All your life is gentle

On the ninth day of March in the ninth year of Tianyou (the sixth year of Yongqian), Shanan is facing Guiyou, and everything is going well.

The ceremony for the establishment of the prince is scheduled on this day.

Such a grand ceremony in the country, a lifelong honor, all officials who are qualified to participate will climb into the palace even if they climb up.In the spirit of enriching his life experience, Zi Shi is like participating in a historical documentary. He persisted from rehearsal on the first day to the end of the official ceremony on the second day.

The imperial court was partial to the southwest, and many links had to be reduced from power.But all the parts that can be realized are all performed in strict accordance with the old rules, meticulously and perfectly.The grandeur and grandeur of the scene, being in it, is a kind of shock that no indirect experience can give anyway.

For example, the emperor's crown, which is only unveiled at grand ceremonies, is bright yellow and heavy purple inlaid with gold and silver, and five-color beads and seven-color ribbons are embellished layer by layer.Every step you take, the jade handle lightly shakes and moves slightly, and the sense of oppression that is pouring out silently is very clear, reminding you that the person wearing this outfit is the Supreme Son of Heaven.

For example, the chapter of Gagaku, which must be played on such occasions, as temple music, is peaceful and soothing. Compared with other styles, it also has a kind of graceful beauty that cleanses the soul. How can I usually listen to it?The matter is so important that it cannot be changed, so His Majesty the Emperor had no choice but to give up his selfish love and hand over the palace orchestra to the conductor of the Ministry of Rites.

Zi Shi looked at Dan Chi's uncle and nephew Zhao, who were standing upright up and down. Under the background of a formal dress, they had to be tangible and handsome. No matter how you looked at them, they looked like emperors, which added to the sense of alienation in watching the theater.I know that with Zhao Ju's habit, he persisted in this ceremony to the end, and most of them are also using acting to continuously encourage themselves-there are thousands of people in the audience, one is watching the show, the other is acting, and the rest are in the play .Speaking of which, this Long Live Lord really has a bit of a post-modern temperament...

Just as he was distracted, he suddenly heard the sound of the mountain shouting long live, and quickly entered the state.It turned out that the ceremony reached its climax, when the emperor granted the crown prince a seal book and announced amnesty to the world.Then the prince and the officials of the East Palace went to the Taimiao to tell the ancestors that the whole canonization ceremony was successfully concluded.

Jinwu General Ning Yu also served as Prince Shaobao.The two young masters of the Ning family, as well as several other young talents including Zi Zhou, were appointed as attendants of the prince, and followed them to the Taimiao to worship.As for the subordinate officials of the East Palace, the person who was guided by the seal book at the front as the prince's young teacher was a character that everyone had never thought of before——Xi Yuanhuai, the right counselor doctor.

Entrusted by Zi Zhou, Zi Shi prepared a foundation with the emperor, thinking that when Ding Wang Laojun came back, he would have to find Xi Yuanhuai both openly and secretly.But I don't know what rumors have been blown into Zi Zhou's ears all the way. Zhao Chang returned to Beijing and returned to the palace. In motivating oneself to cultivate one's morality and self-cultivation, one should not misunderstand the wronged and loyal ministers.

It happened that An Chen was by his side, and he praised Mr. Xi for his ability and political integrity, and King Ding really knows people.Zhao Ju said casually: "King Ding is about to confer the crown prince, and he is about to establish his prestige to convince the public. A great contribution to the army is enough to establish his prestige; if he can tolerate the big rebellion, it is also enough to convince the public." He did not ask the opinions of the parties , Directly sealed the right Jianyi doctor and concurrently served as the prince's junior teacher.

After the canonization ceremony was over, the crown prince resigned, all the officials were dismissed, and Zi Shi went straight home to rest.It is quite satisfying to reminisce about this cultural festival all the way.Suddenly thinking of Zhao Ju's voice of amnesty to the world, Wang Zonghan's matter can be ignored from now on.He also remembered that Commander Fu seemed to have disappeared last month. It turned out that he was rushing to settle the enemies for his master before the amnesty, and was busy killing people.

The entire court is full of trusted followers of the Ning family, and King Ding has finally become the crown prince—Ning Shuyuan has paved the way for his children and grandchildren. I don't know if this little change of the crown prince's master will cause alarm?Right now, the safety of An Chen, the chief servant, has become extremely critical, so he has to remember to remind Zi Zhou.As for what method he used to force Mr. Fu to defect, that's out of his control.I just feel sorry for brother Yuanhuai, he is always killed by someone as a gunman...

After entering the house, he said to Li Wen, "I'm tired from standing today, so I'll sleep for a while. When the second young master comes back, be sure to ask him to come over."

Lying on the bed, I turned around and saw the little grass plant in the celadon flowerpot on the table, with three or two broken red buds on it, cheerful and shy, really cute.Fatigue and fatigue seemed to be relieved a lot at once, but the thought of my sister suddenly weighed on my heart, and I couldn't fall asleep.

In the first lunar month, Zizhou went to Xiabeiguan to work in the army, and Zigui brought back this weed to his elder brother.Although the roots and soil were taken care of along the way, the leaves were almost withered when I took them home.After moving it to a pot and raising it for half a month, green and watery new shoots came out.Budding begins in March. It is said that the flowering period can last for more than half a year. It is resistant to cold and drought and has strong vitality. The locals call it "Thousand Rihong".

Asked about his sister's recent situation, Zizhou answered first, "Very good." After a pause, he continued, "The imperial envoy of the labor army only went to Liuke Town, which is fifty miles away from the pass. General Liang said that she refused to leave her post without permission. Want me to go there - I guess she got the message early and was too lazy to see Third Young Master Ning. After the reward was over, she took the time to sneak up to Xiabei Pass. When she saw me, she drove all the people out of the barracks and burst into tears ..."

Speaking of this, Zi Zhou's eyes were wet, and he forced a smile: "This girl, it is rumored that there is no one in the army who is not afraid of her. When she is in front of her family, she still has the same childish temper as before. The kung fu is getting better and better. Brother, I Now I can't beat her..."

As for the details of the battlefield, my brother didn't ask, and my sister didn't say anything.How much grievance and hard work, how much cruel torture was that crying?Zi Shi looked at "Thousand Day Red" with a shy smile in front of him, and thought: willing to cry in front of his family shows his spirituality.Bringing back a stalk of grass is a unique way for my sister to express her missing, full of wisdom and tenacity.

Zigui and Zizhou, a bloody battlefield, a muddy officialdom.How could it have been imagined at the beginning that they would really be able to carve out a foothold in this desperate situation.What about the road ahead?Looking past the proudly standing flowers, maybe, for the younger siblings, where is the way is not a problem at all, the problem is only how far can they persist.Or, is that what life is all about? ...

In late April, the crown prince has been in the Zichen Palace for more than a month, and no matter what he has done, at least from his posture, it looks like he is trying his best to govern.Zhao Ju suddenly felt that it would have been better if he had established the prince earlier, so that he had suffered so many years in vain.Seeing that the Dragon Boat Festival was approaching, there had been no large-scale entertainment activities for a long time. The emperor was very quiet and wanted to move, clamoring for a dragon boat race in Yuliangou to have fun with the people.

On this day, Emperor Shi was called into the palace, and An Chen was already waiting inside the Rihua Gate.Seeing him, he rushed up to greet him: "Your Majesty is going to the Huxin Pavilion to listen to the music, please go directly to the Imperial Garden, Mr. Lan Tailing."

The two walked forward side by side, and Director An whispered: "Zi Shi, the matter of the dragon boat race must be dispelled by His Majesty—you know, the labor of the army a few years ago was spent on the money of the inner government, and it is time to drive away again." Going to the Grand Prince Canonization Ceremony... the grand master has already said hello to the rest, so I have to save it for emergencies..."

Years of extravagance and extravagance, continuous border wars; after entering Shuzhou, they lost large tracts of land resources, and there was not enough market to sell local products; coupled with unlimited corvee taxes, most places were looted and people's livelihood was withered.The financial situation of the Xijing court has reached the brink of collapse.

Zi Shi understands better than anyone else that the current situation seems to be improving, but in fact it is hard to get back, and he is dying of illness. It cannot be settled by replacing a few more honest officials with a more diligent prince.If you are not willing to linger on, you must completely change your mind. Under the situation of Xirong's army, even if you have enough ability and courage, you may not have a chance.

——Born at the wrong time, no regrets.Zi Zhou must have understood in his heart...

Just as he was about to answer An Chen, he suddenly heard someone rushing towards him from behind, shouting loudly: "Director An! Your Excellency!"

When I turned around to look, I saw Zheng Zehuan, the deputy secretary, almost scrambling over, out of breath, and said incoherently: "My lord, where is the emperor, where is the emperor? Quick, let me see the emperor!"

"Why is Mr. Zheng so panicked?"

"Xia, Xiabei Pass, and Xiabei Pass have been lost! The Xirong army took Liuqian and Handicap, and went straight to Yuntou Pass—the Grand Master has sent someone to deliver a letter, and now his old man should also enter the palace..."

"what!"

The words "Xiabeiguan lost" came to my ears, and Zi Shi lost his hearing instantly.I saw the person on the opposite side opening and closing his mouth, but he couldn't hear what was said behind him.It was as if he was in a confined and pressurized space, with invisible pressure pushing in from all directions, his head was about to split open.He saw An Chen's face change suddenly, and he said something to himself, and led his secretary, Deputy Cheng, to leave in a hurry, and went to the imperial garden to find the emperor who was listening to music.

After standing still for an unknown amount of time, I finally heard my own voice: "Zigui... I don't know what's wrong... Zizhou... what are you doing now?..." Supporting the big tree by the roadside, he calmed down, "It must be fine. Go home and wait. As long as Zizhou comes back, you will know, just go home and wait..."

Walking out of the palace gate slowly, the feet have recovered their stability.The two of them ran over and wondered: "Young Master, why are you so fast today? Could it be that he used some new trick to evade Lord Long Live?"

"Something went wrong, let's go home now." Seeing the two loyal servants in shock, he said in a deep voice, "We'll talk about it when we go home."

It wasn't until he sat down in the study and took another sip of tea that he said to Li Wen and Li Zhang who had been waiting all the time: "Just now in the palace, I met the Secretary Deputy Cheng, Mr. Zheng, who went to report the news, and said that... Xiabei Pass has fallen. "

"Ah!" The two exclaimed, and immediately asked, "How is that young lady?"

Seeing the calm expression of the young master, Li Wen thought about it: "I'm going to find the second young master right now."

Just as he was about to lift his leg, Yin Ping came back.Seeing Zi Shi, he breathed a sigh of relief: "It turns out that the young master is really in the mansion. I went to Lantai Division first and said that the young master had entered the palace. When I rushed outside the palace gate, I said that the young master had left. I thought, the young master must still be here." The government office was busy with business, so I went back to the Lantai Division, but I couldn't find it..."

Li Zhang interrupted him: "Brother Ping, why are you in a hurry to find the young master?"

"The second young master sent me to pass a message to the eldest young master, saying that he is busy today and won't come back for dinner tonight."

Zi Shi asked, "Just this sentence?"

Yin Ping scratched his head: "Yes, that's all. I wanted to send Xiaoman here, but the second young master insisted that I tell the eldest young master myself." Yin Ping is also a boss now, and this kind of low-level work that is purely running errands has long since disappeared. It's time for him to do it, so it's a little strange.

After hearing this, Zi Shi suddenly smiled, and said: "In this case, why not just stay at home and take a copy to the second young master after dinner." He asked him to step back, and said to the two of them, "As long as Zi Shi Return to peace, don't worry about other things for now, we'll talk about it when Zi Zhou comes back. ——Anyway, you can't work hard, so you can go to work with me."

Li Wen and Li Zhang suddenly realized: the news of the fall of Xiabei Pass is still under lockdown, and they cannot be stated clearly. The second young master is worried that the eldest young master will be anxious if he knows, and he must be prepared if he does not know, so he came up with such a way to report safety.

That night, Zi Shi was busy in the attic until dawn, flipping, reading, copying, and writing like he was tireless, without stopping for a moment.The two loyal servants were worried and didn't dare to interrupt, so they had to go out quietly every half an hour to see if the second young master was back.

When Zi Zhou returned home, it was already daylight, and he went straight up to the attic to see Zi Shi: "Brother, Zi Gui is fine. Even if there is no news, I will know about it."

Zi Shi nodded.At the critical moment of life and death, the wonderful telepathy between the twins is more effective than any intelligence.As long as my sister is safe, everything else is fine.With her current abilities, it would be no problem to lead the army to break through and survive by protecting herself, not to mention the masters of Lifang Division by her side.

Zizhou continued to report: "When the urgent report from the army was delivered yesterday, it was said that our people were fighting fiercely with the Western soldiers who had broken through the pass. I didn't know what was going on in the chaos. In the middle of the night, the news came from Li Fangsi. By April 21, the army More than half of the loss was lost, but the commander retreated to Yuntouguan, and he has stabilized his position. ——The Lifang Division patrolling the summons was Zhang Chengjun who followed Zigui." Zhang Chengjun was originally the leader of the guards sent by Fu Chuqing to the mansion. Follow the princess to the front.

"Why didn't you see him come back with you?"

"I was left behind by the Grand Master. I have asked all the necessary questions, and I just came back."

"Yeah." At this time, Fang Zishi freed his mind and said, "How could Xiabei Pass be lost? You didn't say last time that the situation in the east is very good, and you have long-term intentions, so don't worry about it?"

With a high sense of responsibility and a sense of urgency, Zi Zhou secretly inspected the northern and eastern front lines on behalf of the future emperor.Especially in Xiabeiguan, the generals are all descendants of the grand master, and they have a younger sister as an insider, so they understand it quite thoroughly.Liang Yonghui, Hou Jingrui and the others had learned the lesson of Fenglan Pass and were more cautious in all aspects.However, Zigui had close intelligence exchanges with the rebels outside the pass, making full use of the masses behind the enemy lines, occasionally attacking, swiftly and accurately, targeting a small group of enemies to attack, hitting with one blow, and retreating after success, the effect was quite good.In this way, it is not easy to completely defeat the opponent, but as long as you persevere, you will be safe for a long time.

"The soldier who sent the letter at the beginning didn't explain clearly, and then he got the news from Li Fangsi, so he figured out what happened. But..." Zizhou's face was serious, his brows were deeply furrowed, "Brother, I feel that the whole thing , which is indescribably weird. It looks like a trap but not like a trap. Thinking about it carefully, it seems to be a trap—I have read all the memorials of the Shouzang Division about the battle of Xirong in the past ten years, and there has never been a battle like this feeling..."

"Oh, talk about it."

"In these years, Xirong's coach in the east has always been the eldest prince Fuding—but when he came back the year before last, he was replaced by the banner of the prince, and the number of soldiers and horses was even more impressive."

Jinxia and Xirong have fought for more than ten years, except for their performance on the battlefield, they don't know each other very well.The Xirong army's combat methods are heroic and unrestrained, without the tradition and habit of engaging in espionage, but Jinxia's side is more than willing but not capable.What's more, the overall strength is disparate, and tricks in some fields are basically useless.After entering Shuzhou, the defense was completely blocked. The refugees brought some information, and occasionally obtained confessions from the captives. There was no and no need for more information about the enemy.When Zigui arrived at Xiabei Pass, with the help of the rebel army behind the enemy, he re-organized the active defense, and for the first time, the Xijing court had a precise grasp of the details of the enemy in the east.

"Since the beginning of spring, Fuding has continued to increase its offensive against Xiabei Pass, and has transferred a large number of military horses and equipment from Chuzhou and Yongzhou. A decisive battle is imperative. General Liang and others have received the news early and actively strengthened their combat preparations. And," Zizhou paused, "On the eve of the war, the Baisha gang suddenly hinted that they might take this opportunity to send top experts to assassinate the prince himself."

Zi Shi raised his head when he heard this, "Who is it?"

"They didn't say anything. Zigui speculates that it's probably... Qu Daxia."

To assassinate the commander-in-chief among thousands of troops, even a master like Qu Buyan would probably find it difficult to get out, and it would be even more difficult for those who cooperate with the cover to survive.The Baisha Gang is planning to put all their eggs in one basket and be benevolent if they fail.

Zi Shi was silent for a moment, then asked: "And then?"

"From April [-]th to April [-]th, the Xirong army continued to fight for five days. The offensive became more and more fierce every day. It was like crazy up and down. Both sides suffered continuous casualties and suffered heavy losses..." Zi Zhou didn't want to go into details Recounting this, he re-examined, "But the morale of the defenders in the pass was very high, and there was no sign of wavering. Until noon on April [-], the Xirong Army suddenly fell into chaos. Since the Chinese Army began to be defeated, it quickly retreated in an all-round way."

"So, the assassination operation of the White Sand Gang was successful?"

"Yes, everyone thought so. General Liang was about to turn on the switch and pursue him. Zigui insisted and waited for another moment. The Xirong army was trampled and chaotic. It may be regrouped immediately, so after a quarter of an hour, the guards of Xiabei Gate began to divide their troops to hunt down and kill them. Soon the Baisha Gang sent definite news: Fu Ding was dead—who could hold back in the face of such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? The soldiers attacked with all their strength and chased them for dozens of miles, vowing to wipe out all the enemies before they escape into Fenglan Pass."

"In such a situation, how could it be - lost?"

"That's right... in such a situation, it's going to be lost..." Zi Zhou was a little dazed, and then said, "Just as the defenders of Xiabei Pass were attacking in an all-out way, the Xi Rong army that was defeated first suddenly turned back and counterattacked. It's even more terrifying What's more, the armored cavalry who appeared out of nowhere followed closely behind, sharp and unstoppable—"

"Ah! Could it be that Fuding cheated death?!"

"No." Zizhou shook his head, "After encountering an ambush, our army fought hard against the enemy for several days, and finally retreated to Yuntou Pass. The tents have also changed banners."

Zi Shi stood up abruptly: "How is it possible?!"

The commander-in-chief was killed, and he was still the crown prince. It is too unreasonable to set up an ambush in the front and change the commander-in-chief to the rear, even if the foresight is unknown.

"Then who is the new coach?"

"It's Fu Sheng, the second prince of Xirong, under the banner of King Jingbei. It is said that he just defeated Huang Yongcan in the Northeast, and his men are full of elite soldiers. There is no sign at all, it seems to have popped out of the ground, and he arrived in Shuzhou in the blink of an eye— ——This is the only information collected by the Baisha Gang.” Zi Zhou’s tone suddenly became angry, “Because General Liang lost the Xiabei Pass, he insisted that the Baisha Gang was collaborating with the enemy and rebelling, and ordered them to kill each other! ——These news are still Zigui’s. It was obtained by asking Zhang Chengjun to secretly contact the Baisha Gang secretly."

Anyone in the world may collude with the enemy and rebel, and no matter what, the Baisha Gang will not be able to do so.However, after this incident, apart from the three brothers and sisters, who in Xijing would trust them?Believe but see doubt, loyal but be slandered, temples and rivers and lakes are exactly the same.

Zizhou stopped and didn't speak.After a long while, he clenched his fist and said softly: "So, big brother, I feel that this matter is weird no matter how you look at it. When did Xirong people have such an unfathomable character..."

Zi Shi was stunned for a while, and slowly said: "Once the Xiabei Pass is lost, half of the counties in the eastern part of the Central Shu Plain will have no danger to defend. Xijing is not completely impossible...Zi Zhou, this King Fusheng of Jingbei, whether it is himself or his staff, the city is deep and the methods are ruthless. I am afraid that no one on our side can resist... What are you going to do next?"

"Since I got the news, the Cefu Division has become a mess. We have been arguing all night, and there is no opinion except to strengthen the defense of Xijing, and there is no progress in other aspects." Zizhou snorted coldly, "Someone even proposed to transfer all the border troops. Going back to defend the capital, the grand master didn’t object on the spot!" Suddenly he punched the wall, "Seeing that the situation is just a little better...Brother, I am not reconciled, I really am not reconciled..."

Although this day will come sooner or later, I still didn't expect it to come so quickly and violently.Countless countermeasures have been preset, but the plan still does not change quickly.Zi Shi stood quietly, and finally patted his younger brother on the shoulder: "Let's eat first. Take a rest after eating, and talk about other things when you wake up."

Remembering that his elder brother hadn't slept all night, Zizhou stabilized his mood and said, "Where is elder brother?"

Zi Shi started to clean up the books and papers on the table: "I'll accompany you to dinner."

In the next month, the situation changed in an instant, and the situation took a sharp turn for the worse, making people dizzy and flustered.

At the end of April, Xirong abandoned Yuntou Pass and captured several important towns in the eastern part of the Central Shu Plain, vaguely encircling Xijing.

At the beginning of May, the banner of King Fusheng of Jingbei suddenly appeared outside Xianlang Pass in the north, which completely changed the bloody and cruel fighting style of the former general Benjie. , treated the captives kindly, and persuaded them to surrender with great fanfare.

As if knowing that there are many children from Chu Township in the garrison in northern Shu, the Xirong soldiers actually used the correct Chu accent when shouting: "Leave my homeland and sell my life to other places; wanderers return home, light duty and no food..." Long arrows with broken arrow clusters were fired on the wall, and there was a comparison map of Huarong Jinxia's latest frontier tied to it, the list of civil and military officials who had surrendered over the years, the results of recuperation policies in various places...these are all kinds of things, with rich pictures and texts, simple and clear.

At the beginning, Xia Bing was not used to the sudden change of character of the enemy, but it didn't take long for the weak-willed to resist the persuasion and sneak out of the closed wall, and they were treated as honored guests.Surrender turned into shouting in a blink of an eye, which was more convincing.A single escape quickly developed into an organized and premeditated betrayal, which quickly spread, and people's hearts were unstable and scattered.General Dingyuan Yan Zhen arrived in person, climbed up the Guanlou, beheaded dozens of heads in a row, and managed to temporarily suppress the wind.

However, the letter of persuasion written by Xirong to General Yan was stolen by the people from the Lifang Division's Waiwei Office and rushed to Xijing, and it was presented to the Grand Master at a much faster speed than General Dingyuan's self-defense memorial.The grand master hadn't made up his mind yet, when the emperor heard about this, he went mad on the spot, and became furious, desperate to dissuade and oppose, he issued several urgent edicts to call General Dingyuan back to Beijing.

In late May, General Dingyuan, who had been reused and neglected for many years, finally fell into the arms of the enemy.

So far, there is no longer any strong support to the north of Xijing.

Up to this moment, for Jin Xia, it is not yet possible to resist stubbornly; but for Xi Rong, all he has to do is to make a full effort.

(End of Volume [-])

Volume [-]: Forever Meets Le Wang Jiangnan