The spring light shines on Linzhou. There are no green fields outside the city, only row upon row of houses.
When daylight just dawned, Linzhou City was immersed in noise and bustle, with busy people, merchants hawking, and children running around.
Officials wearing official robes, riding horses and riding in carriages, walked with some difficulty.
Except for the prime minister and the general, who had honor guards and horses to clear the way, other officials were not escorted by horses and chariots so as not to disturb the people.
Two officials who were not riding horses walked through the crowd on the street and bought two steamed cakes for breakfast. They ate happily.
"Well, it's still the usual way in my hometown."
"Linzhou is rich in supplies. You can have everything you want."
But after squeezing their money bags, the two officials sighed again: "It's just that everything is getting more and more expensive."
"The Emperor is at his feet." Someone said from behind, "It's this time again."
The two officials turned around and saw that their colleagues were following them, so they bowed to each other and walked forward together, discussing what they were going to say in court today.
"Who knows, but I have to talk about this year's autumn grain."
"Food is becoming increasingly scarce. It's easy to say this winter, but it's hard to say next winter."
"Many people in Linzhou are not interested in farming now, and those who want to farm have no land to farm."
"Food can be collected from various places and delivered."
"There are too many people in Linzhou. Not only are there many people, but there are also many soldiers and horses. People and horses need to eat. How much can be sent from various places? It's just a drop in the bucket."
"What's more, the roads are difficult to travel now. They are either rebels or bandits. It will take a lot of soldiers and horses to escort the food and grass."
The three of them discussed and walked to the front of Prince Lu's Mansion. In the morning light, officials came from all directions, and vendors were also crowded here, selling food and soup.
Back then, outside the Imperial City, there was such a scene in the morning. But at that time, it was very pleasing to the eye with the fireworks in the flourishing age. But now, I don’t know whether it’s because the vendors are dressed in good clothes or because the place outside Prince Lu’s Mansion is too small or because the current situation is unstable and uneasy.
, always feel noisy and irritable.
The emperor was kind and kind, and cared very much for the people. When he heard that there were traders gathering outside Prince Lu's palace, he did not let the guards drive them away, so as not to interrupt the people's livelihood.
However, these people expanded their livelihoods, and many took the opportunity to live in shacks outside Prince Lu's Mansion, saying they were setting up stalls, but in fact they were building homes.
Chaos and no order.
"What kind of order do we need?" an older official twisted his beard and said, "Linzhou is a place of last resort for His Majesty, and a place of temporary residence for the people to save their lives. If the heart is not here, of course there is no heart for order."
Yes, in fact they did too. The officials around them looked at the palace: "How long will it take for the world to be at peace? Then the emperor can return to the capital and the people can return to their homes and live in peace."
The sound of horseshoes came from a distance, and the crowded crowd in front of the palace, whether they were officials or merchants, took the initiative to disperse, and a group of soldiers and horses came galloping to escort a few people.
Zhang An and Wang Lin took the lead, followed closely by Xiang Yun.
"Captain Xiang, we received the news early in the morning and will send someone to tell you immediately," Zhang An said.
Wang Lin added: "Then we will be waiting for you."
Xiang Yun nodded: "Thank you two adults for telling me in time."
Did they receive the news early in the morning? He received the news before dawn. Xiang Yun looked calm and gentle. There was no need to compete in front of others or in words.
Seeing the three generals approaching, the officials began to discuss in low voices again, speculating about the progress of the war, or the lack thereof.
To the surprise of the officials, today's court meeting heard the progress they had been looking forward to.
Wu Ya'er said that he would be able to capture the capital in two years.
A large map was opened by the eunuchs in the palace, and several officials gave detailed instructions on the current situation.
"Liang Zhen led the Mobei Zhenwu Army to recapture Fanyang. The rebels in Pinglu are gradually retreating. The defense line in the North is very strong."
"Dudu Wu has captured Weizhou."
"There is also good news. Brother Xiang Yun's son, Xiang Nan, is taking control of the Xuanwu Dao, and the Fengwei Army is about to reunite."
"In this way, coupled with the Henan Road and Shanxi Road, our guards have formed a force to encircle the rebels in the capital!"
The civil and military officials in the main hall all bent down to salute and shouted "Congratulations to Your Majesty, Congratulations to Your Majesty." Many people knelt down and cried. The emperor on the dragon throne asked all the officials to stand up, and he also covered his face and cried.
After the monarch and his ministers expressed their feelings for each other, the court dispersed, and the emperor came to the side hall to continue the court discussion.
The emperor first asked Xiang Yun and Xiang Nan.
"This kid is calm and didn't tell me in detail." Xiang Yun said, "He only said to give it a try at the beginning. Xuanwu Dao did not defect and there was still a chance to fight for it. He was young and had no qualifications, so he was afraid that he would not be able to convince the public.
"
The emperor interrupted him and asked: "What is the identity of the young master?" He waved his hand again and said, "No matter what, a capable person should hold an important position. How about giving him a promotion and at least a governor?"
Xiang Yun said hurriedly: "Your Majesty, he is still young, his official position is not important, what is important is his ability..."
Zhang An interrupted and said, "Your Majesty, you are worrying too much. Although Mr. Xiang's official position is not high, his reputation is still quite high."
"Your Majesty, Mr. Xiang is the son-in-law personally selected by the former Governor Li." Wang Lin added, "He is surrounded by tens of thousands of soldiers and horses gifted by Miss Li from Jiannan Road."
"We have also told Mr. Han that Shannan Road fully supports Mr. Xiang." Zhang An and Wang Lin said in unison, "Jiannan Road and our Shannan Road are from the same family."
"Also, besides us, there is Huainan Road." Zhang An thought of something, "Mrs. Chu and Mr. Xiang have a close relationship and work together."
The two of them spoke loudly throughout the room, drowning out everything else and making everyone's ears buzz.
"What are you talking about?" The emperor couldn't help but lean forward and ask, it's just Jiannan Road, Shannan Road, etc. One takes it for granted, the other ignores it, but this Lady of Chu... "Mrs. of Chu and Mr. Xiang
What concerted efforts?”
No one else could answer this... Xiang Yun didn't necessarily know. Well, he probably didn't want to say anything if he knew it. Zhang An and Wang Lin looked at each other and saw the understanding and small pride in their eyes. This matter is terrible.
Unable to hide it from them, when they learned that the emperor wanted to ask about Xuanwu Dao, they went to find someone to inquire without bothering to eat...
The Jiannan Dao entourage sent by Han Xu is really convenient and useful. They may not be able to find out anything else. There is nothing about Xiang Yun and Xiang Nan that they don't know.
This time they were able to answer questions fluently with the emperor.
"Mrs. Chu Guo originally had the intention to reorganize Xuanwu Dao. The earliest time Master Han was in danger was at Xuanwu Dao. Mrs. Chu Guo saved him with her own hands. She left soldiers and horses at that time."
"It's just that the Huainan Road was not stable at that time, and Dezhong in western Zhejiang was eyeing it, so Mrs. Chu was helpless."
"Later, Mrs. Chu made a surprise attack on Anton, and Mr. Xiang led troops to help. Mrs. Chu asked him to help defend Anton, while she went back to concentrate on recovering Huainan Road smoothly."
"Now that the Huainan Road is stable, it is time to consolidate the Xuanwu Road, so I work together with Mr. Xiang. Mr. Xiang withdraws his troops, and the Lady of Chu secures the people. They are invincible."
...
...
"So, in the end, Xuanwu Dao became a credit to Mrs. Chu in their mouths?"
Jiang You asked in disbelief.
Xiang Yun said nothing and took off his armor.
Jiang You turned to the other side of him and said, "Your Majesty, you believe it?"
Your Majesty believes in everything, Xiang Yun thought to himself, "Compared to Xiaonan, your Majesty certainly trusts Mrs. Chu more than Xiaonan."
Jiang Youdao: "My lord, didn't you say anything?"
When asked about this, Xiang Yun could no longer control his temper and threw his belt on the table with a clattering sound.
"He didn't tell me anything. I don't know anything." He said angrily, "How can I tell His Majesty? How can I protect his merits?"
Xiang Yun rarely gets angry, and Jiang You has never seen him angry, so he couldn't help but shut up and stop talking.
The room became quiet and the atmosphere was stagnant.
Xiang Yun quickly controlled his emotions and let out a heavy breath.
"At times like this, I can't speak if I don't know. Even if the other person is talking nonsense, I can't say it." He said, "It's better to be honest about not knowing, which will win your Majesty's trust more."
Jiang You nodded and thought of good news: "Don't worry, Governor, Zhang An, Wang Lin, Prime Minister Cui and His Majesty will not trust them."
Fu'er said a few words to Xiang Yun.
Xiang Yun nodded and calmed down a little: "You should spend the money as you should. We can't save it for these people."
Jiang You responded: "I understand."
Xiang Yun sat down and said: "However, the news of Xuanwu Dao has not been long ago, and I still don't know anything. Zhang An and Wang Lin have already been cleared out like this. I don't even think that the people are rejoicing and crying around the banner of Mrs. Chu."
Clearly."
"It's not surprising. This must be Han Xu who sent someone to deliver the news. This guy Han Xu..." Jiang Youdao raised his eyebrows, "He sent Zhang An and Wang Lin to Linzhou, saying it was for Jiannan Road. In fact, he sent Zhang An and Wang Lin to Linzhou.
It’s to cheer for Mrs. Chu, Han Xu is really fascinated by Mrs. Chu.”
Xiang Yun didn't say anything because he suddenly thought that according to everyone's thinking, Han Xu was obsessed with Mrs. Chu and wanted to gain fame for her. What happened to Xiang Nan who helped Mrs. Chu consolidate Xuanwu Dao? It seemed like before
There is a sentence in Zhang An and Wang Lin’s words that has a lot to do with it?