a pillow in autumn

Early the next morning, Shen Youtang went to the Yunzhou government office, only half a day later, he came back in a hurry, and he brought an acquaintance with him, Chen Xu, the Huaihua Zhonglang general in the Red Wing Army.

Chen Xu's body was covered with dust, he was in a hurry, and his face was unshaven.

The two returned to the place where Prince Rui was staying in the other courtyard. Chen Xu walked to the door, raised his hand to knock on the door, but stopped suddenly, brushed the dust off his robe, knocked on the door and walked in.

The sun in winter is not very dazzling, and the sunlight comes in through the half-closed door of the flower hall. What you can see is the tiny dust, floating and sinking in strands of light spots, like the wandering beings in the world.

Zhou Mubai took a letter from Chen Xu and read it carefully. The handwriting in the letter was scribbled and slightly messy.She spread the letter, looking at ten lines at a glance, as she looked at it, anger gradually appeared on her handsome face.

When Prince Rui and his party first arrived in Yunzhou three months ago, Chen Xu sent a handwritten letter at the order of General Wei, which said that Duke Wei's condition was getting worse, and Wei Jinpeng wanted to return to Weijun to serve his parents at the bedside. , and asked Prince Rui to turn to the court on his behalf.

At that time, although Prince Rui was silent for a long time, his brows were not locked and his face was ashen as today.Chen Xu glanced quietly, and saw that Prince Rui was holding those thin papers in his hands, clenched his fists.

Zhou Mubai gritted his teeth to suppress his anger, and said in a deep voice, "Did General Wei tell you what was written in the letter?"

Chen Xu said: "No. I just said that we must hurry up and entrust the letter to His Highness himself. When General Wei handed the letter to the last general, he also gave the last general a wooden box, saying that His Highness will read the letter before sending it to you." The box will be handed over to you." He said as he untied his luggage, and took out a wooden box between the two clothes, with a lock on the box and no key to unlock it.

Zhou Mubai stared at the wooden box for a quarter of an hour before taking it with a sullen face, and said in a cold voice, "Go."

She has always been close to her subordinates, and she has a life-and-death friendship with the generals of the Red Wing Army. Today's sarcastic remarks made Chen Xu not understand why.He raised his head to look at Prince Rui, then at Deputy Shen Dianjun who was standing beside him, finally he kowtowed and left the door without asking anything.

The footsteps gradually moved away, the door was closed, Zhou Mubai stood in the room with his lips pursed, his face turned blue with anger.Shen Youtang has been with her for more than ten years, and he has never seen her like this. When he wanted to persuade her, but he didn't know how to persuade him, he frowned and thought for a while, then asked slowly: "But General Wei wants to persuade you?" Desperate to write a letter?"

Zhou Mubai took a deep breath, and glanced at the door with a cold face.Shen Youtang understood, went out without saying a word, called two royal guards to guard the door, turned around and came in, and closed the door of the flower hall tightly.

The flower hall was covered with hibiscus and gold thread blankets, and a rosewood square table was placed on the blankets. Zhou Mubai stood by the table with his hands behind his back, his brows were tightly locked, his anger had been suppressed, replaced by a look of regret .

Shen Youtang folded his hands and waited for a while, when he heard Prince Rui's voice slowly and deeply: "General Wei left his post without permission and left Gunzhou alone, probably going to Wei County."

Shen Youtang's eyes widened in shock, he opened his mouth, but was speechless for a while.After a while Fang said: "General Wei wants to ask His Highness to intercede for him in the court? Last time he asked Chen Xu to send a letter, His Highness has written a handwritten letter and sent it back to Beijing. His Majesty has not responded so far. Test. Although your private correspondence with General Wei is not a clear crime, but so many eyes staring in, I'm afraid it's not good. This time... this time..."

He didn't go on talking, he also knew in his heart that Prince Rui must be difficult to decide. For the past two years in Jijun, everyone in Prince Rui's residence and the generals of the Red Wing Army have long been in love with each other. Save him, Shen Youtang has long since died in the West Frontier.Prince Rui treated people with sincerity, this time, he would definitely not want to stand by and watch.

He was lost in thought, Zhou Mubai took two steps, sat down beside the rosewood table, pointed to the wooden box on the table, and said calmly: "Do you know what General Wei sent someone to send?"

The wooden box was not much bigger than a palm, square and square with a few simple patterns engraved on it, without any fancy, Shen Youtang took it in his hand and weighed it.General Wei sent someone to send it at this moment, it must be related to that letter.Shen Youtang frowned, recalling what Prince Cai Rui said to him just now, suddenly thought of a possibility.

He stared at the wooden box, his expression slowly changed, and he forced himself to calm down and said, "Your Highness, this can't be... is it... General Tiger Talisman?"

The doors and windows were obviously closed tightly, but the cold wind poured in from nowhere, soaking in the heart and chilling the heart.Shen Youtang's face was blue and white, and he vaguely understood that the matter might be more serious than he thought.

Bypassing the four landscape screens, Zhou Mubai walked into the room alone. After a while, he found a dagger, inserted it next to the lock of the wooden box, and pried it open a few times. Half a copper tiger talisman engraved with golden inscriptions was embedded in the box. middle.

"General Wei entrusted this commander's seal to ask the lonely king to go to Ji County in person and lead the 20 troops at the gate of the western frontier."

"Your Highness!" Shen Youtang cried out and knelt down.On such a cold day, sweat was already dripping from his forehead, "You have exchanged private letters with General Wei, and there have been criticisms in the court for a long time. If you go to Ji County to lead the three armies with the commander-in-chief tiger amulet at this time, let alone the people in the court will discuss it. Even His Majesty will be suspicious of you."

"The imperial court criticizes, Your Majesty's Sacred Heart, doesn't the lonely king know?" Zhou Mubai said in a cold voice, "It's just that Ji County is the gateway to the west of Rui Kingdom, and Wei Jinpeng left without permission. Realized that the army is unstable or small, and the Ruotu army is making a comeback, how will our country of Rui resist the enemy?"

Shen Youtang froze for a moment, Zhou Mubai sneered and said: "Duke Wei has two sons and a daughter, the eldest son died before reaching adulthood, and the eldest daughter married the eldest brother of the emperor and became the crown princess. Unfortunately, the philosopher withered in the palace last year. Wei Jinpeng Grateful for the desolation of the old father, he wanted to rush back to Chengrao's sickbed in Weijun, but when he left, where would the door of the country be? He cared about benevolence and filial piety, but abandoned loyalty. Ji Jun takes on important responsibilities, so how is it different from him!"

She finished speaking in one breath, her brows were open and proud.

Shen Youtang was still kneeling on the ground, his heart beating like a drum.He was also a very smart person, so he thought about the matter before and after, and cupped his hands and said: "General Wei has been in charge of the army for many years, and his thoughts are meticulous. Since he is going to Wei County, the affairs of the army will be properly arranged. Your Highness, why don't you go first?" Take the commander-in-chief seal tiger talisman and hurry back to Beijing, and wait for His Majesty's Dragon Heart Sacred Judgment before rushing to the western frontier."

Zhou Mubai threw the dagger on the table, and his slender fingers caressed the back of the tiger talisman. The scar-like touch reminded people of the bloody years on the battlefield.

"Get up." Zhou Mubai held his elbow and asked casually, "How long will it take to travel from Yunzhou to Ruijing, and from Ruijing to Jijun?"

Shen Youtang understood the meaning of her words, lowered his head and said shyly: "At least forty or fifty days."

"How about going directly from Yunzhou to Gunzhou?"

"The fast horse will arrive in seventeen or eighteen days." Standing beside her, Shen Youtang said unwillingly: "But Your Highness, it's too risky for you to go back and forth like this! There will always be other ways to think of, please think again!"

The incense sticks in the copper tripod small incense burner had been burned out, it was early, and there was no lamp in the room, so it was a bit dark with the windows closed.

The two of them sat in silence for a while, Zhou Mubai said: "That's it. You take the handsome tiger seal and lead a team of guards, rush back to the middle of the capital to face the saint, and explain the matter here clearly. The lonely king takes Shen Lan and the palace Twelve personal guards, go to the governor of Ji County to raid the formation."

Shen Youtang thought about it for a while, and this was the best way out of desperation, so he also bowed down to accept the order.

"Wei Jinpeng left his post without authorization this time. He disobeyed the order and disrespected it. It may be a felony to be beheaded. Persuasion is no longer enough. After you return to Beijing, pay attention to what His Majesty means. If possible, see if you can save him." His wife and children are young and old. The Wei family is full of loyalty, and the bones of the emperor's wife are not cold. Your Majesty... will not want to copy the family and exterminate the family."

Shen Youtang was very cold when she heard her words, and he didn't know if it was for General Wei or for the unpredictable Sacred Heart.

Just when he was about to turn out the door, Prince Rui called him again, and he stopped in front of the door. Hearing Prince Rui sighed, he said in a soft voice: "Go to the palace again, and take a look at the princess for me. Said, I can't go back on New Year's Eve, let her take care of herself, Zheng'er and Hua'er. Don't worry, I will go back safely in a while."

Shen Youtang stood by the door and bowed deeply.Looking up, he saw Prince Rui standing tall beside the calligraphy and painting in the flower hall, his eyes were full of mist.

The road from Yunzhou to the capital is not easy, the mountain roads are bumpy and rugged, and in some places there are no official roads, so people have to lead the horses.

Shen Youtang led a team of guards to rush to Ruijing with all his strength, and it was already a young year when the city gate was in sight.

Foggy rain fell in mid-air, hitting the face coldly, making people shiver with cold.Fortunately, it was not too late, so he didn't dare to stay there, a group of people hurried to the palace gate, checked the badges, Shen Youtang left the guards outside the north gate, and went to the deep palace to ask for an interview.

Just after the court ended in the palace, Zhou Muchen was reviewing the memorial in the imperial study.

The hanging branches of Jin Fulan outside the window panes are covered with a layer of hoarfrost, and the winter rain drips down from the eaves, dripping like ice.Qu Bin stood by the window sill and talked with the emperor for a while, his ears turned red from the cold.Just about to take his leave, Quan Jing'an replied in a high-pitched voice, Shen Youtang, Master Shen begged to see His Majesty.

Prince Rui was far away in Yunzhou, but the deputy Dianjun of the palace ran back to Beijing, this fact is a bit strange.Qu Bin paused and turned to look at the emperor.

Zhou Muchen frowned, threw the bag in his hand casually, and said coolly: "Tell."

The voice is minimal.

Qu Bin slightly bowed his body, and asked, "Will I avoid it first?"

Zhou Muchen looked at him and smiled: "I have avoided me and I still want to invite you to say it again?"

Qu Bin took a step back, stood outside Danchi, and smiled along with him.

Shen Youtang came in with a wooden box in both hands, and saw that he was in a mess, and there was mud splashed by rain on the corners of his clothes.Obviously, he didn't go back to the mansion to change clothes, and went straight to the palace.

Things are not complicated, but behind the scenes it is not simple.The cause of Wei Jinpeng's hanging, the process of Chen Xu sending the news, and the result of Zhou Mubai's choice.

Shen Youtang articulated clearly and listed the things clearly.Zhou Muchen sat on the high dragon chair, the more he listened, the deeper his frown became, and in the end, it became a tight knot.

Companion to a king is like companion to a tiger. This old saying is really invincible through the ages.Shen Youtang pressed his head deeply, not daring to breathe.

Zhou Muchen's eyes were dim, as deep as the deep sea, and he raised his hand after a long time.Qu Bin stepped forward to take the wooden box and put it on the Danxilong case.

The lock of the box had been broken, and it was hanging empty. Zhou Muchen opened the wooden cover, and half of the copper tiger amulet lay silently in the box, as if it had lost its claws.

He suddenly became angry, grabbed the wooden box and threw it out viciously.Hearing the sound of the wind, Shen Youtang didn't dare to dodge, but instead straightened his back, the wooden box flew over and hit the corner of his eye, drawing a line of blood, and the side of his face immediately swelled up.

Zhou Muchen shouted in a deep voice, "Get out."

Shen Youtang prostrated himself on the ground, performed the grand ceremony of the monarch and his ministers, and slowly exited the imperial study.

The winter rain had stopped at some point, but there was no sunlight in the sky, and the sky was filled with heavy clouds and black ink splashes, suppressing the palace halls to be cold and muddy.

Zhou Muchen panted with red eyes.Qu Bin walked to the door, whispered a few words, and after a while, Quan Jing'an brought a cup of Lu'an tea, the tea soup was clear, tender and bright.

Qu Bin took the tea and brought it to the emperor, he didn't try to persuade him deeply, but just stood there with his hands down.

After a while, Zhou Muchen sighed slowly, and the white mist scattered in front of his eyes, thickened with the fragrance of tea, and became human fireworks.

"Prince An is in charge of the mutual market trade with the Tu clan in the west, Wei Jinpeng must know about it. He is also the prince of the court, why do you think Wei Jinpeng would go far away and ask someone to send the tiger amulet to Prince Rui? ? If there is a mistake on the road, the 20 troops will become a joke."

Qu Bin put his hands together and raised his eyes, "Prince Wen is too young and has never been in battle. Even if he holds the Tiger Talisman, if something happens in the army, he may not be able to convince the public. Prince Rui has led the army before, so many In this battle, she took the lead, and everyone in the Xuanyi army saw it and remembered it in their hearts."

"Keep it in your eyes and keep it in your heart." Zhou Muchen asked indifferently: "What about the other two?"

"Two..."

Seeing his hesitation, Zhou Muchen sneered coldly, and continued for him: "Wei Jinpeng and Zhou Mubai led the Red Wing Army together for two years. He knows her ability and trusts her." He stood up and stepped down from Bai Yushi He walked up the steps and walked to the wooden box, half of the golden tiger talisman had fallen out of the box, he stared at it for a while, his voice was cold and lonely: "He can trust Prince Rui, but he can't trust me."

Qu Bin was stunned, he really wanted to ask, Your Majesty, how did you trust General Wei who was born and died for you.Not to mention General Wei, even Prince Rui who rescued you from danger many times in the chaos, you never fully believed it, right?

As for yourself and others, today you can stand in this imperial study and say so many heart-to-heart words with me, not because I grew up with you, but because I have no real power in my hands, and high officials and rich salary are far away from me.One day, if I also stand below one person and above ten thousand people, Your Majesty, can you still remember the words I sent to you today.

Qu Bin calmed down, stepped forward to pick up the tiger talisman and put it back into the wooden box, holding it with both hands, and raised it to his eyebrows.

Zhou Muchen received it in his hand, and his voice had returned to calm: "Call the two prime ministers and the minister of the Ministry of War to see me."

Qu Bin knew in his heart that he wanted to discuss with the important ministers who would be sent to take over in the West Frontier, so he surrendered and accepted the order, so he didn't leave immediately to see what the emperor ordered.

Zhou Muchen spread his palms, looked at the golden tiger talisman in the box, and said calmly: "Tell me, Prince Rui..." The voice paused for a long time, until Qu Bin thought that he would not continue, so he opened his mouth again: "But loyalty?"

Qu Bin's heart trembled, and after careful consideration, Fang replied: "His Royal Highness Prince Rui is naturally loyal to me, otherwise she would not have made such a decision at this time."

"Be loyal to Ruichao..." Zhou Muchen turned his back, looked at the brocade of mountains and rivers under the west wall, and sighed, "What about me?"

The author has something to say: Technical bacteria: When will Xiaobai and the little princess meet again?

Author Bacteria: We can't meet again.

Technician (surprised): What?Is Xiaobai going to hang up?

Author's bacteria: When we meet again, things are people, things are not everything, and I want to speak and cry first.

Beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep beep .

Blue Rain threw a grenade at him;

Fourteen dropped a mine;

One and a half knots hit a landmine.

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