The cold wind howled, blowing across the northern part of the Great Wall, and went straight to the south along the land of China that had endured three hundred years of division and war.
And this cold wind also carries the first snow since the beginning of winter.
Snowflakes are blown in the courtyard by the wind, announcing the complete arrival of winter.
Jiangling was once the capital of the Western Liang Dynasty, and was also one of the most prosperous places in Jingzhou. However, Jiangling now has a chilling atmosphere in the wind and snow. The white walls and black tiles with Jiangnan style are now
All have been rendered in white.
In the wind and snow, on the main streets outside the city, large groups of Han army soldiers were singing a somewhat messy but loud military song as they passed by, causing many people to open their windows and watch the fun.
There were even some lively children who ran far away after the troops, leaving a series of footprints on the street.
This was the command of General Xiao Shilian who was heading north to Xiangyang from Lingnan via the Xiang River and then via Jiangling. Because ice floes had appeared on the Mian River, they could only go north by land.
Half of this army are former soldiers who surrendered from the Northern Zhou Dynasty, and half are recruits from Bashu. It can be said that it has always been an undervalued army among the Han army, and Li Xinchen's old troops under Chen Zhishen, Cao Zhong and others, and even Chunyu
The amount of soldiers and horses in Nanchen led by Huang Wan and others is obviously incomparable.
However, it is such an army. Since it left Sichuan last year, it has fought in Yiling, Xiangzhou, and Lingnan. It can be said that it has participated in the most fierce battles among all the Han tribes and has fought farthest. It is now recognized as the elite of the Han Dynasty.
The two surrendered generals of the Northern Zhou Dynasty, Li Xun and Luo Yi, who were below Xiao Shilian, were also recognized by most people.
No one doubts their loyalty to the Han Dynasty anymore. From the Dajiang River to the Xiangshui River and then to the Lingqu Canal, the rolling enemy heads are the best proof.
And seeing the troops belonging to the Han Dynasty continuously passing by, the people of Jiangling City naturally responded with great enthusiasm. Jiangling, the place of the Fourth War, for these people who have experienced too many wars,
It doesn't matter who sits on the throne or even who Lord Qingtian is, but this army protects them from war, which has a lot to do with them.
When the army marched into the city, not only one or two people stuck their heads out, but many people even took out food to reward their own army.
"I can't imagine that we would go north like this at this time." Luo Yi couldn't help but sigh while walking on the street.
His Majesty is stationed in Jiangling, so all the soldiers must dismount when passing through the city. Li Xun and Luo Yi, two generals in the army, also left the north for some time. After experiencing the mist and rain in Jiangnan and the scorching heat in Lingnan, it has been a long time since I saw them.
It's snowing, and it's particularly warm to see the snow falling at this time.
"Take it." An old man in front of him was putting the warm pancakes into the hands of a soldier, while the people next to him also took out the things in their hands.
"Yes, take it!"
"Protect us, no one can bully us!"
"It's up to you, you are all great boys!"
Looking at these busy people, Li Xun nodded slightly: "I can't even imagine that I can see someone eating a pot of pulp."
"This posture makes me want to go directly to Xiangyang and kill Guanzhong." Luo Yi couldn't help laughing, "I can also return home in glory."
Li Xun shook his head: "The fighting in the northwest is fierce now. We mainly defend in Xiangyang. We must not move lightly without orders."
"What a pity." Luo Yi was a little helpless. The Zhou army was heading north. This was indeed a good opportunity to directly cut off their retreat.
Li Xun said calmly: "Your Majesty has His Majesty's considerations. We just follow orders and fight. We cannot overstep."
Luo Yi glanced at Li Xun, feeling helpless towards this strict boss. At this moment, a drum beat sounded in front of him. Li Xun and Luo Yi immediately looked at each other, gathering together to drum?
"Come on, let's hurry up. His Majesty should be here!" Li Xun said decisively, "Instruct all the ministries to go through the city and station themselves at the military camp in the north of the city according to the original plan. There are prepared meals and new winter clothes there for the brothers.
Pick up the pace!"
At this time, in front of the Jiangling Palace, a dozen cavalrymen rushed through the wind and snow, and the guards who had been waiting at the door anxiously greeted them: "Your Majesty!"
The leader of the cavalry turned over and dismounted. He was wearing a coir raincoat and looked no different from an ordinary person. If an outsider who didn't know anything saw it, they might not even think that he was the Emperor of the Han Dynasty.
This is also Li Xingchen's habit. Dressing simply will reduce his goals.
He had just visited the military camp in the north of the city. Now the army was disembarking from the dock on the south side and heading to the north of the city through several main roads. The camp in the north of the city had prepared enough food and winter clothes. Although these soldiers
We all have winter clothes, but after all, we are all coming from Lingnan. We are used to the heat in Lingnan, so we are bound to be afraid of the cold, so we prepared more.
He sighed and rubbed his hands. Li Xunchen took off his bamboo hat and handed it to Li Ping. He strode towards the palace. The footsteps behind him were hurried. It turned out that Li Xun and Luo Yi, who had heard the drums, had already come over. When they saw that they were dressed in casual clothes,
When His Majesty the Emperor came to see him, he was somewhat surprised and hurriedly saluted.
"No gift." Li Xingchen waved his hand, "I just came back from the camp in the north of the city. I have all the food, grass and clothes. Did you see it just now?"
"I haven't arrived to the north of the city yet, but the army has sent Sima and the chief secretary to check." Li Xun said hurriedly.
"Jiangling is already located in the north of the Yangtze River, so it can't be compared with Lingnan, right?" Li Xingchen smiled slightly, "Are you still adapting to it?"
"I am originally from the north. Such a wind and snow is nothing. I am just waiting for His Majesty's order. I will lead my brothers north to recover the mountains and rivers for Your Majesty!" Luo Yi next to him said excitedly.
When he was the king of Han, he took refuge with Li Xingchen. He knew that his majesty did not like to put on airs, especially when he was in military uniform, he seemed to be a marshal of soldiers and horses.
Li Xingchen shook his head and said as he climbed up the steps:
"I'm afraid this is not something that can be done now. The war in the northwest is tense. Our first task is to stop the Turks from going south. Not to mention that the northwest is the only place where our Han Dynasty raises horses. If the northwest is lost, Hanzhong will lose a barrier.
, if it falls under the control of the Zhou people again, I am afraid it will be like the old story of Marquis Wu who left Qishan seven times without success."
After a pause, Li Xingchen continued: "But as the Luo Qing family said just now, we will eventually go north one day, and Xiangyang will be an important stepping stone for us to go north. This time I will let the two Qing family go.
In Xiangyang, I hope you can know my considerations."
Li Xun and Luo Yi looked at each other and raised their hands together: "How dare you disobey me!" (To be continued)