Time travel, quick transmigration

These days, Hai Yue has been keeping a close eye on the palace's movements as instructed by Shi Yan. When he noticed something unusual, he immediately followed the group after seeing a large group of people leaving the palace through Yanqiu Gate.

Hai Yue had followed the emperor all the way, and when he saw with his own eyes that the emperor's carriage was being escorted by the army and seemed to be heading to Shu, he couldn't help but feel very puzzled and surprised by Shi Yan's previous instructions to prepare in advance at Mawei Slope to receive her and Aman when they left. It was as if Shi Yan had foreseen the emperor's escape and its destination.

Despite his many questions, he chose to trust Shi Yan and had no intention of digging deeper into her affairs. Thinking of this, a resolute look flashed in Hai Yue's eyes.

"I will get you out of here safely no matter what..."

Xiao Huanling, who was traveling day and night at full speed towards Chang'an, received a secret letter from He Qi, delivered by Cang Yu from Chang'an, in the mountains not far from the city.

Sitting upright on Liu Yun's back, Xiao Huanling took the letter tube off Cang Yu's feet, quickly read the letter, and immediately his expression darkened, his hand holding the letter tightening.

"Jiang He, Zhang Liang, Feng Xiang."

Upon hearing the summons, the three immediately rode over.

"What are your orders, General?"

"..."

Jiang He looked puzzled.

"Brother Xiao, has anything changed?"

Xiao Huanling looked up at the three of them, and after a moment's thought, she spoke.

"Feng Xiang, you will lead three thousand Xuan Ce soldiers into Chang'an. If the rebels attack Chang'an, you will join the city's guards to resist them and do your best to protect the people in the city."

"This general has received news that His Majesty has secretly fled with the Imperial Concubine, a group of ministers, princes, princesses, several nobles, and some members of the royal family. This general must lead the remaining Xuan Ce Army to pursue His Majesty and his entourage to prevent them from being ambushed by the rebels..."

Upon hearing this, Feng Xiang's eyes widened in disbelief and shock. The emperor had abandoned his palace, and his people were fleeing on their own. This was completely different from the wise and noble image he held of the emperor. He could not accept that the emperor he respected, loved, and admired had deserted his post and acted so irresponsibly. It took him a long time to find his voice. Only he knew how difficult it was for him to calm down.

"General, is the news reliable? His Majesty has indeed left Chang'an."

Xiao Huanling nodded.

The last glimmer of hope in Feng Xiang's eyes was extinguished. Although disappointed, he couldn't bring himself to criticize the monarch or complain about the king he served.

"I understand the general's meaning. I will take my leave now."

"Please take good care of yourself, General."

He then clasped his hands in a salute, bid farewell to Jiang He and Zhang Liang, and led the three thousand Xuan Ce soldiers towards Chang'an.

Watching Feng Xiang lead three thousand Xuan Ce soldiers away, Jiang He looked at Xiao Huanling with a puzzled expression.

“Brother Xiao, An Lushan has long coveted Chang'an and is determined to take it. Now that His Majesty has fled, why do you still want Brother Feng to go to Chang'an?”

Zhang Liang was clearly also curious about why Xiao Huanling made this arrangement, and looked at Xiao Huanling with puzzlement.

Xiao Huanling pulled on the reins and said calmly.

“Feng Xiang was loyal to His Majesty, but after learning that His Majesty had fled, his beliefs collapsed. Sending him to Chang’an might fulfill his wish, allowing him to protect the people of Chang’an on behalf of His Majesty. Even if he unfortunately dies in the end, I believe he will have no regrets.”

“Feng Xiang and I are not of one mind, and my journey to catch up with His Majesty is not for His Majesty’s sake. Naturally, I cannot take him with me. With him around, I will always have more concerns.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang He revealed a knowing look.

Zhang Liang nodded as well.

Xiao Huanling glanced at the two of them sideways.

"His Majesty and his entourage have headed towards Shu. We must catch up with them as soon as possible, or things may change."

"set off!"

He patted Liuyun on the back, turned his horse around, and galloped away.

Li Longji and his entourage, fleeing to Shu, were escorted by General Chen Xuanli and the Six Armies. When they passed through Zuozang, they encountered bandits. Due to the heavy baggage, Yang Guozhong suggested destroying some of the treasures they were carrying to facilitate their journey and prevent the bandits from obtaining them. Li Longji listened to his suggestion and said, "If the bandits don't get the treasures, they will plunder the people. It's better to leave them to the bandits." So Yang Guozhong ordered his men to abandon the several boxes of treasure they were carrying, and the group continued on their way.

After walking for more than two hours, the group unfortunately ran into a band of bandits formed by the surviving rebels. These people had long since lost all sense of propriety and had no concept of morality or shame. They were extremely vicious and seemed fearless, with a fierce energy about them.

The two groups clashed and immediately began fighting.

Chen Xuanli ordered his men to guard around Li Longji's imperial carriage, and then commanded the six armies to engage in a fierce battle with several thousand bandits. The scene was quite thrilling.

The sounds of slashing and killing could be heard from outside the carriage. Shi Yan leaned against the carriage wall and glanced at Li Longji, whose face was gloomy.

"My lady..."

Aman called out to Shi Yan, a hint of worry appearing in her eyes.

As early as when they encountered the bandits, Shi Yan had summoned Aman, who was riding a horse outside, to come into the imperial carriage to keep her company.

Shi Yan gave A Man a faint, reassuring smile, as if the sword fights and battles outside were nothing compared to this.

Ah Man felt inexplicably at ease.

"Your Majesty, I believe that General Chen and the others will be able to protect you and lead everyone away from this place."

Shi Yan said softly.

Li Longji was initially feeling somewhat heavy-hearted, but after hearing Shi Yan's words, he felt a little more confident.

"Yu Huan is right."

No sooner had he finished speaking than Chen Xuanli shouted from outside the imperial carriage. Immediately afterward, the imperial carriage carrying Shi Yan began to move, and its speed increased rapidly.

Shi Yan was nearly thrown against the carriage wall by the force of the impact, but fortunately, A Man caught her in time. Li Longji also struggled to regain his balance.

Shi Yan was unaware of the situation outside or what had happened, as the car was traveling too fast for her to find a moment to check the outside.

It wasn't until about half an hour later that their pace slowed down.

"His Majesty."

Through the carriage window, Chen Xuanli's slightly deep voice entered the imperial carriage from outside.

Li Longji had been on edge the whole way, but upon hearing Chen Xuanli's voice, he maintained the composure befitting a ruler and calmly responded after regaining his composure.

"Ah."

Then he glanced at Aman again.

Ah Man understood and stepped forward to lift the carriage curtain for Li Longji.

Li Longji turned around and looked out the window, exchanging a glance with Chen Xuanli.

Chen Xuanli, sitting upright on his horse, took in the emperor's calm and composed demeanor, and quickly withdrew his gaze, bowing respectfully.

"Your Majesty, I have successfully led the remaining six armies to break through the encirclement."

He paused for a moment, then glanced subtly at a corner inside the imperial carriage before continuing.

"It was quite chaotic just now; the Prime Minister, his family, and our troops were separated..."

The implication is that Yang Guozhong, the three Yang sisters, and their families have disappeared without a trace, and their fate is unknown.

Shi Yan remained relatively calm upon hearing Chen Xuanli's words and did not react in any way. Li Longji, on the other hand, reacted more strongly.

"Now the world is fraught with danger, and we could encounter rebels and bandits at any moment. What would happen to Minister Yang and the others if they weren't protected by soldiers..."

"Xuanli, quickly send people to find Yang Qing and the others. Once they are found, bring them to meet me immediately."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xuanli's eyes flashed, and his brows furrowed slightly. He wished Yang Guozhong and his group were dead, and he was unwilling to send troops to search for them. However, despite his reluctance, he did not show it on his face and agreed.