Chongxi [rebirth]

Just when the retrial of the Zhao family's treason case was in full swing, the battle report of Beijiang was finally presented to the imperial court.The urgent document of eight hundred miles still carries the chill of winter, and the content of the document makes the expressions of all civil and military officials even more disturbing-Xihuang assembled an army of [-] to invade the border.

Xihuang is located in a bitterly cold place in the northwest. People in Xihuang herd cattle and sheep, and live by water and grass.Therefore, men, women, and children can mount horses and fight.All the people are soldiers, very fierce.Every autumn and winter, when Xihuang didn't have enough food to survive the winter, they would come to the border of Beizhao to burn, kill and loot. In addition to food and other materials, there were also local people who were looted.

Xihuang has a vast land and few people, in order to multiply the population and strengthen the army.They will keep human slaves, and those Beizhao people who were looted are the slaves they raised.The male slaves herded cattle and sheep as coolies, and the female slaves, in addition to doing chores, also provided Xihuang men with sexual desires and had children for them.

The children born to these female slaves will be taken away and raised together until they are six or seven years old. If they can kill their biological mothers, they will be recognized by the people of Xihuang and join the Xihuang army.If not, he would be considered to have inherited the weak blood of Beizhao, and would be filled into the ranks of male slaves.

This extremely barbaric approach greatly enhanced Xihuang's military strength, and those Xihuang soldiers worked even harder when they burned, killed and looted.

This situation did not gradually improve until King Yong'an took control of the northern border military power and defeated Xihuang several times.Later, Li Fengqi formed the Xuanjia Army, and ordered the people to strengthen the city walls, and moved Xiyuzhou to the north to Weizhou. The defense line stretching for nearly [-] miles was tightly guarded, and the people on the border were rarely harassed by the Xihuang Army.

But this year's cold winter is unbearable, not only the people of Beizhao, but also the people of Xihuang.

According to the military newspaper, Xihuang has assembled 8 horses and is preparing to attack Weizhou with all its strength.

The deputy governor Zhu Wen led troops to prepare for the war, but there was no leader in the army, and the people were harassed by the snowstorm, so a lot of manpower and material resources were invested in disaster relief. It was difficult to take care of both internal and external troubles.Therefore, I sent a letter requesting Beijing to support food and supplies, and asked Yong'an King to return to northern Xinjiang as soon as possible to stabilize the morale of the army.

"King Yong'an is highly poisoned, and his legs are bad. How can I have the heart to ask him to work hard for the northern border. Dear friends, is there anyone who is willing to go to the northern border to support?"

When the words fell, no one in the hall dared to respond.

The ferocity of Xihuang is well known throughout the country.For decades before and after, the two countries have fought each other with their own winners and losers, and there is often no peace on the border.That is to say, after Yong'an Wang Hengkong was born, he defeated the Xihuang army, and had a few years of peace.

Although there is a Xuanjia army in the northern border, who dares to think that he can defeat King Yong'an?This military merit is great, but you have to live to enjoy it.

Li Zong looked at the silent generals below with his hands behind his back, and said in a cold voice: "This magnificent Beizhao, full of talents, can only rely on one King Yong'an to guard the northern border?! Then what do I support you for?!"

"Your Majesty, calm down." Qi Shao, Minister of the Ministry of War, came out and said, "The most urgent thing is to solve the matter in the northern border first. If Xihuang really breaks through the line of defense, there will be rebels from the Yin family inside and barbarians from Xihuang outside. Go to Beijing."

Qi Shao's words hit Li Zong's deathbed.

It's not that he doesn't worry about Beijiang, it's just that he doesn't want Li Fengqi to leave his nose.

If he was really allowed to return to the northern border, it would be a dragon entering the water, and it would be difficult to check and balance.But the battle situation in the northern border was really urgent, Li Zong's expression changed, and it took a long time before he waved his sleeves and said: "Forget it, I will discuss it with King Yong'an again."

After going down to court, Li Zong panicked.He didn't go back to the harem, but went up to the Star Observatory in the north.

The Star Observation Tower stands tall among the palaces, and even the wind is particularly strong.Li Zong faced the north, his robe was blown away by the strong wind.

He remembered that when Li Fengqi had just ascended the throne, Li Fengqi had brought him to this star observatory.The Observatory Tower is the tallest building in Shangjing. Standing on the top floor of the Observatory Tower and looking north, you can see the majestic and stretching mountains.At that time Li Fengqi told him.After crossing three high mountains and wading a big river, it is the boundary of the northern border.

There is the broadest grassland and the strongest wine.There is also Bei Zhao's fiercest enemy.

Li Fengqi once told him about the most tragic battles in this star picking tower.At that time, the invincible Xuanjia Army had not yet been formed, and only the soldiers who guarded the pass day after day and could not see victory stood firm. They were young or old, and occasionally mixed with the people in the city, spontaneously carrying spears and swords, Exchange the lives of two or three people for one Xihuang soldier.

Day after day, year after year, he barely managed to hold the ground under his feet.

At that time, Li Fengqi said that one day, he would destroy Xihuang completely, so that the people in northern Xinjiang would no longer suffer from the war, and the border of Beizhao would enjoy peace forever.

He also promised here.Knowing how to be a wise king of Beizhao, he will not let the people suffer from foreign enemies again.

However, time has passed, and he and Li Fengqi are already at odds with each other as monarchs and ministers, and they are at the end of their lives.

"Cui Xi, do you think I made a mistake from the beginning?"

Li Zong's doubts were instantly covered by the howling north wind, and Cui Xi behind him did not move, obviously he did not hear him.He didn't repeat it any more, just looked at the distance and laughed at himself, and suddenly remembered the scene when he first learned of Li Fengqi's identity.

At that time, Han Chan told him that Li Fengqi was not the son of the old Yong'an King, but the posthumous son of the former prince Li Xun.It is said that the first emperor told him before his death that if Li Fengqi had any intention of disobeying his minister, he should cut the weeds and root them out in advance and never let him stay.

He just felt like the sky was falling.

Li Fengqi, whom he had always regarded as his eldest brother and was close and trustworthy, turned out to be the posthumous son of the former prince.This reminded him of his dead elder brother, and those obscure days when he was bullied by his elder brother and ignored and suppressed by everyone.He no longer wants to live in the shadow of "big brother".

And I can't tolerate being taken away from what I have finally owned.

He was afraid, terrified, and angry.So he chose to attack the poisoned Li Fengqi.

At that time, he felt that he would never regret it.He hated Li Fengqi's identity, and was also afraid of his identity.One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers, between him and Li Fengqi, there must be a sad exit.

But at this point, he was shaken again.

If he hadn't done it back then, maybe everything would be different from what it is now.

It's just too late to say anything now.

Li Zong's eyes gradually became firmer, and he murmured in a low voice: "It's too late, we can't turn back." And even if he did it all over again, he would not dare to hand over his life and honor to others.

He turned around and walked down the Zhaixing Tower, and said in a deep voice: "The king of Yong'an was ordered to go to the northern border within three days. I am grateful for his sacrifice, and invited the old concubine into the palace to serve him according to the rules of the concubine."

Cui Xi's eyes flashed, and he bowed to answer "Yes".

***

When the emperor's oral order was delivered to Yong'an Palace, Zhu Lie couldn't help cursing at that time.

Cui Xi looked like he was not listening, and said with a smile: "The war is urgent, the prince is ready to prepare, and rush to the northern border as soon as possible. The old concubine will take good care of the prince."

Li Fengqi's face was gloomy, his hands were tightly clutching the armrests of the wheelchair, the back of his hands was full of veins, but he didn't attack after all: "I know. I will go to war in three days. My mother will always send me a ride, so don't be in such a hurry to go to the palace, right?"

"This..." Cui Xi seemed to have doubts, but immediately responded with a smile: "It's natural, I will report back to Your Majesty."

After saying that, he cupped his hands and left with others.

"You little emperor. This is to take the old concubine hostage." As soon as the man left, Zhu Lie scolded.

Li Fengqi didn't see Cai Cai's anger at this time, ordered someone to close the door, then stood up and said: "I expected it a long time ago, let's talk about it after going in."

After several days of practice, he has been able to get out of the wheelchair and walk slowly.Originally, he planned to hide it for a while longer, but now that the order to go out has been issued, there are only three days left, so there is no need to bother to hide it.

Several people entered the mansion, Zhu Lie couldn't help but said: "Could it be true that the old concubine is going to stay in Shangjing?"

"Impossible." Li Fengqi glanced at him: "The situation in Shangjing is subject to change, and my mother must not stay in Shangjing. The princess and I have already discussed a solution. At that time, you and I will go ahead and escort the princess and mother to join us at five o'clock. "

Hearing that there is already a countermeasure, Zhu Lie took a breather, but then became worried: "Since the little emperor has such a heart, he will definitely guard against us."

"That's what he needs to be able to guard against." Li Fengqi said coldly, he waved at Zhu Lie, and sent him out to pack his bags, leaving only five o'clock to discuss the follow-up plan.

Three days later, Li Fengqi led the troops to the northern border as expected.

For the friendship of the whole monarch and his ministers, Li Zong personally went ten miles outside the city to see him off.Knowing that King Yong'an was wounded and would lead the army to go out, the people in Shangjing became depressed because of the snowstorm, and they all went out of the city to see him off, hoping that he would kill Xihuang.

"I will send it here, and go to Yong'an King to triumph as soon as possible."

The waiter brought two bowls of wine, Li Zong picked up one bowl and raised his glass as a gesture.

Li Fengqi looked at his hypocritical expression, picked up another bowl and drank it down: "I also hope that Your Majesty will take good care of my mother and princess for me."

"Naturally. King Yong'an just rest assured." Li Zong smiled.

Li Fengqi stopped talking nonsense with him, and ordered someone to push him into the carriage.

After the army set off, Li Zong and his party returned.Ye Yunting accompanied the old concubine, after packing the suitcases and luggage, he personally sent him to the hot spring palace outside the city.

Li Zong was originally on guard against Li Fengqi taking him away secretly, but seeing that there was no change in Yong'an Palace and the old concubine arrived at the palace without any other actions, he relaxed a little and told Cui Xi: "Take good care of him, what are your requirements?" , as long as it is not too much, I promise her. But if the old concubine wants to go out of the palace, she must send someone to follow her."

Since people were sent to the palace on the grounds of "commemorating the sacrifice of King Yong'an", naturally they couldn't do too much.Otherwise, the gang of old things in the clan will make a fuss again.He just wanted to detain him in Shangjing, and he didn't intend to do anything to him.

"Minister." Cui Xi responded, and said: "Master Han's illness has recovered, and today he said that he will leave the palace."

"..." Li Zong was silent for a moment, and said: "Send someone to clean up the Taifu's residence, if he wants to leave the palace, let him go."

"But... I'm afraid it doesn't make sense."

"Whoever thinks they don't agree, tell them to come and talk to me in person." Li Zong's expression darkened, and he snorted.

Seeing this, Cui Xi understood what he meant, quietly retreated, and ordered someone to clean up the Taifu's residence.

And here, after Ye Yunting sent the old concubine to the palace, he ordered someone to deliver a letter to Ye Boru the next day, and went to the Duke's Mansion.

Ye Boru, who hurried back from the outside after receiving the letter, contorted for a moment, and then forced himself down, and greeted him with a brotherly and respectful look: "Brother, did you find the book I wanted?"

Ye Yunting took out a book and looked at him with a smile: "Yes, I found it."

"..." Ye Boru endured the humiliation in his heart, put the book away, and continued to cooperate with him in acting: "Brother, go to my yard, there are still a few things I don't understand in this book, just ask you to explain it for me .”

Ye Yunting followed him obediently.He came to look for Ye Boru today precisely for the purpose of secretly leaving the capital.

The family members of generals are not allowed to leave the capital. This has been a practice since ancient times. Previously, the old concubine could go to Rongyang to recuperate, because the emperor had no fear.Now that the discord between the two is already on the surface, Li Zong made this practice, and Li Fengqi is no exception.If they resisted the decree, it was obvious that they had a heart of disobedience. If Li Zong grasped the handle, he could do it openly, and then they would be inferior.

So they could only find another way to leave Beijing secretly.When the time came to the Northern Xinjiang Tiangao Emperor Yuan, Li Zong couldn't care about it, and they could even give Li Zong a label of not taking good care of him.

And the plan to leave Beijing just needs Ye Boru's "cooperation".