Peach Blossoms in Chang'an

Chapter 190 Mr. Zhang, you have suffered over the years

Wu Tao took the hot tea handed over by Zhang Zhongjian and asked with concern: "Master Zhang, you have suffered a lot these years. We have heard a little about what happened back then, but we didn't expect that it was a traitorous organization behind it!"

Zhang Zhongjian sighed, with a flash of grief in his eyes. "Back then, I was ordered to investigate a border smuggling case, and accidentally discovered the traces of a traitorous organization. In order to cover up the truth, they set a trap and framed me for corruption, bribery, and treason. If it weren't for my benefactor's rescue, I would have been buried in a mass grave long ago."

Hu Bugui frowned and asked, "Who is the benefactor that Lord Zhang is talking about? Could you please tell us so that we can thank him in person?"

Zhang Zhongjian shook his head. "The benefactor's identity is special and cannot be disclosed. He only asked me to hand this map over to the prince to help him."

Hu Bugui stopped asking questions, as he knew everyone had their own secrets. He unfolded the sheepskin map and studied it carefully. The map was very detailed, not only marking the hiding place of the leader of the treasonous organization, but also describing the surrounding topography, troop deployment, and even the location of the secret sentries clearly.

"This map is so important to us!" Hu Bugui's eyes flashed with brilliance. With this map, they will be able to fully grasp the movements of the traitorous organization and make full preparations for the next action.

Wu Tao also came forward and carefully examined the map, with a warm current of hope in her heart. She pointed to a valley on the map and said, "If I remember correctly, there should be a secret passage here that leads directly to the rebel's lair!"

Zhang Zhongjian nodded approvingly, "Princess, you have a good memory! This secret passage is very hidden, and I discovered it by accident. If we can use this secret passage, we can catch the rebels off guard!"

The three of them discussed the map for a long time and formulated a bold and careful plan. They decided to split their forces into two groups. Hu Bugui led a part of the elite troops to pretend to attack the rebels' front line to attract their attention; while Zhang Zhongjian led another part of the troops and Wu Tao to sneak into the secret passage and go straight to the hiding place of the rebel leader.

After the plan was completed, Hu Bugui immediately began to deploy troops and prepare for the final encirclement and suppression of the traitorous organization. He knew the importance of this battle, which was not only related to the safety of the Tang Dynasty, but also to the future of him and Wu Tao.

As night fell, inside the palace, the emperor and empress anxiously awaited news.

"Do you think they can succeed?" the queen asked worriedly.

The emperor held the queen's hand and comforted her, "Don't worry, Bugui and Wu Taoji are blessed by fate and will definitely return safely."

At this moment, a guard rushed in and said, "Report—"

"How is it? How is the battle going?" the emperor asked hurriedly.

The guard knelt on one knee and said excitedly: "Your Majesty, the prince and princess have successfully infiltrated the rebels, and the war is currently progressing smoothly!"

When the emperor and the queen heard the news, they smiled with relief. They knew that the dawn of victory had appeared, and what was waiting for them would be a better tomorrow.

However, they don't know that this battle has just begun, and greater challenges are waiting for them. Can Hu Bugui and Wu Tao successfully complete the mission and completely eradicate the traitorous organization? All of this is still unknown...

Zhang Zhongjian shook his head and said, "The identity of my benefactor is special and cannot be disclosed. He only asked me to hand over this map to the prince to help him." After that, he took out a rolled-up sheepskin map from his arms.

The three of them discussed for a long time around the map, and finally formulated a bold and careful plan: they decided to do everything possible to gather strength and deal a fatal blow to the traitorous organization.

After Hu Bugui returned to the palace, he immediately wrote a letter and sent someone to the border camp at full speed to ask for support from his father-in-law. At the same time, he secretly contacted all credible forces inside and outside the capital, including those civilian righteous men who spontaneously organized themselves to serve the country. For a time, the situation was turbulent, and a campaign to suppress the traitorous organization was quietly underway.

A few days later, it was dark and windy, and it was pitch dark. Hu Bugui and Wu Tao stood on a hillside, looking at the brightly lit valley below. That was the hiding place of the leader of the traitorous organization, and also their target tonight.

At the foot of the mountain, countless torches lit up the night sky as bright as day, and the coalition forces had surrounded the entire valley. In addition to the elite troops that Hu Bugui had transferred from the border, there were also imperial guards from the capital, as well as righteous men who came spontaneously, and even some ordinary people came to help with hoes and kitchen knives. The momentum was so huge that it was breathtaking.

"Are you ready?" Hu Bugui asked in a low voice, tightening the sword in his hand.

"I'm ready." Wu Tao nodded firmly, with a determined light flashing in his eyes.

Hu Bugui took a deep breath, drew out his sword, pointed it in the direction of the valley, and shouted loudly: "Charge!"

The deafening shouts of killing resounded through the night sky. Led by Hu Bugui, the coalition forces rushed towards the valley like a tiger descending from the mountain. A decisive battle that would determine the fate of the Tang Dynasty had begun...

Hu Bugui led an elite force and pierced the enemy's defense line like a sharp knife. His black armor gleamed coldly under the firelight, and he swung his long sword with thunderous force in every move, which was unstoppable. The enemy soldiers retreated step by step under his offensive and were completely defeated.

"Kill!" Amid the deafening shouts, Hu Bugui's troops advanced like a hot knife through butter, quickly opening a path and heading straight for the hiding place of the leader of the traitorous organization deep in the valley.

In the rear, Wu Tao calmly observed the battlefield situation and constantly adjusted the deployment. Although she was not on the front line, she was able to make strategic plans and applied the tactical concepts of modern warfare to the fullest. She divided the coalition forces into several echelons and attacked in turns, which not only ensured the continuous attack power but also prevented the army from running around. At the same time, she also organized an archer unit to take advantage of the terrain to carry out long-range strikes on the enemy, effectively suppressing the enemy's firepower.

"Princess, the rebels are gathering in the west and seem to be preparing for a counterattack!" A messenger came hurriedly to report.

"Pass the order down, order General Li to lead the reserve troops to the west for support, and make sure to stop the rebels' offensive!" Wu Tao gave the order decisively, without any panic in his eyes.

"Yes!" The messenger took the order and left. Soon, a fresh force rushed to the west and stopped the rebels' counterattack in time.

Wu Tao looked at everything in front of her, her heart full of emotion. In the past few months, she has experienced too many things, from an ordinary modern girl to a female general who can command thousands of troops. Only she can understand the hardships and pressures involved. But every time she sees the soldiers fighting bravely and hears the people's gratitude and admiration for her, she feels that it is all worth it.

At this moment, a soldier came running over covered in blood. He knelt on one knee and said in a trembling voice, "Report...report to the princess, the prince...he has been surrounded by the rebels!"

Wu Tao's face turned pale, and his heart sank suddenly...

Wu Tao felt her mind go blank. The shouts of the soldiers and the clash of weapons seemed to fade away. Only the words "The prince is surrounded by rebels" kept echoing in her mind. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. Nothing can happen to Hu Bugui, absolutely not!

"Gather all the troops and follow me to rescue the prince!" Wu Tao jumped on the horse, his eyes were firm and his tone revealed unquestionable majesty.

At this time, deep in the valley, Hu Bugui was indeed in a tough fight. The rebel leader seemed to have anticipated his arrival and had set up an ambush in advance. His guards fell one by one, and the situation was extremely critical.

"Your Highness, please leave quickly! We will stop them!" A personal guard tried his best to protect Hu Bugui, but was hacked to death by the rebels.

Hu Bugui's eyes were bloodshot, and his arm that was swinging the sword was numb, but he still did not retreat a single step. He knew that once he fell, no one would be able to stop the rebels' conspiracy.

At this critical moment, a deafening shout of killing suddenly came from afar. Wu Tao came with reinforcements and tore a hole in the rebels' encirclement like a sharp blade.

"Your Highness, I'm late!" Wu Tao rode his horse to Hu Bugui, his eyes full of worry.

"Taotao, I'm glad you're here." When Hu Bugui saw Wu Tao, his tense nerves finally relaxed. He held Wu Tao's hand with his backhand, and they smiled at each other. Everything was said without words.

Under the fierce attack of Wu Tao and the reinforcements, the rebels were defeated step by step. Finally, the leader of the treasonous organization was captured alive and the rebellion was finally quelled.

When the news reached the capital, the people cheered and told each other. The emperor personally led the civil and military officials out of the city to welcome the triumphant army and held a grand celebration banquet for Hu Bugui and Wu Tao.

In the magnificent hall, the emperor sat high on the dragon throne, looking at Hu Bugui and Wu Tao standing side by side below, with a gratified smile on his face.

"This time, thanks to the planning of King Hu and the Queen, we were able to keep our country stable." The emperor raised his glass, "I toast to you!"

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. This is what we should do." Hu Bugui and Wu Tao responded modestly.

After the banquet, the emperor summoned Hu Bugui and Wu Tao separately and announced a series of reform measures to strengthen central power, rectify the administration of officials, and ensure that similar rebellions would not happen again.

However, the seemingly peaceful capital city is actually surging with undercurrents. The remnants of some traitorous organizations are gathering in secret, waiting for an opportunity to strike...