The sun sets in the west, the tired birds return to their nests, and the sky is getting late. Liu Min and his entourage are about to take advantage of the excitement and return. A burst of rapid horse hooves comes from far and near. The flying hoofs kick up dust and grass clippings. A man dressed in military academy uniforms
He quickly ran towards Liu Min and others.
That was Liu Min's personal guard officer, who was always responsible for the management of the order troops and the transmission of messages. When he noticed this person, Liu Min stopped mounting his horse and frowned: "I wonder what happened?"
Guo Yi said: "Could it be that the military situation has changed?"
Soon, the officer approached and jumped off his horse. Because his movements were too unrestrained, he staggered a few times and almost fell down. However, he didn't care about it anymore. He quickly walked a few steps to Liu Min and paid homage: "Your Highness,
An envoy from the capital has come with urgent news!"
"Capital?" This was somewhat beyond Liu Min's expectation. He looked at Guo Yi and said, "Is there something unexpected happening in the capital, or does the DPRK have other views on our Western Expedition?"
Guo Yi shook his head and expressed his ignorance. The officer said: "Your Highness, everyone who comes here must wear plain clothes and wear linen and mourning!"
As soon as these words came out, Liu Min's expression suddenly changed, and he subconsciously looked at Guo Yi, only to see that his expression was also solemn, with a little worry on his face. He stopped asking any more questions, took the reins and mounted the horse, galloped out, and almost ordered
Drifting in the wind: "Go back to camp!"
The Han army was stationed in a dense camp. In the central military tent, a fire was burning, but the fire was a little deeper and dim. Sensing that something important had happened in the capital, Liu Min did not make it public in order to avoid affecting the morale of the army.
Kang Baoyi and Guo Yi asked several high-ranking generals from Deming to meet the angel and inquire about the reason.
Liu Min, the visitor, also knew Song Yuandu and was somewhat related to him. He was the fifth son of Song Yanwo, Duke Huiguo. At this stage, he was serving as a gilder in the Da Nei Army.
Noticing his mourning attire, Liu Min's voice became nervous and asked, "What happened?"
Song and Yuandu set out from Tokyo this time, traveling day and night, non-stop. It can be said that they went through a lot of hardships to rush to report the news. Taking into account the rest along the way and the weather and road conditions, it took more than a month to arrive.
Although the speed is not as fast as the court's post cavalry, it is not easy for Song Yuandu, who was born as a noble son.
It can be seen from his dust-covered body, wretched figure, and slovenly appearance. Facing Liu Min's question, Song Yuandu's bloodshot eyes responded to the situation, bowed his body, and said in a choked voice: "Your Highness,
The Queen has collapsed!"
After hearing this news, the expressions of several other generals in the tent changed drastically and they were extremely shocked. To say who among the big men died, the biggest impact and shock was caused by the words of Emperor Liu, the first was Emperor Liu, the second was Empress Fu, and even the prince was shocked.
Gotta lean back.
When Liu Min heard this, he was stunned for a moment, a little confusion flashed on his face, and then he quickly woke up. He tried hard to restrain himself, but his voice trembled and he confirmed: "How could it be? When did it happen?"
"Back to Your Highness, the Empress passed away in the Kunming Palace in Tokyo on August 14th!" As he said this, Song Yuandu took out a brocade box and presented it: "This is the robe that the Empress embroidered with her own hands before she passed away. Your Majesty specially ordered me to bring it to Your Highness."
!”
Seeing this, the corners of Liu Min's eyes twitched a few times, and his tiger eyes quickly turned red. He opened the brocade box, and what was revealed inside was a rather thick fur robe, with an ink base, gold embroidery on the surface, and patterns.
It's very beautiful. The embroidery work is not outstanding, but it is extremely careful. The most important thing is that it is not complete.
Liu Min took out the fur robe, held it in his arms, and felt its softness. The robe was a dead thing, his hands were cold, and he could not feel the warmth, but an inexplicable impulse kept rising in Liu Min's heart.
After a while, King Liu Min of Wei, who had shed no tears on the battlefield, began to cry. He was not hysterical, but his sadness was deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Although Liu Min was adopted to the Prince of Wei at a very young age, the care and concern from his biological mother never ceased. Like other brothers born from a common concubine, he was also a prince with two mothers.
In his early years, Liu Min had a cold relationship with Emperor Liu, but his relationship with Empress Fu was always warm. He also always respected Empress Fu very much. The connection between blood lines was often profound and the most provocative.
human heartstrings.
Now, when the bad news came, Liu Min's indestructible inner defenses, which had been honed by the battlefield, were shattered without any resistance. Liu Min's thirtieth birthday had just passed, and he spent it in the army. At that time, he also thought about Fu Fu.
Later, I missed the two mothers in Beijing
"Your Highness, please show me your condolences!" Seeing that Liu Min was so sad and that several other people in the tent were deeply affected, it was Kang Baoyi who spoke up and consoled him. At this time, other than these words, he didn't know what to say.
After crying hard and almost drying up his tears, Liu Min gradually regained his composure. He solemnly put his brocade robe on his body and looked at Song Yuandu: "Does your Majesty have any edict?"
Song Yuandu heard this and replied honestly: "Your Majesty just asked me to come to the army to announce the funeral and present the robes. In addition, I still leave it to His Highness to make the decision regarding the Western Expedition, so as not to damage the military situation!"
"I understand!" Liu Min nodded when he heard this, and then said to the exhausted Song Yuandu: "You have traveled thousands of miles and worked hard, so go and have a good rest!"
"yes!"
After Song Yuandu retreated, the tent suddenly became quiet. Kang Baoyi and Guo Yi did not dare to speak rashly. It must be said that the queen's death was bad news, but at the same time, fortunately, it was just that.
If we were to change the subject, I'm afraid even they would be at a loss. Although they were fighting in a foreign country six or seven thousand miles away, the hearts of these soldiers were always closely connected with the court and the country, and they maintained everything.
An important factor is that the man sitting high in the Jinluan Palace cannot let anything happen to him.
"Your Highness!" Seeing Liu Min silent there, with his dark complexion uncertain and a bit frightening under the light of the fire, Guo Yi called out and said, "I still need you to make an idea about what to do next!"
Hearing this, Liu Min raised his eyes and looked at the people in the tent, and said in a deep voice: "Go down and order the whole army to mourn and see off the empress, and then march into Suiye!"
When giving this order, Liu Min's expression was particularly determined. He was holding the edge of his robe tightly with one hand, and he could already feel the warmth. He would wear this robe, with his mother's care and expectation, and he would immediately
Trample Yecheng to pieces.
"yes!"
As soon as the commander's order was issued, the entire Western Expedition army was mobilized. Of course, the middle and lower-level soldiers did not have any deep feelings for the queen, but they also knew the seriousness of the matter. After all, they were on the same level as His Majesty the Emperor.
The white cloth in the military supply was quickly cut and turned into white flags and plain flags. Everyone wore white cloth and wrapped it in white. A sad atmosphere was quickly created. Liu Min held a grand and solemn memorial service in the army.
After that, he immediately ordered to march north. Three days later, with the support of Yang Yanzhao, and under the hateful and fearful eyes of the Black Khans, he entered their capital.
