Long live the general

Zhang Laiqian was really dissatisfied, he? Looking at Huo Yi, said: "I saw it during the court meeting, obviously you too? I don't agree with Qiu Da Sima's suggestion, why didn't you bring it up? Given how much His Majesty values ​​you, you should I will consider your thoughts."

Huo Yi said: "I actually agree with Qiu Hongguang's idea."

"... Tsk." Zhang Laiqian rubbed his brows: "You generals have a different idea from us. Everyone wants to fight back against foreign enemies and consolidate the results of the war. But it? After all, it is a waste of money... Once the edict How many people have to leave their hometowns and farmland to serve corvee.”

"Now that the war has reached this level, ask the people if they are still willing to empty their homes for the north?"

Huo Yi whispered: "But there are some things that have to be done."

"Is it necessary to establish five counties and station at the border to the point of emptying the national treasury?" The border army is a huge expense. In the past dynasties, one of the means to reduce financial pressure was from the border. Withdrawal.

But the withdrawal of troops from the border is also a harbinger of the imminent collapse of the dynasty.

Zhang Laiqian asked this question meaninglessly, he? After he finished speaking, he couldn't help but sigh.

"Zhang Dasinong, you have never been on the battlefield." Huo Yi said in a deep voice: "You have never seen a warrior who is still standing with a blade, you have never seen a scene where thousands of arrows are piercing through the body and still defending the line, you have never seen The warrior who still charged forward in the face of the enemy's blade...No one wants to die, but on the battlefield, life is the cheapest thing. The brother who was drinking yesterday died by his side today, and his family members are in their hometown I look forward to waiting for those who can’t go back.”

"Such deaths have been repeated countless times, but I would think that their deaths were meaningful."

Huo Yi said: "But if you can't defend the north, if you can't defend the territory they fought so hard, then it's meaningless."

His voice was not loud, but Zhang Laiqian was still shocked. He couldn't help but ask, "But didn't the Huns escape?"

"They can come back anytime."

"return……?"

Huo Yi patted him on the shoulder, said again that it was hard work, did you find a way?, and walked into the hall.

Zhang Laiqian held him back and asked hesitantly, "By the way, have you recently? Haven't heard some speeches..."

"About me?"

"Yes, did you hear that?"

Huo Yi nodded calmly, and Zhang Laiqian looked at him worriedly: "Actually, I don't understand. Why do you want to make way for Qiu Da Sima? In terms of qualifications and prestige, he is not as good as you."

Including Huo Yi's act of keeping his mouth shut at the court meeting, and Zhang Laiqian? I thought he was trying to save Qiu Hongguang.

"It doesn't count as giving way." Huo Yi said with a smile.

Zhang Laiqian: "But those rumors outside have quite a big impact..."

"You can't keep others from talking." Huo Yi pointed? He pointed to the hall. His Majesty would be angry if he didn't go in. He waved to Zhang Laiqian and walked into the hall.

As expected, His Majesty the Emperor waited in the hall for a long time, and his face was not good-looking. When he saw Huo Yi coming in, he immediately changed his expression and said with a smile, "Are you scolding me outside with Zhang Lai potential?"

"How dare you scold you." Huo Yi stepped forward, and there were a few articles scattered on the ground, which seemed to be thrown by His Majesty the Emperor in anger.He picked up a few copies at random, and the words "General Huo" frequently appeared on them.

Zhou Zhenyan directly grabbed his sleeve, let Huo Yi sit beside him, and took away the article in his hand: "What are you looking at?"

"Actually, I've already read it." Huo Yi said, "The writing is similar, but if you think about it carefully, it makes some sense."

He came to the palace today for the purpose of this matter.

After Qiu Hongguang gradually became famous, some concepts of Dayue suddenly spread.

For example, General Huo's military talent is mediocre, and he mainly relies on fighting for kills. He only fights more and less, has no tactics, and has no outstanding record so far, especially compared with Qiu Hongguang.

With 15 cavalry led by Qiu Hongguang, he was able to defeat Zuo Xianwang's 20 troops, and finally captured [-] Xiongnu. His side only lost [-] troops.On Huo Yi's side, he led [-] cavalry, faced with only [-] troops from the military officials, only [-] prisoners, and less than [-] troops left on his own side.

It seems to be a simple math problem, Huo Yi's army has a high casualty rate and fewer victories.It shows that General Huo Da Yue's ability to lead troops is limited, and this battle was also a disastrous victory, which consumed a lot of Da Yue's resources, but did not get corresponding returns.

In general, all the honors obtained by General Huo have been questioned.

Huo Yi picked up an article at random, and after reading it very calmly, he nodded: "This time the consumption is really great."

Zhou Zhen gave him a glare, pulled out the article, and said, "I'll check the source of these remarks."

Huo Yi smiled for a while: "There are so many articles scolding His Majesty in the world, and His Majesty has never gone to the bottom of it. Why make an exception for my minister today."

Zhou Zhenyan: "There is no reason in this world to talk nonsense but not be responsible."

"Actually, there are some things, what they said is indeed correct." Huo Yi said: "Qiu Hongguang is indeed more talented than me, he is a genius."

"I think you are the best." Zhou Zhenyan said naturally.

Huo Yi was speechless for a moment, he was a little ashamed, why? His Majesty could say such words so smoothly and naturally.

Zhou Zhenxie turned Huo Yi's face red, and repeated it again: "General Huo, you are the best."

His eyelashes curled up from bottom to top, and when he looked up at Huo Yi slightly, his straight nose and handsome face became more obvious, his eyes could almost hit his heart, Huo Yi was speechless, unable to resist , speechless, he heard the sound of his heart beating violently, almost exposing all his thoughts and emotions.

As His Majesty the Emperor, the Ninth Five-Year Lord, and the dignified Son of Heaven, how could he speak in such a coquettish tone!

Seeing his reaction, Zhou Zhenxie was half happy and half sad, thinking that General Huo really just took a fancy to this face... and he found that whenever he acted a little weaker, Huo The general's reaction was obvious.

General Huo's heart is really a needle in the sea.

His Majesty the Emperor insisted on investigating the source of the remarks, but Huo Yi couldn't stop him? When he returned, he still faced the double anger of Qiu Hongguang and Huo Lingyue.

"Bullshit!"

"nonsense!"

Huo Lingyue and Qiu Hongguang sat on both sides. Huo Lingyue completely lost her previous dignity and composure, her face flushed, and she said angrily: "They? What? Qualifications pointing! They? They know nothing!"

"Ahem." Huo Yi reminded her: "Xiaoyue, don't swear."

I don’t know what? Qiu Hongguang, who ran over at that time, was even more angry. He thought he was Huo Yi’s personal disciple, and his tactics and strategies were all taught by Huo Yi. Now when outsiders belittle Huo Yi, they are belittling everything he has learned. : "They? They know nothing!"

Huo Yi glanced at him, and Qiu Hongguang shrank his neck.

"You are the big Sima after all? Pay attention to your image." Huo Yi was a little dumbfounded, because the people around him were more reactive than him, so he didn't even have time to get angry, and he had to think about appeasing other people first.

"Then what should I do?" Huo Lingyue asked, "I can't swallow this breath."

Huo Yi didn't tell them what His Majesty was already investigating, and said, "It's just talk? Don't worry about it. After all, I'm the one who receives the salary as the general."

"I can't bear it." Huo Lingyue said.

Huo Yi: "Hey, you..."

"You too? Don't bear it!" Huo Lingyue's eyes widened, with tears in her eyes: "I don't believe that you won't be sad at all if you are questioned like this!"

Of course there is sadness, no matter how hard Huo Yi can figure it out, when he sees this kind of thing suddenly, he will at least feel a throbbing pain in his heart.If you don't care about these words, it is only after comforting yourself in your heart that you can calm yourself down with reason.

"Fangmin's mouth is stronger than Fangchuan's. I'm afraid it will explode after being suppressed." Huo Yi said.

He? What was even more frightening in his heart was that this was just the beginning.

His Majesty's methods were very quick. Since he was about to start the investigation, all kinds of articles about General Huo's unworthy virtue disappeared quietly.

It seems that a few people who wrote articles were arrested, but they were eventually released.

Huo Yi went to court as usual, His Majesty the Emperor intended to praise him, and even asked other people to treat Huo Yi with the etiquette to His Majesty. Qiu Hongguang also restrained himself? His previous behavior was to put Huo Yi first in everything, and even often Praise Huo Yi's ability in front of outsiders.At this point, Huo Yi felt that he was in dire straits.

There? Many people began to compliment Huo Yi again, surrounded him, and Huo Yi sometimes lamented their ability of such a fool, but even so, there was still one person in the court who was as cold as ever to him.No matter when Huo Yi was in power, or when he was questioned, or even now when he was at his peak, he never changed his attitude.

That's right, it's Prime Minister Zhao Cheng.

When Huo Yi was going to court that day, he happened to bump into Zhao Cheng. Recently, the affairs of the court were busy, and it was mainly related to the establishment of border counties in the Hexi Corridor. As the prime minister, Zhao Cheng was busy with this matter recently.

On the contrary, it was Huo Yi and Qiu Hongguang, who had nothing to do after the war. Although they participated in the decision-making of the court, they were not responsible for specific affairs.

"Huo Da Sima." Zhao Cheng bowed his hands to Huo Yi, his attitude was very cold.

Huo Yi also greeted them. In the state of the two of them, no one would have guessed that they both came from Xihebian County.It is popular in the imperial court to form a group, and any common ground can find a reason for cooperation. If they are like this, they will generally default to enmity.

Just as Huo Yi was about to turn around and leave, Zhao Cheng walked up to him with his sleeves rolled up. The weather was getting colder, but Zhao Cheng still looked thin and stern. He was wearing a black court dress, which made him appear even more indifferent.

Zhao Cheng, the prime minister, has been quite up to now, and no one can find any problems. He has a cautious personality and is strict in dealing with things, but his methods are a bit extreme. Compared with him, even His Majesty the Emperor seems amiable? A lot.

Everyone thinks he? This prime minister should be able to serve for a long time.

When Huo Yi saw that Zhao Cheng seemed to have something to say to them, he was still a little curious. There shouldn't be anything between the two of them to talk about.

"Huo Da Sima." Zhao Cheng said bluntly: "Don't you think there is something wrong with this?"

"Where?" Huo Yi asked.

"As a courtier, how can you have the same treatment as the emperor." Zhao Cheng said flatly, "I saw you being highly praised by everyone, walking on the top of the mountain, and there is a cliff behind you."

Huo Yi was slightly startled.

"Some people want to save you, and some people want to kill you." Zhao Cheng said, "You are now all eyes on you, and countless pairs of eyes are staring at you, so you can't make any mistakes."

Huo Yi cupped his hands towards him: "Thank you for your warning, I really don't dare to take a wrong step."

"Really?" Zhao Chenghei stared at him with heavy eyes, then suddenly grabbed his sleeve and said, "General Huo... Lord Sheriff, what are you doing now?"

He? Such a title makes people feel like returning to the winter night seven years ago, when Zhao Cheng stepped into the Sheriff's Mansion for the first time.

Huo Yi narrowed his eyes slightly.

"The previous article is just the beginning." Zhao Chengsong let go of his sleeves, lowered his eyes and said, "Afterwards, they will find a reason for everything you got..."

This reason is obviously not very pleasant.

Huo Yi waited for a while, Zhao Cheng didn't finish his sentence, Huo Yi patted him on the shoulder and said, "I know, thank you."

Under such circumstances, would you like to come and tell him? Zhao Cheng treats him no matter what the dangerous situation he is in? If he has good intentions, Huo Yi will naturally keep it in his heart.

As for what Zhao Cheng said, Huo Yi had no choice.

He? Is not perfect, if you want to find his loopholes, you may be able to find them. What's more, he is especially guilty now that he has been favored by His Majesty the Emperor.

Has he been caught magnifying and finding fault with his words and deeds several times?

Huo Yi thought so, and left Ziwei Palace.

Looking at their backs, Zhao Cheng thought of the recent rumors.

His Majesty the Emperor is very close to General Huo Da - His Majesty the Emperor's preference for him has reached an undisguised level.

Zhao Cheng thought to himself: General Huo, you live up to your name, you are a majestic existence like a mountain, you stand tall in Dayue, you are the backbone of Dayue.The mountain is cut by wind and frost, the fury of thunder, and the world is still standing silently. The rumors in the world will not damage the majesty of the mountain... But you shouldn't have encountered these things.

If it's for? His Majesty the Emperor, then it's even less worth it.

Autumn came sooner than expected, Cong Yunmeng bought a lot of autumn clothes for Huo Yi and Huo Lingyue in one go, and also bought a bunch of cotton padded clothes for winter.Huo Yi sat at home and was asked by Cong Yunmeng to change into a cotton padded coat. He resisted very much in his heart and said, "Mother, it's only autumn, so I'm so embarrassed to wear this."

"Put it on, let mother see." Cong Yunmeng said.

Huo Yi sighed, and changed into a heavy cotton padded jacket. Cong Yunmeng asked him to turn around and said, "Not bad, not bad, what do you wear if you look good? They all look good."

"Thanks to you." Huo Yi said with a smile: "Without you, I would not be able to look like this."

"That's true? Otherwise, I would be as fierce as your father." Cong Yunmeng had a faint smile on her face. Huo Fengnian's face was already blurred in her mind, but now it became extremely clear.

Huo Yi lowered his head and took off his cotton coat, not noticing Cong Yunmeng's flash of tears.

Huo Lingyue came in wearing a skirt, slim and tall, with a slender neck, and her body showed a healthy and powerful beauty.Huo Yi hurriedly praised her, Cong Yunmeng watched from the side, and said: "After half a month, it will be Xiaoyue's wedding ceremony, so let's wear this at that time."

Huo Yi knew that time was coming soon, but he didn't expect it to be so fast, he asked, "Do you need to prepare anything?"

Cong Yunmeng said: "I have prepared everything else. I will add a gift for her. You have to invite an honorable guest, a woman of high virtue and prestige."

At this moment, Huo Yi realized in a daze that he didn't know any respected women.

Time was running out, so he asked Tao Jiamu first, and Tao Jiamu said that he didn't have a sister in his family, even if he did, it wouldn't be regarded as highly respected.He asked Qiu Hongguang again. Qiu Hongguang said that his sister and mother were far away from Chang'an, and they were all civilians. How could they be the guests of Huo Lingyue and Jili? Huo Yi was desperate, I went to ask Zhang Laiqian.

Of course Zhang Laiqian has an older sister, so does Mrs. Zhang? She has both ability and political integrity, and she can be regarded as a top figure in the harem.

"Jiji Li?" Zhang Laiqian reluctantly said, "I don't care, but you should ask His Majesty about this kind of thing."

He was a little curious: "Can my sister come to this kind of thing? Xiaoyue's wedding ceremony really needs to be more grand..."

Everyone knows Huo Lingyue's particularity. Very early on, Huo Lingyue was taught by His Majesty the Emperor himself that he could freely enter and leave Ziwei Palace with a knife.

"My mother didn't intend to make a big deal." Huo Yi said.

Zhang Laiqian asked curiously: "Then Xiaoyue? Is she engaged?"

Huo Yi: "Of course not?! She's only 15 years old!" Thinking of this question, he felt very awkward, mainly because he was still struggling with who Huo Lingyue really liked.

"Generally, you got engaged before the wedding ceremony? Especially for someone like you, you must have engaged in-laws in advance." Zhang Laiqian said, "After the wedding ceremony, you can get married right away? Don't look at it." Me, these are the rules..."

Huo Yi went to see Zhou Zhenxi with a feeling of depression, after His Majesty the Emperor learned that Mrs. Zhang was going to be the guest of honor, he asked puzzledly, "Can't I?"

"It must be a woman!" Huo Yi emphasized.

Zhou Zhenxue pinched his chin and said, "I kind of want to do my best for Xiaoyue, after all? I watched her grow up."

"This kind of thing, don't bother Your Majesty?"

Of course it's okay to let Mrs. Zhang go, so does Zhou Zhenyan? I never thought of asking Mrs. Zhang for her opinion.So when Mrs. Zhang was playing the piano in the harem and admiring the scenery, she was told that she was going to attend Huo Lingyue's funeral ceremony. She was the official guest, although she didn't have to do anything, just go there to show off.

Mrs. Zhang still knew who Huo Lingyue belonged to, she was a little panicked: "Can I do it? Why don't I become a musician? Right?"

"Dignified Mrs. Dayue is going to be a musician, thank you for daring to think about it." When Zhang Laiqian comforted her, he said, "Think about it, the emperor has not established a queen yet, who is the most honorable woman in Dayue?"

Mrs. Zhang: "...Is it me, a lazy, rhythm-obsessed, useless waste?"

"Your perception of yourself is correct, sister." Zhang Laiqian said, "But you are right. Queen Wang is already dead, and now you are the most honorable woman in Dai Viet."

Mrs. Zhang rubbed? Rubbed her face: "I think the Huo family girl is the one."

"...Is that what you said? That's right, but it sounds scary." Zhang Laiqian touched his neck: "The eldest prince likes the girl of the Huo family and wants to marry her. If she succeeds, she will be the princess , and even the future queen."

Mrs. Zhang asked incredulously: "Could she refuse?"

Did Zhang Laiqian shake? Shake his head, too? I don’t know if it’s denial or what? Meaning: "In short, you go to host the Jiji ceremony, isn't this the best chance to get in touch with her? Show some kindness, the Huo family are all good people, They will remember your kindness."

"Why do you start thinking about me?" Mrs. Zhang said with emotion, she didn't think so much herself.

Zhang Laiqian sighed: "You lived in the palace, have you been so used to it? What is it like outside? It looks like... That little girl Huo Lingyue, even if she is not a queen, she will not be an ordinary person."

On the day of Jiji Ceremony, according to Cong Yunmeng's idea, there really wasn't a big event, plus praise, honorable guests, exiles, deacons, musicians, etc., there were only a dozen people in total.

It was a fine day. Mrs. Zhang put on her most formal long dress. She took out a thought that she hadn't had in a few years, and dressed herself in a very dignified but not serious manner. Before leaving, His Majesty the Emperor specially asked her to do a good job. , made Mrs. Zhang even more nervous?

When she walked into the Huo Mansion, she found that the Huo Mansion was much simpler and more spacious than she had imagined.The Huo family did not invite guests. All the people gathered in the hall. The old lady of the Huo family sat at the top, and General Huo was on the left. After she came in, Cong Yunmeng and Huo Yi stood up, and Huo Yi supported Cong Yun Did Meng do it to her? She saluted, and Mrs. Zhang hurriedly returned the salute, not daring to let out a breath.

Mrs. Zhang thought desolately in her heart, I am no longer the person who dared to stop His Majesty's imperial chariot in order to win favor. My comfortable life? My life is ruined? My courage, then let me continue to live comfortably...

The Jiji ceremony began soon, and Huo Lingyue appeared in the hall gracefully. Although she lowered her eyebrows and looked down, Mrs. Zhang could still feel the strong aura on her body, which made her a little surprised. Huo Lingyue was completely It's someone different from her.

Huo Lingyue raised her head and bowed to them. After a salute, Madam Zhang thought, the girl from the Huo family is indeed very beautiful, no wonder the eldest prince would like it... Her eyes are very bright, and she kneels straight, like a sharp knife out of its sheath. .

A head of black hair fluttered on Huo Lingyue's shoulders, which was as pleasing to the eye as flowing water.Cong Yunmeng gently held her hair in his hands, and then combed it slowly with a comb.

Mrs. Zhang thought that this process should be done by Zhengbin, but it seemed that no one raised this point. Mrs. Zhang was very knowledgeable about current affairs, so she didn't say a word.

Cong Yunmeng combed Huo Lingyue's long hair, and then slowly coiled it up. The attendant brought a plate with crown hairpin and jade hairpin, which was carefully prepared by Cong Yunmeng. She slowly added hairpin to Huo Lingyue, Wearing a hairpin, the attitude is very solemn?

She moved very slowly, so did Huo Lingyue? Don't worry, she lowered her head and waited earnestly. Later, she put on a deep skirt with a curved train, a gown with large sleeves and a ribbon, etc. After everything was over, Huo Lingyue finally Raise your head slowly.

Cong Yunmeng looked at her and smiled gratifiedly. Tears glistened in the corners of her eyes, and then coughed violently.

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