All your life is gentle

Yue Zheng and Qin Xi left overnight.

The tasks they both received were a bit despicable: Yue Xiaowei not only had to continue to make false accounts, but also had to find ways to transfer as much food and grass as possible to several strongholds near Zhuozhou in the days to come.When necessary, they even had to secretly delay and seize the rations of the troops attacking Shu.

Captain Yue is a man with a firm mind.Once you recognize the big things, you will be able to tolerate some abnormal means under the premise of the justice of the goal, and even take the initiative to persuade yourself, self-motivate, and try your best to do things as perfect as possible.Since joining Changsheng, he has made full use of his strengths and made the best use of his ability, which is much more enjoyable than being a small officer in the Jinxia Army who couldn't stretch his feet out of his head.

Every time Zhuang Lingchen saw His Royal Highness coaxing Yue Zheng with righteous speech, a few words aroused the other party's devotion to the country and the people, he would feel so much admiration in his heart that he would sigh repeatedly and feel ashamed.Afterwards, I will think about it carefully, rejoice and fear at the same time, work harder and harder, and be selfless.

On the other hand, Qin Xi was not as loyal as Yue Zheng, and as clever as Zhuang Lingchen, or on the other hand, smarter than Yue Zheng, and more loyal than Zhuang Lingchen, so unfortunately he fell into a dilemma where loyalty could not be balanced.

Qin Daxia's task is to continue to support the underground activities of the remnants of the Chuzhou Rebel Army.But this time, it is mainly responsible for leaking the logistics and supply information of the army attacking Shu, and providing sufficient convenience for the rebel army to rob the food road.

Qin Xi went deep into Chuzhou twice and had frequent contact with local rebels.I saw with my own eyes how they spared their lives in the face of aggression, and how they bravely sacrificed; how they gradually trusted and appreciated me, a "righteous man" from the southeast, and treated each other warmly.He felt more and more uncomfortable.Especially last year on the eve of the Double Ninth Festival, when he entered Chu for the second time, it happened to be the most difficult time for the rebels. By chance, he had half-heartedly and half-heartedly passed through a few months of sharing joys and sorrows, and brought back the latest and most reliable information to His Highness. Analysis of the situation in Chuzhou.

The imperial court thought that the leader of the rebels (now that Xi Rong is the legal ruler of Great Xia, and the so-called "rebels" should be named as rebels) Feng Zuoyan had already given the head, but King Jingbei knew that General Feng was just using a trick to "get rid of the golden cicada's shell" .It's just that the strength of the rebel army is seriously injured at present, and the underground activities are basically dominated by the Baisha Gang.

Changsheng explained to Yue and Qin about the same, and he specially instructed: "Qin Xi has enough gold with him, and be careful on the road." After thinking about it, he still felt uneasy, "I'm not afraid of [-], just in case, I'd better go around from the east. Let’s go to Chuzhou now. If there is any news in the future, try not to run away by yourself, and ask the people in the east to hand it over.” Speaking of this, he smiled slightly, “They... have always had a clear distinction between love and hate, and their stand is firm. If you accidentally leak it No matter what, remember to protect yourself first."

In Qin Xi's situation, if his identity were revealed, the people of Chu might wish to swallow him alive.

Qin Xi knelt down to thank, but didn't get up for a while.The question that had been lingering in her heart tossed up and down, and finally slipped to her lips: "Your Highness, there is something that Qin Xi should ask or not..."

Seeing this scene, Zhuang Lingchen wanted to pull the others out, but Chang Sheng waved his hands and stayed behind.Looking at Qin Daxia: "You guys are in front of me, what should I ask or not? It's just whether you want to ask or not."

"His Highness once said in the past that he had a relationship with General Feng Xu of Chuzhou, and the friendship of meeting..."

"That's right. I've also told you some things about living in the south. It's just that although I know them, they don't know me."

Several listeners knew that His Highness had concealed his true identity back then, so there was such a saying.

"Your Majesty, take the liberty to ask... just ask, these old people from Chuzhou, His Highness... how do you plan to settle down in the future?"

Qin Xi felt that if she didn't understand this matter, she would not be able to go back and face everyone in Chuzhou, let alone face her own heart.Even though he knew what the answer might be, everything he experienced in Chuzhou forced him to ask the end: What kind of ending does His Highness prepare for Chuzhou?

Changsheng was silent for a moment, and said: "Actually, when the world is unified, the problem for these people may not be how to settle down, but whether they are willing to accept settlement." Looking at the person who asked the question, "In your opinion, suppose Zhao Ju has surrendered or died, will everyone in Chuzhou surrender?"

Thinking of those angry faces and resolute expressions, Qin Xi was speechless for a moment.

Changsheng sighed: "You don't work with me for a day or two. You must understand this truth: at that time, if the people in Chuzhou cannot surrender sincerely, it will be the source of future disasters. As a last resort," he lowered his eyes and stared at the person on the table. Wick, "As a last resort, the only thing I can do is try to... cut the weeds and root them out!"

Everyone in the tent fell into silence.

Changsheng suddenly said: "Qin Xi, if you feel embarrassed, it's not impossible to go with someone else this time."

"Your Highness!"

"Northeast is about to get busy, I'm glad you can stay by your side to help."

Qin Xi was a little anxious: "Your Highness, Qin Xi didn't mean that! I just, just..."

Changsheng interrupted him: "I understand."

Slowly, as if talking to himself, he said: "Fish is what I want, and bear's paw is also what I want. You can't have both, and those who give up the fish and take the bear's paw."Life is also what I want; righteousness is also what I want, the two cannot be obtained at the same time, and those who give up life for righteousness also. "A person is mortal, and he dies after death, but he wants death to be what he deserves.—But what does it mean to get what he deserves?" After a pause, there was no emotion in his tone, "People in Chuzhou have their own righteousness, and most of them refuse to accept it. Let it go. Probably, in their hearts, if they sacrifice their lives for righteousness like this, they will die well."

Seeing that everyone else was listening intently like Qin Xi, Chang Sheng thought: So as long as he thinks clearly, the truth is so simple to explain.Rationalizing her thoughts, as if she was trying to persuade the other party, or just talking to herself, she said softly: "But, Qin Xi, you must remember that you are different from them. What you do is to "get what you want", don't you think?" Haven't figured it out yet?"

"Your Highness..."

Changsheng stood up: "People are not grass and trees, how can you be ruthless? You can't bear it, why can't I understand? However, a man stands in the world and does not do something, and he must do something. What you don't do is something that cannot be moved; you must do it." Although there are thousands of people, I will go. This time, if you don’t go, I will never blame you. If you go, you must do the best and don’t waver.”

Qin Xi raised his head with difficulty.After a while, I spit out two words: "...I'll go!"

Changsheng looked at him for a while, and then said: "I can promise you - as long as you go to Chuzhou, I will free Chuzhou for a year in the future." With a faint smile, "Including this trip, it will be at least three years How can the world have both? But please have a clear conscience. Can I use the money I earn to make the people of Chuzhou live and work in peace and contentment, in exchange for you not being guilty?..."

Qin Xi finally left.

When he was about to raise his leg, he suddenly said to Chang Sheng: "There is one more thing, I almost forgot to report it to His Highness. It is—about Miss Nong Qing..."

"Oh?"

"This... This subordinate thinks that it's rare for her to be sincere, sophisticated and alert, coupled with the right time and place, she is really an excellent ready-made eyeliner. So, so, before we left Beijing, this subordinate was bold enough to meet her without authorization. On the one hand, please forgive me, Your Highness..."

Chang Sheng was stunned for a moment, and then smiled: "You cut it first and then played it, so let's stop with a few words about these scenes."

After hearing this, Qin Xi knew that His Highness had no real objection, so she grinned and bared her teeth, and in the blink of an eye, the person had disappeared.

Ni Jian shouted: "This thief, love and battlefield, don't delay! Your Highness asked him to watch, he is so good, he actually guards himself and steals..." Suddenly realized that these words are suspected of betraying brothers, shut up, and said embarrassingly, "Your Highness ..."

Chang Sheng smiled: "He has a good eye." With a hint of teasing, "Well, luck is also good. It depends on how the hero Qin is."

Zhuang Lingchen thought about it and said, "If brother Qin really has such thoughts, it's not a bad thing."

Ni Jian shook his head and sighed: "I dare not mess with such a powerful woman..."

At the beginning of August, King Jingbei's Beizheng army approached the northeast border of Zhuozhou, and stopped at Yuyang, which is [-] miles away from Yantai Pass.

Mo Siyu asked Zhi Xuan to bring the phrase "to manage the Northeast, we must go to the Northeast", Changsheng discussed with Zhuang Lingchen several times, and the policy and strategy were generally determined, but they have not found a suitable person.

From Zhuozhou to the northeast, there are mountains and rivers, which are called "Qingqiu Baishui", which is the sphere of influence of the Yulu people. 400 years ago, the Rouran family from the north came to dominate the Middle Earth, but after only one Jiazi, they were driven back.The first two emperors of the Xianxi dynasty were talented and general, and they chased them all the way to the depths of the desert grassland.One of the Rouran people fled east and one moved west.The branch that fled to the east was the later Yulu clan.Gradually growing in the process of tossing and moving, in the past 100 years, it has successively occupied more than half of Qingqiu, and naturally looks at the rich Zhuozhou with covetous eyes.

As for the Chile people who moved westward, their luck was much worse.It was repeatedly annexed by natural disasters, and after hundreds of years, it has already been dispersed into various tribes in Xirong, almost without a trace.

What Lao Mo meant was that we should make good use of the power of the Yulu clan to get twice the result with half the effort in the war against Zhuozhou.It is not a complicated matter to send people to discuss an alliance with the leader of Yulu, and to attack Huang Yongshen internally and externally.However, it is said that the Yulu people are far less civilized than Xirong in terms of culture. It is a difficult problem to find a person who can understand the language and brains to complete this task.

After receiving the secret order of longevity, Fu Zhong finally found three soldiers whose ancestors belonged to the Chile branch.Although it was a long time ago, fortunately, the traditions passed down by word of mouth of each family are very strong, and several soldiers can speak a little bit of soft language.It's a pity that after a review, I don't have enough brains to take on the big task.

With such a delay, it will soon be mid-August.The coach wasn't in a hurry, but the soldiers couldn't help it.

Fu Zhong's army once followed Fu Yang on the East Expedition, and made great contributions in pacifying the hunger riots in Yongzhou.Even the most ordinary soldiers have chopped off more heads than melons eaten in Meili Oasis.During the two years of famine, everyone slaughtered the "two-legged sheep" to satisfy their hunger, and their blood and flesh passed through their intestines, and their temperament became more and more fierce.When they get angry, their eyes and temper are no different from jackals.After finally having the opportunity to burn, kill and loot again, they nestled here and stagnated, under the intentional or unintentional indulgence of the leaders, they became increasingly noisy and uneasy.

Changsheng looks at the Mid-Autumn Festival in August. According to the past traditions of all ethnic groups in Xirong, a large-scale moon-chasing horse race should be held.Simply pass down the order, with the centurion battalion as the unit, from the evening of the fifteenth day to the evening, the whole army will chase the moon and race horses.In addition to rewarding the soldiers with wine and meat, the victor will also receive the "Jingbei King" as a reward from the emperor.

——Temporarily unable to go to the battlefield, it is also good to create opportunities to vent.Sure enough, when the news spread, the soldiers' attention was quickly diverted. They practiced riding and shooting hard every day. Everyone wanted to get the famous bow given by the emperor and be honored all their lives.

Ni Jian's personal guard team and Shan Qi's grain superintendent team will also participate in the competition.The two are gearing up, determined to earn face for His Highness in the competition and show off their prestige.The Mid-Autumn Festival horse race is divided into two parts: the group equestrian show at dusk and the horse racing and chasing the moon at night.The former mainly shows the strength of each battalion team and entertains the public, while the latter is a contest between the best riders in the army, which is the finale of the whole event.

Start the preselection days in advance.In the end, Captain Ni led the guards into the final of the group equestrian show, and the two centurions under General Shan won the qualification to compete for the "Jiaosui Bow".

On the thirteenth day of the eighth month, Ni and Shan took Changsheng to review the results of their preparations for the battle.King Jingbei's famous horse "Jinglei" was infected by the high spirits of his companions, pawing his hooves and sniffing his nose.Changsheng patted Ma'er on the head: "This guy has been with me for several years, but he never had a chance to make a good use of it. It's a pity."

Shan Qi called Yu Mang, the centurion at the side, and said, "If your highness is trustworthy, why not ask Yu Mang to give it a try and take "Jinglei" to chase the moon."

There are no special rules for horses in the Moon Chasing Horse Race. All the athletes ride their favorite horses, including famous breeds like "Thunder".What's more, although the horse of the prince is good, it is inferior to the horses in the army. Most of the horses in the army have been baptized by the flames of war, and they don't panic or panic when they enter the arena.There was only two more days of running-in. Therefore, although Yu Mang was a top rider, this task was only a challenge for him, not really an honor.

Changsheng handed the reins to Yu Mang: "You have the right to train the horse for me, you don't have to worry about winning or losing. If you train this guy well, there will be another reward."

Yu Mang talked with Ma'er, and realized that "Jinglei" had great potential, so he swung his whip and ran away happily.

Here, Chang Sheng looked at the group of masters carefully trained by Captain Ni, and suddenly felt itchy.Said: "You guys," turning to Ni Jian and Shan Qi, "plus you two, let's practice." As he said, he took off his outer robe, revealing the blue dress underneath.He stretched out his hand to hold the handle of the knife, paused slightly, and looked down at the wrist guard of his right hand.

——In the days of recuperation, when I have nothing to do, I think about improving my personal equipment.He asked Ni Jian to search in Shunjing City, and found a descendant of Master Pu in the former "Yeshifang" who made a good knife for use.The second prince paid generously, so Master Pu promised to give away some peripheral products.As soon as Changsheng thought about it, the gift became the pair of two-color lock wristbands in his hand: the flexible and strong purple gold silk and silkworm silk are twisted together, and the black fretwork inlaid in the middle is woven with strands of blue silk.

Changsheng looked at his hand holding the knife, feeling entangled in love.At that time, it was just a subconscious move, and I wanted to find a way to carry it with me so that I would not lose it.Pulling out the sword at this moment, I realized in an instant: what I need is exactly this lock.Only this lock can protect the hands holding the knife and stabilize the unsheathed knife in this hand.

Ni Jian knew that His Highness had recently recovered his meditation skills, so he probably wanted to try the effect.Glancing at Chang Sheng, he still said, "Why don't you...His Royal Highness point out some tricks with empty fingers? I'm afraid the children won't be able to stand up to the knife."

Changsheng raised his eyebrows and laughed: "You bastard, don't imitate the bad habit of going around in circles with them. You are just afraid that my kung fu will regress, that I will lose sense of control, hurt your people, or lose face to you. Let go Well, the old rules, there is no limit to the number of people, and the length of weapons is arbitrary. Don't worry, if you can't hold on anymore, I will naturally stop, how can you die and suffer..."

"Clang" a silver light flashed, and everyone was driven by the strong wind of his blade, and they couldn't help but use their weapons to resist, and "Ping Ping Pang Pong" handed over.

Half an hour passed, including getting a hint from the captain halfway, and the dozen or so guards who shot arrows and attacked from the outside were also knocked down by Changsheng.Ni Jian groaned and groaned on the ground: "Your Highness, could it be the legendary wedding dress magic skill? After self-destructing the skill and starting over again, it is even more powerful..."

"There is no such skill in the world, your flattery is too outrageous." Changsheng breathed evenly, put the knife back into the sheath, "However, it is really the same principle to win from danger, to survive from the dead, to stand up after being broken. Go up Fighting against people in the backwater, and lying in bed for a few months, I really have some experience.——Don’t you think it’s the same as losing, and this time the loss is even more useless?” Sighed, “Yes, with your understanding, Why do we have to play a few more games to find out..."

Throwing a group of subordinates in the open space in a daze, turned around and entered the tent.Sitting cross-legged quietly alone, slowly settled down.

——In the days when I was most injured, there were days when my heart seemed to become extremely fragile along with my body.The past is analyzed piece by piece, and it reappears in the mind: stretching a little bit, shrinking layer by layer; infiltrating drop by drop, drying piece by piece.After tossing and turning like this, the whole body and mind feel faintly happy and satisfied.It seems that the loneliness and loneliness I have endured for more than 1000 days and nights in the past have been greatly comforted by the memories, and I am so addicted to it that I don’t want to wake up.

One day, I didn't know how to think of him, and I thought of water by the way.I remembered how Shui made things difficult for me and made fun of me when I was a child; after meeting him, it actually helped me again and again.Are things in the world so wonderful? ...The fragments related to water in the memory merged into a trickle, washing every nerve.A detail that has been dusty for many years jumped out unexpectedly: on the eve of the master's departure that year, he once taught himself a mental formula, saying only: "You first remember, when you really dare to go into the water, you will have a solid foundation in kung fu. Or you can practice this "backflow against the current"..."

At that time, the master's tone was very casual, and he didn't explain it, so I couldn't understand it.Later, I was busy practicing practical kung fu, so I forgot these words in the back of my mind.At this moment, I accidentally touched it, so I don't need to think about it, those formulas have already surfaced in my mind: "...It is so deep that it is called Weiyan. Wait for it to be soft. Square but not square, round but not regular. Come and never see, go and never chase..."

Almost at the same moment, the relevant sentence in the "Shang Shan Ruo Shui Fu" mentioned by Li Zishi came out: "...the emptiness always exists, and the chaos never ends. Embody the body according to the shape, and go with the flow. It is as calm as the abyss, and as A boat that is not tied..."

——It seems that the sun breaks through the clouds in an instant, and the ice peak melts into the sea: thousands of hectares of light jump into gold and sink into jade, and still water dives into turbulence and flies away.Immersed in the cool water, bathed in the warm sunshine, the joy and peace in my heart are indescribable.

Changsheng knew that he had stepped into another world from then on.

…………

At the end of a week, Changsheng opened his eyes.The inner breath circulates, turbulently surging, like a torrent rushing up and down in the sky, with one wave higher than the other.However, under his control and guidance, they returned to the river and entered the sea one by one, and finally the wind and waves were calm, and it was hard to know its depth.

He thought: If it hadn't been for this major breakthrough, during the days of recuperating from injuries, it was so hard and difficult, maybe he really collapsed just like that.

Put the scimitar across your knees, and gently hold the blade with both palms.The days to come may be harder and harder.However, there seems to be a clear spring in my heart, which is endless and will never dry up.

On August [-]th, the army was noisy and boiling.

There is a large open space next to the barracks, extending to the flat Yuxi River Beach, where the racetrack is located.In order to avoid accidents, Changsheng sent someone to greet the county government in advance and asked local officials and people to avoid it.

In terms of riding skills alone, Prince Jingbei's personal guards are no better than other opponents.However, these soldiers trained by Captain Ni and even His Royal Highness personally, with agility and tacit cooperation, all kinds of difficult moves emerged one after another, and they won the team equestrian show championship without any suspense.Originally, the soldiers looked down upon these colleagues from Beijing, but now they all look at them with admiration.

At the end of the riding show, the whole army has a dinner and rewards to celebrate.

After the wine is hot, the moon is on the top.The silver light shines on the plain, with snowy fields and white sand everywhere, as if returning to the northwest desert.The finish line of the horse race was set in front of a forest thirty miles to the west, with a blazing bonfire and a drum stand as tall as a man standing in the middle.The round drum surface symbolizes the bright moon in the sky, and the first rider to arrive must beat the drum to announce to everyone that he is the hero who has caught up with the moon.In the real desert grassland, the race is at least [-] miles long. Now the area is limited, only [-] miles are freed up, but it is enough for these athletes who have not had such entertainment for many years.

The commanding officer gave an order, and the rope that reined in the horse at the starting point fell accordingly.Hundreds of war horses galloped wildly at the same time, like a gust of wind pushing the clouds, rolling away, thunderbolt from the sky, coming rumbling, causing the sky to shake and the earth to crack.The spectators surrounded and followed, tens of thousands of people clamored, shouted loudly, and were indescribably enthusiastic and excited.

However, apart from this surging thundercloud, the surrounding fields and plains are boundless and empty.

The night is as thick as ink, and the moon is as clear as water.Against the deep and gentle background, the galloping horse is full of romantic temperament, as if it is really going to chase the moon.

The pouring moonlight under the night, the jumping bonfire, the hearty cheers... intertwine and converge.Both people and horses are intoxicated in this very familiar atmosphere in memory, and the fragrance of snow-capped mountains and green grass seems to blow towards our faces as the night wind travels thousands of miles away.From soldiers to generals, they all devoted themselves to the horse racing and chasing the moon in front of them, unable to control themselves.Even the soldiers of the loyal and brave army seemed to be infected by this scene full of strength and speed. They put aside the shock and reserve at the beginning and became enthusiastic cheerleaders.

All the soldiers watched the game along the way, and the higher-ranking ones crowded to wait near the finish line.Senior generals such as Chang Sheng and Fu Zhong were on the temporary high platform at the finish line, waiting for the winner.

Zhuang Lingchen had to mobilize all his concentration to force himself to isolate himself from that intense and fiery rough arrogance.His current position is the Chief Registrar of the Chinese Army, which is at the same level as the school lieutenant, and he is with His Highness as an advisor.Seeing that Ni Jian was so excited, he led his subordinates and several generals of the side camp to place a bet on the victory of "Thunder", the owner shook his head and smiled.He couldn't help frowning: This guy, he gets carried away when he comes to such an occasion, and he doesn't remember his duties as a bodyguard at all... Just moved his legs, intending to go quietly to remind him, but his Highness said: "I allowed him to go. Don't worry, it's fine."

So I stopped behind His Highness again, thinking: I was a little confused at the beginning of this horse race, but now it seems that the benefits are endless.After all, he is also a talented man who has read sages and sages and passed the imperial examination. He naturally understands the important role of rituals in group life, but he didn't think about it at first, and he didn't realize it: the so-called people have the same heart and the same heart, even if the barbarians The ways to establish prestige, communicate feelings, and enhance cohesion are essentially the same.

Just thinking about it for a while, suddenly there was loud thunder and the ground trembled, and the whole high platform shook accordingly, and he hurriedly put his hands on the wooden posts beside him.Only then did he stabilize his body, and when he looked up to see the horses galloping towards the moonlight, his mind was immediately captured by it, and he concentrated on feeling the best combination of power and beauty.