A group of more than a hundred riders galloped eastward along the Weinan Avenue. There was still a sense of tension in the air in Jingzhao in midsummer. As the county most affected by the chaos, the word "recovery" was not easy to talk about.
However, the weather has finally turned around. From the fields passing by, we can clearly see the farmers working hard to harvest under the scorching sun. Looking at the sweaty movements, we can't help but feel the same, and feel thirsty.
At major traffic intersections, there were still officers, soldiers, and villagers setting up checkpoints and conducting random checks on people traveling on the road. However, when they saw the galloping knights, they all honestly let them go and actively drove the travelers out of the way.
Let them pass.
"What a flamboyant and majestic cavalry!" Looking at the cries of the cavalry heading eastward, a young country soldier in light linen clothes beside the road sighed with envy and yearning.
.
"How can you not be majestic?" The middle-aged man next to him should be the leader of this rural soldier. Hearing this, he immediately said: "Do you know who passed by just now?"
"Captain, do you know who it is?" The heroes under his command suddenly became interested.
"A certain person said that you young men are so illiterate that you don't even know the word 'xiang'?" Under the gaze of everyone, the captain of the rural soldiers felt a sense of satisfaction in his heart, and said in an old-fashioned way: "I saw that high-erected flag.
Well, in Guanlong, there is only one person who can raise this banner."
After looking around, the captain's voice became more ups and downs: "That is Xiang Dushuai of the Southwest Capital. He is a border general who defeated the Shu thieves, captured Qin and Feng, and held tens of thousands of elite troops. You tell me, is he powerful or not?"
"So, the general in the middle just now is the handsome Xiang Du in the rumors?" someone asked in surprise.
"It should be!" The captain said with some confidence: "There were many people around him just now, all wearing precious armor and brocade robes. In the army, non-senior generals cannot wear them. If not Xiang Dushuai, who else can wear them?"
This guard."
As he said that, the captain couldn't help scolding: "You ignorant kids actually want to step forward to intercept and check. You are so ignorant and fearless. Can you check that? If I hadn't stopped you, I'm afraid your lives would have been in danger!"
"Sure enough, he is so powerful. Dushuai just glanced at me, and I was so scared that I didn't dare to move!" A rural soldier said fearfully.
"Okay, don't be lazy here, search those people quickly!" The captain took the lead, calling to the villagers, pointing to the group of travelers who were taking shelter in the road.
"Nowadays, there are still thieves everywhere. Even if there are, do you dare to come out? Those people are just passers-by at first glance. The scorching sun can bake people dry. Aren't we suffering here in vain? We might as well go home and help
We are threshing wheat at home..." A village warrior muttered, holding his knife upside down.
His concerns are understandable. It is the season for grinding wheat grains, and an adult male labor force plays a great role in the family.
But after hearing what he said, the captain couldn't help but slap him on the head and cursed: "You still dare to complain, do you think a certain family is willing? Who dares to disobey the government's order? Remember, the emperor is coming to Chang'an, we are guaranteeing
Maintain public security so that thieves will not be surprised..."
On the edge of Daoka, some businessmen were passing by. It was the farming season, and ordinary people could not escape from their fields. Of course, those who could drive goods on the road were bold people who could stop the chaos.
.
"What do you mean, you want to bribe me?" Facing the leading merchant, who handed over a small bunch of copper coins, the captain yelled loudly.
"I don't have any other intention. It's just that the weather is hot and brothers are working so hard. With this little money, I can just buy some tea to quench your thirst..." The merchant had a flattering smile and a familiar expression on his face.
"You don't know about the government's ban, but a certain family does! You are so attentive, but I want to check what kind of goods you are carrying!" The captain didn't seem to accept this, walked behind the pack carriage, and then skillfully lifted the
Put the small bunch of copper coins into your sleeve.
"They are all local goods and leather goods, sold to Chang'an!" the merchant said with caution in his tone.
After a while, the captain's voice sounded: "No problem, let's go!"
Just as the captain of the rural soldiers had guessed, the cavalry passing through the border was deployed by Xiang Xun from the Southwest Capital of the Han Dynasty. In addition to the two groups of escorting cavalry, they were accompanied by a group of senior generals from the southwest including Gao Huaide.
"Commander, let's have a rest. If we keep running, humans can bear it, but horses can't bear it either!" Gao Huaide advised a group of people to rein in their horses in Hu County on the west bank of Feng River.
Due to the chaos in Shu in Guanzhong, Xiang Xun personally arranged to maintain stability and went on patrol. When he was summoned by the emperor to make a document, he had already visited Xingyuan Mansion. However, he did not dare to neglect the emperor's call and hurried east to pay him a visit.
And notify senior generals.
Everyone was tired after galloping all the way. After hearing the advice, Xiang Xun said: "It's not appropriate to keep your majesty waiting for a long time!"
However, seeing that everyone was sweating profusely and panting, Xiang Xun calmed down and said, "We have reached Fengshui. We can cross it with a light horse. Let's take a rest and drink some water!"
"yes!"
A group of people walked to the shade of the trees on the water bank to enjoy the coolness for a while. Pointing to his buttocks, Xiang Xun said with a wry smile: "It's been a long time since I've been in such a hurry. The fat between my legs can't stand it anymore!"
Gao Huaide replied pointedly: "Since the battle between Qin and Feng, everyone has been resting for a year and a half..."
"It seems that you are eager to achieve great results by hiding it!" Xiang Xun couldn't help but smile: "I may ask your Majesty for a battle this time."
"Speaking of it, I haven't seen His Majesty for four whole years!" Looking at the golden Fengshui River under the scorching sun, Xiang Xun sighed with emotion, and his eyes couldn't help but feel a little more composed.
Leading the army from the border and holding great power is no doubt prominent and majestic, but as the years go by, these worries also increase. It is far less relaxed and comfortable than when I served as the general of the imperial army in Tokyo and defended the imperial city.
The Han border army, where heavy troops are gathered, is located in Hebei and the southwest. Compared with Hebei, the southwest has much greater autonomy due to preparations for the war to destroy Shu. Similarly, the power in Xiang Xun's hands also
Much heavier.
Although there is a saying that the military and political affairs are separated and each performs his own duties, how can the local officials not give some face to the commander-in-chief of the Southwest?
In the past two years, as his status and power have increased, Xiang Xun has become more and more uneasy, and he has become more cautious and careful in his actions, not daring to exceed his limits. Of course, having a sense of urgency and knowing how to be reverent is not a bad thing, especially for people like him. A kind of border deployment, from the perspective of the army commander.
At sunset, the sun set in the west, and the light it emitted was no longer so bright. There was a bustle in Prince Yong's palace. In the front and back of the courtyard, a group of southwestern generals headed by Xiang Xun took off their armor and clothes and waited on the palace attendants. Take a shower to cleanse yourself. That's right, when the generals came, Liu Chengyou personally ordered the palace servants to wait on them and help them wash away the dust and relieve the heat.
The well water that has been exposed to the sun is poured on the body, and it is refreshing. It washes away not only the smell of sweat, but also the fatigue from the journey.
"Go get me some cold water!" Murong Chengtai couldn't help shouting, shirtless, standing in the sun.
The servant at the side carefully reported: "Your Majesty has ordered that cold water is harmful to the body and should not be used by the generals. However, the young ones have prepared ice drinks. You can enjoy them after taking a bath!"
Hearing what he said, the generals couldn't help but say: "I never thought that the emperor would be so thoughtful!"
At sunset, the generals, who had washed away the dust and sweat and put on the summer clothes given by the emperor, entered the garden in unison and saluted Liu Chengyou together. The scene did not seem serious, and Liu Chengyou sat comfortably on a stone bench on the lawn to prepare. After that, Xiao Zha gestured to the generals to take their seats in a friendly manner.
"How is it? Are you satisfied with my reception?" Liu Chengyou glanced at the dozen or so southwest frontier generals in front of him.
After hearing the question, Xiang Xun took the initiative and said: "Your Majesty, I came at a gallop after being summoned. The heat in Chang'an is strong. For me, there is nothing more enjoyable than a few buckets of bath soup and a few glasses of iced drinks!"
After hearing his answer, Liu Chengyou looked at Xiang Xun and said with a smile: "It's better if you don't think it's simple! If it weren't for the fact that Huaqing Palace is in disrepair and is in decline, I would definitely invite you to take a dip in the Huaqing Pool!"
"I'm so sweaty that I'm afraid I'll dirty the royal pond!" Xiang Xun said humbly.
"That's wrong, Xingmin!" Liu Chengyou waved his hand: "You guys don't shy away from hard work and fight for the country and guard the borders. Even if you have the extravagance of Hua and Qing Dynasty, it can't match the merits of you guys!"
"Your Majesty is serious!"
Looking at Xiang Xun, he was in his prime, and his beard was much thicker than before. Liu Chengyou pointed at the generals present and said: "There are some familiar faces among the generals here, and some I don't recognize. Xingmin, you won't introduce them to me. introduce?"
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