However, Chang Geng was still a child who had never known what wealth and glory were, but he resolutely left the Marquis' Mansion, preferring to wander around the world in the vast sky and sea, rather than go back to be a noble prince like his frog in the well.

At this moment, the young man who had been talking to him about the world situation in a tense situation had lost all his childishness and looked so unrecognizable that he was frightened.

Chang Geng did not respond. For the past four years, he had not dared to slack off even for a single day, not because he wanted to achieve great things, but because he wanted to become strong as soon as possible, so that one day he could chat and laugh with Wuergu... and be able to protect someone.

"The biggest problem of our dynasty right now is the lack of money," Chang Geng said. "Although sea transportation is open, the people of the Central Plains rarely go out to sea, and the coastal defense is so-so. We rely on the foreigners to shuttle back and forth to bring trade. In the final analysis, the big profits are still made by these foreign merchants who sail the ships. The little money that flows in is not enough for the emperor to buy purple gold from the Westerners in private."

Shen Yi: "This is only temporary, it's not like there is no way out."

Chang Geng seemed to smile: "Yes, I went to the ancient Silk Road this spring and saw that the entrance to Loulan was incredibly prosperous. When I thought of this as something that my adoptive father had built, I couldn't help but feel proud of it. In three years at most, the ancient Silk Road will be completely opened up and truly run through the entire territory of Daliang. When the people can really benefit from it, there will be enough gold and silver flowing into the national treasury. By then, Lingshuyuan will no longer have to worry about money. The garrisons in various places will have sufficient pay and strong soldiers and horses. Who would dare to invade? So, in his eyes, it may not make any difference whether the Ministry of War has the final say or my adoptive father has the final say."

Shen Yi was silent. He didn't know why Chang Geng understood Gu Yun better after five years of separation.

But he said every word correctly.

A few years ago, Gu Yun often talked about beating this and that, but since he took over the Ancient Silk Road, he mentioned these things less and less.

On the one hand, as he grew older, he became more thoughtful and his anger gradually subsided. On the other hand... Gu Yun never thought of holding on to military power to show off his power.

All he wanted in his life was stability for his family and country.

If he can fight, he will put on armor and mount a horse. If he needs to defend, he is willing to be a poor trade guard on the Silk Road.

Hearing that the tacit understanding and trust between a general and his armorer was something that no one else could interfere with, Chang Geng couldn't help but feel a little jealous. Before he could get jealous, there was a sound of flapping wings.

A bird landed on the window frame. Chang Geng was stunned for a moment and then put away his bow and arrow. The bird flew over and landed in his palm. It was actually a wooden bird, and it was very lifelike.

Shen Yi was born in Lingshu Academy, and he had a lifelong habit of being excited by prey. When he saw the bird, his eyes widened, but he didn't dare to ask Chang Geng for it, so he scratched his ears and cheeks in greed.

Chang Geng tapped the bird's belly rhythmically a few times, and the wooden bird's belly popped out, revealing a roll of paper inside.

Chang Geng opened it and took a look, and Shan Beng Budong's expression actually changed slightly.

Shen Yi: "What?"

At this moment, Gu Yun in the attic caught a glimpse of light from the corner of his eyes. He raised his hand, but just placed his slender and beautiful hand like a nobleman on the sword at his waist.

A short Southern Xinjiang soldier suddenly appeared and rushed straight towards Kuai Lantu. Gu Yun's Xuantie guards immediately came to his rescue.

Before Kuai Lantu could feel relieved, he saw the soldier from Southern Xinjiang spit out something. He instinctively realized that something was wrong, and when he turned around to dodge, it was too late.

A blowpipe as big as a finger went straight into his neck. At the same time, the Black Iron guard chopped the Southern Xinjiang soldier on the head with a knife, as if he didn't see the blowpipe flying towards Lord Kuai at all.

Kuai Lantu's throat twitched violently several times, as if he wanted to reach out and grab something -

In a flash, both the assassin and the assassinated were killed.

Sun Jiao was so scared that he bumped into the wall behind him with a bang. Gu Yun suddenly smiled at him.

The next moment, a shriek rose into the sky, and the roof of the high-rise hall of the bandit den was half-opened, and countless black eagles flew down with a roar.

Kuai Lantu and Sun Jiao wanted to use Gu Yun to force Fu Zhicheng to rebel, but Gu Yun did not follow their ideas. Before they could make a move, he took the initiative to intensify the conflict, killed Kuai Lantu who was in the way by Fu Zhicheng, and then infiltrated the Xuantie Camp in southern Xinjiang through some means and reappeared to deal with Fu Zhicheng. He had a legitimate reason to do so and killed two birds with one stone...

But that's not right.

Chang Geng suddenly turned around and rushed downstairs. This situation did not end here!

The initiator was not Kuai Lantu, not the military department, not Sun Jiao, and not even Gu Yun...