Heartless

The chieftain of the Northwest came to Beijing to face the saint, under the banner of "King Qin saves the crisis", and proudly brought some soldiers and horses around him.The three thousand soldiers and horses from the northwest were not allowed to enter the city, so they had to stay outside the city temporarily.Most of the civil and military officials in the Manchu Dynasty were acquainted with high and low, and experts who saw the wind and the wind made the rudder. Seeing that Jiu Qiansui lost power and General Zhenxi gained power, they threw banquets and invited them.

Kou Biancheng wanted to win over the officials, but he didn't want to make Chongzhen suspicious, so he socialized with the officials as usual during the day, but at night he would share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers under his command and sleep together in the camp outside the city. .

The [-] soldiers and horses in the battalion include brothers from Langjiaohu, heroes from the Four Dynasties and Eight Leagues, generals under the original Mu He, and Buddhist monks who have returned to secular life. The selected elites are now lined up with soldiers in armor and lined up on both sides, as if they are already a clean-up Northwest Army.

On the surface, the Northwest Chieftain is still Shan Xiaohu, but everyone in the camp tacitly obeys orders from General Zhenxi.Shan Xiaohu himself didn't consider himself a chieftain, he rushed into the general's tent with a letter in his hands, and saw Kou Bian city standing with his hands behind his back, staring intently at the armor hanging on the wall.

The white hair on the sideburns is very eye-catching, he stood motionless for a long time without even blinking his eyelids, as if he had turned into a stone.

"Master?"

Called him, no answer.

"Master, this is a battle report sent from the front line, and there is also a letter from... Mang Gurtai's own handwriting in it."

After drinking about half a cup of tea, Kou Biancheng moved his eyes away from the Zheng clothes, turned his head and smiled at Shan Xiaohu: "I don't know why, but when I granted myself the seal of General Zhenxi, I always remembered what happened in my father's barracks when I was a child... ..." The smile on his face was already quite bitter, he paused, and there was a trace of melancholy in his eyes, "I thought I had forgotten it."

There was a time when my father had become very vague in my memory, only a few impressions remained. My facial features were quite similar to my father's, with the same deep and long eye sockets, thin and distinct lips... the rest I don't remember any of them.

I don't remember that Xu Shiyuan didn't understand, and He Xueju didn't understand back then. It was obvious that the emperor forced his ministers to rebel. Why didn't his father want to stand on his own and fight with the Ming court, but he was willing to suffer a thousand cuts at the entrance of the vegetable market?Now that Kou Biancheng is in charge of the commander-in-chief seal, and the old feelings blend into the present scene, he suddenly remembered that his surname was He, and remembered that when he was ten years old, he followed his father to guard the frontier, playing horses and singing songs every day, and even the four or five-year-old children, The picture of my father teaching me how to copy characters by hand also became clear for a while.

The child's voice was crisp and tender, and the handwriting on the paper was distorted. The yellow-mouthed child read while writing: loyalty, filial piety, fraternity, tolerance, kindness...

Co-authoring the five words that my father placed high hopes on, I have achieved the word "forbearance" all these years. I have endured the inhuman torture in Dongchang Prison, endured the pain of wandering outside the Great Wall, endured the humiliation of being sent to others, endured I have to cut a knife to the person I like...

For the golden lacquered Kowloon chair in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, there is nothing I can't bear, and there is nothing I can't bear.

Shan Xiaohu respectfully handed over the battle report and the letter, and when he saw Kou Biancheng reading the letter, he frowned suddenly, his eyes darkened, like a cloud of shadows passing between his brows and eyes, and it was even more difficult to tell whether it was worry or anger on his face. Even though he has always been heartless, he could see something was wrong, and hurriedly asked: "Then the golden tartar...won't you agree to form an alliance?"

Kou Biancheng didn't answer, and after reading, he put the letter in his hand on the candle, and didn't let go until the flames burned to his fingertips. The two thin leaflets burned out in a blink of an eye, turning into a wisp of soot.

"Master, why do you have to be so polite to those post-gold Tartars? It would be best if Manggurtai is willing to form an alliance. If he is not willing, it will be difficult for the Ming army to fight, but most of the brothers in Langjiao Lake were born on horseback. , good at horseback, not afraid of the iron horses of the Tartars!"

"You are too impatient." Kou Biancheng shook his head, "He agreed."

Shan Xiaohu couldn't get his head around the corner for a while, and said in a daze: "A...Agreed?"

"Of course I will agree. The Ming court has always been unwilling to negotiate a peace, and the monarchs and ministers are determined to lead the war. However, not long after Huang Taiji first inherited the Khan throne, the four major Baylors must be convinced. Amin, who is inlaid with a blue flag, even intends to set up another sect... No matter what Whether Huang Taiji really has the ambition to spy on the Central Plains, the most important thing for him right now is how to consolidate his power within the clan, rather than fighting with outsiders."

"Master, excuse me for asking a question, are you really planning to divide the border with Houjin as stated in the covenant, and from now on the two emperors will look at the world together? This... I'm afraid..."

"I'm afraid this will leave a bad name forever, isn't it?" Kou Biancheng completed the words for him, and then laughed loudly.There was an obvious sense of humor in this laughter, as if he was not afraid of "eternal notoriety".

Shan Xiaohu kept silent and didn't dare to speak up, but his heart was pounding like a drum: Although he didn't read much, he also knew that the emperors of Ming Dynasty and the scholars inside and outside the court all said that "there is no marriage between the Han and Tang Dynasties, and there is no marriage between the two Song Dynasties." He is proud of "Sui Coin", even a few days ago, he accidentally leaked the word with that hard-headed Tanhua Lang, and the other party turned pale on the spot as if struck by lightning.

"At the moment, there will be disasters and man-made disasters in the future, and a lot of waste is waiting to be done. Don't say that I need external help to seize the throne. Even after I succeed, I will need time." The emperor's weather, "I need time to abolish the bad government and recuperate the people's livelihood; I need time to strengthen the army and enrich the people, and rectify the frontier defense; I need to endure this moment in exchange for the prosperity and peace of the next generation for 200 years."

Shan Xiaohu was still puzzled: "Since the Tartars have agreed, why are you so upset, Master?"

"Although Houjin promised to form an alliance with me and help me win the throne, Mangurtai doesn't want gold, silver, beauties, cities and land. What he wants is... the Great Treasure King Relic."

"I think that stone is ordinary, far less miraculous than the rumors. I tried to save your life with it when you were seriously injured, but I didn't see any miracle." I wondered what was the reason for this rare look of sadness , thinking that it was because of that broken stone, Shan Xiaohu didn't dare to hold it up in front of his master, scratched his head and said with a smile: "Master, do you really believe those rumors and want to rely on this relic to live forever?"

Kou Biancheng looked back at Shan Xiaohu, and asked without answering, "You don't want to?"

Shan Xiaohu thought for a while, and answered truthfully: "I don't want to. I have lived a happy life this time. I am worthy of the blue sky and worthy of my parents. It is worth it."

"I don't want to either, but Mang Gurtai may not, and Huang Taiji may not." Kou Biancheng's lips curled up slightly, his expression calm and composed, obviously he had already planned deep and far, "This great treasure Dharma King Relic can not only be exchanged for If a letter of alliance can be used to cause discord among the Houjin clan and set fire to the inner court, then we will be the ones who will benefit."

"Master is so embarrassed, but because the relic is in Ye Qianlang's hands now?" Seeing that Kou Biancheng was silent but his expression was slightly trembling, it was obvious that he meant what he said, and he said with a smile, "I thought it was a big difficulty. If you can cheat, you can cheat, if you can’t cheat, you can grab it, if you can’t grab it, then you can use meat stones, agates, etc. The eminent monk invited here has never seen the relic in person..."

"It's not hard to find fakes that are seven or eight points similar, but they are related to the country and the people. The stakes are too high, and I can't afford to lose." Kou Biancheng sighed, shook his head with a self-deprecating smile and said: Love is long, hero is short of breath... I seem to have lost again."

Shan Xiaohu was talking to his master when he suddenly heard a commotion outside the tent, apparently someone trespassed on the camp, Kou Biancheng naturally heard it too, his eyebrows frowned more tightly, and said: "Go out and have a look."

The guards outside the tent were originally arranged in two rows, but at this moment the soldiers surrounded the center with their swords out of their sheaths, but they were only pretending to be powerful and did not dare to step forward, but every time the incoming people took a step forward, the soldiers would back away One step, you advance and retreat like this without attacking, and you retreat straight to the general's tent.

Seeing Kou Biancheng walk out of the tent, all the soldiers dispersed to the two sides, allowing their general to meet the intruders.

It is the bright moon Suying, with bright eyebrows and eyes.

Kou Biancheng saw the appearance of the visitor clearly, his brows did not relax, but a smile could not help but appear on his lips: "Master Ye."

It's not like breaking into camp.Changing out of the flying fish suit with flying scales and claws, Ye Qianlang now wore a plain white robe with no sword on his waist, and when he heard Kou Biancheng calling him, he cupped his fists and smiled back: "Ye Mou came to say to Brother Kou individual."

Seeing that Kou Biancheng did not answer his words, Ye Qianlang said again: "Ye has resigned from the emperor, and will leave Beijing with Eunuch Wei tomorrow to go to Fengyang to guard the imperial tomb."

Kou Biancheng slightly closed his long eyes, his eyes were deep, and his expression was even more unpredictable. After such a moment of silence, he said: "You are forcing me."

"I shouldn't hide it from you," Yue Xia looked at each other just now, and his heart was already cleared up. Kou Biancheng only thought that the other party's unhappiness at the moment was a bitter taste in the lover's world, so he sighed softly Said, "I did ask the emperor for this marriage, and Princess Suiping really fell in love with me, but the situation is critical now, if I don't hide it from you, just because of your temper that doesn't touch sand in your eyes, you will only do nothing. Missed the time to save myself."

"In the court, you are the princess' son-in-law and the emperor's relatives, and all civil and military officials will compete to curry favor with each other; outside, you support the bandits and respect yourself, and the domestic wars will continue, so you can first take over the military power, and then seize the imperial power. Simply force Chongzhen Emperor Zen to be in your place, so the name is right and the words are right, Kou Biancheng, I bet you that you can't make things happen, but now it seems that I have underestimated you." Under the cold moonlight, a pair of cold eyes Eyes, Ye Qianlang's face was calm, and his voice sounded a little appreciative, "It's just...you keep saying that you are saving me, but I want to ask, are you really saving me, or are you doing it for me?" The relic in your hand?"

Kou Biancheng knew that he couldn't hide it, so he didn't want to hide it anymore, and replied generously: "I want to save you, but I also want the relic."

"You don't want to live forever, so what's the use of that relic?"

"I don't want it, but the golden man wants it." I don't know whether it's satire or self-satisfaction, Kou Bian raised his eyebrows slightly, pretending to look disdainful, "Poor guy who claimed to be a hero in vain, but turned out to be a succulent Xiao Xiaoxiao, a country thief who pleases foreigners..." Pause, glanced at Shan Xiaohu from the corner of his eye, and said with a joking smile, "He should be accused by thousands of people and cursed by thousands of generations."

"The Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty bribed Shan Yu's wife to break the siege of Baideng, and just started the 400-year-old foundation of the Han Dynasty; Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty concluded the Weishui alliance with the Turks, proclaimed his ministers and paid tribute for 12 years, in exchange for peace in all directions, and a prosperous Tang Dynasty." Ye Qianlang quietly looked back into the other's eyes, and said with a slight smile, "You are very human, if you are born at the right time, you are a hero, if you are not born at the right time, you are also a hero."

"Only Ah Lang understands me." These words are contrary to the right way and against the law of nature. Shan Xiaohu can't understand, and Lu Linchuan can't understand. It's you, my sweetheart is also you... After the world is settled, if you don't want to be humbled, I can also kill your wife and children, and abolish the Sangong and Sixth Courtyard..."

What a heartless and ungrateful husband!The word "kill" is understated. It is human ethics to have relatives between father and son, and differences between husband and wife. I am afraid that no one will say it so easily, and no one who listens will believe it.

Ye Qianlang sneered in his heart, but he didn't doubt that Kou Biancheng's words were false, he was too puzzled and knew this person too well, it was definitely not polite to say "very human", what about his wife?How is it?What about Ye Qianlang?Since ancient times, mediocre people are passionate, and this person's words and deeds, every thought and thought have always been plotting and calculating, and have always been for the dominance of the country.

Seeing that the other party has decided to go, Kou Biancheng has no choice but to force him to stay: "You must stay today. I want both the emperor and you, and I won't let you go."

"You want too much."

Ye Qianlang turned around and wanted to go, but unexpectedly, he heard an order from the person behind him: "You... please stay, Master Ye."

The word "please" was politely said, but in fact it meant life and death. Most of the sergeants present knew that the commander had such a strange friendship with his general, and it was neither a temporary arrest nor a release. Standing on the spot with open eyes, Ye Qianlang seemed to have expected it, neither surprised nor stunned, just raised the iron hand wearing the gold silk glove, pointing two points down——

More than ten Jinyiwei school captains rushed out from the shadows when they heard the order, these people were all accompanied by the commander's command, and their martial arts skills were first-class, so they were so easy to hide from the eyes and ears of the soldiers in the camp.Although the number is far less than [-] Northwest soldiers, if they really fight to the death, there will be a lot of trouble in the city, and even Emperor Chongzhen in the Hall of Supreme Harmony must be alarmed.

It wasn't until now that the cold wind was bleak and the two confronted each other again. Kou Biancheng realized that he was wrong. He thought that Wei Zhongxian was the only one who wanted to be punished. With Mr. Ye's will to survive, due to the current situation, he would always stay behind. There are no stones that can't be warmed, ice that can't be melted, anyway, the injury is hurt, and the cheating is cheating, so treat him better in the future, that's all.

In fact, he misunderstood Ye Qianlang in the end. This Lord Ye has never been a responsible person, just like the day Ye Nineteen swallowed his sister's flesh and blood, then strangled Wang An to seek refuge with Nine Thousand Years, and killed Luo Wang with his hands. Staying in Langjiao Lake... Killing and pardoning, obedience and rebellion, giving and taking, going and staying, there was never a moment of hesitation, because there was never any compulsion.

"Forcing and looting is the true nature of a bandit. Do you really think that I dare to barge into your camp with bare hands?" The situation changes overnight, and the border bandits have no plans to make waves in front of the emperor's eyes. Ye Qian Lang pulled the corner of his mouth lightly, his heart was ruthless and desireless, but on his face there was a determination to burn everything, "My life is up to me, no matter the way of life or the way of death, every way is up to me to choose, no one can force it, let alone No one can decide."

"Emperor Chongzhen would never allow Wei Zhongxian to leave Beijing like this. You have already lost a bet on leaving Langjiao Lake, why do you want to kill yourself?" Kou Biancheng's eyes were filled with blood, and he stretched out a hand towards Ye Qianlang Going, it seems to be holding back but not staying, and after a while, it falls down again, leaving only a stream of night wind that can't be grasped leaking through the fingers, "A-Lang, stay... What should I do so that you will stay by my side?"

"Kou Biancheng, I don't regret being hurt and cheated by someone like you...just..." Following the etiquette, Ye Qianlang cupped his fists towards Kou Biancheng, turned around and walked out of the camp step by step, as usual As indifferent and firm.

It's just that from now on, I hope that you and I will be like businessmen, and never see each other for the rest of our lives.