[Rebirth] General waiting for my return

With the spring breeze already blowing in Zhongdu, it seems to be a bit colder than usual tonight.

In the Ninghe Hall, Tan Muqiu held the unfolded "Red Plum Picture" in his hand, without saying a word.This painting of Momei was painted before he died in battle. At that time, he only remembered that Yanji seemed to have inscribed on it, but he didn't have time to take a look at what the other party wrote.

"The snow follows the deep winter solstice, and the plum blossoms follow the thick snow." Zhao Qingming opened his mouth, but only read the first two sentences, and then said: "You drew the plum, but you didn't inscribe the words."

Tan Muqiu put the painting on the book case, and said to Zhao Qingming: "On that day, Guzhou, which has been in winter for a long time, first fell heavily. The prince led the army to fight and asked me to stay in the camp. I have nothing to do, so I drew this ink painting by hand. Mei, the sentence you read just now was written by Yanji, that is Wuyun's senior brother, you met him when you were in Guzhou."

Zhao Qingming hummed, but his eyes stopped on the last line of the poem.

Since it was "a farewell", it must have been written by Tan Muqiu after his death in battle, but the word "Lovesickness" seemed too dazzling to the two of them at this time.

"Where do you ask about life and death when you don't love each other?" Tan Muqiu read the last sentence softly, and then murmured: "This is his handwriting."

Tan Muqiu stroked the little blood on the paper with his fingers, and suddenly remembered Li Jin's appearance when he heard the news of his death when he died in battle and returned to Chang Ning's army.

The man who had always been cold and resolute faced half a pair of broken armor, his hands were trembling, and he could hardly stand up.When the man turned around, the blood spattered Tan Muqiu's body again across time and space.

"I'm sorry..." Tan Muqiu raised one hand to cover his face, suppressed his sobs and said, "Leave me alone for a while."

Zhao Qingming stood where he was, his shadow stretched long by the flickering candlelight.

"I'm right at the door, I'm not going anywhere." After saying that, he left the Hall of Condensation and Harmony.

The moment the palace door was closed, Tan Muqiu covered his face and burst into tears.Ever since Li Jin came to Zhongdu last time, he has been deliberately not thinking of him.He didn't know how to distinguish Li Jin's feelings for him, and he couldn't distinguish his own feelings for the other party for a long time.He deludes himself into thinking that he can rest easy by leaving things behind.

However, the "Picture of Red Plums" that Yu Yun included in his reply made Tan Muqiu's long-hidden thoughts instantly revealed.

Qin Muqiu knew in his heart that even if he knew that Li Jin and Li Yu had an extraordinary relationship, even if he knew that Li Jin had lied to him, he couldn't deny that he loved Li Jin once out of control, and to this day , the other party can still affect his emotions.

The night wind is slightly cool, and the moon and stars are rare.

Zhao Qingming stood in front of the hall in a military uniform, holding a saber in one hand and hanging by his side with the other.

He has been repeating the phrase in his heart, "If you don't miss you, where will you ask about life and death?"

Seven years ago, Qin Muqiu was forced to be sent to Beijun. Since then, he has never dared to mention the other party in front of anyone, nor did he dare to inquire about the other party's news.Fearing that he would violate the taboos of the first emperor or Li Yu, he decided to kill the weeds and root them out.

In the following years, he occasionally heard the news that Tan Muqiu followed King Ning'an to the north and south, and as long as he was sure that the other party was still alive, he would secretly rejoice for a while.

I remember that one year, when he got the news that the Red Maple Camp was trapped in the heavy snow in the northern border, he was anxious, and even moved to the northern border to find him.Fortunately, news came later that Chang Ning's army had won a complete victory in the northern border. He was convinced that the opponent was not in danger of life, so he was relieved.However, because of the heavy worries, he has been bedridden for nearly half a month since then.

Zhao Qingming thought that there was no one in this world who could better understand the feeling of exhaustion of lovesickness and uneasy thoughts all day long, but just now when he saw the last line of the poem on the picture of red plums, he knew he was wrong.

If you don't love each other deeply, you definitely won't have such an experience.

It turned out that King Ning'an had feelings for Tan Muqiu.

"General Zhao." A guard trotted over, interrupting his thoughts, and said, "Your Majesty announced you into the palace, saying that there is something important to discuss."

Zhao Qingming took a deep breath, and stepped into the Ninghe Hall.

In the hall, Tan Muqiu stood in front of the desk, and Shangwai stood not far away.The two did not talk, as if they were waiting for Zhao Qingming.

After Zhao Qingming came in, he stood next to Shang et al. Seeing Tan Muqiu lowering his head, he probably cried. His eyes must still be red, and he didn't want others to see him.

"General Zhao, it's spring cold right now, and it's cold outside at night. If you stay outside for a long time, remember to wear a windbreaker." Shang waited to remind Zhao Qingming who was wrapped in a layer of coolness beside him.

Tan Muqiu couldn't help looking up at Zhao Qingming when he heard the words, Shang Zi's red eyes were full of concern, and he looked at each other's eyes without any hesitation, and the two of them couldn't tell which one was more distressed.

"It doesn't matter." Zhao Qingming said, as if he was talking to Shang et al., but his eyes kept looking at Tan Muqiu.

Tan Muqiu picked up the letter on the table and said, "General Zhao, take a look at this letter first."

Hearing this, Zhao Qingming took a few steps forward and stretched out his hand to receive the letter. His fingertips inadvertently brushed Tan Muqiu's fingers, leaving a trace of coolness.Tan Muqiu frowned, and while the other party was reading the letter, he went to get a robe for the other party.

Shang waited on the sidelines, observing his nose and mind, until Zhao Qingming read the letter and Tan Muqiu coughed lightly, then he raised his head and waited for the other party to speak.

"Wait." Tan Muqiu said, "You and General Zhao have known each other since childhood, and he recommended you to me, saying that you are worthy of a great job."

Shang et al couldn't help being a little nervous when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "I am a humble minister, but I will obey your majesty's orders."

Tan Muqiu glanced at Zhao Qingming, then turned to Shangwai, and said, "Tomorrow morning, I will announce the decree, and you will take over General Zhao's seat after tomorrow."

Shang et al was taken aback when he heard the words, and hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, General Zhao has always been loyal to his duties, his virtue and ability are far superior to those of my humble ministers, and my humble ministers would never dare to replace him."

"General Zhao will have a place for him." Tan Muqiu said, "The Southwest War broke out suddenly, and the imperial court is in the midst of employing people. I only hope that you will live up to expectations and perform your duties well after taking office."

It was only after hearing the words that he realized that this person wanted Zhao Qingming to go to the battlefield.Naturally, he had no room to raise objections, he could only accept the decree to thank him, and also expressed his loyalty.Before going out, he did not forget to take a worried look at Zhao Qingming.

"There is no problem with Zhan Xun." Tan Muqiu said: "Wait for another two days, if he is willing to give up the Red Maple Camp, then follow what we said before. If he refuses to give up the Red Maple Camp..."

"He will not refuse." Zhao Qingming said, "Xuan Lin gave him the letter you wrote in your own capacity, so he must be willing."

Tan Muqiu didn't know what to say when he heard the words.

Of the two letters he asked Xuan Lin to take with him, one was written in his own handwriting and identity. In the letter, he said that he had asked Li Yu to go to the southwest, and Li Yu was very happy.If Li Jin also agrees to this move, he will follow Zhan Xun to lead the Hongfeng Camp to the south, and after arriving in Zhongdu, he will meet with him and go to the southwest.

The other letter was written by Li Yu's identity.

Before, Tan Muqiu himself was not sure, he just wanted to gamble, but after seeing the painting, he knew that Li Jin would agree to this move.Because the other party trusted him, maybe he also hoped that he would no longer be a bargaining chip in Li Yu's hands.

However, the other party didn't know that Tan Muqiu was "Li Yu".

"Qingming." Tan Muqiu said with a tired face, "Actually..."

"You don't need to say anything." Zhao Qingming forced a smile and said, "I'm going out of the palace tonight, and I still have some things to arrange. Tomorrow morning, it will be better if I am not present."

Qin Muqiu could only nod upon hearing this.

In the early morning of the next day, it was announced that Shang et al. had been promoted to General of the Habayashi Army, causing an uproar throughout the court.Of course, the courtiers were not surprised by Shang Waiting's sudden promotion, but that Zhao Qingming, who was replaced by others, did not receive any other arrangements, and instead became an idle guard without official position.

"Father, I really don't understand your move." Zhao Shuo shook his head to Zhao Qingming again and again after returning home, and said, "Father is going to lead troops to the southwest soon, and I can't predict whether this trip will be bad or good. , he suddenly dismissed you, so the Zhao family will not have anything to say here."

On the contrary, Zhao Qingming said in a calm manner: "Dayu is about to change, and father still wants to make the Zhao family talk in the middle?"

Zhao Shuo was taken aback when he heard the words, and then suddenly realized, he said: "Your Majesty, this is to keep the Zhao family? You have been dismissed and let me lead the troops to the southwest. If King Ning'an is in power, at least he will not be too jealous The Zhao family."

"Your Majesty will make an agreement with King Ning'an that neither the court's soldiers nor the Chang Ning army will move without authorization until the Southwest War is resolved, so King Ning'an will not be able to sit in that seat for the time being." Zhao Qingming said: "And ...I am the one who goes to the southwest, not you."

Zhao Shuo was shocked when he heard this, and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty wants you to take the Red Maple Battalion to the southwest? Why? I am more suitable than you in terms of commanding troops and combat experience. Why did he send you to fight?"

Zhao Qingming thought, because no one else can command the Red Maple Camp except Tan Muqiu, and the only person who knows Tan Muqiu's identity is himself.Therefore, no one is more suitable than himself to lead the Red Maple Battalion into battle.

"Because His Majesty cannot fully trust you." Zhao Qingming said.

Zhao Shuo was at a loss for words when he heard the words.

Zhao Qingming said again: "I need another antidote from last time."

"The antidote is only one, and I have already given it to you." Zhao Shuo said.

Zhao Qingming said helplessly: "Father, this is the end of the matter, we should have no distinction between you and me, you don't have to shirk this matter anymore, give me an antidote, and the poisoning will be exposed."

Zhao Shuo sighed and said, "Last time I asked the Ninth Prince for the antidote. When I gave it to you, he said that there is only one antidote. It's not that I don't want to give it to you."

Zhao Qingming's eyes froze, and he thought, it's the Ninth Prince again.