The Ugly Empress

Neither Teng Yun nor Teng Xin thought that Xue Junliang would come, but they could guess after thinking about it for a while. The capital is full of King Xue's eyeliner, and he knows who is doing what. Teng Yun stepped into the suburb of Beijing. Xue Junliang would naturally know the boundary.

Xue Junliang walked in, he was wearing casual clothes, not very eye-catching, he sat down very smoothly, Teng Xin and Teng Yun stood up and saluted.

Xue Junliang frowned when he sat down, probably because he felt that the rattan chair was too hard, and then greeted the two of them: "Sit down, you don't need to be formal, this is not in the palace."

He said so, but there were only two rattan chairs, so Jiang Yu hurried to find another one and put it next to him.

Teng Yun and Teng Xin thanked them and sat down.

Xue Junliang didn't mention what happened just now, but turned to Teng Yun and said, "Why did you come back so early?"

Teng Yun paused for a moment, and didn't know whether he should talk about it now, but said: "There are some things that I want to report back to Beijing."

"Ah."

Xue Junliang nodded, then seemed to remember something, and said, "By the way, I just said about recommending Teng Xin..."

When he said this, Teng Xin's back was obviously straightened, and he looked a little nervous.

Xue Junliang said: "Teng Xin, Gu has heard of you a long time ago, you are from a princely background, with a noble and prominent status..."

Teng Xin hurriedly said: "The guilty minister dare not, the guilty minister was born without the blessing of the crown prince, and only hopes to be able to go to battle to kill the enemy, and he is willing to be a pawn."

Xue Junliang secretly smiled inwardly, this Teng Xin seemed quite modest, he knew his status and acted according to his ability, if King Teng hadn't forced him into misery, he would not have acted so violently.

Xue Junliang smiled and said: "Ai Qing, don't worry, Gu doesn't mean anything else, it's just a compliment to your past... Gu heard that you are calm and honest, and you are not arrogant or rash when you use soldiers. Hou Yang also told me that, Fighting with you has ruined his brains. There is a lack of such talents around Gu. Since Marquis Tengnan wants to recommend you, it means that your character is good and your achievements are obvious to all, so Gu has no reason not to reuse you. "

He stood up as he spoke, and Teng Yun and Teng Xin also had to stand up, Xue Junliang continued: "Some people say that Gu is a tyrant, that Gu only knows how to fight and is cruel, but Gu is far worse than King Teng. Hey! At the very least, even if you have a grudge, you will avenge it, but you will not hold grudges. If you are a talent, you will definitely be reused. You will not push your people out of the customs to be slaughtered. Even if you are a refugee, in the eyes of Gu Like the prince, they are also orphaned sons..."

Xue Junliang turned around, faced Teng Yun and Teng Xin, and said with a smile: "Maybe you should do it, Mr. Xue is so smooth-tongued, how many words are true and how many words are false... In fact, alone You can tell anyone that there are not a few words that Gu said that came from the heart, but every word that Gu said is worth a word, and I don’t regret every word!"

Teng Yun was stunned for a moment, although Xue Junliang did not wear a boa robe or a crown, but his aura was still that of an emperor, with prestige and majesty that could not be questioned by others.

He is right. Compared with King Teng, Xue Junliang is a very enlightened and benevolent king. No matter whether it is his original intention or not, no matter whether he is willing or not, he did not kill King Teng, but demoted King Teng to a commoner. He didn't kill Teng Xin, Teng Shang or even himself, and he also didn't touch Xue Yu at all.

However, Xue Junliang is not an overly benevolent person. Those who cannot be killed, those who are useless, those who cannot be used by him, those who are degraded and degraded, those who can be used by him, there is no one who is not grateful.

At the moment when Teng Yun was stunned, Teng Xin said in a timely manner, "Your Majesty is wise."

Xue Junliang said: "It's useless to say so much, but I just want to tell you, Teng Xin, although you were not from Xue Guo before, but I will give you food, give you an official position, and give you a battlefield to display your ambitions. From now on, it will be people from Xue Guo, if you want to lead troops, show Gu a little bit."

Teng Xin knelt on the ground with his excited legs, knelt on the ground with his head, and said: "Thank you Your Majesty for your kindness! This humble minister will definitely live up to expectations!"

Xue Junliang smiled and said: "Get up, don't just kneel down."

Turning to Teng Yun again, he asked, "How is the Zheng'an army?"

Teng Yun replied: "According to what I have seen in the past two days, the Zheng'an army is strictly governed, and it will take some time to subdue it."

"Where is Teng Shang?"

"Exactly, Weichen returned to Beijing first to report, and Mr. Teng is still over there."

"With him here, I feel at ease."

Xue Junliang said: "Teng Xin, He Zhong, He Yi and He Ren were incorporated into the Zheng'an Army. When Teng Shang takes over the military power, the Zheng'an Army will have four more generals."

Teng Xin knelt down to thank him, he was so grateful that he was almost in tears, his biological parents had never valued him so much, how can an outsider value him so much, how can Teng Xin not be grateful.

Xue Junliang nodded, and said: "The scenery here is good, and Gu is not in a hurry to go back to Beijing. Teng Xin, go and organize things and prepare to move out."

Teng Xin agreed, in fact, he could also hear that it was King Xue who wanted to distract himself and talk to Teng Nanhou alone.

Teng Xin is a sensible person, he has been the Prince Teng's duty for so many years, of course he knows what to listen to and what not to listen to, so he bowed his head respectfully and exited the garden.

Seeing him leaving, Xue Junliang smiled and said, "Teng Qing came back so quickly, did she miss me?"

It was rare for Teng Yun to see Xue Junliang so domineering and majestic, and he returned to his usual teasing appearance in an instant, but he had to say that Xue Junliang like this made it easier for him to relax and lower his guard.

Teng Yundao: "Weichen's spies found the news that made Weichen have to return to Beijing."

"Oh? What's the news? You can still work for an orphaned imperial concubine."

"His Majesty……"

Xue Junliang coughed and said with a smile: "Well, I'm listening, you go ahead, I won't interrupt this time."

Teng Yun sighed helplessly, and said: "The princess of Fengguo was angered in Zheng'anhou's mansion, and she sneaked away a few days ago."

Xue Junliang nodded, and responded with a "hmm", indicating that he heard it.

Teng Yundao: "It's been a few days since the princess has left, and I haven't heard the news that Marquis Zheng'an has found the princess, so the princess may have already met with people from Fengguo. Once King Feng hears about the princess, he must I will take this opportunity to send troops to fight."

"But Fengguo hasn't had enough rest yet."

Teng Yun shook his head and said: "I don't think so. Although Fengguo hasn't had enough rest, but now we are also like this. Xue Guo first took Teng Nan, then attacked Cheng Tian, ​​and later fought with Teng Xin for a while, and then Zhang Hong. If In terms of rest and recuperation, Fengguo is enough. Since ancient times, you must learn from a famous teacher, otherwise you will lose the hearts of the people, and Fengguo finally caught a teacher in the name of being a teacher, and the unique skills cannot be missed in vain."

Xue Junliang listened to his words, and was "excited" by his "we". Although Teng Yun was still polite and respectful to himself on weekdays, Teng Yun would only show powerlessness when he was playing a scoundrel, but some Subconsciously, Teng Yun had already drawn himself to Xue Junliang's side.

Xue Junliang is in a good mood. Teng Yun has left the capital for the past few days. Although Xue Junliang still goes to court as usual, corrects papers as usual, and finds ministers to discuss matters in the warm pavilion as usual, but he is always uncomfortable and restless, always looking at the people in the warm pavilion. The map was in a daze, suddenly remembering the feeling of the queen's death, and panicked in his heart, what to do if Teng Yun was gone forever.

Only at that time, did Xue Junliang really feel that he is also a human being, he is also human, and he will be exhausted, and he also needs to find someone to confide in his heart, and this person must be Teng Yun, except for Teng Yun. Yun he would not let the second person see Xue Wang so tired and ugly.

Xue Junliang suddenly stretched out his hand, grabbed Teng Yun's hand and pulled him into his arms, and sat on the wicker chair together.

The wicker chair let out a "squeak" under the weight, because the wicker chair looked very crude, it must have been made by Teng Xin himself, Teng Yun's whole body tensed up, if it collapsed, it would be fine if he fell to the ground, But with so many servants present, if King Xue fell to the ground, wouldn't his reputation be ruined?

After Teng Yun thought about it, he couldn't help being stunned. Why should he think about this person? He killed himself once, and he would never forget the feeling of piercing his heart with an arrow. , No one has ever cared so much about himself.

One is good and the other is bad, isn't merit and demerit offsetting each other, they should not owe each other, but there is something absolutely wrong in Teng Yun's heart, he can't help thinking for Xue Junliang, this feeling seems to be stuck in a quagmire, and it is difficult to extricate himself.

Xue Junliang said: "Don't worry... After so many years of fighting, I have also reflected on myself. I have been standing in my thirties for a few years. Of course I still have ambitions, but it is not as good as before. If Fengguo is safe and sound, Perhaps the Xue and Feng countries can coexist for many years, but if the Feng country sends troops, I, Xue Junliang, are not unprepared, and I have already let Houyang secretly transfer troops."

Teng Yun felt that his posture was not elegant, and wanted to stand up, but when he moved a little, the rattan chair creaked, and Xue Junliang stretched out his arms to wrap his arms around his waist, and pressed his face against his waist and abdomen. .

Although it was through the clothes, Teng Yun seemed to be able to feel that Xue Junliang's breath was scorching hot, as if it had penetrated the clothes.

This kind of petty movement made Teng Yun even more at a loss as to what to do. His whole body was stiff and he let Xue Junliang hug him.

Xue Junliang sighed and said: "I have been thinking about you these few days since you left, especially Xue Changjing's unbearable mud, who plotted against you before, how can I be at ease."

"Your Majesty... I heard that someone had arrested and beaten the fake Prince Zheng'an, and was imprisoned for half a month..."

Xue Junliang admitted it frankly, "Yes, I did it. Jiang Yu personally arrested the person."

Jiang Yu wiped his sweat silently in the back. King Xue and the imperial concubine are affectionate, so why do they involve themselves? Sure enough, people have to obey the old when they are old, and it is better to retire quickly and return home...

Teng Yun frowned and said: "Forgive me to say bluntly, this kind of thing should not be done by King Xue, if Zheng'an Hou Shizi is not as cowardly as everyone imagines, if you catch him and beat him, wouldn't it make him bear a grudge? "

Xue Junliang still buried his face in his waist, but instead laughed "hehe", trembling and trembling, making Teng Yun's whole body feel strange.

Xue Junliang said: "I am very happy that you care about me so much."

"Wei Chen..."

Teng Yun seemed to say that he didn't care about him, but thinking of what he said just now, wouldn't it be hypocritical if he explained it again.

Xue Junliang suddenly changed the subject, turned him around, and let him lean in his arms. Fortunately, Teng Yun was thin, otherwise the wicker chair Teng Xin wove would really collapse.

Xue Junliang suddenly changed the subject, and said seriously: "If Fengguo wants to go to war, are you willing to go to the battlefield?"

Teng Yun was taken aback by his question, and then said: "If I can use my place, I will naturally not refuse."

"I want to hear what's in your heart... You didn't reply immediately just now, but just vaguely stated that you didn't want to."

Xue Junliang let him lean on him, gently kissed Teng Yun's earlobe, and said, "I know all about your guard against me. Come and tell me, what is it that can impress you?"

Teng Yun smiled and said: "Your Majesty, are you used to wandering around the flowers? I am a man, so I don't need these sweet words."

Xue Junliang interjected: "But I want to say this to my sweetheart."

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty..."

Xue Junliang said: "Although there are many words, being a king does not come from the heart, but these words must be from the heart... I am interested in you, I want to treat you well, I want to think about you, I want you Happy."

Teng Yun fell silent after hearing this, Xue Junliang bit his earlobe, Teng Yun was unprepared, said "ah", and looked back at him with wide eyes in surprise.

Xue Junliang smiled and said, "Why are you so preoccupied? I want to be interested in you. This is my business. I don't need to have any burdens, and I don't need to respond."

Feng Ming was willing to marry the princess, so he would naturally place someone beside the princess. After the princess escaped, he quickly saw the person who was going to meet him. After disguised, he returned to Fengguo smoothly.

Fengguo Jiugong is a veteran of two generations, how could his daughter let it go after being so bullied, and the Princess is crying like a tearful person, which is even more distressing.

Feng Ming summoned the ministers to ask everyone's opinions, Jiu Gong naturally always agreed to send troops, but Feng Ming also raised objections.

"At present, the prefecture and county next to Mingshui haven't been built yet, and there was another battle with Zhang Hong, and the people are still recuperating. If we rashly start a war, it may cause dissatisfaction among the people. How should we deal with this?"

Lu Shichen was not in the imperial court, he had been sent to garrison the front line of Mingshui long ago, and it was Qi Zijie who said: "Wars are expensive when teachers are famous, and now we have found Xue Guo's handle, it is the best time, Xue Guo also passed by Both big and small battles, the two countries are recuperating, this is the perfect time... As for the dissatisfaction of the people, you can ask someone to draw up a document and post it in the streets and alleys, stating Xue Guo's crimes."

Feng Ming nodded and said: "Just do what Zi Jie said, but there is still one problem. King Xue has stationed troops in the lower reaches of the Ming River. If we send troops, how should we attack them so that we can catch them by surprise?"

Qi Zijie said: "From the point of view of the general, the lower reaches of the Ming River are dangerous. King Xue sent troops to defend the fortress. It is no longer suitable to break through here. If we attack aggressively, I am afraid that the loss of troops will not be worth the loss... Although Xue Guo has a strong army, they are the only ones who There is one thing that is not as good as water warfare."

Feng Ming smiled and said: "That's true, Xue Guo went deep into the interior, it is impossible to have lakes and seas to train naval forces."

Qi Zijie said: "You should know that water warfare is completely different from land warfare. Untrained water troops will get seasick when fighting on a ship, and they can't even hold a spear or a sword stably, so the king only needs to send troops to guard against it." Mingshui, don't let Xue Guo's army cross Mingshui, then when Xue Guo's soldiers are exhausted and food and grass are out of reach, we will cross Mingshui again, killing him by surprise, Xue Guo's border will be like a bag. "

Feng Ming said: "But Gu heard that after Xue Junliang took over Teng country, he didn't kill all the people of Teng country. They are a country in the south, and water warfare is their strong point. If these people are grateful to Xue country, they will probably help Xue king train Navy."

"That's why speed is the most important thing in soldiers. It is a good strategy to send troops quickly before the navy is fully trained!"

Teng Shang spread rumors in Zheng'an, saying that the Marquis of Zheng'an had just ascended the throne and was dissatisfied that his younger brothers held more military power than him.

The sons of the old Hou Ye panicked when they heard the rumors. On the other hand, Teng Shang took advantage of Xue Changjing's banquet to persuade him to take over his brother's military power. What Hou Ye did was only empty shells and no real power. , what kind of marquis.

As a result, the relationship between the two parties became rigid in an instant. Several sons of the old master secretly invited Teng Shang to a banquet, saying that they were discussing important matters. They asked Teng Shang to advise them on how to avoid being forced to death by their elder brother.

Teng Shang finally said at this time: "In this world, who is older than Marquis Zheng'an, and who can destroy Marquis Zheng'an with one sentence?"

The few suddenly came to their senses, clapped their hands and said, "Of course it's King Xue!"

Teng Shang said: "You hand over the military power to King Xue to show your loyalty. Naturally, King Xue will not have the heart to take your military power, and let you manage your own army when the time comes, but King Xue will remember your loyalty, so Zheng'an How can I move you?"

Several people said it was a good way, "But we are in a fiefdom, and we cannot get out of the fiefdom without an order. How can we hand over the military power to King Xue?"

Teng Shang pretended to be difficult, and several people saw that he had a way, so they urged him to say, but Teng Shang didn't say anything, and several people begged for three days, before Teng Shang said: "If I say this way, I'm afraid you will think I'm a Little man, it's just that this is the only way, and I don't know what to do."

A few people were about to kneel down to Teng Shang to be their reborn parents, and Teng Shang said: "If you can trust me, give me the official seal of the tiger talisman, and write a letter to King Xue explaining the reason. I'm about to leave for Beijing, I can help you to bring it, I'm afraid no one will leave the fief except me, of course, Marquis Zheng'an can."

At first they hesitated, but when they heard the words "Marquis of Zheng'an", they didn't hesitate anymore, and immediately drafted a letter, put the official seal of the tiger talisman in a small box, and handed it to Teng Shang.

Teng Shang set off the next day, sat leisurely in the carriage, opened the brocade box, and placed four tiger charms with official seals, and underneath was an envelope sealed with wax paint.

Teng Shang didn't even look at it, lit the candlestick by his side, brought the envelope close to the flame, and burned it.