In the blink of an eye, the scattered rebels who originally only appeared in the eastern corner became visible in many cities.
As the battles between the Guards and the rebels took place, more and more villages and towns were invaded. Fortunately, Li Mingqi had brought soldiers and horses to patrol and arrange the arrangements. Most of the people in the villages and towns ran away or entered the walled city.
, or hide in the deep mountains and old forests, while the guards in the town only hide behind the city walls, ignoring the provocations of the rebels, and the casualties are not that terrible.
The vanguard scouts of the rebels also began to appear in Taiyuan Fucheng. Fortunately, the guards were well prepared and the number of opponents was small, so they were quickly killed or beaten away.
But everyone knows that this is not the end, and the atmosphere is getting more and more tense.
Li Mingqi no longer lives in the eldest lady's villa. After the news came that Mrs. Chu was attacking the capital, Mr. Xiang asked his daughters-in-law to persuade Li Mingqi to go back home.
"Being brave and fearless does not necessarily depend on where you live." Mr. Xiang advised kindly, "Xian'er, everyone in Taiyuan Fucheng knows you, you are everywhere."
Li Mingqi moved back and still lived in the largest courtyard given to her.
There are pavilions and pavilions in the courtyard with gurgling water. The lights are lit on the spring night, and it is like a fairyland in the Moon Palace. As Li Mingqi moves around, the maids greet each other. Bead curtains are lifted one after another, and they go around the flower windows and green corridors. One by one, the maids come again.
It dispersed like colorful clouds, leaving only Nian'er to follow him into the steaming and glowing bathroom.
"Miss, you have worked too hard and you are back so late?"
"Compared with hard work and no life, it is better to work hard."
The girl and the young lady asked and answered questions. Li Mingqi threw her clothes, jewelry, and hairpins on the ground casually. She walked towards the bathtub with her long black hair hanging to her feet. Her little nose wrinkled: "Did you change the scent?"
Nian'er said: "Young lady is so amazing, you can smell it."
Li Mingqi grinned at her and responded to the compliment.
"It was sent by Mrs. Xiang Wu herself." Nian'er showed off proudly, "The emperor gave it to Governor Xiang."
Li Mingqi walked into the bath, her black hair stretched like water plants in the water, her body also stretched out, and she lazily said: "The emperor has always been frugal, and it is rare to be able to give him fragrance."
Nian'er understood what the lady meant this time. Yes, the incense used by the emperor may not be as good as theirs.
"The Governor is recuperating. He said it can calm his nerves." She squatted by the pool, grinning, and flicked her eyes in one direction, "I have inquired, the fifth lady only gave it to us, not over there."
Oh, it turns out that what I am proud of is not the incense given by the emperor, but that the fifth lady gave it to her and not to Qia City. I am better than anyone else.
Li Mingqi sprinkled water on Nian'er's face: "Look at your potential, you have been a young lady for so long, and you haven't made any progress at all! Who can compare with her, how fragrant and smelly can you be? What use can it be!"
Nian'er covered her face and kept saying I was wrong.
If you make a mistake and don't correct it, what's the use of knowing your mistake? Li Mingqi didn't bother to pay attention to her, and slowly lowered his head: "Of course it's better. Southeast Road almost killed Governor Xiang, but we, Jiannan Road, saved his life."
, even a fool knows who to rely on..."
The sound gradually disappeared and the person submerged into the water.
Nian'er squatted by the pool and smiled proudly. Yes, good news came that Xiang Yun was injured. Ah, no, news came that Xiang Yun was injured and was rescued by Jiannan Road. Not only their status in the Xiang family, but also in Taiyuan Mansion.
The status is different.
That Qiacheng also became disgraced...
It's a shame that the rebels are about to attack, and Qi'acheng takes the opportunity to show up again...
"Miss, miss." Nian'er shouted while pawing at the water's edge.
"Miss, miss." Someone shouted from outside.
Li Mingqi emerged from the water and said: "Oh, stop shouting. I am calling you miss everywhere every day. Take a rest."
Nian'er hurriedly covered her mouth with her hands, saying that she would never scream again.
"Miss, miss." People outside were still shouting.
Nian'er was furious: "Stop shouting!"
The shouts of people outside died down, but the next moment a louder voice sounded: "Minglou! Minglou!"
Li Mingqi rolled her eyes in the water. If she didn't call her "Miss," it would be even more annoying for people calling her by name.
...
...
Li Mingqi got dressed and walked out. Mr. Li Si was already waiting impatiently.
"Why so slow?" He frowned.
Nian'er said: "Four Masters, what time is it now?"
"When did you come back?" Li Fengjing asked.
After Li Mingqi moved back to Xiang's house, Li Fengjing was also invited back by Xiang Jiuding.
"Isn't the Xiang family and the Li family one family? Where do we live?" Xiang Jiuding relied on his strength to drag the weak Li Fengjing to the Xiang family. There were pots of flowers and plants with spring buds in the small yard prepared.
, "I don't know how to serve these things. Fourth Master, you know this best, so please help me."
Li Fengjing couldn't bear that these spring buds were spoiled. Xiang Jiuding was right. The Xiang family and the Li family were one family. Without Li Mingyu and Jiannan Road, Xiang Yun would be dead now, and the Xiang family would be scattered.
"How many times have I been here?"
"If I can't invite you, it would be really difficult for me to come see you in person."
Listening to Li Fengjing's voice one after another, Li Mingqi said helplessly: "Fourth uncle, don't complain like a woman, what time is it now..."
After saying that, he waved his hand again.
"I was wrong. We women don't complain like this now."
Li Fengjing pointed at Li Mingqi: "I won't argue with you."
He took a deep breath and looked around.
"Don't worry, Fourth Uncle, these are all mine." Li Mingqi said, taking the nectar soup from a maid, and smiled at the maid, "Ah Yue fled from Jingquan, and her family used to be in charge of a large mine.
She is also a queen from a famous family."
If you can have a big mine, then you are not an ordinary family. Li Fengjing looked at the maid. She looked elegant under the lamp.
She half-covered her face with her sleeves and curtsied: "In troubled times, you can't even protect yourself. Your relatives are separated and your family is gone. You have no name and no surname. You are ashamed to talk about being a member of a famous family."
That's true. Many cities fell into ruin during the Ankang Mountain Rebellion. Rich merchants fell to pieces and dispersed. Many well-dressed young ladies and gentlemen fled for their lives and either became beggars or sold themselves into slavery. They are lucky to be alive. They will seize this luck.
, Loyal to the big tree that he clings to, Li Fengjing understood and curled his lips, Li Mingqi, this girl, would choose to raise people.
Li Fengjing ignored him and asked, "When will we leave?"
Li Mingqi took a sip of nectar and said, "What are you talking about, Fourth Uncle! How can we leave when Taiyuan Mansion is in crisis? We must be of the same mind..."
Li Fengjing waved his hand: "Don't talk about this. I don't know you? You are not a real god or bodhisattva who helps people in trouble."
"Then Fourth Uncle, since you know me, why are you still asking? This is a great opportunity for us to make contributions, how can we leave?" Li Mingqi said, finishing the nectar in one gulp and putting it on the table, "Qi Acheng didn't even leave."
Hey, woman! Li Fengjing shouted: "This is going to cost you your life, why are you comparing? Southeast Road just suffered a defeat and lost face. Qi Acheng's death here just brought honor to her father. Our Jiannan Road is different."
"
When he said this, he stretched out like a big tree after the rain, his face full of pride.
Unexpectedly, after Li Fengan died, Jiannan Road not only did not recover from the fall, but also made great achievements.
This is a big business raised by my eldest brother, and now that the time has come, my children and grandchildren can advance to a higher level.
"The Li family doesn't need you to add glory to it." He said, "You are a girl, just think that your grandmother is sick, and you go back to take care of her. No one dares to say anything to us, but you still want to praise her."
Li Mingqi said: "Fourth uncle..."
"You don't need to tell me about the way the government deceives the people." Li Fengjing waved his hand again, "That's the army of Ankang Mountain. Ankang Mountain lost the capital and was defeated by Wu Ya'er. Do you think he is a defeated dog?
Wrong, he is still a ferocious beast, and a defeated ferocious beast is even more insane! Still defending the city and fighting him? Who do you think you are? Are you the lady of Chu? Qi Acheng is Wu Ya'er?"
I don't know what's so funny about this, but Nian'er couldn't help but laugh out loud and quickly shrank her head to cover her mouth.
This laughter interrupted Li Fengjing. Li Fengjing glared at the little girl and was about to say something else. Li Mingqi said: "Fourth uncle, I know everything you said. I actually think the same thing as you."
He was not thinking about defending the city. Li Fengjing looked at her suspiciously.
"Of course I know how scary Ankang Mountain is, but Mingyu has just achieved great success. We can't run away as soon as we hear the rebels are coming. We have to show our face. Even if we leave, we will be talking about it in the future.
Taiyuan Prefecture has contributed a lot." Li Mingqi said, "Fourth Uncle, in a few days, when I can use my help to appease the people and go out of the city to deliver rice and grain to the officers and soldiers, we will leave."
When Li Fengjing wanted to speak, Li Mingqi thought of something and added: "We will leave in groups, not together, otherwise it will be too conspicuous."
Li Fengjing snorted: "As long as you know what to do."
Li Mingqi said: "I know, of course I know, I'm not afraid that you will leak the news."
Li Fengjing was embarrassed: "How could I leak the news? I'm that kind of..."
Li Mingqi interrupted without waiting for him to finish: "Yes, yes, I was wrong. I underestimated Fourth Uncle. Fourth Uncle, please leave quickly. I am too busy and tired every day. I want to rest."
Li Fengjing said another sentence: "Are you tired if you are busy?" But he threw up his sleeves and left without saying anything more.
Nian'er hurriedly asked the maid to go down, and asked nervously and happily: "Miss, do we really want to leave?"
Li Mingqi yawned: "Of course it's fake."
Nian'er uttered a sneer.
"My fourth uncle is afraid of death, and of course I am too."
Li Mingqi glanced at the girl who was afraid of death. Of course she didn't blame her. If a little girl wasn't afraid of death, wouldn't she be a fool? She didn't dare to use it.
"But, it's really not that dangerous this time. We have 30,000 guards in Taiyuan Mansion, and the big families work together. There is food and drink in the city and there are so many people. It is not impossible to defend the city. The most important thing is
What's more, there is a pursuer behind Ankang Mountain, Wu Ya'er."
Nian'er nodded along regardless of whether she understood or not.
Li Mingqi doesn't care whether she understands it or not.
"With the pursuers behind him, and Wu Ya'er, Ankangshan simply doesn't dare to attack the city with all his strength." She told herself, "If he can't defeat him after a few attacks, he will move to another place. If three people are needed,
It took half a year to defend the city. Needless to say, my fourth uncle, I have already arrived at my home in Jiannan Road. However, it only takes at most one month to defend the city. Of course, Taiyuan Mansion can defend it. After one month, I have not started to be afraid.
Despair means it’s over and you’ve won.”
She walked into the bedroom, looked at the bronze mirror on the table, and smiled.
"The right time, right place, right people, wealth is right in front of me, why wouldn't I want it?"
"Jiannan Road doesn't need me to add glory to it, I need to add glory to myself."
"Nian'er, go tell them to keep an eye on the Fourth Master."
"Nian'er, turn off the lights and go to sleep."
.....
.....
Night enveloped the earth, and the once brightly lit city fell into darkness, but it was unknown how many people could not sleep.
Even if you can't sleep, you are not allowed to light a lamp. The light that brings safety in the dark is considered to be dangerous at this time.
There is a tall city where no one dares to light a lamp, but outside the city in the vast wilderness there is a place with bright lights, bonfires and torches burning.
Qi Acheng sat on the felt mat and blocked his yawn with his hand.
"Miss, please rest first." The soldier said carefully, "It will be midnight before the soldiers can arrive today."
Qi Acheng closed his eyes and waved his hands: "I can't sleep well, so just wait."
The maid knelt down and massaged her legs and feet, angrily: "Miss, you have worked so hard. Li is lying high in the city. He walks around and talks and laughs among the people every day, so he can get a lot of praise. In the future, he will share the credit and defend the city."
We are the ones bleeding in the war. Why doesn’t this woman leave?"
"Miss Li is not stupid. Knowing that she has made great achievements this time, of course she will not leave. Whatever, if she wants credit, give her some credit." Qi Acheng opened his eyes, "I only want Taiyuan Mansion."
The maid couldn't help but increase her strength: "Miss, can you really defeat Ankang Mountain this time?"
"Who can defeat Ankang Mountain?" Qi Acheng looked at the maid with disgust, and the maid hurriedly put down her strength.
"I still have self-awareness. As long as Ankang Mountain retreats this time, we will win." Qi Acheng continued, changing his position and half sitting, "Of course, by then, we can also say that we have defeated Ankang Mountain."
The maid giggled: "That young lady is famous all over the world, and she can be on an equal footing with that Lady of Chu."
"I don't have as many soldiers and horses as Lady Chu," Qi Acheng said.
This means that the lady of Chu State can get credit and fame because she has many soldiers and horses.
The maid sighed: "Our troops and horses are not enough. The young lady can only rely on herself here. It is so far away, and there is nothing I can do to help."
"There are many soldiers and horses, so we can't use them here." Qi Acheng said, "The Southeast Road is our foundation. We can't mess with the soldiers and horses at will. If there are other people's soldiers and horses, they will be used in vain."
"That's not called other people's soldiers and horses." The maid said, knowing that Qi Acheng was talking about the guards of the wealthy families, she felt a little proud, "Those soldiers and horses were trained by the young lady, and this time they were dispatched by the young lady. Of course,
It’s considered a young lady’s.”
Qi Acheng stretched himself comfortably and curled his lips: "Their main function is not to fight, but to have momentum. The momentum is also for everyone to see. They can't scare Ankang Mountain, Ankang Mountain...
"
There was the sound of footsteps outside the camp, and a soldier rushed in, knelt down and shouted: "Miss, the scout has reported the news."
Qi Acheng sat up and asked: "How?"
Xin Bing said: "Coming from the north, I found traces of the Zhenwu Army. Wu Ya'er is indeed pursuing Ankang Mountain."
Qi Acheng laughed loudly, and the maid was also very happy: "Miss, it's better now."
"Taiyuan Prefecture has no worries." Qi Acheng stood up and looked at the generals who came in, "With the hearts of the army and the people working together, we can build the city, and there are Wu Ya'er chasing troops outside, so we will win the battle to defend the city."
The generals also responded excitedly. They would soon get the credit for fighting Ankangshan and defeating him, and become famous all over the world!
Another messenger rushed in outside the camp, and this time it was not good news.
"Miss, Fang Minggu asks for help!"
.......
.......
The early morning tranquility of the government office was shattered by the news reported from Qia City.
"Fangming Valley is the nearest fortress in our Taiyuan Prefecture, we must defend it."
"Sir, there are about five thousand rebels."
"What should we do? Do we still have reinforcements?"
"Several other places are also fortresses, and soldiers and horses cannot move."
"My lord, my lord, my lord."
"Don't call me, sir!" The prefect waved away the officials and soldiers surrounding him, pointed his finger at the visitor and shouted, "Say, what's the matter?"
The noise subsided, and the visitor was also startled. He stammered and pointed outside: "The Liu family guards five hundred people, and the Dong family guards five hundred people. We have received orders from Miss Qi to go to Fangming Valley for reinforcements."
Reinforcements of a thousand people are enough!
Everyone came out and saw that the people on the street holding the flag of Hedong Taiyuan Prefecture and their own name flags were galloping away, and people on both sides rushed to see each other off.
"Must win!"
"Must win!"
The guards and the people responded in harmony, and the atmosphere was tense. Some people crowded into the government office to stifle the situation.
"Sir, we also need to go to the rescue!"
"Sir, please let us go too."
The magistrate laughed and lost all anxiety. He looked at these brave village elders and said: "Everyone has important responsibilities, and the defense of the city cannot be separated from you."
...
...
The rising smoke and dust outside Fangming Valley blocked the setting sun.
A howl like a monster came from the gray mist.
Lying on a section of the siege, a group of soldiers stared with wide eyes. They saw groups of soldiers and horses rushing towards them in the smoke and dust. In front of them were men, women, old and children who were being driven and trampled...
The cries and screams were getting closer and closer.
"There are rebels coming here too!" a general shouted, standing up and looking behind and to the left and right, "Why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet? They've been gone for two days and one night!"
Before he finished speaking, there was a buzzing sound, and a crossbow arrow flew from a distance and penetrated the general's throat. He was carried backwards and blood spattered everywhere.
The walls were filled with exclamations of "My lord! My lord!"
Strange cries were heard from under the city wall: "Attack the city! Attack the city!"
...
...
When the morning light shines brightly, people in some cities will not wake up again, while others have to wake up.
Several streets in Taiyuan City were filled with sleeping people, some of whom were beaten awake.
"Whose turn is it today?"
"I already did it yesterday, why are you calling me again?"
"Miss Li has stipulated that one person should do it for two days."
"Get up, get up."
A few people got up muttering and cursing, rubbing their eyes and yawning as they stumbled to the shed built on the street.
There are three stoves and large pots under the shed, firewood is piled on the other side, and bags of rice are piled up in another shed at the back.
Several people continued to curse and divide the work, some cleaned the big pot, and some chopped firewood to light the fire. Although they were reluctant, they wanted to eat after all, so they quickly heated up the stove and poured clean water into the pot.
.
"Rinse the rice."
"Hurry up and put in more rice today. We weren't even full yesterday."
As they talked, the two people carried wooden buckets to the rice grain bags. They carried a bag and emptied it after emptying it.
"This bag is finished." He said, shaking the bag in his hand and throwing it aside, "Go and bring another bag."
Another thin man wiped his nose: "Yesterday, Mrs. Chen from Dahuai Lane sent new rice grains. Let's try theirs."
He climbed up the pile of grain bags, grabbed a bag, and threw it down. The rice bag fell to the ground, splashing dust and exploding with curses.
"Be careful."
"You want to smash me to death."
"Broken the bag."
The thin man chuckled: "Even if it breaks, it's still rice and can be eaten."
A man carrying the bucket came forward to check: "The bag was really broken and the rice spilled out. It has to be washed many times. This rice... ah!"
Before he could finish his words, he screamed. Others were startled and asked, "What's wrong?"
The man held the rice in one hand and raised his head in disbelief: "Why does this rice look like soil and sand?"
Did he not wake up?
Others rushed over to look at his hand in astonishment. There was a handful of soil and sand in his palm, which was slowly slipping from the seam of his hand.
One man picked up the bag and dumped it, and more sand and gravel poured out from the crack onto the ground, choking the man squatting on the ground and coughing.
No way?
"Did the sandbags stacked on the city wall get here by mistake?" a man asked.
Another man turned around and stabbed the bags stacked behind him with the handle of an iron spoon, and the contents poured out with a crash...
Still dirt and sand.
Everyone was stunned, listening to the popping sound, looking at the dirt and sand flowing out of the broken bags one after another, and the dust lingered in their noses.