Three thousand miles in exile

The smoke on Tongtian Peak has been burning for many days, and the six counties of Cenzhou continue to be under martial law.

However, as the good news came down the mountain again and again, the people's confidence increased greatly, and at the same time they began to live a normal life from restlessness to calmness.

It was at this time that the imperial convoy Zhao Hengfu and his team entered the border of Cenzhou.

"Grandpa, look at the rice fields. Isn't Qiyun Mountain a barren place? Where is it impoverished and barbaric?" Zhao Fuling was very surprised. He rode back and forth from time to time to see the rice with ears hanging in the fields.

Zhao Hengfu raised the curtain of the car and looked at the scenery along the road after entering Cenzhou. He was not at peace, but he didn't show it on his face.

After entering the boundary of Cenzhou, there are endless terraced fields on both sides of the post road, and the people seen on the road are clean and tidy, and the village houses in the fields are well arranged.

What I saw and heard along the road was completely contrary to the rumors in the capital that Qiyun Mountain was a barren place.

Also, as soon as they stepped into Cenzhou, they knew from the guards that the Yan army was attacking Qiyun Mountain.

The war has been going on for many days, but there are no people fleeing along the way.

Not only did the people not flee, but they went to work in the fields in an orderly manner. The vendors in the passing county were still operating as usual, and Zhao Hengfu was amazed.

"Grandpa, is this really the place under the jurisdiction of my cousin?" Zhao Fuling always had endless questions.

Zhao Jizhang, who was sitting in a carriage in front, poked his head out and scolded: "Just ask your cousin Zhan when you get there, don't bother grandpa anymore."

During this trip, Liu Zhan's grandfather, Zhao Hengfu, won the post of imperial envoy, and went to Qiyun Army to announce the imperial decree and inspect military affairs along the way.

Speaking of this matter, there was a fierce quarrel between the Zhou family and the Chen family and the Lu family in the court over who should be the imperial envoy to the Qi Yun army.

The Zhou family did not want the imperial court to have contact with Qi Yunjun, and insisted that the eunuch who was close to the Zhou family be an imperial envoy. How could the Chen family and the Lu family make Zhou's wish, and objected on the grounds that the eunuchs did not participate in politics.

In the end, Zhao Hengfu recommended himself. He was a veteran of the three dynasties. The Zhao family had always been neutral and did not participate in either the Zhou family or the Chen family and the Lu family.

That night, Zhao Hengfu and his party stayed at the post station in Dingbian County.

Because Zhao Hengfu deliberately kept a low profile and did not disturb the local officials along the way, otherwise he would cause some shock wherever he went as a third-rank official.

Early the next morning, the grandpa and grandson were woken up by the noise of gongs and drums. Zhao Fuling opened the window, only to see yamen servants rushing to tell each other on the long flagstone street.

"Tongtianguan Great Victory!! The Swallow Thief is defeated!!"

At noon, another yamen servant held up a notice and read it aloud at Caishikou.

"General Qi Yun's order, the whole army will be rewarded! The infantry will be rewarded with one mu of land, the cavalry will be rewarded with two acres of land, and the Mo Daoshou will be rewarded with three acres of land. There are also first-class merit..., second-class merit..., third-class merit..."

Immediately, the people danced with joy. "My son is Mo Dao Shou! This battle has won first-class merit! It is on the list!!"

The surrounding people congratulated one after another, and the voices of envy were endless.

Zhao Jizhang was concerned about his old father's health and wanted to use lunch before setting off. What he saw along the way made Zhao Hengfu unable to sit still at all, and insisted that the group set off for Wuyuan County immediately.

On the way to Wuyuan County, I saw some farmhouses in the villages along the way wearing red and hanging colors. It turned out that people who had won military exploits were celebrating.

It is said that some people accumulated more than ten acres of private land after accumulating first-class merit rewards. For ordinary farmers, it is tantamount to getting rich overnight, and it is not an immediate celebration.

"Grandpa, does my cousin have so many fields? A soldier has an acre of land." Zhao Fuling was surprised and amazed.

Zhao Hengfu glanced at Sun this time, shook his head and sighed. "You."

"Grandpa?" Zhao Fuling was so simple-minded that he couldn't think of anything too complicated.

"You can see that Qiyun Mountain is covered with land all over the mountains and plains. The most important thing your cousin needs is land." Zhao Hengfu put it bluntly.

Liu Zhan is now the master of Qiyun Mountain, and he can be the master of this barren mountain and wild land. The land rewarded by military merits will be cultivated, and taxes will be collected in the coming year, which can not only generate income but also motivate the soldiers and civilians.

And Song Fenglin, who came up with this ingenious plan, made General Qi Yun look at him with admiration again, and he was being dragged on the bed by Hu Tianhai.

After the war, everything was waiting to be done, Song Fenglin still had a lot of things to do, Liu Zhan carried him away like a gust of wind, Song Fenglin lost his helmet and armor, there was no room for resistance.

"This general serves you personally. Are you touched by this honor? Huh?"

Who serves whom?Song Fenglin lay on his stomach and didn't even have the strength to roll his eyes.

Liu Zhan had to get enough of the desires he had accumulated for a month. When Song Fenglin came to his senses, it was already dark, so let's go to sleep and wake up.

I fell asleep until the next morning.

"Mr. Song!!" Zhang Xiaoman rushed into Tiancang Village Liu's rebuilt general office in panic.

"Mr. Song!!"

"What happened?" Song Fenglin just got up to wash up.

He put on a crescent-white cross-collar Confucian uniform and was tying his belt, making sure that his neck was blocked before stepping out of the room.

Zhang Xiaoman looked so frightened that he couldn't speak easily.

"Mr. Song!! That!! There is an imperial envoy here!! Said!! Said that there is an imperial decree!! The general has not returned from the morning training on the mountain, what should we do?"

Song Fenglin was taken aback for a moment, but soon calmed down again. "Don't panic! Did the imperial envoy say his name?"

"Then, that lord calls himself Zhao Hengfu, Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites!" Zhang Xiaoman swallowed.

Song Fenglin's phoenix eyes widened, and he immediately walked out of the general's yamen with his sleeves thrown.

I saw a few carriages parked on the stone road outside the yamen, and an old man in sixties surrounded by more than twenty guards.

The old man was not wearing an official uniform, but Zhang Xiaoman and the others dared not look directly at him because of his majesty.

Song Fenglin restrained his turbulent emotions, bowed respectfully and performed the junior salute. "Meet the teacher."

"Shiqing." Excited, Zhao Hengfu grasped Song Fenglin's hand, looked him up and down, and then sighed when he saw that he was fine.

"I couldn't help you back then. I am ashamed of your grandfather. This matter has been kept in my heart. Finally, I have the opportunity to come and see. I heard that you and Zhan'er have made a breakthrough, so it's great."

Song Fenglin's eyes were moved. "The students know that it was the result of the teacher's mediation that Qi Yunshan was sent to the same place of exile as the Liu family. Otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence."

"At that time, the former emperor and former ministers were all in danger, and this old man was thinking of giving it a try." Zhao Hengfu held Song Fenglin's hand tightly.

"You and your father have both been tortured and exiled alone. There is no way to survive. The Liu family came here before you. With the character of the old man and the son-in-law, if they can meet each other, they will definitely not ignore them."

Song Fenglin nodded with tears in his eyes.

When the atmosphere was just right, a scabbard came in and separated the hands of the two.

"Who are you?" Liu Zhan frowned. He had just returned from morning training and was only wearing a single shirt, which was tied loosely, revealing a piece of bronze-colored chest muscles.

Not only Zhao Hengfu was stunned, but Zhao Jizhang and Zhao Fuling were also stunned.

But seeing the young man in front of him is more than eight feet tall, handsome and vigorous, his deep eyes reveal an intimidating aura, although his clothes are simple but he dare not offend.

Behind Liu Zhan was a group of men with an average height of more than eight feet. It was Cao Zhuang and the others who were training with Liu Zhan in the morning. This vicious scene could stop children from crying at night.

Song Fenglin quickly grabbed Liu Zhan. "See you soon, this is your grandfather!"

Liu Zhan, including this group of men, was stunned.

The scene of confessing relatives is not described, Zhao Hengfu was enshrined in the chief seat in the general's yamen, Liu Zhan was already fully dressed, and Song Fenglin made tea himself.

Zhao Hengfu briefly explained the cause and effect of his visit to northern Xinjiang this time, and only then did Liu Zhan and Song Fenglin know that the good news had caused so many incidents.

Liu Zhan snorted coldly. "Zhou Chan wears the skin of a gentleman, but in fact he behaves like a villain in the world. I knew early on that Zhou Chan was ignorant of the military exploits of Qi Yun's army. I have been holding back and waiting for a chance to become famous in one battle."

Otherwise, how could Emperor Xuan attach importance to Qi Yun's army, and how could he readily give Liu Zhan the power of the governor Qi Yunshan.

"It's rare that you have such a state of mind at such a young age." Zhao Jizhang sighed.

"Uncle's reputation is too high, we have to be careful in the frontier where there are dangers everywhere." Liu Zhan smiled normally.

The modesty and foresight he showed from time to time made Zhao Hengfu like this grandson even more.

Zhao Hengfu has worked tirelessly to come to Northern Xinjiang this time, not only to see his daughter, but more importantly, he wants to see Liu Zhan.

Zhao Hengfu has always learned about Beijiang and Qiyunshan through letters. He is very curious about how Liu Zhan manages Qiyunshan, and also curious about what kind of army the Qiyun army is able to become famous in this adversity.

Song Fenglin served tea to Zhao Hengfu and Zhao Jizhang, and when it was Zhao Fuling's turn, Zhao Fuling grasped Song Fenglin's hand with admiration on his face.

"Brother Fenglin, do you still remember me? You taught me the thousand-character prose when I was a child."

"Of course I remember." Song Fenglin pulled his hand away calmly.

Liu Zhan narrowed his eyes slightly, always paying attention to Song Fenglin's reminiscences, while they talked about the relationship between Prince Rui and Zhou Chan that was no longer the same.

"There is a rift between Prince Rui and Zhou Chan because of the emperor's eldest grandson." Liu Zhan explained.

Zhao Hengfu and Zhao Jizhang listened with serious expressions.

"Cao Meiren, the birth mother of the emperor's grandson, is the firework woman I sent someone to find from Jiangnan." Liu Zhan sat calmly and calmly without anger.

"It's also her own struggle. Among the women who entered Prince Rui's residence in the same group, she was the first to become pregnant. Zhou Chan aborted all the younger ones. Only Cao Meiren's belly started to move. Prince Rui was reluctant to protect it."

Liu Zhan took a sip of tea and calmly summarized what happened at that time.

"It wasn't until Zhou Chan learned that it was his son who gave birth to his son, and immediately led troops into Prince Rui's mansion to deal with the emperor's eldest grandson privately. The first time I robbed the emperor's eldest grandson, I blocked him back. Afterwards, perhaps Prince Rui and Zhou Chan reached a deal. The eldest grandson was sent to the countryside outside the city to be raised in captivity."

Knowing the complete story, Zhao Hengfu and Zhao Jizhang both gasped, and at the same time, the father and son immediately thought of Zhou's recent proposal.

"Do you know that the Zhou family recently insisted on restoring the ancient rituals of the previous dynasty, and wanted to make the eldest son the crown prince?" Zhao Hengfu said with a serious face.

Liu Zhan's expression changed slightly, and he looked at Song Fenglin.

Song Fenglin's mind was clear, and he guessed that it was almost inseparable just by deduction. "If the ancient rituals of the previous dynasty were carried out, the eldest grandson of the emperor would be the prospective crown prince. How could the Zhou family allow blood that is not from the Zhou family to ascend to the throne of God?"

No wonder Zhou Chan's reaction was so intense, no wonder Zhou Chan wanted to control Prince Rui's heir even if he fell out with Prince Rui.

"Exactly! This old man has another very important purpose for coming here, which is to meet the eldest grandson of the emperor." Zhao Hengfu said seriously.

All the aristocratic families in the capital knew of the existence of the emperor's eldest grandson, but no one knew the authenticity. It would be best if they could see it first.

But Zhao Hengfu didn't force it, after all, Liu Zhan is now a general, maybe he also has his own plans.

Unexpectedly, Liu Zhan readily agreed. "The eldest grandson of the emperor is in Cangyun Town. Before the Yan army attacked the city, we sent someone to pick him up. Grandpa can see him anytime he wants."

Speaking of the eldest grandson of the emperor, Liu Zhan sneered. "If you count the days, Prince Rui should know that the eldest grandson of the emperor is missing."

The relationship between the two uncles and nephews will only get worse.

Zhao Hengfu and Zhao Jizhang glanced at each other, and they both felt that Liu Zhan must have some deep meaning, but they couldn't figure it out for a while.

Song Fenglin explained: "When Prince Rui finds out that the eldest grandson of the emperor is missing, he will only think that he is the killer sent by Zhou Chan. Save it in your hand."

In this way, Prince Rui will only trust and appreciate Liu Zhan more, and the relationship with Liu Zhan will be unbreakable.

"This counts in seconds!" Zhao Jizhang clapped his palms and sighed.

"Grandpa." Liu Zhan tilted Erlang's legs and leaned against the back of the chair, and there was a flash of fear in his eyes that only Song Fenglin could understand, fearing that the world would not be chaotic.

"Do you dare to take a gamble?"

Zhao Hengfu was stunned.

Prior to this, Liu Zhan and Song Fenglin had already discussed the issue of whether the emperor's eldest grandson would stay or stay. Zhao Hengfu came at the right time, and this matter can be discussed face to face.

"The eldest grandson of the emperor has a copper lock on his body, and there is a note written on silk hidden in the lock." Liu Zhan leaned towards Zhao Hengfu and said in a low voice.

"The date and time of birth of the emperor's eldest grandson, the name of his biological father in the place of birth, and the characteristics of where there are moles and scars on his body, etc. are also stamped with the great seal of Prince Rui."

That is to say, even if the eldest grandson of the emperor is separated from Prince Rui, as long as he relies on this copper lock and the note inside the copper lock, his identity can be verified.

Zhao Hengfu's expression changed dramatically.

Liu Zhan continued: "You bring Cao Meiren and the emperor's eldest grandson back to Beijing to raise them up secretly, if Prince Rui can ascend the throne and become emperor in the future..."

There is no need to say what happened next, the expressions of Zhao Hengfu and Zhao Jizhang's father and son changed several times.

"Ling'er, you go outside." The matter was of great importance, Zhao Hengfu helped his grandson who was not yet stable.

Zhao Fuling was full of reluctance but walked out of the hall obediently.

Now that the Zhou family is in full swing, there is no suspense that Prince Rui will be the next emperor, Zhou Xiang is old, Zhou Chan will take over as the Patriarch of the Zhou family sooner or later, it can be said that the future world of Great Chu will belong to Prince Rui and Zhou Chan sooner or later.

"The Zhou family used Emperor Xuan to destroy the Song family to eliminate dissidents and gain power. This is because Emperor Xuan has hatred in his heart. Grandpa doesn't think that Prince Rui at this time is a bit like Emperor Xuan who was a prince back then?"

There was a gleam in Liu Zhan's eyes when he put down the teacup. "We, Mr. Song, often say that the world is impermanent. Who can guarantee that the next generation of the Zhou family will still be honored and favored? Right now, Prince Rui is still just Prince Rui. If Prince Rui ascends the throne."

The Son of Heaven kept his promise, and Xiang Shi's room for manipulation became infinite.

"The eldest grandson of the emperor is a black thorn in Prince Rui's heart, an irreparable rift between Prince Rui and Zhou Chan, this rift will only become more and more torn, and Zhou Chan's persecution of the eldest grandson in northern Xinjiang will be his reminder in the future symbol."

Liu Zhan calmly said something that could drive people crazy. "Grandpa, the existence of the emperor's eldest grandson is the opportunity to activate Zhou's life-threatening talisman. If it is operated properly, it is not impossible to become the prince."

For a moment, the entire high hall was so quiet that a needle could be heard.

This strategy was decided by Liu Zhan and Song Fenglin after countless deduction. The emperor's eldest grandson does not have to become a prince to use it. It is enough to use the emperor's eldest grandson to destroy the Zhou family.

Song Fenglin's eyes were cold.

The two don't regret giving this big gift to the Zhao family. Liu Zhan has no intention of entering the court, and Song Fenglin doesn't want to return to Beijing. They only want revenge.

On the surface, Zhao Hengfu seemed to be able to maintain himself so that he would not be rude, but in fact, his right hand was firmly grasping the handle of the grand master's chair.

If you win this gamble, the profit is naturally difficult to estimate. If you lose... If the secret is revealed, the family may be killed.

However, everything in the world depends on blessings and misfortunes, and only those who dare to take risks can get huge rewards.

Looking at the Zhao family again, because Zhao Hengfu and the Liu family and the Song family were close, they could not be reused during the reign of Emperor Xuan.

Back then, the Zhou Clan fought against dissidents. Fortunately, Zhao Hengfu was a great Confucian of the time, who was highly respected and could not be moved easily, so Emperor Xuan kept him in the position of Shangshu of the Ministry of Rites for the elderly.

However, the Zhao family's network was not able to develop due to fear, and Zhao Jizhang, who was born as the number one scholar, was once famous in the capital, but after so many years, he only had a fifth-rank servant to study in the Ministry of Industry.

Now that Emperor Xuan's health is worsening year after year due to his obsession with women's elixir, it is a certainty that the Zhou family will promote Prince Rui as the crown prince, but it is a matter of whether it will be sooner or later.

In such a situation, instead of fighting for the slim chance with the Zhou family, it is better to secretly plan for Prince Rui's ascension to the throne as empress.

Although the Zhao family and the Liu family were suppressed during Emperor Xuan's reign, it has only been about 12 years. The two families have strong connections. They have their own tricks on how to hide the emperor's eldest grandson in the capital.

Liu Zhan was convinced that as long as Zhao Hengfu dared to gamble, the matter would most likely be successful. As for the final result, it would depend on Zhao's ability.

After some weighing, Zhao Hengfu stood up and bowed to Liu Zhan. "Although we are grandparents, Zhan'er, I thank you on behalf of the Zhao family."

The implication is that Mrs. Zhao took over the game.

Liu Zhan also stood up. "Grandfather is serious."

Zhao Hengfu laughed heartily and shook Liu Zhan's hand. "Take me to meet your mother, it's been more than ten years."

The Liu Mansion in Cangyun Town received the news in advance that Liu Xueyuan, Song Yijun and others were waiting outside the Liu Mansion with all their relatives, and set up an incense table to welcome the imperial decree.

Descending from Tiancang Village, in order to show respect for the imperial decree, Zhao Hengfu and his son, Liu Zhan and his soldiers all changed into official uniforms.

Song Fenglin wanted to follow at the end of the team, but Liu Zhan refused to let him ride side by side. The soldiers surrounded a group of officials and lords to cross the road, making the people along the way fear and avoid.

On the long street outside Liu's mansion, the common people flocked to know that there was an imperial envoy to announce the imperial decree. Liu Xueyuan had to ask the guards to maintain order.

When the imperial envoy really arrived, thousands of people lined up silently on the left and right sides of the long street, and no one dared to rush forward.

Seeing the old father and elder brother, Mrs. Zhao covered her mouth and cried uncontrollably. Song Fengxi supported the eldest lady and comforted her softly.

Zhao Hengfu read out the imperial decree, and everyone present knelt down and prostrated themselves on the mountain to shout long live.

Emperor Xuan rectified the name of Liu Zhan's General Qi Yun, officially conferring him as the third-rank general Qi Yun and governor Qi Yunshan, and also rewarded him with gold, silver, jewelry and jade ornaments.

Along with the imperial decree came Liu Zhan's third-rank official red official uniform and official hat and jade belt. Official uniforms above the third rank were all made and rewarded by the imperial court. This exquisite workmanship demonstrated the supreme power.

Liu Zhan took the imperial decree with both hands, he didn't care about the official position, only the five words "Captain Qi Yunshan"!

With these five characters, he can stand against Zhou Chan in northern Xinjiang, and Zhou Chan can no longer shake his prestige in front of Liu Zhan.

Liu Zhan stood up with the imperial decree in his hand, his eyes were shining brightly, and no one would hinder him from doing things in the future!