From a son-in-law to a favorite of the empress

In Lingyin Temple, incense is flourishing.

The more chaotic the season, the more popular the temple is. After all, people can only pray for the blessing of the Bodhisattva.

And deep in Lingyin Temple, in a Guanyin Hall, a woman wearing a golden palace skirt and a phoenix crown and bridal robe is sitting quietly.

She is wearing a gold and silver tassel mask on her face, which makes her look cold and noble, and full of mystery.

At this moment, the Dharma King of Da Ri is kneeling in front of her, trembling, but dare not say a word.

There is no doubt that this person is the leader of the Wusheng Sect, a woman who is respected as the Wusheng Holy Mother.

She had deep eyes and wore white gauze gloves, looking like a god, but her voice was extremely cold: "It turned out that my twin sister came. It's really interesting. She has not been out for many years. She didn't stay in Baiyun Temple, but came to Lin'an Prefecture to participate in worldly affairs."

"You said that Zhou Yuan is her apprentice? In my impression, she never accepts male apprentices."

Da Ri Dharma King said respectfully: "Virgin Mary, I dare not lie, it is true. I have also investigated Zhou Yuan. He is from Yunzhou. He is only 18 years old this year. He has a scholar's reputation and is quite Talent."

"Married into the Zhao family, and then went to Baiyun Temple to practice Taoism for three months. He made meritorious contributions during the Yunzhou riot, so he was promoted to Lin'an Prefecture Jinyiwei Baihu."

The Immortal Saint said: "It seems that Han Tuo's main opponent this time is him?"

The Great Sun Dharma King nodded and said: "Yes, I don't know what this person is capable of, but he actually won the trust of Zhuang Xuansu and the emperor and became the main leader of this fight against the rebels."

Then, he told Zhou Yuan's actions for nearly half a month, without exaggerating or hiding the truth.

After listening, the Immortal Saint sighed: "He is a mature young man, and he is ruthless and doesn't care about the death of those Confucian scholars. Haha, he is quite suitable for our Holy Church."

The Great Sun Dharma King did not dare to answer, but just lowered his head.

The Immortal Mother stood up and said with a smile: "Let's go and see my silly sister tonight. I haven't seen her for so many years. I miss her a lot. I wonder how much her Taoism has improved."

...

In Kuixingfang, Zhou Yuan was also making deployments and arrangements. Compared with the attacking party, it would be much more difficult to defend Kuixingfang.

At this moment, everyone gathered in Zhou Yuan's courtyard. Qingyuan and others were busy serving tea and snacks.

This made Xiaoying very happy, and she shouted that she would learn to make snacks from Qingyuan in the future.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "Jianjia, don't be busy, come and sit down, you will have your task when the time comes."

"And mine?"

Zhao Jianjia's eyes lit up and she sat down quickly.

In Kuixingfang, she was considered a person with a relatively low sense of participation. Every time she introduced Zhuang Xuansu and others in advance, she was full of admiration.

Zhou Yuan said: "First of all, we must understand the current situation. Han Tuo has 26,000 troops, among which a large number of troops are stationed in various places in Lin'an Prefecture. The number of people sent to attack is at most 10,000."

"But even if there are only 10,000, we can't resist it. After all, the Jinyiwei Tiqi are not soldiers on the battlefield, and their experience is too different."

"So the general plan we have formulated is not to defend Kuixingfang, but to delay time as much as possible to give the public opinion troops more opportunities."

Speaking of this, Zhou Yuan said in a deep voice: "Now I will make the following arrangements."

Everyone's face became serious, only Xiaoying was still eating stupidly.

Zhou Yuan took out the map and said solemnly: "One thousand Jinyiwei, divided into four batches, guarding the four walls respectively, according to the enemy's offensive, supporting each other and filling in the gaps. This task is commanded by Lord Wang Ang, and the general flags of each party are responsible for mobilizing and executing it."

Wang Ang immediately said: "Guarantee to complete the task!"

Zhou Yuan said: "Remember, there is no need to fight to the death. We accept casualties, but we will never accept excessive casualties. When the enemy's attack is too fierce, we can retreat appropriately and let them in."

Wang Ang's face was a little stiff, and he asked in confusion: "Let them in?"

Zhou Yuan said: "At that time, there will be torches as a signal, and we will act accordingly."

Wang Ang nodded slowly, unsure of Zhou Yuan's plan.

Zhou Yuan continued, "The female officials of the inner court will be responsible for lobbying. I will prepare a note for you. After copying it, shout it out to me when you have enough internal strength. Remember, you must speak with emotion."

"The people you recruit will be used to protect the people in Kuixingfang and the women rescued from the gambling house in the south of the city."

"Jianjia, you are responsible for contacting Chu Wanping and calming her down."

Xiong Kuohai frowned and said, "What about me?"

Zhou Yuan smiled bitterly and said, "Lord Xiong has the heaviest task. Organize the strong young men in Kuixingfang and be ready to put out the fire at any time. The other party will definitely attack with fire."

Xiong Kuohai's face changed,He immediately glared and said, "Are you kidding? If the other party uses fire, we can't save them."

Zhou Yuan said, "One hour, we just need to hold on for one hour."

Now everyone was confused.

We can't defend it, and the other party uses fire, how can it only take one hour!

What is he going to do!

Zhou Yuan smiled and said, "The hermit has his own tricks, and you will know it by then. I only say one thing, tonight, our mission is not to defend Kuixingfang, but... to take down Lin'an Prefecture!"

"We must stand firm here and strike the rebel army of Han Tuo and Cheng Ping to the greatest extent."

Seeing that he was confident, Xiong Kuohai didn't ask any more questions, but smiled bitterly and said, "If we can not only survive tonight with our strength, but also take down Lin'an Prefecture, I'm afraid this battle will shock the world."

Zhou Yuan said lightly, "I want to shock the world!"

...

"Your Majesty, it's dark, let's eat something?"

Shenjing, the imperial study of the palace

The female guard held the lamp and reminded gently.

Empress Zhaojing frowned, put down the memorial in her hand, and sighed deeply.

"According to the time, Cheng Ping's 20,000 troops supporting Lin'an Prefecture should have arrived. Kuixingfang may be suffering a catastrophic disaster at this moment."

She looked very unhappy and worried. She looked at the food on the table next to her and had no appetite.

The female guard whispered, "Your Majesty, if there is a change in Lin'an, there will be pigeons delivering the letter. The Jinyiwei's pigeons are well-trained. They can reach Jinling in three hours and Jinan in eight hours. They can be delivered to the capital within one day."

Empress Zhaojing seemed to remember something and hurriedly asked, "Where is Xiaozhuang? Has the message come?"

The female guard said, "I received news in the afternoon that the commander has arrived in Jinling. Calculating the time, it has been a day and a half since the commander wrote the letter. He should be able to reach Lin'an tonight."

Empress Zhaojing clenched her fists and murmured, "This battle will determine the life and death of Lin'an, and will also affect the situation in Liangjiang, and even affect my Great Jin Dynasty."

"Zhou Yuan, don't let me down!"

She looked out the window. The sky outside was clear and the full moon had risen.