Surrounded by strong ministers

The conferring ceremony of the King of Qin was held in an open space a few miles away from the imperial city, and Xiao Zong ordered people to build a platform for worshiping the general overnight in the open space.

Thousands of craftsmen and soldiers rushed to build it at night. Although the time was short, the platform of worshiping generals was still built extremely majestic and powerful. It was built with layers of thick and huge wood, almost as magnificent as the imperial city of the Great Zhou Dynasty standing not far away. The city wall is on the same height.

There is silence all around, and the autumn wind is rustling and vigorous.

Standing tall on the high platform, Xiao Zong could see the sky as far as he could see. The red sun broke through the dawn and rose in the east. Spreading for tens of miles, Changsha lays down on the ground, and the eyes are full of gold and red.

Standing alone on a high place, Xiao Zong's black imperial robe embroidered with golden dragons was stirred by the strong wind, the diadem swayed slightly, and the tall figure was set against the morning light, the emperor's grace and majesty were natural and breathtaking.

Slightly lowering his eyes and looking down, more than a hundred wooden steps with a length of one foot extend in his sight.On both sides of the steps, two hundred ceremonial officers dressed in long gowns walked along the steps and stood still, with the banners behind them fluttering in the wind. Where to go, arrange them neatly on the left and right sides, leaving a straight and wide road in the middle. Behind the ministers, thousands of forbidden troops are arranged in a neat square formation, standing upright with their swords.

Since the founding of the Great Zhou Dynasty, there have been countless battles, and there has never been such a grand and solemn pomp before.

In the silence, apart from the whistling of the wind, no other sounds could be heard.

Sweeping lightly at the solemn formation under the high platform, Xiao Zong raised his eyes to look a little farther away.

A few miles away, facing the wide road vacated by hundreds of officials, there are black and neat military formations lined up, black horses, and the sergeants on horseback are wearing dark cold armor outside their black robes. It is the one thousand Suanteng camp guards of the King of Qin.Looking from a high place, Xiao Zong could clearly see the white feathers of the arrows in the quiver of the soldiers neatly slung across their shoulders, the cold iron armor and the long spears glowing with a sharp edge, steaming fiercely. With hostility, he unfurled the black satin king banner, and the golden beast bared its teeth and roared.All of these are like a mass of black fire, burning a frightening landscape in the thin morning light.

In front of the army formation, one rode a black steed, and the other stood astride the horse.They were far apart and couldn't distinguish their faces, but Xiao Zong still seemed to be able to feel the sharp sword-like determination in a pair of light-colored pupils under the imposing manner that could not be concealed.

Staring at the distance for a moment, Xiao Zong turned to look down at the whole audience, his expression was silent and solemn, he was named commander under the imperial capital today to fight against rebellion, so motivating the army and mobilizing the people, solidifying the hearts of the people, based on the news that the king of Qin led the king to attack Chu The most powerful and unquestionable method can be delivered to the whole country as soon as possible, deterring the princes is the second, and the third is that he has no choice but to go to war. If the war is ignited, there must be someone shrouded in horse leather. No matter what King Qin is thinking about going out for him, the world will be for him The people, to the soldiers who fought for him, whether it is the Northwest Army or the imperial army directly under him, he must show a respect in front of the world.

"Conferment by the King of Qin!" The time had come, and the ceremony officer in charge called out in a long voice on the high steps.

In front of the black armor army formation in the distance, the black cavalry who stood above everyone stood silently for a moment after the call, and then walked forward slowly.In front of the ranks of hundreds of officials, the black rider hissed long, and the awe-inspiring figure on the horse turned over and got off the ground, passed through civil and martial arts, and stepped onto the stage.

Xiao Zong looked at the figure picking up the steps towards him, and the description of the morning sun against his back gradually became clear as he climbed each step.With a stern face and a regretful figure, his sharpness was like a sword, just like a few months ago when he met in the Daming Palace, it pierced through the morning light and pierced into his eyes.

The King of Qin climbed onto the high platform, turned his head slightly, glanced down at the backstage, walked vigorously, and arrived in front of Xiao Zong. The hem of the king's robe was flipped up slightly, and he knelt down, "My lord, please see my emperor." The voice was low and deep, as always.

Xiao Zong took black iron from the hand of the waiter who bowed in front of him and made it, with Fuhu's handsome seal on it.That day when he returned to the palace from the guesthouse, the King of Qin asked him to go to war. First, to provide all the food and salaries needed by the Northwest Army, and second, to worship him as commander.The first request was understandable, and the second request, he agreed without hesitation.A large army always needs a commander. Even if the King of Qin didn't mention it himself, he would grant him the commander's seal out of various considerations.What's more, he knows very well that such a decision is beneficial to him, but it doesn't have much practical significance to King Qin, just like even if he appointed Bugui as the crusade marshal, the only one who can really command the Northwest Army is King Qin, except for facing King Chu head-on Even if the King of Qin holds the commanding seal, he can't mobilize Ren Buhui's soldiers.

King Qin should have a reason for these things.

He didn't understand why this man would ask him for something that was of little use to him.

Xiao Zong lowered his eyes and looked at the man who was kneeling on one knee at his feet under the eyes of thousands of sergeants and courtiers. His broad shoulders were still tight and awe-inspiring even when he bent over his body. , Meticulous, luxurious black king's robe, with a wide hem spread behind him, flipped gently in the wind, his kneeling body remained motionless, and his sharpness seemed to be restrained.Bowing their heads so silently and bowing their heads as ministers, it seems that the fears, guards, threats, disrespect, and crimes that lie between them never existed.

Looking under the high platform, all the officials and soldiers looked up solemnly.

Xiao Zong took a slight breath, "The king of Chu is not benevolent, he violates the law of heaven, and the whole world will chase him away. King Qin, I will grant you the seal of commanding the south, commanding the king's division, and sending troops to the south to fight against the rebels for me." Wei Wei stepped Taking a small step forward, handing the commander's seal into a pair of big palms, Xiao Zong continued: "I'm in danger, the world is in danger, entrust King Qin and all the soldiers, look to King Qin, don't disappoint me."

"Your servant should do his best to suppress the thieves." The low and thick voice continued Xiao Zong's unfinished words, and no emotion could be heard. King Qin got up, and his burly figure suddenly blocked Xiao Zong's line of sight. The usual sharp, chiselled face is exquisite and compelling.

Within a short distance, Xiao Zong was slightly startled.

The waiter at the side served the wine cup, Xiao Zong raised his hand and raised the wine, "I hope Master Wang wins the flag, and success will come soon."

King Qin held the cup in one hand, looked at Xiao Zong for a long time, raised his head and drank the farewell wine.He didn't drink fast, and he stood only one step away from Xiao Zong. When he raised his neck, he revealed the white and hideous scar under the collar of the tight royal clothes, almost touching the veins on his neck.

"What are you looking at?" King Qin shook his wine glass, and glanced at Xiao Zong, "What? Are you worried?" His expression remained calm and stern, and only the corners of his lips seemed to twitch slightly.

Xiao Zong glanced away coldly, "King Qin, it's time for you to set off."

"Won't the emperor send the ministers a ride?" King Qin reached out and grabbed Xiao Zong's hand under his sleeve while speaking.Xiao Zong was taken aback for a moment, and just as he was about to pull away, King Qin had turned sideways and stood beside him.

On the high platform, facing the thousands of courtiers below, King Qin held up Xiao Zong's hand, his voice was deep and deep in his throat but he could not refuse, "Your Majesty, give me a ride."

Under the wide sleeves, the big palms with thin calluses were grasped very tightly, Xiao Zong frowned slightly, his face was a little hard, but it was inconvenient to break free under the eyes of everyone, fortunately... the sleeves were covered, and the universe was covered under it , it would not be disrespectful in front of others.

Picking up the steps, Xiao Zong didn't know whether he was leading someone or being led by them. He walked through the ceremonial procession of hundreds of people and bowed down to the general's platform. The general who went to the expedition showed a dignified attitude in which the monarch and his ministers worked together to boost morale.

Under the high platform, there are hundreds of officials on the left and right, and the imperial army is behind the formation.Xiao Zong stepped off the stage side by side with King Qin, walked out a few steps with a calm expression, the big palm holding his hand under the sleeve suddenly loosened, and then he felt the dry and hard touch on the back of his hand rubbed a few times, and then, His strong fingers slowly scratched and rubbed against his palm.

Really, too presumptuous!

Xiao Zong was expressionless, subconsciously slanted out of the corner of his eyes, and only glimpsed the resolute and profound side face of King Qin beside him. His expression was usually stern, and he kept his gaze straight ahead.

The rubbing in the palm didn't stop, Xiao Zong held his breath, remained silent for a moment, calmly grasped Qin Wang's slightly rough big palm with his backhand, quickened his steps, and led people straight to Qin Wang's black horse. In front of the sturdy mount.

With a little effort, Xiao Zong let go of his hand, and said in a low voice, "The situation is urgent, soldiers are very fast, the King of Qin will leave earlier, and I will be waiting for your good news in the capital."

Qin Wang's face was slightly stern, and the next moment, the corners of his lips curled into a hint of sarcasm, and all the officials followed a few steps away, he stood sideways in front of the horse and looked at Xiao Zong for a moment, his narrow eyes did not show any emotion, Get on the horse, "Don't worry, the emperor, I will punish Sima Yong."

Zhang Yang's determination and arrogance seemed to disperse from King Qin's sideburns and royal robe the moment he stepped on the horse's back. He was holding the reins on the horse, and his face against the sunlight was blurred, but Xiao Zong could clearly feel it. See the usual sharpness in the sight of the high-altitude.

The King of Qin didn't say another word, turned his horse's head, and rode straight up the post road. Seeing the situation, the guards of the Suanteng camp, who had been purging the formation a little farther away, slowly drove the mount under his crotch, and the horse's hooves dug up the thick soil to sprinkle dust seeds , separated from each other for a moment, galloped after following the brave rider who was speeding away on the post road.

Xiao Zong stood in front of the courtiers until the flying dust disappeared in the extreme.

That day, holding the audience form that was rushed to his hand for eight hundred miles, he thought that he would not let King Qin go no matter what.That was the best result he could think of for his family, country, others, and himself.

Now, he sent the King of Qin out of Beijing in the most solemn and straightforward manner, without assigning any supervisor or escort to go with him, and he did not plan to plant a dark thread around him.

After King Qin left Beijing, whether he went directly to Shuzhou to join Ren Buhui, or led a thousand guards back to the northwest, he brought the emperor's edict, whichever way was unimpeded.

He wasn't too concerned about which path King Qin chose to take.

He also didn't want to delve into whether his lack of concern had something to do with his belief or not in that man.

Since the king of Qin himself chose to ask him to be appointed as commander, he was not worried that he would return to Qin and not send troops.What's more, the emperor built a platform to worship the general, and the whole country knew that if the king of Qin turned his back on his words, no matter who would win or lose between him and the king of Chu in the future, the king of Qin would not be able to escape the righteousness, and he would be chased away by the world.

That man might be the biggest threat beside him, but in this battle, he stood by his side.Perhaps as he himself said, he and Sima Yong will fight sooner or later.

But, what will happen after World War I?

Where will King Qin's unsheathed soldiers end?

……unknown.

He didn't know if he had already gone back to the mountain, and he didn't know if there would be another opportunity in the future after this time, so that he could at least keep that man in check... Too many things to know, but the situation ahead Don't allow him to hesitate.

Under the wide sleeves, his hands seemed to still feel dry and hard to the touch. Xiao Zong squeezed his five fingers, his face expressionless, and he looked at the direction where the smoke and dust disappeared.

Qin Wang, Qin Wang!

A game that has been painstakingly laid out, what the plan is, and who will win the game in the end, after this battle, we will see the outcome.

It was almost noon when Luan drove into Xuanwu Gate, Xiao Zong took some lunch in the bedroom.

In the past few days, there is hardly a moment for him to take a breather to look at the people around him. Even Xiao Heng and the others have not seen each other for many days. After this lunch, Xiao Zong hurriedly went to Zhaoyang Palace. And Chaoyang Palace, take a look at the emperor's nephew and brother.

The children probably heard that there was going to be a war, and when they saw Xiao Zong, they were very obedient, they didn't make trouble with him too much, and they didn't embarrass him with questions that made him rack his brains and make him speechless as usual.Xiao Zong casually asked some homework, and his nephew answered quite satisfactorily.Xiao Zong felt a little more relieved by the situation of his younger brother Xiao Hong's side. Xiao Hong's ignorance was caused by the strong medicine that day. Xiao Zong never gave up seeking medical treatment for his younger brother. The hospital consulted and used a new set of prescriptions, and changed several acupuncture points. After a month of diagnosis and treatment, initial results were achieved.When Xiao Zong saw his younger brother this time, compared to the previous time, Xiao Hong's childishness and foolishness were a little less, and his heroic face was a little more stable, although he still clung to him tightly. The waist was unwilling to let him go, but it was just a little sullen, not like losing his temper like before.In this way, Xiao Zong stayed in Chaoyang Palace for a while longer before getting up and going to the South Study.

Sitting alone in the south study with a scroll for an unknown amount of time, Xiao Zong called Wang Rong, changed into a casual robe, and left the palace through the side door.

The sun was in the west, and when the evening was approaching, Xiao Zong arrived in front of the Taifu's residence.

On the night of enthronement last year, he came late at night. The gatekeeper of the Taifu's mansion knew the emperor Longyan, and after bowing down in fear, he rushed in to inform him. Xiao Zong stopped him, and someone directly led him to see Han Su.

The servant bowed in front and led Xiao Zong from the corridor into the inner courtyard.The ancestral home of the Han family is Yongzhou, a well-known scholarly family all over the world. From this dynasty to Han Su's generation, there have been three generations of ministers. Han Su is the eldest son of the Han family. Two younger brothers are working in the state government. One younger sister is married and his mother is dead. , his father, Han Zhang, was the first Taibao, and he was old five or six years ago. Now he is either supervising the second son of Bingzhou Shepherd in the Bingzhou government, or supervising the youngest son in the nine counties of Jingxiang, and he has not been in the government for many years.Apart from Han Su, there are only maids and servants in the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Han Su has not married a family in his [-]s. It seems that he didn't even accept a concubine. The mansion is very quiet.

The servant led Xiao Zong through the path in the inner courtyard, towards a moon gate ahead.

"Your Majesty, the Grand Tutor is sitting alone in the small garden...playing the piano."

Xiao Zong had already heard about the lack of reporting by the servants.The sound of the clanking piano was crisp and clear, as urgent as a shower, coming from the other side of the white wall of the Moon Gate with bursts of high-pitched momentum, piercing through the wall.

Xiao Zong was slightly surprised, he had an intuition that Zhong Hansu's piano should always be peaceful and melodious, subconsciously he stopped outside the Moon Gate for a moment before stepping into the small garden.

The pines and cypresses in the garden are verdant, and the sound of the zither reverberates brightly. Under a tall tree in the southeast corner, there is an open bamboo pavilion. Outside the pavilion, several bushes of white tea are proud of the cold and bright. A dark blue figure is kneeling sideways on the futon in the pavilion, with slender fingers Pluck the strings and walk quickly, the strings hit the body of the piano, clang up and down, and the sharp string sounds fill the garden.

The servant was about to go forward to report, Xiao Zong waved his hand lightly, walked forward slowly, and stopped outside the pavilion behind Han Su.

The sound of gold and stone in the pavilion is close and unceasing, becoming more and more passionate, metal and wood strike each other, clanging loudly, like galloping horses and swords fighting for the front.Xiao Zong was concentrating, but he seemed to hear another undercurrent faintly surging in the commotion, colliding with the dense sword net, piercing through the air sharply, and straight into the sky.

Anyone who knows the piano knows that the sound of the piano reflects the state of mind of the player.

Xiao Zong stood outside the pavilion, and Han Su in the pavilion sat with his back facing him. He couldn't see the expression on the Taifu's face at the moment, but he could only see the straight shoulders leaning forward slightly under the navy blue brocade robe. The appearance is faint and awe-inspiring, with a few strands of hair blowing in the wind, and the agitated song of Jinshi at this moment seems to be indescribably arrogant, fierce and inexplicably chaotic and unstable.

Xiao Zong suddenly felt that he might not understand Han Su. Before that, he had always thought that the strength and determination revealed by his Taifu in front of him was because the Taifu was changing. In fact, Han Su might never It hasn't changed, that man, Taifu Han, who stands in front of the imperial court and is restrained and gentle, may be just an incomplete image in his eyes, not the real Han Su.

At least, not a complete Han Su.

The high-pitched piano sound stopped abruptly, and the surroundings fell silent, but it was Han Su who suddenly pressed the strings.

"Didn't I tell you, don't bother me." The beating strings suddenly stopped under the pressure of ten fingers with well-defined knuckles, and shook the body of the ebony, buzzing, and it took a long time to subside.Han Su's voice was not as exciting as the rhythm under his fingers, but it was surprisingly calm, deep and flat, without even a hint of emotion.

"Teacher, it's me."