I saw crowds of people on both sides of the Jinshui River, flags fluttering, and half-grown men holding drumsticks to beat the drum heads. A woman playing the drum with a rolling pin was very eye-catching among them. As soon as she raised her hand, the surrounding area immediately fell silent, and only her voice was heard.

He shouted: "The army and people of Kaifeng wish your majesty to wipe out the Tartars and recover Yanyun!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd around him also shouted. Although it sounded a bit noisy and vague, they all used their strength and were full of enthusiasm.

Xu Xian swore that he had never asked Zhao Ningxiu to organize this just to photograph Chai Rong. Zhao Ningxiu himself could not organize such a big party. There must have been many people who came spontaneously. It seemed that those who were thinking about Yanyun Land were not just those in the temples.

people.

Upon seeing this, Fan Zhi immediately flattered Chai Rong and said, "Your Majesty, with the support of the people, this Northern Expedition will definitely be able to regain the lost territory in one battle."

Chai Rong stroked his beard and said with a smile: "I will not let down the people's hopes!"

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ningxiu shouted again, "I wish Xu Lingping a safe and triumphant return from Henghai Town!"

This time, there were not as many people around him as before, and they were sparse and without momentum. But Chai Rong laughed and said, "Xu Xian, you have married a good wife who understands justice!"

The surrounding ministers immediately burst into laughter. Zhao Ningxiu had been chased and beaten in front of the palace gate some time ago, which had already turned him into a laughing stock. Chai Rong knew Zhao Ningxiu's temperament and deliberately made fun of him.

"Well, I am lucky to have such a good wife!" Xu Xian responded bravely.

Then I heard Zhao Ningxiu shouting: "I wish the returning German army Zhao Linggong a victory!"

Zhao Kuangyin laughed at everyone and muttered softly: "My man wants to come back safely, but he wants his brother to go to war. It turns out that girls are extroverts."

When the ship passed in front of Zhao Ningxiu, Chai Rong nodded and said: "She is indeed a heroic woman. No wonder she can take care of Xu Zhixian. I don't want to send her away in vain. I have decreed that Xu Xian's wife Zhao should be given the title of Hezhong."

Mrs. County!"

Xu Xian couldn't help but feel dizzy, the county's wife was a third-grade married woman, and now Zhao Ningxiu would be even more arrogant.

The ship slowly moved forward along the river, and the rumbling drums of Happy Forest were gradually left behind. Chai Rong finally returned to the cabin and called a group of civil and military personnel to discuss the march route that had been discussed for a long time, and at the same time repair the gaps.

Search for loopholes.

After discussing for a while, Chai Rong suddenly raised his head and looked at Xu Xian and said: "None of us have been to Hebei. After all, we are just talking on paper. Xu Aiqing is based in Henghai, which is very close to Youzhou. He must know more about it and may have better ideas.

?"

Xu Xian immediately handed over his hand and replied: "Your Majesty must pass three passes to take Youzhou. There is no trick. I only know that troops and horses can be transported to the vicinity of Youzhou by sea, but the ships across the sea are limited and cannot transport too many people, and

The soldiers of the Zhou Dynasty were not used to taking boats, and it would take them a day or two to regain their fighting strength after landing ashore, so there was really no need to take risks."

Xu Xian was right. It was useless to attack Liao by sea route. If you were not careful, your whole army would be wiped out. Other ministers rarely agreed with Xu Xian.

The division of troops is really superfluous.

It's a pity that they forgot that their emperor was not only a man of great strength in fighting, but also a man who loved swords and eccentricities. Chai Rong tapped his fingers on the table and pondered for a long time before arriving: "What you dear sirs are right, it's just by sea.

Since attacking Liao is a way, we should be prepared for emergencies. There are not enough ships in Henghai, but I have them here."

Chai Rong looked at Zhao Kuangyin, the newly appointed water and land commander, and said, "The waterways in Hebei are silted up, so it's useless to keep so many ships around. You can dedicate more than a hundred large ships and go south from Bianshui River to the Yangtze River and detour to the sea outside Cangzhou to dock."

The waterway army of the Great Zhou Dynasty sailed from the Jinshui River to the Wuzhang River, and then rode the southeast wind all the way north. This convenience was attributed to Emperor Yang of the Sui Dynasty. Without the Yongji Canal he built back then, he could only use two

I only walked as far as Hebei.

When the fleet sailed past Chanzhou and plunged into the vast water, the boats competing for sail became more and more brisk. Xu Xian stood on the bow of the ship and looked at the vast lake and the setting sun on the horizon and couldn't help but murmur to himself: "What a great place.

, occupying an island here and becoming a grass-headed king, even if there are hundreds of thousands of troops, it will be difficult to find him, Lao Song really can't think of it!"

"Which Lao Song? Why is he so confused!"

Hearing someone talking behind him, Xu Xian turned around and saw that it was Zhao Kuangyin, and explained casually: "When I went to Tianxiong Army before, there was a group of water thieves who were entrusted to harm me. The leader of that group of water thieves was Lao Song.

, he lost his life for a few thousand dollars, do you think he was too obsessed with it?"

Zhao Kuangyin said: "You lied to me again!"

"How could I lie to you...Hey, why did you say again?" |

Zhao Kuangyin snorted heavily in his nose, "You know very well that I was traveling south with His Majesty and waiting for me to return to the capital. Tingyi has already married Fu Yanqing's daughter. If you two make a big fuss in my house, I will also

I can vaguely guess the reason.

It's just that I don't understand why you and Tingyi suddenly reconciled. What did Tingyi use to apologize to you, or are you actually a generous person?"

"What, do you think I am a stingy person?"

"It's not that generous anyway. Tell me what shady things you and Tingyi are hiding from me?"

Zhao Kuangyin was indeed not that easy to fool. Xu Xian looked at him and said seriously: "Tingyi and I are in-laws after all. If we are in the same boat, wouldn't we cause the little silkworm in the middle to suffer double the pain? Since Tingyi promised me

You said you should treat Xiaocan well, but how can you, as an elder brother, tolerate it?"

It was a perfect reason, and Zhao Kuangyin had no way to refute it and just said: "That's the best." He looked around and suddenly lowered his voice and said: "I haven't been with your Majesty for a long time. Have you noticed anything wrong with your Majesty recently?

?”

Xu Xian raised his eyebrows and replied: "In fact, I don't see His Majesty as easily as before. Do you find anything wrong with him?"

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly and said: "I find that Your Majesty seems to be tired more easily than before. His Majesty did not take a nap before. Even when he was working so hard during the expedition to Huainan, I never saw His Majesty dozing off. Now he takes a nap and the time is very long."

long."

Xu Xian smiled and said: "Your Majesty may just be recharging his energy to prepare for the upcoming war."

Zhao Kuangyin shook his head and said: "I smell a slight smell of medicine on Your Majesty's body. This medicine smell is very similar to the medicine on the late Emperor's body before he left."

Zhao Kuangyin's voice was as low as a mosquito, "We are His Majesty's most trusted confidants, and Your Majesty has to keep it a secret. If what I predict is true, he may be... already terminally ill!"

Xu Xian pretended to be shocked, "Seriously?"

"Well, I don't know how long this battle will last. If something unexpected happens to His Majesty, not only the three armies of the Zhou Dynasty will be without a master, but also the three armies will be without a master... You should understand that in any case, you and I must be prepared!" Zhao Kuangyin

As he spoke, he squeezed Xu Xian's hand quietly.

Xu Xian also squeezed Zhao Kuangyin's hand and responded, "Brother Yuen Long, don't worry, I will definitely support you."

Zhao Kuangyin was startled and quickly let go of Xu Xian's hand, "That's nonsense, I have absolutely no intention of doing that. How can it be my turn for this kind of thing? There will definitely be a fight between Zhang and Li. Let's see how you and I choose sides."

Already."

Zhang Li refers to Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin. They are both relatives of the emperor and hold high positions with military power. If Chai Rong really died during the Northern Expedition, these two people would have a great chance of seizing power.

It's just that the real beneficiary said such things to Xu Xian, which still made him laugh.

"Why are you laughing at Zhixian? It's rare that you don't believe what I say?"

Xu Xian quickly suppressed the smile on his face, "How could I not believe it? I just thought it was possible for Fu Yanqing!"

"It's impossible. The Tianxiong Army is so close to Youzhou. His Majesty didn't ask him to participate in the Northern Expedition just to guard against him. Speaking of which, he has been involved in the government and the public for many years, but he is still attracting people. He married his daughter to the court.

Yi is actually trying to win over me. He has been trapped in the web he has woven and cannot extricate himself. There is no hope for him. You just need to remember that if something unexpected happens, you must choose Zhang Yongde like me."

Xu Xian smiled and asked, "Why not Li Chongjin?"

Zhao Kuangyin rolled his eyes and said, "You know what you're asking. If Zhang Yongde gains power, you will be the first person to deal with him! This man is cruel and ruthless, not as generous as Zhang Yongde. You and I have a far better friendship with Zhang Yongde than him. We have no other choice but Zhang Yongde."

"

Xu Xian nodded heavily and replied seriously: "I understand, I will listen to you in everything I do!"

After receiving Xu Xian's correct words, Zhao Kuangyin left with satisfaction. He probably never imagined that he was the one chosen by history and everyone.

Xu Xian couldn't help but sympathize with this man who was still kept in the dark. A group of people pushed Zhao Kuangyin out to be a target for their own glory and wealth. Even if the target was inlaid with gold and jade, it was still a target and had to bear the greatest risk.

.

The fleet sailed past the water moor and was not far from Henghai. It took another four or five days to reach Cangzhou. Chai Rong got off the ship and prepared to set up camp near the canal.

As a landowner, Xu Xian wanted to express his feelings. He immediately asked Chai Rong for instructions, "Now that the war has not started and we are not in the enemy's territory, how can your majesty, with his wealth of gold, sleep in the open air? If you are exposed to the wind and cold, I really can't do anything to the people of the world."

Explain."

Chai Rong sneered, "You think too highly of yourself. Even if I catch the wind and cold in Henghai, you don't need to explain it to the people in the world. You can just prepare your troops and wait for the army to be assembled and follow me north to kill the enemy."

"Yes, yes, yes!" Xu Xian agreed repeatedly, and Chai Rong only wished that he would not cause any extra trouble to him.

Unexpectedly, Han Tong, who had been deployed by land, said: "Your Majesty, the campaign to conquer Liao has not yet begun. Xu Linggong has already made great contributions to the army. As the landlord of Henghai, Your Majesty should give him some face."

Han Tong was born in the Imperial Guards of the Later Jin Dynasty. After the Khitans invaded Kaifeng, Han Tong was unwilling to be a traitor and a lackey, so he defected to Liu Zhiyuan in Hedong.

He was loyal, upright, and brave in fighting. After the founding of the Later Han Dynasty, he rose through the ranks. Later, Liu Chengyou was unkind and killed the heroes. Guo Wei raised his troops to pacify the Han Dynasty and established Zhou Dynasty. He was the one who echoed in the city.

Han Tong and Guo Wei had a friendship when they were in Hedong, and they became heroes of the later Zhou Dynasty. Guo Wei's trust in him was naturally extraordinary. Before Guo Wei's death, Han Tong was already the governor of a town. After Chai Rong succeeded to the throne,

As a meritorious veteran, Han Tong became more and more important.

Han Tong did not disappoint Chai Rong. Not only did he know how to fight, he was also very good at dredging rivers and managing people's livelihood. He also had a share of the credit for the rapid construction of Kaifeng New City, plus his contribution to the conquest of Huainan. What kind of Taiwei is it now?

He has earned a lot of prestigious titles such as Pingzhang, and is already one of the few big shots in the army. Zhang Yongde and Li Chongjin have the aura bonus of the emperor's relatives, and he has earned them all with his own hands.

Chai Rong naturally listened to what such a person said. Chai Rong smiled and asked, "What's his credit?"

Han Tong cupped his hands and replied: "After I led the land army to Cangzhou, I found that Cangzhou had already built a warehouse for storing grain and grass for the army on the canal and built stables for the horses. Qin E, the governor of Cangzhou, said that it was built two months ago.

If it was built under Xu Xian's order, doesn't it count as a credit to him?"

"Okay, okay!" Chai Rong said with a smile: "In that case, I will give him some dignity and stay in Cangzhou City for a few days."

Immediately, Chai Rong left the army and headed for Cangzhou surrounded by guards. However, he did not ride a horse as usual but rode a car, and did not even display the emperor's guard of honor.

Along the way, Chai Rong opened the curtains from time to time and looked at both sides of the official road. He said to Xu Xian who was riding on the horse: "The official road is well repaired, but many fields are still deserted."
To be continued...