Hello Chang’an

As the dog approached, Yuan Xiang barked two more times to show his goodwill. This dog probably had little experience in the world and was eager to make friends. As it approached, there was already a hint of joy in its footsteps, and it was just short of The tail is wagging.

Yuan Xiang, who was hiding behind the stone, jumped out quickly before his true identity was revealed. He threw the big dog that had relaxed its vigilance to the ground, put his knee on the dog's neck, and killed it with a cotton handkerchief prepared in advance. Death Cover pinched the big dog's muzzle.

There was enough sweat medicine on the cotton handkerchief. The big dog struggled and kicked a few times, then rolled his eyes and fainted.

Yuan Xiang, who was covered in mud, breathed a sigh of relief and dragged the dog behind a stone to hide it.

At first, the barking of the dog reached the ears of the guard, but after hearing only one bark and no follow-up, he was not very interested. Only one person came over to check with a torch. It was too cold in the night, and the visitor complained. Cursed: "What are you calling nonsense!"

The next moment, the visitor suddenly felt a gust of cold wind passing behind him. He immediately looked on guard, but before he could make any sound, he fell down.

Yuan Xiang flew forward and before the torch landed on the ground, he raised his foot and kicked it up. He reached out to catch it and made a "keep up" gesture to the subordinates behind him with his other hand.

Soon, a fire suddenly broke out in the granary here, and the guard shouted in alarm: "It's on fire! Put out the fire!"

However, as soon as he finished speaking, he turned his head and saw strange firelights lighting up in other directions behind him.

The guarding soldiers reacted suddenly, drew their swords and shouted: "There are assassins!"

Everyone was on alert immediately, and the deafening sound of warning gongs sounded. The guards everywhere stood up in a hurry, picked up their weapons and rushed over. In their sight, they saw countless rockets, as dense as the rain of fire falling from the sky, heading towards them. Come.

The rocket took advantage of the wind and destroyed their plan to put out the fire.

The sparks connected closely, and with the help of the night wind, they quickly turned into seas of fire.

In the chaos, some people shouted to put out the fire, some shouted to defend the enemy, and some people issued orders: "Quick! Report this to Jizhou quickly and inform the envoys! Send troops to help quickly!"

A group of soldiers who went to report the news were shot off their horses shortly after mounting their horses.

But as the fire here grew bigger and bigger, it quickly alerted the patrol troops on the outside. They quickly divided into two groups, one came here to check and the other headed toward Jizhou to report the news.

After the rocket offensive, Yuan Xiang and others fought head-on with the guards.

Killing is not the purpose, the purpose is to escape, and to delay the time of these people putting out the fire as much as possible. Whether it is a granary or an armory, there are corresponding fire prevention and fire-fighting measures. It will not take a moment to burn everything. If you let go When the fire leaves, it is equivalent to failure.

The Iron Stone Fort guard had the advantage of on-site defense, but Yuan Xiang and others had learned all the intelligence and troop deployment here from Hong Chen, so they were able to seize the opportunity and take the initiative, enough to achieve an accurate defeat.

With the death of the guard commander of Iron Stone Fort in the hands of Deputy General Yu, and the fire being completely out of control, the defense here completely collapsed.

Yuan Xiang and Lieutenant General Yu led 2,000 men, fought and retreated, and finally successfully evacuated Iron Stone Fort at dawn.

There were also pursuers on the way, but they were already out of control. The 2,000 Xuance troops who came this time were all elite cavalry that could equal ten, and they were best at speeding surprise attacks and breaking through encirclements.

They rode through the thin morning light and galloped through the ice and snow, quickly leaving behind the iron stone fortress that was filled with smoke.

"Inform the Governor, Deputy General Yu and they are back!"

Yuan Xiang and others galloped for a day and a half, and safely returned to the military camp outside Youzhou City on the afternoon of the seventh day of the lunar month.

After Lieutenant General Yu dismounted, he immediately went to see Cui Jing. His face that was chapped by the wind was filled with a high-spirited smile, and his salute was particularly powerful: "To the Commander-in-Chief, the general and others have fortunately survived their orders! "

He will explain the results, and the counselors and generals in Cui Jing's tent will feel relieved and excited.

This trip destroyed the weapons granary in Mount Kangding in one fell swoop. This move was considered a success!

The counselor surnamed Jiao at the top subconsciously said: "We should inform Governor Chang of this good news as soon as possible!"

"That's right!" A general stood up: "I will go to the ordinary governor now!"

They were so "diligent" not just because they wanted to show off in front of their own governor. Although they didn't get along with Chang Sui Ning for a long time, as the recipients of favors and help, they had unknowingly developed feelings for the strategizing girl. Trust and respect.

Especially the older generals, sometimes when I think about it, they themselves find it very strange. At their age, after fighting for so long, they have seen everything they should have seen, and it is already difficult to believe it. There is no one else, not to mention that the other party is just a girl of seventeen or eighteen years old...

But in fact, they had an unspeakable feeling of trust and closeness to the girl. To be honest, they looked at the girl and even felt a little familiar.

This feeling of "déjà vu" is different from how they view Chang Sui'an, who is very similar to Chang Kuo when he was young.

And for some reason, occasionally in a daze, they would even feel that when the other party was sitting in the tent discussing matters and arrangements with them, it seemed that he was not a visitor, but that he originally belonged here...

Perhaps it was because they were too eager for the Governor to become a family with Governor Chang as he wished?

Seeing that many people wanted to report to Governor Chang, Vice General Yu said: "Yuanxiang has passed!"

As soon as Yuanxiang got off his horse, he carried the sack and went straight to Governor Chang's camp. That scene made Vice General Yu have a moment of doubt in his heart - does Cui Yuanxiang still know who his master is now?

But it doesn't matter. After all, the governor gave his dowry... well, even his family fortune to the governor Chang, and there was no shortage of Cui Yuanxiang on either side.

At this moment, Yuan Xiang is offering treasures to Chang Sui Ning.

Chang Sui'an, Shepherd's Purse, He Wuhu and others were all there, and they were all looking at the "treasure" that was poured out of the sack.

"What kind of dog is this? This big head and big paws look like a tiger?" Chang Sui'an's eyes were full of novelty.

The big dog's hands and feet were tied, and its mouth was tied with cloth strips. The brown-black hair on its body was knotted, and its droopy eyes were full of wariness. It seemed that it was hungry and thirsty, and it made pitiful groans in its throat.

Yuan Xiang felt somewhat guilty for having deceived other people's feelings. Seeing that he was a rare and good dog, he simply stole the dog back without any hesitation.

Chang Suining took a look and said, "It should be a mastiff."

Yuan Xiang was a little surprised: "Ms. Chang actually recognizes mastiffs?"

Chang Suining nodded: "But it seems to be a cross between a mastiff and other common dog breeds. The body shape and coat color are slightly different, and the temperament is much docile."

Chang Suining said, squatting down, raising his hand to try to open one side of the canine teeth, and said: "And it is still young, probably not yet under age."

"That's great!" Yuan Xiang grinned and said, "It's just right for you to raise me, Mrs. Chang. She's young and she's still well-raised!"

Chang Suining: "You brought it back, why don't you keep it for yourself?"

Nowadays, mastiffs are hard to find because of their fierce nature, and it is said that they can fight with tigers and wolves. Those of good quality and pure blood have been valued at high prices by powerful families in the capital.

Yuan Xiang scratched his head and smiled: "My subordinates deceived it, fearing that it would hold a grudge in its heart."

As he spoke, the big dog raised its eyelids and glanced at him feebly.

"I'm afraid it thinks you are some kind of dog immortal and wants to ask you for advice on how to transform into a human being."

As Chang Suining spoke, she tried to untie the cloth on the dog's mouth. The big dog subconsciously opened its mouth to bite, but she stepped back in time to avoid it.

After a while, Chang Suining took out a chestnut and asked it: "Can you eat this?" The day before yesterday, Cui Jing found a basket of chestnuts from nowhere, cooked them and dried them, and had them delivered to her tent. .

Chang Suining threw the chestnut to the big dog's mouth, and the big dog sniffed it with its nose warily. After all, it was too hungry, so it opened its mouth and bit it.

It tilted its head and chewed, then spit out a few chestnut shells covered in saliva, with no chestnut meat left on them.

After the big dog finished eating, he pupated a few times with great effort, raised his head towards Chang Suining, and stuck out his tongue to express that he still wanted to eat.

Chang Sui An just untied it, and it sat up, assuming an upright and obedient begging posture.

"This dog has a strange understanding of human nature!" He Wuhu said curiously: "General, please keep it, my subordinates will help you raise it!"

I wonder what man can resist having a majestic big dog by his side!

Chang Sui An urged: "Ning Ning, give it a name!"

Chang Suining, who had difficulty naming it, looked at the chestnut shell on the ground. It was very similar to the brown and black fur on the big dog, and said, "How about calling it Black Chestnut?"

"Good name."

It was Cui Jing who answered.

The curtain here was beaten up. Chang Suining looked up and saw Cui Jing walking in.

Yuanxiang and others hurriedly saluted.

Cui Jing glanced at Yuan Xiang, then looked at the big dog lying on the ground eating chestnuts, and said: "You are a thief who never makes a mistake."

Yuan Xiang laughed "hey": "I think it's the first time for me to go out during the Chinese New Year. If I come back empty-handed, it's not a good sign."

Chang Sui Ning asked Cui Jing with a smile: "What do you think of this dog, Commander Cui?"

Cui Jing nodded: "Yes, the chestnuts are peeled well."

Chang Suining looked at him suspiciously: "...Do you want to say that it is better than me?"

Cui Jing coughed lightly: "How dare you."

A few people teased the dogs and joked for a while, then Chang Suining stood up and got down to business: "Tieshi Castle was attacked, and there should have been some action in Jizhou City."

Cui Jing followed her, sat down beside the tables, nodded and said: "Everything has been arranged in Jizhou City, we are just waiting for the news."

Chang Suining looked outside the tent: "No matter what Kang Cong chooses in the end, the Iron Stone Fort granary has been destroyed, which is equivalent to severely damaging Kangding Mountain. This plan will not be a loss."

There are no absolutes in the world. In the end, the strategy of war is based on people's hearts, but people's hearts are the most changeable.

But even if Kangding Mountain can survive to mobilize troops, without the support of the rear granary, it is equivalent to being strangled by the throat. Even if it has to fight, Xuance's army can complete the war at a smaller cost.

But compared to "smaller", Chang Suining still hopes to end this turmoil at the "minimum" cost.

Whether her wish can be realized depends on Kang Cong's choice and luck.

…

Today is the sixth day since Kang Cong woke up from coma.

During these six days, he developed a high fever, felt restless, and had constant nightmares.

He dreamed of many things in his childhood. Once, no, more than once... his father rushed in drunkenly, whipped him with a whip, and called him a bitch.

He woke up in horror and subconsciously touched his shoulder. The old scar was still there.

His father not only beat him, but also punched and kicked his mother-in-law from time to time. She never resisted. She told him with every move she made that her father was God, and she could only survive by pleasing her father.

So he never thought about hating his father, maybe because he knew that the word "hate" was too heavy, and he couldn't afford to hate his father. His father was vigilant and guarded, and never gave him the ability to hate. If he let himself go, To hate will only destroy yourself.

So he desperately tried to please his father, which almost became a self-disciplined habit.

On the day he and Hong Chen set off, he put on that fox fur coat, which was his most majestic coat. The fox fur on it was hunted by his sister—

He put it on and rode on the horse, full of strength. He wanted to prove himself to his father and make his father look at him with admiration, but things went against his wishes...

However, even if that mission was successful, would his father really show love and appreciation to him?

When he was young, he always looked forward to growing up, thinking that when he grew up, he would have more power and no longer be bullied. However, as he grew up, he discovered that many powers could not be achieved by himself and needed the blessing of external forces. , but his father was always reluctant to share those external forces with him...

In the dream, from the perspective of a bystander, he saw his brothers standing next to his father, and like a homeless dog, he could only crawl in the distance and wait for the food crumbs they threw at them with laughter.

He suddenly felt angry, it was the first time in his life that he had such clear anger - why? Why? !

He has always only hated his brother, but all this suffering and injustice clearly stems from his father!

His father will never change his mind about him. Even if he does become stronger, what awaits him will only be his father's suspicion and caution, rather than appreciation!

This sudden and clear realization caused the fortress of self-deception he had built since childhood to collapse.

In another dream, he saw the horse that brought him back. The horse became his incarnation. He saw with his own eyes the end of being cooked and eaten, and then woke up suddenly.

After waking up, what was waiting for him was another nightmare.

Kang Cong, who was soaked in cold sweat, was sitting on the bed gasping for air when Yuezhi and a maid hurried over.

Kang Cong learned from his mother's extremely flustered words that his father wanted to see him.

In other words, to question him.

This sudden questioning clearly meant that something had happened.

"The carriages and horses are already waiting outside..." Yuezhi and the maid hurriedly dressed her son, and said in a trembling voice: "After you see your father, remember to explain it to him..."

"It's useless..." Kang Cong stood weakly by the couch and muttered: "He will definitely kill me."

Yuezhi looked pale: "No, your father won't..."

At this time, rapid footsteps came in, accompanied by the girl's scolding: "Everyone, get out!" (End of this chapter)