The sun is scorching in the sky, and the yellow sand is thousands of miles away.
The blazing wind passed over the surface of the hot gravel, bringing up heat waves and forming rising air currents on the surface under the dazzling sunlight. Looking from a distance, it seemed as if the space had been torn apart and twisted...
The undulating yellow sand hills are endless, and an oasis is nestled in the canyon between the hills.
Hundreds of war horses swung their tails and lowered their heads from time to time to put their mouths into a pool of water in the oasis. Even though the water was too shallow and had been warmed by the sun, the war horses still drank happily and sometimes raised their heads to look around cautiously.
Sniff.
Dozens of soldiers jumped into the water with their shirtless arms upstream, and there were sentries on the top of the hills to keep watch.
Not far from the water, there was a camp that had just been set up. The guards hurriedly set up a stove and lit a bonfire, and the aroma of food filled the camp.
In the tent.
Li Ji was sitting upright with his helmet and armor on, his pale face unchanged. He held a military newspaper in his hand and read it carefully. From time to time, he picked up the water glass placed on the table next to him and took a sip of water, with a natural look on his face.
There wasn't even a trace of sweat on his body, and he didn't look like an army rushing across the Western Regions.
But in front of him, King Li Tai of Wei was sweating profusely. He pulled open his collar, drank a large jar of water, and took a long breath...
"Mom! It's August and September, and you really can't stay in this damn place in the Western Regions. The sun is as hot as daylight, and it's freezing cold in the middle of the night. I really miss Chang'an!"
Following the army on the expedition, the horse fought for thousands of miles without unsaddled, and the battle array of swords and fire rushed to kill wantonly. Even the King of Wei Li Tai, who had always been literate and famous for his literary talent, was now speaking freely and freely. Although his body was as plump as ever, his tanned skin was
He looked much stockier and stronger, giving him a bit of the rugged air of the military.
It's not like Bai Pianmei, who was covered in fat and panting even after taking a few steps...
Li Ji chuckled: "The march is certainly tiring, but His Highness persevered all the way, which impressed the generals with admiration. But even if His Highness misses the exotic scenery of the desert in the Western Regions, I'm afraid he won't be able to stay for a few more days. By then, Chang'an's beauties will be able to drink Qu Shui."
Why don't you just let His Highness enjoy the wine?"
Li Tai was stunned for a moment, looking a little embarrassed. He hesitated for a while and said: "Well... haha, speaking of it, I really miss home. I haven't seen my father for many days. I don't know if the dragon body is still healthy. What's the condition of Si Zi?"
It gets worse every midsummer. I wonder if he is suffering from the pain. Changle is now alone. It must be difficult to bear the rumors. There is also Gao Yang... Although the girl's mother died young, she is smart and lively. She was loved by the palace since she was a child.
She is pampered by her father and brothers and sisters. Now that she is married to a woman, it is probably difficult to change her unruly habits. Although Fang Xuanling is a humble gentleman, Mrs. Lu is a tough one. Plus Fang Jun is a tough guy. I don’t know if she will.
It will make her angry, but even if she is angry, I am afraid that no one will stand up for him. The prince is weak, the child slave is still young, the third child is colluding with Fang Junhang, and that boy Li You's legs tremble when he sees Fang Jun and he is scared to death...
…”
As he spoke, he looked sad.
More than Princess Gaoyang?
Li Tai, King of Wei, has been favored by His Majesty Li Er in every possible way since he was a child. He is usually reluctant to scold him even with a harsh word. When did he leave home thousands of miles away and join the army to fight in the Western Regions?
Although I am not young anymore, it is inevitable to miss home...
Li Ji laughed and said nothing.
After a while, he looked meaningfully at Wei Wang Li Tai's darkened face, and said slowly: "The wind is blowing in the capital. Your Highness is probably sitting on pins and needles right now. He wishes he could grow wings and fly back to Chang'an overnight to participate in it, right?"
Li Tai's expression changed and he opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by Li Ji's wave of his hand.
Putting the water glass in his hand on the table, Li Ji said calmly: "Why do you need to defend, Your Highness? Over the past few days, although you and I can't be said to have gone through life and death, we can be regarded as sharing the joys and sorrows and sharing the glory, so I will say something at this moment.
I want to give it to His Highness, but I hope His Highness won’t be surprised if there is anything crazy or deviant about it.”
Li Tai hurriedly said: "Why is the British prince like this? You are my elder and my father's minister. If I am lucky enough to get your advice, it is really an honor for me. But if you have anything to say, what else can I do?"
There is no harm in asking the British Lord to speak frankly, and I will definitely remember it."
"Haha, His Highness said something serious. The general just said it casually, so His Highness will naturally listen to it..."
Li Ji raised his eyebrows and said softly: "As a prince, it is normal for you to want to fight for the throne. Who can be without selfish motives? However, what the general wants to say is that no matter what you do at any time,
In everything, we must strictly adhere to the bottom line. Even if we put huge interests aside, if we need to break through the bottom line to obtain it, we should carefully weigh it..."
He stared into Li Tai's eyes and said slowly: "There are some things in this world that you can do, or even do wrong, and you will have to start all over again. However, there are some things that once you step out, it will be like falling off a cliff, but it will never happen again."
The way back... don't underestimate His Majesty's determination."
Li Tai was shocked and looked at Li Ji in disbelief.
Li Ji's attitude towards the reserve has always been neutral. He has never expressed any preference to anyone on any occasion. Even in front of the prince, he was neither cold nor indifferent, neither far nor near.
You actually said these words to yourself now. Are you really admonishing yourself, or do you have an ulterior motive?
Li Tai couldn't understand.
Even though Li Ji had always kept a low profile in the court, he was able to become the number one person in the Tang army after Li Jing among the generals of the Tang Dynasty. He was definitely the best in maneuvering and maneuvering. How could there be no words and deeds of such a person?
How can the intention be so obvious?
Li Tai was shocked and confused, but Li Ji no longer said anything about the matter. Instead, he stood up and walked to the open window. He looked at the oasis water nearby and the blazing sunshine on the bulging sand dunes in the distance, and said with emotion: "
The place under our feet is Jingjue City, the royal city of Jingjue Kingdom. The "Book of Han" once recorded that this place is 8,820 miles away from Chang'an, with 480 households and 3,360 mouths. The victorious army
Five hundred people... But now you see, the swamp is hot and humid, making it difficult to walk, the reeds are luxuriant, and there is no way out. The only ancient road that is almost buried in the yellow sand can only be passed. Except for the business travelers who use this place as a transit and resting place,
Where is there a single resident? In a hundred years, the once prosperous and prosperous ancient country has been scattered and submerged by the raging yellow sand, not to mention the vain fame and fortune in the world? A hundred years later, it will be just like the endless yellow sand in front of us."
Li Tai had a splitting headache.
He has always been quite conceited about his mental strategies, but now he realizes that the gap between him and real people like Li Ji is not that small.
He was standing right in front of him, and what he said came to his ears clearly and word for word. But without that last sentence, even if Li Tai wanted to break his head, he couldn't understand the meaning.
What the hell, you can't say it clearly if you have something to say, do you have to be so cryptic?
However, Li Ji had already raised his legs and walked towards the door. He stopped at the door and turned around and said to Li Tai: "We will arrive at Qiemo City in half a month. If your Highness wants to return to Chang'an, you can go north to Shanshan and enter Yumen Pass to turn around."
Then strode away.
Li Tai sat dumbly in the tent, confused...
*****
Fangfu.
It was the third watch of the night, and many of the servants in the mansion were asleep, but the candlelight was still bright in the back house.
Fang Jun, dressed in regular clothes, sat at the desk by the window of his bedroom, concentrating on the report Su Dingfang brought back about Huating Town.
Huating Town not only represents the success or failure of the tax reform of the Tang Dynasty, but is also the prototype of the Tang Dynasty's business in Fang Jun's conception. It even has a navy stationed and a shipyard set up. Therefore, even though Fang Jun is in Chang'an, he pays no attention to Huating Town.
Never relaxed for a moment.
In a sense, Huating Town is the foundation of his dream...
There was a soft sound of footsteps behind him, and Fang Jun did not immediately turn around. It was not until an elegant and quiet fragrance like orchid and musk penetrated his nose that Fang Jun took his eyes away from the report on the table and looked back.
Princess Gaoyang stood tall and graceful, waving her hand to order the maid to leave, blowing out a few candles, leaving only one candle, and put down the gauze at the door.
Then there was a smile on his lips, his eyes moved, and he stared at Fang Jun for a moment.
Her slender snowy neck was exposed, with a few strands of wet hair stuck to the nape of her neck. It looked like she had just finished taking a shower. She casually threw on a piece of gauze with large sleeves, and tied a belt loosely around her waist. The light clothes were almost yellowed.
The flames of the lamp shine through, revealing the silhouettes of two thin legs. There is no undershirt underneath, only the upper body is wearing an aqua blue satin bellyband with black edges...
Fang Jun swallowed hard and said: "You, you, you... what are you going to do?"
Princess Gao Yang rolled her eyes, bit her red lips and blushed, saying: "Yes."
Fang Jun was stunned and asked: "What do you want?"
Then he realized, wasn't this his usual way of teasing others? Today, Princess Gaoyang treated him with a trick, but he didn't realize it for a while...
Fang Jun frowned, a little displeased: "Have you been very close to Princess Fangling at the Taoist temple in Zhongnan Mountain these days?"
That Princess Fangling was not a serious person, and Fang Jun was very dissatisfied that Princess Gaoyang and Changle were both close to Princess Fangling.
But Princess Changle is naturally not his turn to be dissatisfied...
Princess Gaoyang gently untied the belt around her waist, stepped forward, looked up into Fang Jun's eyes, and said in a charming voice: "How do you know, sir? I also learned a few tricks to serve men from Aunt Fang Ling, but it's just that
I wonder if Mr. Lang wants to try..."
Fang Jun swallowed again.
Isn't this nonsense?
Although she despises Princess Fangling for being unruly, Princess Gaoyang has actually learned some tricks now. Why would she go find another man if she doesn't need to try it on herself?
Fang Junshou's blood boiled and he suddenly picked up Princess Gaoyang with his hands. When Princess Gaoyang screamed, he threw her on the bed and said with a ferocious smile: "Then let me see how much Your Highness has learned."
Unique skill!"
For a moment, the shadow of the candle flickered red, and I was panting lightly, which is not enough for outsiders...