Chapter 368

One hundred and two, The ritual of the eighth grade!

"Why... why is Registrar Ouyang here?"

Zhu Lingxu's old face, which had turned into the color of pig liver, smiled reluctantly and asked in a harmonious voice:

"Didn't I hear from Inspector Wang that Registrar Ouyang had taken leave for something?"

Ouyang Rong shook his head:

"I am just a life of toil; I cannot rest for too long.

"Moreover, today is the day the vanguard army sets out. Perhaps most of the vanguard army are from Hongzhou and can go home to recover their hometowns, but the main force of the vanguard army setting out this time is different. There are 2,187 soldiers from the Jiangzhou Zhechong Prefecture, all of whom are local boys, with their mothers, wives, and children all in Jiangzhou.

"General Manager Zhu is setting out today and wants to take them all away. Establishing military merit is establishing military merit, but how many people have returned from the battlefield since ancient times? This humble official is not talented, but as the parent official of Jiangzhou, I must personally come to the city wall to send them off and lead the horse for the General and everyone."

Ouyang Rong spoke clearly, his tone calm, and waved his hand to the crowd behind him to signal.

The Junior Sister who was hugging her chest, Beside Yan Liulang who was hugging his sword, Chen You who had a strange look, and other followers stopped.

Ouyang Rong held his moonlight sword, walked to the carriage, lifted the carriage curtain, and looked at Zhu Lingxu, who was wearing women's clothes.

The latter's old face was full of wrinkles when he smiled. At this moment, the smile lines on his face were a bit stiff:

"Registrar Ouyang is truly... truly loving the people like a son, performing his duties, which is admirable. Hahaha, actually... actually, to tell Registrar Ouyang, this subordinate does... indeed have some habits that are difficult to speak of. I hope Registrar Ouyang and everyone will not spread it, and give me a little face, hahaha..."

Ouyang Rong did not follow the laugh, and Xie Lingjiang, Beside Yan Liulang, and others behind him did not laugh either. The atmosphere was cold, and Zhu Lingxu was suddenly embarrassed.

He saw the handsome young man in front of him, wearing a crown and holding a sword, wearing a scarlet Grade 5 official uniform, shaking his head again:

"Performing one's duties cannot be counted as such; it is just performing one's own duties."

Ouyang Rong pointed to Chen You and others behind him and said indifferently:

"General Manager Zhu trusted this humble official and colleagues. After taking over the military affairs of Jiangzhou, you still handed over the city defense of Xunyang City to the Jiangzhou Great Hall to handle on its own. The city defense rules originally set by this humble official have not changed a bit. General Manager Zhu only focuses on the departure, and even when entering and leaving the city, you only carry no more than ten personal guards.

"It is General Manager Zhu who is truly performing his duties and is admirable."

He described the facts calmly, his tone of voice had no ups and downs, as calm as chatting with an old friend.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Lingxu's face became even stiffer, and he couldn't help but open his eyes wider, carefully observing the subtle expressions on Ouyang Rong's face,

as if he wanted to find out something, whether there was something in his words, but unfortunately, he didn't find any clues.

This young Registrar was just like a team leader on duty, walking down the city wall for a routine inspection.

"To tell Registrar Ouyang, when the army was gathering and lining up outside the city, there were some disputes among the soldiers. This subordinate is going out of the city this time to deal with it, to turn big things into small ones. The specific situation is difficult to explain in detail..."

He paused, his tone sincere:

"After all, it is close to the departure time of the second quarter of the Yin hour in the afternoon. The impact is not good. This subordinate had to be low-key, go over to deal with it alone, and then... and then by the way... hahaha, some hobbies that are difficult to express were also accidentally exposed. I hope Registrar Ouyang will not laugh."

"So that's it." Ouyang Rong nodded: "This humble official understands. Everyone has some niche hobbies. I know a friend who likes to smell the fragrance left by his favorite woman when parting with her, the so-called 'smelling the fragrance to know the woman'..."

He stood under the carriage and chatted with Zhu Lingxu like chatting about family affairs.

Zhu Lingxu couldn't help but look at Ouyang Lianghan, who was nagging, twice more.

Originally, he had thought of an appropriate excuse in a hurry, waiting for Ouyang Rong to ask questions suspiciously, but he didn't expect this son to nod and accept it directly, and believe it directly.

"Hahaha, this friend of Registrar Ouyang is really interesting."

Zhu Lingxu echoed in his mouth.

After all, he is an old slicker who has experienced wind and rain, and his psychological quality is strong. At this moment, the crisis seems to be lifted, and his emotions have stabilized a lot, no longer the guilty sweating just now. Zhu Lingxu smiled and looked around:

"If it were usual, I would definitely ask more about such an interesting friend. Unfortunately, there is an urgent matter now, and the military situation is like fire. I hope Registrar Ouyang will be considerate... By the way, has the Registrar finished the inspection? Can you let me go? This commander will return after dealing with the military affairs."

"The inspection is finished. At a glance, I know that General Manager Zhu is alone, with only one coachman, and has not brought more than ten personal guards."

Ouyang Rong nodded and shook his head again:

"However, according to the latest city defense rules formulated by the Jiangzhou Great Hall, you must be searched, as well as the carriage, to see if there are any prohibited items, such as some important official documents, city defense layout maps...

"Although I know General Manager Zhu will not commit such a crime, it is my duty. I have offended you."

Ouyang Rong's expression was calm, and he spoke in a rigid manner. Zhu Lingxu wanted to speak but stopped.

Ouyang Rong handled things according to the rules, spread his hands to signal, and said:

"General Manager Zhu and the carriage, please move to the left gate. Leave the right gate to the people queuing behind. Everyone is waiting anxiously."

He turned his head to look at Xie Lingjiang, Beside Yan Liulang, and Chen You.

There is one big and two small gates at the West City Gate, three gates in total.

The main gate is the largest and will only be opened for major discussions or activities.

On weekdays, only the left and right side gates are open for entry and exit.

Under Ouyang Rong's gesture,

Xie Lingjiang hugged her sword and stayed on the city wall, continuing to look down, replacing the Ru Shixiong to monitor for suspicious persons.

Beside Yan Liulang stayed at the right gate to check the queue of people entering and leaving the city.

Ouyang Rong and Chen You took Zhu Lingxu, who was dressed in colorful women's clothes, and the low-key carriage to the left city gate and began the inspection.

Ouyang Rong gently pushed Chen You away, boarded the carriage himself, and checked carefully.

So Chen You walked to Zhu Lingxu's side, signaled him to cooperate with the search, hugged his fist and said: "Offended, General Manager Zhu."

"Nothing."

Zhu Lingxu shook his head kindly and cooperated very well.

Chen You smiled, searched him carefully, and did not find any weapons or official documents.

Empty.

"Is there any water?" Zhu Lingxu asked.

"Yes."

Chen You turned his head and ordered someone to take a water bag from the city wall.

After receiving the water bag, he walked back to Zhu Lingxu's side, handed it out, and watched the latter drink it.

Zhu Lingxu, whose mouth was dry, looked up and drank the plain water. His squinting eyes secretly glanced at the short sword hidden in the scabbard at Chen You's waist two steps away. After a while, he aimed at the closed left city gate ahead.

At present, Xie Lingjiang is standing on the city wall, and Beside Yan Liulang is taking people at the right gate.

These two are relatively far from Zhu Lingxu, while Ouyang Rong and Chen You are the closest.

They checked the carriage, and one stood by Zhu Lingxu to watch. This inspection was just like usual, without any special treatment.

And this scene in front of the left gate attracted the attention of many people passing by the city gate, eating melons and looking at it.

After all, Zhu Lingxu is a tall man, but he is wearing colorful women's clothes, which is strange and naturally attracts attention.

Not long after, Ouyang Rong walked off the carriage, empty-handed, his face softened, and he nodded:

"It's safe, Registrar Chen, let General Manager Zhu out of the city."

Zhu Lingxu tried hard to squeeze out some smiles. If there were no accidents, he was the first person in Xunyang City to know the military situation of the vanguard army defecting on the front line.

He fled in a hurry, racing against time, and the main point was a time difference. Naturally, he had no time to bring extra personal guards or prohibited items. At present, these helped him mix through the city defense, which can be regarded as a small blessing in disguise.

"General Manager Zhu, I have offended you just now. But since you are going to deal with an emergency, this carriage is too slow. It's better to ride a horse."

"Okay, Registrar Ouyang has a heart."

Ignoring Zhu Lingxu's women's clothes, Ouyang Rong took the initiative to lead a fast horse, walked towards Zhu Lingxu, and prepared to hand over the reins.

Zhu Lingxu felt a little relieved in his heart.

"Registrar Chen, open the gate."

Chen You nodded and signaled to Xie Lingjiang and others staying on the city wall above.

The left gate opened slowly, and Zhu Lingxu tried hard to keep his face straight and remain serious.

The city gate rose slowly in front of him and Chen You.

The gate rose halfway. Ouyang Rong, who was leading the horse, had not had time to hand the reins to Zhu Lingxu. Suddenly, a clerk ran onto the city wall not far away and handed a small note to Xie Lingjiang. The latter lowered her eyes, read it quickly, her pretty eyes widened slightly, and she shouted to the city gate below:

"Ru Shixiong, urgent news from the front line! The vanguard army led by Zhu Yuheng defected this morning and surrendered to Hongzhou!"

The crisp voice echoed in the city gate bridge cave.

Zhu Lingxu's face changed slightly, and Chen You, Beside Yan Liulang, and others looked shocked and confused.

Zhu Lingxu turned his head instantly and saw Ouyang Lianghan, who was leading the horse, frowning slightly, showing a thoughtful look.

The air at the city gate was silent for a while.

Ouyang Rong suddenly realized and turned to look at Zhu Lingxu.

But the next moment, Zhu Lingxu, who was close to the city gate, flashed a fierce look on his face, drew the cold short blade from Chen You's waist, and rushed out like a cheetah, straight at Ouyang Rong who was leading the horse.

Taking advantage of his bare hands, the short sword flashing with cold light in Zhu Lingxu's hand crossed Ouyang Rong's throat.

This scene happened in a flash, and everyone was unprepared.

And Zhu Lingxu, who had been brewing this strike for a long time, vaguely saw the panicked eyes exposed by Ouyang Rong.

At this moment, his face was full of fierce pleasure.

Instead of waiting for Ouyang Lianghan to react and be arrested and interrogated, or imprisoned by Wang Lengran and others to take the blame, it is better to kill Ouyang Lianghan, the enemy, and then grab the horse and escape. This is the real way to survive...

Zhu Lingxu felt comfortably the resistance when the short sword in his hand touched the skin of Ouyang Rong's throat. According to many years of experience, it would inevitably enter the flesh and cut the throat to see blood in the next moment.

However, the situation that happened next made Zhu Lingxu, who had been on the battlefield for many years, a bit confused.

The short sword in his hand made a "snap" sound after the resistance came, and broke into four pieces, flying in the air. The cross-section of each piece was neat and smooth, and the throat of Ouyang Rong was only left with a red mark after being crossed by this short blade.

Is this guy a Buddhist diamond body that cannot be destroyed?

Wait, this short sword was not sharpened, it was broken!

Zhu Lingxu lowered his head, looking at the broken sword in his hand with astonishment and indignation.

In front of him, the young man leading the horse who was attacked suddenly calmed down, as if he had finally waited for something. Ouyang Rong drew his moonlight sword and walked towards Zhu Lingxu silently.

Zhu Lingxu looked up suddenly, sad and indignant: "This... this sword has a problem, you... you are intentional, you are playing with this commander!"

Chen You hung his empty scabbard, led the soldiers to surround him, and said loudly: "Fleeing in fear of crime, attacking officials, violating the ban, according to city rules, behead without mercy!"

The sword light flashed.

Zhu Lingxu's right forearm flew out.

The long sword in Ouyang Rong's hand, silver light like a waterfall, did not stain a drop of blood.

"Ah—! Ouyang Lianghan, what are you doing? This commander is still the General Manager of the Vanguard and the Great Governor of Hongzhou! You have no right to behead first and report later, ah—! My hand, you... don't come over..."

He cried out in pain, covered his arm and retreated, shouting desperately.

Ouyang Rong ignored him, moved forward with his sword, and kicked Zhu Lingxu, who was staggering with a broken arm, to the ground. Zhu Lingxu's eyes widened like copper bells, and the original angry look was quickly replaced by fear, shouting:

"This commander pleads guilty, pleads guilty, this commander pleads guilty to the vanguard matter! Willing to accept the trial..."

Ouyang Rong lowered his head, held the long sword with both hands, and raised it three feet above his head.

Just at this time, on the street in the distance, the figures of Wang Lengran, Li Li, and the personal guard Mi Yin Tou Tuo appeared, running fast.

Behind the crowd, the figures of Rong Zhen and other female officials could be vaguely seen.

For this scene happening at the city gate ahead, the expressions of the newcomers were extremely shocked.

"Wait, Ouyang Lianghan, what are you doing? How dare you offend your superiors!"

Wang Lengran, who was looking for people all over the city and was as anxious as an ant on a hot pot, waved his hands and shouted while running, and hurriedly found an excuse:

"Put down the sword quickly, this matter is still suspicious, must be interrogated, must be interrogated!"

The matter of Zhu Yuheng leading the vanguard to defect has already happened. Even if Zhu Lingxu cannot be saved, he must leave a confession for His Highness the Prince of Wei to carry the anger of His Majesty!

"Master!" The Persian merchant glared at Mi Yin Tou Tuo.

The latter chanted "Amitabha", crossed ten steps in an instant, and swept towards the city gate like lightning to save people under the sword.

Xie Lingjiang's clothes fluttered, she turned over vigorously, jumped off the city wall, rushed to stop Mi Yin Tou Tuo, and questioned crisply at the same time:

"Zhu Lingxu sent the vanguard to death in vain, and now defected again, colluding in a group, attacking the city defense, does the female official indulge it?"

A palace-dressed figure appeared instantly in front of Mi Yin Tou Tuo and Xie Lingjiang who was about to fall into a disadvantage. She stopped the two fighting people with her slender hands and said coldly:

"Neither of you is allowed to move."

At the same time, Rong Zhen frowned and looked back, ordering coldly to the distance: "Ouyang Lianghan, put down the sword first..."

Ouyang Rong turned a deaf ear, or rather, he did listen to the advice, and did put down... the sword!

He went straight to behead Zhu Lingxu, who dared to attack the official, held this head that died with eyes wide open, and turned to face the crowd.

Wang Lengran, Li Li, and others stopped slowly, eyes wide, shocked.

The palace-dressed girl, who was always cold, had her pupils shrink, and her black pupils reflected the figure of the weak scholar who was holding a sword and a head under the bloody city gate:

Under the attention of all, this "weak scholar figure" threw a head at the feet of the crowd, raised his hand to wipe the warm blood splashed on his calm face, and looked around. The jet-black long hair scattered on his forehead and the bloody face reflected red and black, making his face as red and dazzling as the face color of a cold priest in a primitive tribe.

This touch of red was eye-catching!

He nodded:

"Violating city rules, generals and commoners are guilty of the same crime, behead!"

The audience was silent.

A suspected fourth-grade vanguard General Manager and Great Governor of Hongzhou who defected was beheaded in public at the city gate by a mere guard official!

(End of chapter)