Xu Mingliang, one of the four generals of the Imperial Guard.

After being reprimanded and frightened by Emperor Chen at the martial arts school, Xu Mingliang and the other three generals of the Imperial Guard returned to their respective camps to practice their skills in preparation for Emperor Chen's random inspection at any time.

Today, the Kingsguard was completely humiliated. As a general, he was vulnerable to a single blow. He was defeated by a martial arts candidate with one move. Among the four of them, only one was slightly better and managed to survive for three years.

More than ten moves.

The remaining three...

Among them, there was one who was the most miserable. His body was covered with bruises, his nose was bruised and his face was swollen. He could hardly walk. He needed two people to support him before he could return to his camp.

This unlucky person is none other than Xu Mingliang.

Because when he was facing off against Han Qingshan in the martial arts school, he spoke arrogantly and deliberately ridiculed Han Qingshan...

In the end, Han Qingshan helped him and made him the one who suffered the worst defeat among the four great generals of the Royal Forest Guards.

When Xu Mingliang returned to the camp, his lieutenants and soldiers were not sure what was going on. They asked around and were quite excited. They said they wanted to avenge Xu Mingliang and regain his position.

The words of the lieutenants and soldiers were originally concerned and a kind of protection. Because in this era, "the master humiliates his ministers to death". The relationship between the king and his ministers is like this, and the relationship between superiors and subordinates is nothing more than this.

Therefore, Xu Mingliang's lieutenants and soldiers were concerned about him and had no other intentions.

But when Xu Mingliang heard these words,... embarrassment, embarrassment and other emotions broke out together and turned into anger. He lay on a couch and cursed the lieutenants and soldiers.

The lieutenants and soldiers were all confused and stood there stupidly without knowing what was going on.

Xu Mingliang blushed and cursed angrily. He was covered in wounds and could not exercise at all. In addition, the group of lieutenants and soldiers were stuck there. After his face was confused, a look of inquiry appeared...

Therefore, Xu Mingliang simply left the camp and returned home to recuperate for some time first.

When Xu Mingliang returned to his mansion, he was filled with resentment and resentment. He would scold a servant for a long time if he caught him.

It's like a powder keg, it ignites at the drop of a hat.

For a time, the entire General's Mansion was in a trembling state. Everyone was in danger and did not dare to touch Xu Mingliang's bad luck.

"Master, Master, someone is coming from the palace, someone is coming from the palace..."

Xu Mingliang was lying on the couch, closing his eyes and concentrating, when suddenly a voice came from outside, breaking this rare moment of peace.

"Someone is coming from the palace?!"

Xu Mingliang suppressed the anger in his heart, stood up, quickly changed his clothes, and hurriedly walked out of the house.

An old eunuch with an expressionless face, followed by a group of young eunuchs, has entered the mansion.

The old eunuch was dragging something with one hand. It was golden and scroll-shaped. Xu Mingliang looked at it carefully and saw that it was an imperial edict.

Xu Mingliang forced a smile on his face and moved forward, wanting to get close first.

But the old eunuch refused and said: "General Xu, please accept the order first. Our family is still waiting to return to the palace."

Not only was this old eunuch expressionless, but his voice and tone of voice were also particularly unpleasant. It was as if... he was talking to an insignificant person. He was too arrogant.

When Xu Mingliang saw the old eunuch's behavior, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, and he felt something was wrong.

With an awkward smile remaining on his face, he hurriedly knelt down and prepared to receive the order.

The old eunuch snorted secretly, shook the imperial edict in his hand, unfolded it carefully and carefully, and started reading it in a drake-like voice...

Although this imperial edict only contains a few words, it is extremely powerful.

For Xu Mingliang, it was a bolt from the blue.

Because his position as General of the Royal Guard has been removed, from now on, Xu Mingliang is just a commoner!

"Accept the order!"

After the old eunuch recited the imperial edict, he rolled it up and handed it to Xu Mingliang who was kneeling on the ground with a very cold expression.

"I... the common people... accept the order!"

Xu Mingliang took the imperial edict with trembling hands. At the same time, he sat down slumped, with a complex expression and distorted facial features.

The old eunuch didn't look at him again, and led a group of young eunuchs, like old hens, straight back to the palace to resume their duties.

The Royal Guards are responsible for the defense of the capital. They often block the city gates or enforce strict security. They are closely related to the lives of the people.

Therefore, the people in the capital are still quite concerned about the Royal Guards.

When the news spread that the General of the Imperial Guard, Xu Mingliang, had been demoted to a commoner, it really caused a heated discussion in the capital.

But to the people in Beijing, the appointment and dismissal of General Yulinwei can only be regarded as "tad news."

The discussion was heated for a while and then passed without causing much trouble.

However, for some people, this news is nothing more than a trigger and has a deeper meaning.

Prime Minister's Office.

study.

Li Zhong, the Prime Minister of the State, who was sitting behind the desk, felt bad after hearing the news.

He no longer had the intention to read the documents, but stood up and walked around with his hands behind his back, looking a little anxious.

"Prime Minister, I can't believe that His Majesty took action anyway, and so quickly, without even wanting to delay a day." In front of the desk, there was a man who looked like a counselor, beating his chest and sighing.

"Well..." Li Zhong stopped his restless steps and looked at the counselor, "Well, today at the martial arts school, your Majesty ordered the generals of the Royal Forest Guard to compete with Han Qingshan... Your Majesty was already embracing

With such thoughts, alas."

"Han Qingshan is an expert after all. His Majesty can't keep him in the Divine Thunder Army. It's just the Forest Guards... Alas, it's just because they are not as skilled as others that they lost the position of general."

Li Zhong sighed repeatedly, frowning, as if he was brainstorming and thinking about something.

"Prime Minister, the Royal Guards are the emperor's personal army. We can't interfere too much, otherwise it will easily arouse His Majesty's suspicion, which will be detrimental to our overall plan." The counselor said with a cupped hand.

"Of course I know. But... when Xu Mingliang was demoted to a commoner, our more than ten years of hard work were ruined. After all, I feel a little unwilling in my heart." Li Zhong suppressed his anger and almost gritted his teeth.

"Prime Minister, looking at it now, Han Qingshan's entry into the Imperial Guard is irreversible. We need to make other plans."

"Well, what's your plan, sir?"

"Prime Minister, we need to wait and see what happens. Let's first observe Han Qingshan's reality. If there is something we can do, we might as well...it will only cost more. If this matter can succeed, it will not hinder our major affairs.

.”

"Moreover, Mr. Xiang, this Han Qingshan is a world-famous man, versatile in both civil and military affairs, far beyond the pustule like Xu Mingliang. If we get help from this person, our major tasks will be twice the result with half the effort." The counselor said with a smile.

"Well, what you said makes sense, so let's do it!"

Li Zhong sighed and sat down in front of the desk again.

He picked up a document and just read two words when he suddenly remembered something and asked: "By the way, has Duan'er arrived?"

The "Duan'er" mentioned in Li Zhong's words refers to his grandson Liu Duan, the King of Jinling.

He held a banquet in his mansion today and sent people to invite the King of Jinling. Before the banquet, he wanted to have a few words with the King of Jinling.

"Xiangye, the King of Jinling has not come, but King Jiji has arrived. According to King Kuaiji, the King of Jinling has caught a cold and cannot go out. However, he sent someone to thank the Prime Minister for the invitation. After he recovers from his illness, he will come to apologize in person."

The counselor bowed his hand.

"oh?"

Li Zhong threw down the document and muttered: "Go down and send out all the doctors in the mansion to examine Duan'er, and report to the officer immediately after returning."

"Yes, Mr. Xiang!"

The counselor bowed his hands and bowed before retreating, preparing to send the doctor from the palace.

However, he had just taken two steps when he suddenly turned back and said with cupped hands: "Master, the King of Kuaiji has been waiting in the living room for some time. Can the Prime Minister see the King of Kuaiji?"

"Well... then please come in." Li Zhong casually ordered.

The counselor cupped his hands and said "yes", then slowly exited the study.

…

…

In the dead of night.

After the third watch of the drum.

Ten miles south of the city, in the marching camp near the main camp of the Divine Thunder Army.

Then Han Qingshan opened his eyes on time.

Just like last night, Han Qingshan changed his clothes in the dark, sneaked into the army camp, and came to the small wooden house in the forest.

Candles were lit in the cabin, and a figure was reflected on the wall.

Han Qingshan raised his head and looked around, and saw waves of shaking on the treetops of the trees around the cabin. His eyesight was very good, and he seemed to see a foot, wearing black shoes, hidden among the leaves...

Han Qingshan shook his head and smiled, then walked towards the cabin.

Squeak!

Pushing open the door, I took a quick look and saw three candles lit in the cabin, which were very bright.

Among them was a middle-aged man dressed as a counselor. He was the counselor in the Jinling Palace, Chen Dongyi.
To be continued...