Qingzhou trip

After a night of intense fighting against the enemy, Li Jiyan was forced to retreat two miles to station after being flanked by front and back.Hot soup cakes were sent to the city, and the defenders were eating hot food while discussing when did the winning army that fell from the sky at dawn leave the city?After the defeat two years ago, how could there be such furious people in Baosheng Army.

After inquiring back and forth, the Baosheng army in the city is still so small.It's hard to say whether it can withstand the attack of the night without relying on the strong defense of Shahai City and the detailed preparations.The Baosheng army seemed to be holding the banner of the "Bai" surname, and some people guessed that it was the Bai family who sent soldiers and horses to help.

"Bai family?" Zhao Yifang in the turret looked at Xie Penglai meaningfully. The Bai family's army was almost destroyed by Yun Fangjiang. How could they pull such a sturdy cavalry that fell from the sky?

Shahai County Magistrate knew that this question could no longer be avoided, so she muttered, looking at Zhao Yifang's calm eyes, she finally made up her mind, "It's from the Bai family. The reason why it's called 'sort of' is because this cavalry has directly obeyed orders." General Yu Baizhi, now under the command of General Bai's deputy, Lu Jinhua."

Zhao Yifang touched her words, "A former soldier of Bai Zhi?"

"Yes. After Baizhi lost power, Lu Jinhua took people out of Shahai and wandered around the border between the two countries for several years. Today I can come to rescue—" I can't say that the robbery failed, but stabbed Beixia from the back The leader of the horse thief stabbed, "I'm afraid Yun Bailu led people here after receiving my news." Xie Penglai found that Zhao Yifang's expression was normal, so he kept silent and waited for her movement.Being speechless has always been her strength, but when it comes to the matter of Hua Niang, she feels that there are loopholes everywhere in her speech.

At this time, two bowls of soup cakes were sent to the turret, and Li Mei asked King Jin to eat first.But she asked the food delivery person, "What do the city guards eat?"

"It's also hot soup and cakes. In addition, Master Li Mo instructed that the general's meals are simple, and there is no need to send someone from the mansion to deliver them, just as long as they are the same as the soldiers." Picked himself up clean.

Li Mo smiled, "The cooks who cook meals for the soldiers have all been screened according to the instructions of the county magistrate Xie, and the mansion has specially sent people to watch over them."

Only then did King Jin nod reassuringly, "At this critical time, you should be careful when drinking." She took a sip from the soup bowl, nodded slightly before turning around.Xie Penglai also looked at the bank of the Yeqiang River with a bowl in his hand.

"Everyone in the city should know about the battle last night," Li Mei also just received the count, "the food and grass are enough for the whole city to feed for half a month."

Xie Penglai and Zhao Yifang looked at each other and understood their worries: Can the Deshun Army and Zhenrong Army arrive on time?

"Then what did Li Jixin say?" Xie Penglai turned to Li Mo, "Haven't you spoken yet?"

"Didn't you go back to the inn with the excuse of feeling unwell yesterday? Afterwards, you drank and recited poems, saying you haven't woken up yet." Li Mo smiled ironically, "This is a celebrity who learned from the Wei and Jin Dynasties."

Xie Penglai, on the other hand, blew on the hot soup and drank the bowl unhurriedly, and then bid farewell to King Jin, "I still have something to do, and I have to go to Fucheng."

King Jin took a deep look at her, "Thank you, Master, be careful."

Snow began to fall on the top of the city again, and the sun was dim after the pekoe flakes.It is clearly morning, but the sand sea at this time has a sense of dusk.King Jin's thoughts came to the fore layer by layer. She looked at Xie Penglai's back and was silent for a while, "Where did the Bai family's personal soldiers come from? How does it have anything to do with the current Shahai garrison? Why is it in the court?" There was no report there. She didn’t tell me and I knew it, it was helping me, and I was going to cheat me.”

"That's why County Magistrate Xie couldn't explain everything clearly. I'm afraid that's why she was in trouble before." Li Mo's eyelashes were itchy from the wind and snow, and she raised her hand to wipe her eyes, "Just open one eye and close it." One eye, the most important thing right now is to protect the sea of ​​sand."

King Jin smiled noncommittally, and his body leaning against the city wall sank suddenly.She sat down and wanted to rest for a while, thinking that the guards on the city wall had also fought fiercely all night, and now they were still trying their best to stand up straight in the wind and snow.

"If King Shang is in the sand sea, how will her old man deal with it?" Li Mei wanted to refresh King Jin, so he said a few more words to accompany him.

Sure enough, seeing King Jin's energy, "She doesn't follow common sense, and she will never stick to it. The lives of the whole city are only entrusted to the reinforcements." King Jin walked along the city wall, staring at the direction of the reinforcements to the north, "It depends on Yun Bailu goes to force, what if Cao Zhiwei and the others still want to wait and see and listen to orders?"

"Take your life to wait and see?" Li Mei understood King Jin's thoughts as soon as he spoke: a female prince who is suspected by others, someone would like to find her big mistake and cut down the prince.How could he easily send troops to help her?There is not only one "overall situation". King Jin's overall situation is the safety of the Northwest and the survival of the sand sea.

The walls of the auxiliary city were severely damaged, and the leak in the southeast corner was also repeatedly ordered by Xie Penglai to be blocked. In this area alone, more than a dozen defenders were killed or injured.After checking and confirming again, Xie Penglai discussed with the guard about the reinforcement of the city wall here.Back in Shahai City, it was hard to find anyone on the empty streets, and the merchants were all on the door panels to watch the battle.

Opening the door and entering the Shahai Academy, one could smell the aroma of roasted sheep. Now Tutuokong was shirtless fanning the fire in the porch, staring at the roasted sheep's head on the shelf.Seeing Xie Penglai come back, he first saw her empty-handed, and then he was a little disappointed and said, "It's rare to buy wine in the city in the morning, and I was hoping that you would bring the altar back."

"We fought outside all night, and the people in the city were either anxious or afraid. You can still roast a sheep's head outside this tome of classics and history. I think you have the style of the Wei and Jin Dynasties." Xie Penglai approached the sheep's head and sniffed it. The aroma shook, "I still have wine in the kitchen in my yard."

"I'll go to your small courtyard for a drink then." Kong Xian asked Xie Penglai while grilling, "Have the Beixia people retreated?"

"Temporary retreat for two miles." Xie Penglai sat in front of the sheep's head and asked the Toutuo, "You have been in Xiajingli a few months ago, have you heard of their internal changes?"

In fact, what should be said, Kongxian has already said [-]% of what she said under the temptation of her wine and meat. Xie Penglai thought that Kongxian mentioned that there were a few clan relatives in the Northern Xia Dynasty who liked to put on a gentle posture, "That Li Jixin is Nan Xuan Huishi is also a person who likes poetry?"

"Li Jixin?" Kong Xian didn't have much impression of this person, "The family members who are not famous in Beixia either love riding and archery, or love poetry and books, and some are horse thieves. Many of them are named Li. After what, too many, I can't remember this person."

Xie Penglai was a little disappointed, got up and said, "The wine is hidden next to the civet cat's nest in the back of my courtyard. Last time I saw you drinking heavily, I hid the altar."

"It's easy to say, easy to say." Kong Xian's fan danced even more vigorously, happily humming the Beixia tune he didn't know where he learned it, "Although he can ride a kite and shoot, he looks like Xiao Xie An." When he sang it again He suddenly came back to his senses, and called to Xie Penglai who had come to the door, "Xia Jingli's nursery rhyme, singing Li Jiyan is like Xie Anshi, civil and military can rule the country. A few months ago, Xia Jingli started to play this song, look at me Brain, after singing for so long, I thought it was just a children's song!"

Kong Xian also said that Xia Jun was already seriously ill at that time.Everyone in the clan was ready to move, probably Li Jiyan, who had already left the border village at that time, was also planning to return to Beijing to take over the throne.The method of this nursery rhyme is not very clever, I am afraid it is just borrowing the mouth of the public to make a good name for myself.

Thinking of this, Xie Penglai stood still and smiled at Kong Xian, "I still have a jar of 'Nan Renhe' on the bookshelf in the main room, and I gave it to you as well."

Amid Kong Xian's more cheerful humming, she walked quickly towards the guest house where the envoy Bei Xia stayed.

Before reaching the door, the sound of Qiang flute came from the guest house, Xie Penglai was stunned, and found that it was the tune of "Xiliang Opera" that was heard to her ears on the night of rewarding the gods, but there was a difference in the playing skills : The sound of the flute that night was desolate, but what I hear now is urgent.

Xie Penglai entered the guest house after ventilating with the left and right.This is the Beixia Commercial Hall that was renovated for the delivery of the year gift.In the front hall, except for the guards, no one saw Li Jixin, walked around and walked into the backyard, only to see Li Jixin playing the Qiang flute under the watchful eyes of his subordinates.When those Northern Xia warriors saw Xie Penglai, their eyes were all vicious and wary. Xie Penglai listened for a while with his hands folded. After the song ended, Li Jixin stood up from behind the railing, "Xie County magistrate?"

He was half-detained in the guest house, and he knew that there was a change in the city after the fireworks last night.But the matter has come to this, he thought for a whole night, drinking in the guest house, composing poems and playing music, waiting for the officials of the Hua Dynasty to come to confront him.If things went well, his cousin should have also shouted at the tower.But only a county magistrate came, which was beyond his surprise.

"This "Xiliang Opera" is a famous song in the Northern Xia Dynasty, and many people in China like it." Xie Penglai bowed to Li Jixin, "Last night, I heard that the envoy is not in good health. I wonder if it will be better this morning?"

"Magistrate Xie is polite. I just felt unwell yesterday. After a good night's sleep, I feel more refreshed. I didn't expect Shahai to be so quiet in the morning. I just entertained myself in the guest house on a whim." Li Jixin touched it. As if he was not used to his cheeks, he turned to wipe his short beard on his lips, and looked up and down at Xie Penglai, who was covered in dust and smoke. He pretended to be surprised, "Oh, where did magistrate Xie come back from? Could it be possible that he will have to ask for help in the morning?" Make a fire and cook by yourself?"

Xie Penglai looked down at her robe, and also thought that her face must not be so clean, she smiled faintly, "Yesterday there was a rat noise at home, and they mingled around the pot and stove all night, and I was scared by my civet cat this morning. I have to hide in the hole and dare not come out." Patting the dust on his sleeves and snowflakes on his fingertips, Xie Penglai persuaded, "It may snow all night today, and the envoys should be careful to rest. It's strange to say In previous years, it would only snow heavily in Shahai in the twelfth lunar month, but this year it has snowed several times in November."

She rubbed her hands lightly to keep warm, "But it's okay, auspicious snow heralds a good year. It's because of the wolves, rabbits and roe deer outside. I'm afraid they won't be able to find food due to the cold." Xie Penglai seemed to have finished the greetings, and said goodbye to Li Jixin, "Xie is relieved that the envoy is safe, and I will go to answer His Highness." She seemed to think of something before turning around, "Oh, Xie thought of something and wanted to ask the envoy to clear up his doubts."

Li Jixin's eyes, which were originally full of suspicion, flashed triumphantly, "Master Xie, please tell me."

"How many times have you participated in the delivery of New Year's coins in the past few years, and you must have stayed in the Zhanyun Pavilion outside the Yiqiu Gate in the capital city of Chaoyang. I wonder if you have seen Chen Yuxiang, the head servant of the Zhanyun Pavilion?" She sighed, "Speaking of... It's hard to say," she suppressed the choking in her throat, turned around and seemed to wipe away her tears quickly, "his real name is Xie Yuxiang, but he is my brother who is ten years older. When he was young, he was sent to the palace as a servant because of his poor family. The surname was changed after being adopted as an adopted son by the internal servants. Later, he was sent to Zhanyun Pavilion to take charge of the general affairs after he was able to enshrine meritorious service in the ban."

"Chen——Yuxiang?" Li Jixin was also thinking about the head servant.

"My brother and I haven't seen each other for more than ten years. I wanted to walk the Qingyun Road in the Shahai, and I will be with my brother when I return to Beijing one day... That's all, I just want to know if my brother is okay so that I can feel at ease." Xie Penglai Eye circles are red, "Send an envoy to the third rank, I'm afraid I won't remember a chief servant."

How could Li Jixin, who had been an envoy several times, not remember the chief manager of the Beixia embassy where he stayed, he thought carefully again, "This envoy remembers——Looking at it this way, Director Chen and Mr. Xie are really similar. He is very good. , he is also kind, and he should have a bright future."

The Xie Penglai in front of her eyes was completely different from the cold county magistrate in front of the city that day, and her eyes were wet again with excitement, "Then... that's good, thank you for sending the envoy to tell you." She thanked Li Jixin again and again. , I borrowed a horse at the gate of the guest house and went straight to the tower.

The body wrapped in the black cloak was still standing at the top of the city without resting. After hearing Xie Penglai's footsteps, Zhao Yifang turned her head, "Master Xie is back?"

Xie Penglai frowned, worry was written in his eyes.As she approached, she bowed her head suddenly and said, "Your Highness, if reinforcements do not arrive within three days, I request that troops be dispatched to wipe out the guest houses in the city, leaving no one behind."

Zhao Yifang said "ah" very softly, she supported Xie Penglai's arm, "Master Xie, what did you say?"

"The lower officials can conclude that the Li Jixin in the city is Li Jiyan, and the Li Jiyan outside the city is Li Jixin." That is to say, the North Xia and South Xuanhui envoy in the city is a real horse bandit leader.

She recounted the nursery rhyme that Kong Xian mentioned, as well as the temptation in the guest house just now, "Which kind of envoy is he? The envoys from the Northern Xia Dynasty have always been in the Duting Xiyi instead of the Zhanyun Pavilion when they came to Beijing, and presided over the affairs." It’s not the chief servant, but the head of the Honglu Temple and the director of the Guoxin Institute.” Xie Penglai was out of breath all the way, and when he raised his sleeves to wipe his sweat, King Jin had already pulled her into the turret, not caring about leaving Still there, he took out his handkerchief and wiped her sweat, "Where is that Chen Yuxiang?"

"It's compiled by the lower official. I don't have any brothers, let alone acquaintances who are eunuchs." Xie Penglai couldn't help but feel ashamed when he thought that his eyes were red. Anti-dog, he didn't even figure out my court system."

It was rare for King Jin to see her laughing at others like this, so he couldn't help laughing, "What little Xie An, the serious Xie surname is in our Shahai."

After the two talked and laughed, Zhao Yifang still lowered her eyebrows, "Why did Li Jiyan and Li Jixin switch identities?"

Only then did Xie Penglai look coldly, "This is the reason why I asked Your Highness to cut the weeds and root out the roots. I am afraid that the Northern Xia monarch is really dying. The two brothers have already controlled Xia Jing. Right now, there is only one marriage that can help them sit in the prison of the country." position, and even help them win the position in the future.”

King Jin threw down the veil in shock, her heartbeat was chilled by the boundless snowflakes, she gritted her teeth for a while before she came back to her senses, "That's it - this king. There will be no reinforcements within three days... that means the court has secretly ordered you to They stand still," she dared not to think about it, "they," her breath was suddenly blocked in her chest, Zhao Yifang was supported by Xie Penglai, and she tried to stand upright, "Master Xie, how dare they do this?"

King Jin, who is usually high-spirited and in control of everything, can't believe it. He transferred himself to the Northwest from the capital, wanted to take charge of Suici, and was reluctant to increase the guards of the sand sea.But Li Jiyan and others really believed that the people of this dynasty were afraid of war and avoided war, and directly bullied the female prince.He entered the city generously, just waiting for the millet to be harvested from the chaos inside and outside the city.What is raw rice and cooked rice, what is marriage between two dynasties.However, she was sacrificed to the altar, so that the people in power on both sides could flirt with each other.

"They know that the prince has a fiery temper, and they have no excuses for Guojue, and they are afraid of offending grandmother's old subordinates. They want to cooperate with outsiders in the border, and force the prince to come to a marriage, and the world will be happy." Zhao Yifang smiled wryly in a low voice. "Sure enough, what I read is not the same as what they read, as expected..."

The fierce fighting all night and the momentary stimulation made Zhao Yifang unable to stand still. Her body softened and she fell into Xie Penglai's strong and thin arms. Xie Penglai's lips were also trembling, "Your Highness... If you have made a decision, Xie, Do not hesitate to die."