The scorching sunlight poured down from the nine heavens like melted copper juice, constantly pouring on the official road.

The cicada sounds tear the stagnant air, one more and one more sound, as if it was about to vomit out all the internal organs.

The eaves of the pavilion cast a small shadow on the loess official road, like an ink-colored island floating in the golden ocean. The prince was sitting in the deepest part of the shadow, with a few rays of sunlight leaking between the Suma clothes and shirts, and mottled light marks were left on his pale knuckles. The four imperial guards stood with their knives, and the cold light reflected by the armor made people's eyes hurt.

Not far away, Ba Bridge spans the river surface, willow branches hang low, curling the leaves in a wilted manner, swaying gently in the wind.

"Your Highness, drink some tea to relieve the heat." The old eunuch Zhao Youquan held a porcelain bowl and carefully handed it to the prince.

The prince did not answer, but looked at the Ba Bridge and the rushing river under the bridge in a daze.

The prince can no longer be called the prince. Even the eunuch who would rather follow him to Qianzhou to show his loyalty to him can only call him His Highness the eldest prince.

The Ba Bridge in front of you was built in the second year of Kaihuang in the Sui Dynasty. It is nearly one mile long and is the longest and largest porous stone arch bridge in the world.

When Zulong fought eastward, the overlord slaughtered Xianyang, and Emperor Gaozu of Han entered Xianyang. Historical records also passed by Ba Bridge, but then the Ba Bridge was a stone pier wooden bridge, not the current one.

The names of bridges in ancient and modern times are the same. Since the Spring and Autumn Period, this Ba Bridge has been a place of separation. The custom of breaking willows and giving them to each other has formed the eight scenic spots in Guanzhong with the "Ba willow wind and snow". The willow colors are in the year and the Baling is sad, and the records are recorded here.

How many people have passed away from Baqiao and how many oaths have you witnessed?

"Your Highness, you rest."

Zhao Youquan put the tea bowl lightly on the stone platform behind the prince, and then stepped down respectfully.

He turned around outside the pavilion and saw the joking expressions on the faces of the escorts. His eyes suddenly narrowed slightly, and the humble expression on his face quickly turned into coldness.

He recognized Zhang Yunchen, the commander of the escort army. When he used to hang the waist tag of "Qianniu Guard", he had flattered and toasted at the banquet several times, in order to have the possibility of clinging to the prince in the future.

But at this time, when the man chatted and mocked with several subordinates, he did not even avoid his eyes and ears, so that his voice clearly came into his ears.

"What is this eldest prince doing here when watching the bridge?"

"What else can I do? I am unwilling to accept it. We can still come back after we walk across this bridge. He crosses this bridge and cannot come back after we walk."

"Maybe I have read too many poems about farewell to Baqiao, but I didn't expect to send myself away this time."

Seeing Zhao Youquan coming, Zhang Yunchen didn't care about his expression, but just smiled mockingly, "Zhao Zhongjun, it's time to call the eldest prince to set off. After a missed time, it's all over your and me."

"Are you missing the hour?" Zhao Youquan smiled coldly and said, "General Zhang, let's start from Chang'an, pass through Baqiao and Yiguan, then go south along Shangshan Road, then go to Shangzhou and Wuguan Road, and then take a boat to Jinzhou in the Han River, then go south into Micang Road, then to Liangzhou, and then follow Wujiang to Qianzhou. Commander Zhang must be very clear about this route, but I guess that in this weather, Commander Zhang, you must have never walked this way. But twenty-seven years ago, I had been through such a journey in such weather. At that time, I had just arrived at the Han River and the escort army fell ill. I don't know if you have ever seen it. At that time, a relative of Commander Zheng died of illness. At this time, he was so hot that he walked on the official road. If you were anxious to rush to the road, then when he arrived at the Han River, he would have fallen down more than half of it, and it would have been delayed at that time."

Zhang Yunchen raised his eyebrows slightly, but before he could speak, Zhao Youquan's voice became much more harmonious again.

"It's not easy for many brothers to travel in this ghost weather. Other things are not necessarily their own, but their own body must be their own. It's not worth it to be tired. Everyone takes care of each other along the way. If there is a place where there is herbal tea and wine, everyone should rest more and rest. Don't worry, if it's a mistake, then it's on my head." When Zhao Youquan said these words, he reached out and handed Zhang Yunchen a golden thing, but it was a big golden melon seed.

Zhang Yunchen was stunned for a moment of breathing. He looked at Zhao Youquan and suddenly couldn't help laughing, "It's still the chief of the eunuchs who can do things. Then I will thank Zhao Zhong for his brothers."

After saying this polite words, he took the golden seeds and couldn't help but add, "Zhao Zhong is so kind."

Zhao Youquan smiled slightly and said softly, "From one's end, just to gain a future."

Zhang Yunchen did not expect Zhao Youquan to be so frank, and was stunned again. He did not say anything for a while. He just nodded and then did not urge the prince to go on the road.

At this time, the prince, whose eyes were still on the Ba Bridge, slowly raised his head.

His face, which had always seemed very calm, had an unconcealed look of shock at this moment.

On the official road on the far side of him, a man wearing a green bamboo hat was walking. There was a pergola in front of him, where some passing merchants were staying inside.

The man wearing a green bamboo hat just glanced at him, then lowered his head and walked into the pergola, not attracting anyone's attention as much as possible.

But just this shocking glance, the prince had already recognized who this person was.

"Zhao Zhongen!"

He yelled softly.

Zhao Youquan quickly changed his respectful expression, walked quickly to his side, and whispered, "What are your instructions?"

The prince picked up the herbal tea he had sent before and drank it all, then whispered, "I saw an acquaintance in the shed on the official road, and the man was called An Zhilu. I didn't expect that such a coincidence, I was far away from Chang'an, but he happened to go back to Chang'an and could meet him here."

Zhao Youquan didn't know what he had to do with An Zhilu, but he had at least heard of Youzhou and knew An Zhilu's name. Moreover, he heard the murderous aura contained in the prince's plain tone. He whispered, "Your Highness doesn't like this person?"

"I want to use this person, but this person is an unfamiliar dog." The prince said calmly, "And this person should have died long ago. When I met him here, I naturally felt a little displeased."

Zhao Youquan immediately understood what he meant.

He didn't say anything anymore, and then gave up after giving a bow.

He left the pavilion, went to his carriage, and whispered to the dark-faced coachman, "There is a person named An Zhilu in the pavilion on the official road over there. He was a famous general in Youzhou before, and it should not be easy to deal with. When you release the eagle later, find some suitable people to bury him. Don't have to wait too quickly. At least wait for Your Highness to cross the Ba Bridge for fifty miles, so that people don't think this matter is related to Your Highness."
Chapter completed!