Land of Peach Blossoms

五

There was a sudden silence in the Golden Luan Hall, and everyone seemed to be stunned by this battle report. After a while, the emperor said, "Come in and report in detail!"

The letter soldier covered in travel and dust knelt in the center of the hall, but his voice was loud and clear: "Reporting to Your Majesty, General Zhang had a difficult confrontation with Qiang Hu after arriving at the barracks. General Zhang suddenly received a secret letter from General Xie more than ten days ago, saying yes Qianghu is already on the decline, but he is holding on. General Xie has already arranged everything inside the enemy army after feigning surrender. This is a good time. As long as General Zhang is willing to cooperate with him, he will definitely be able to defeat the enemy army! General Zhang did not If you want to believe it, there is also a Qianghu defense map attached to the secret letter. General Zhang randomly selected a few places to try and found that the map was true. In addition, our army's morale has been low due to the long-term resistance. If we don't retreat from the enemy, we may change. The two armies faced each other to a critical juncture, but the Qianghu people became chaotic from within, and then retreated steadily. General Xie captured King Qianghu alive, and our army won a big victory!"

As soon as the voice fell, the court was full of excitement.

"What... So Xie Yuan really surrendered?"

"It seems that Xie Yuan had planned it long ago, otherwise how could he rashly attack and be captured..."

"Yes, yes, if it wasn't for Xie Yuan, I'm afraid we wouldn't be able to win a big victory this time."

……

After hearing this, the emperor's face was complicated, and he said, "So, Xie Yuan is a hero?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, General Xie knew that a long-term stalemate with Qianghu was definitely not a good plan, so he took the risk and wanted to break into the enemy army by himself. Obtaining the Qianghu defense map is even more life-threatening, if there is no General Xie, our army will never win so easily!"

The ministers suddenly looked complicated, you know, the emperor just copied the Xie family, and now...

The atmosphere in the Golden Luan Hall was a bit tense for a while, the ministers stopped talking, and the emperor looked at the respectful courtiers standing below, with a gloomy look in his eyes.

But Han Zhao didn't care about other things at this time, he only had one thought in his mind, Xie Yuan is coming back.

This spring in the capital is very lively, all the haze in winter seems to be warmed by the spring breeze, the willow branches sprout and are swept away, and the mood of the people is also rejoiced because of this great victory.

Xie Yuan walked all the way to the capital with the army, but his mood was not as happy as others thought. He knew that after returning to Beijing, what awaited him would be glory and wealth. Fall into the ice cave.

"General Xie, this battle depends entirely on your bravery before, and you can turn defeat into victory. After knowing the truth, the emperor praised you very much. In my opinion, this reward will not be missed. But your false surrender is still too risky. , you know, when the emperor heard that you were training soldiers for the Qiang and Hu people, Long Yan was furious, and directly searched Xie’s house and exiled them all. He heard that your younger brother Xie Han was caught in the cold in winter, but no one would take care of him. Once you're exiled, you won't be able to survive anymore." The envoy's words seemed to be still in his ears.

"I didn't train soldiers for the Qiang and Hu people!" Xie Yuan was shocked at the time. He just knew that the Xie family would only be stripped of their titles because they surrendered to the enemy. He dared to take a huge risk to feign surrender. He never thought that the emperor would be so angry that he would exile the entire family of Xie.

He thought of Xie Han blinking his eyes and saying to him before the expedition: "Brother, you will definitely defeat the Qiang Hu people. I will study hard at home and recite it to you when you come back!"

Xie Yuan never thought that this parting would be a separation between man and nature.

"Where's Han Zhao? Han Zhao has been to Xie's house before, if he had gone, how could he get cold and no one would save him." Xie Yuan suddenly thought of something, and quickly asked, "Has something happened to Han Zhao? "

The envoy's expression suddenly became very complicated, he said: "Master Han started to plead for you, and was thrown into prison by the emperor, but later..."

"What happened next?" Xie Yuan asked anxiously.

"Master Han not only walked out of the dungeon without incident, but also personally investigated the matter of Xie's family. Many people in the court speculated that Lord Han just pleaded for you before in order to win the name of benevolence and righteousness. He never thought that the emperor was really angry. So I took the initiative to ask for this errand, one is to exonerate myself, and the other is to be able to be reused by the emperor." This is the answer of the imperial envoy.

Xie Yuan still remembered the mood at that moment, his mind seemed to explode, and there was only one thought that was extremely clear, Han Zhao actually watched Pingnian die so miserable and lonely.

He told himself, don't worry, he wants to hear everything from Han Zhao himself.

On the day Xie Yuan arrived in the capital, the weather was fine and clear.

Before reaching the gate of the city, I met many welcoming people, and everyone's faces were filled with real smiles and admiration.

"Thank you, General! Thank you, General!..."

Everyone seemed to be calling his name.

Xie Yuan's heart was pounding, and he was getting closer and closer to the city gate. He had already seen the emperor's guard of honor, and Han Zhao standing behind the emperor.

"Your honor is not disgraceful!" Xie Yuan got off his horse a few feet away from the emperor and knelt down and said.

"Aiqing is flat!" The emperor stepped forward to help Xie Yuan up with a smile on his face.

"Aiqing is both wise and brave. She defeated millions of enemies and kept our country safe. She is a hero for the country. I didn't know that Aiqing planned, listened to rumors, and rushed to punish Xie's family. It was my fault. After receiving the victory report, I have restored Xie's title and recalled those who were exiled, and Aiqing can be reunited with her family when she returns to Beijing today." The emperor said, looking at Xie Yuan's expression carefully.

Xie Yuan's expression didn't change much, he said: "This minister hastily feigned surrender without discussing with anyone, His Majesty's disposition is reasonable, I have never had the slightest bit of resentment."

The emperor looked at Xie Yuan who was bowing his head in front of him, and suddenly laughed, he said: "Okay! Xie Yuan accepted the order. Xie Yuan sent millions of soldiers to fight against the chaos of the Qiang and Hu, and sneaked into the enemy camp alone. Serve the country, capture the enemy's head alive, make great contributions, and make the Qiang and Hu fled far away, and dare not invade our court again. I named him a general of Hussars, a thousand loads of food, and an iron coupon for Dan Shu!"

All around fell silent.Danshu Iron Voucher... The emperor really spared no expense in order to compensate and reward Xie Yuan.

"Minister Xie Yuan accepts the order, thank you Lord for your grace!" Xie Yuan brushed his robes and knelt in front of the emperor.

The spring breeze seemed to make people feel a little chilly, Han Zhao looked at Xie Yuan who was a few steps away, and smiled slowly.

"My lord...General Xie has been asking to see you at the gate of the mansion for a month in a row," the servant said to Han Zhao, "Are you still missing?"

"I don't see you." Han Zhao said without raising his head as he was drawing something on the rice paper.

After Xie Yuan's class teacher returned to the court, there were two hotly discussed matters in the capital. One was that Xie Yuan rejected the emperor's marriage offer, and the other was that Han and Xie, who were once known as a perfect match, became strangers.

Some people say that because Han Zhao is a villain who betrayed his friends, he not only failed to help Xie's family when they were in trouble, but also took credit for it. The illustrious military exploits made this time are even more precious for a while, how can they pay attention to an ordinary civil servant from a poor family.In short, no matter what the story is, the breakup between Xie Yuan and Han Zhao is well known.

Xie Yuan didn't care so much. He didn't want to believe what others told him. He just wanted to hear Han Zhao's explanation. Han Zhao was willing to say.

However, he was turned away.

"General Xie, please go back. My lord has said that he won't see you." There was a hint of resentment in the servant's words.

Xie Yuan stood at the gate of the Han Mansion with deep eyes, it has been a month and the man has not seen him.

"Go and tell Han Zhao that this is the last time I've come to thank someone for visiting. I'm not here to ask the teacher for a crime. I just want an explanation from him. If he still stays behind closed doors, from today onwards, I will thank Yuan and him. " Xie Yuan said.

Not long after, the servant came out again, and he said nonchalantly, "My lord said, I don't see you..."

A swallow flew past Xie Yuan and flew into Xie's mansion. Xie Yuan remembered that in the school that year, there seemed to be a swallow passing through the hall, disturbing the sound of books in the room. The husband patted the table vigorously to calm everyone down. But no one listened to him. Xie Yuan remembered that he and Han Zhao looked at each other and laughed along with everyone.

Xie Yuan took one last look at the Han Mansion, and finally left without looking back.

A year later, Han Zhao was involved in a military ration embezzlement case, and was convicted and exiled overnight.Some people in the DPRK say that this is karma.The emperor left Xie Yuan behind that day, and asked casually during the chat, "You and Han Zhao used to have a good friendship?"

"Yes."

"What about now?"

"It's just a stranger."

"Now that he was involved in the crime and was convicted, the law should be the death penalty. What do you want to say?"

"I dare to ask Your Majesty to spare him his death."

"Oh?" The emperor's expression became a little unpredictable, "Why?"

"When I feigned surrender, I heard that Han Zhao pleaded for me. Although I am a passer-by now, I don't want to owe him this friendship." Xie Yuan said without changing his expression.

"So, you pleaded for him for peace of mind?"

"Yes."

"But the law is not up to the doctor, and I make an exception for him alone. How can I convince the public?"

"The minister is willing to exchange the iron coupon of Dan Shu for Han Zhao's life, and I hope His Majesty will make it happen."

The emperor stopped talking, he looked at Xie Yuan for a long time, and then said: "Have you thought about it?"

"I hope Your Majesty will do it." Xie Yuan didn't raise his head, but his voice was extremely firm.

"Forget it." The emperor suddenly laughed, and he said, "It's rare that you are a person who values ​​affection. Han Zhao was condemned to death, but he was also condemned to live. I will change him into exile. You must understand that some people will be punished when they should be punished. You have a bright future, and the Xie family still relies on you to revive it, so I will keep this pill book and iron voucher for you first, if you make more military exploits, it will still be yours."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

On the day Han Zhao was escorted out of Beijing, Xie Yuan didn't go to see him. He walked alone into the peach blossom forest and sat under the pear tree, wondering what he was thinking.

From the dawn to the night, Xie Yuan watched the Taohuaxi flow slowly in front of him, just like this time and age, he looked up at the vast starry sky, and murmured: "Han Jiuxi, why do you Push me away? Is there something that I can't know?"

A little light suddenly lit up at Taolinkou not far away, and not long after, a woodcutter walked up to Xie Yuan holding a torch.

"My son, is General Xie Yuan Xie?" the woodcutter asked.

"Yes, so what." Xie Yuan said sullenly without raising his head.

Since he returned from victory, there are not a few people in Beijing who know him. There are always bold people who will come up to talk. He usually answers patiently, but today he really can't lift his mood.

"Someone entrusted the villain to guard here. When the general comes, I will give you something. I was delayed on the mountain today, and when I came back, I saw the moss at the entrance of the cave was trampled down. I thought it must be someone who came in, so I came in and took a look. I didn't expect it to be the general." ” said the woodcutter, handing over a scroll.

Xie Yuan froze, there was no doubt who would ask someone to give him something here, but, that person had already made a clean break with him so decisively, why did he still do this?

But in the end Xie Yuan still took the scroll.

The woodcutter had already left, and the night was fine, Xie Yuan unfolded the painting scroll under the bright moonlight.

It is ten miles of peach blossoms.

The peach blossoms are scorching, but it is the two teenagers in the painting that people can't take their eyes off.One has a vigorous posture, like a swimming dragon, and is dancing a long sword with his back turned. The other is standing under a pear tree full of white clothes, holding an emerald green jade flute in his hand.There is no inscription in the painting, but an address is written at the bottom of the scroll.

Xie Yuan held the scroll and sat in the peach grove until dawn, and then went directly to the place where the painting was written.

This is an ordinary house in an alley in the suburbs of Beijing. Xie Yuan knocked on the door, but stopped when he saw the person who opened the door. His voice trembled uncontrollably, and he said:

"average year?"

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