Chiwuxing

Chapter [-] - Like a Tiger Fu Yi, the old reunion, the grass snake, the gray line and the lost paper are coming again

Sha Lihu led the southern barbarian main army to attack the Qiannan grain depot. Unexpectedly, the Hu army had already prepared for it and besieged it.On the one hand, he contacted Luo some privately for military supplies, and on the other hand, he reported the situation to Fu Xuan and obeyed the command.

The remaining troops under their hands are less than ten thousand, and their every move is under the control of Hu Jun.

The barbarians are now at the end of their strength, and He Xuyi is even more determined to take this opportunity to go straight to Huanglong and take the barbarian land into his pocket.

After Fu Chen listened to his plan, he frowned silently, feeling rebellious in his heart.Not to mention that Fu Xuan hadn't resorted to the last trick yet, and he was eager to annex the Southern Man under the circumstances, which seemed to be too hasty.

"Third Uncle," he pondered, "Cheng thinks that if he is in a hurry to go deep into the barbaric land now, the road will be too difficult and dangerous. Not to mention that the climate and terrain there are very different from Hu Yan's old land, the strange wild poisonous beasts there are all I haven't seen it before, there are so many sorcery and gods in the Southern Barbarians, and there are so many hidden tricks among them, it's okay if one person goes to explore the traces, but if there are too many people, it will be impossible to guard against."

He Xuyun said: "Then tell me, when will you be here?"

Fu Chen said: "Their barbarian army also wanted to divide the old Yan land with the same purpose. If not, Fu Xuan would not take the throne and run to the Yan Palace in Fenying to be peaceful and peaceful. Since they We are also in a hurry to get ahead, so we just need to block their way in. I saw that the barbarian general wanted to lure us into the barbarian land, so if we counterattack now, we will inevitably fall into their trap again."

"...It's also reasonable," Hexun sighed, "It's just that this barbarian has been staring at the south for a day, and my heart is not very peaceful."

"Third Uncle is just a little impatient," Fu Chen said, "... Qiu Feng took the initiative to invite Ying to deal with the barbarians here before, so it was because of his overall consideration. The barbarians are stationed in the southwest, so they will definitely put their minds there. Cheng thought that instead of getting entangled in disputes with the barbarians here, it is better to unify the cities of Yandi that have already been captured. I don’t know much about the situation in Yancheng at the border, so I don’t know if Third Uncle has encountered any difficulties?”

He Xuyu replied: "Yan Ting is decaying, and the people under it are mostly powerless to fight back. They always want to settle down as soon as possible. I have Hu people garrisoning everywhere, and there is no change for the time being. But the gang Literati, listening to them yelling all day, it's really annoying..."

"If we really want to start a new dynasty, we need them," Fu Chen said consolingly, "Shao Qian, whom you recommended before, can still be used? He has experience in court, Feng Ru is a good man, and he is on the sidelines. There should be no storms."

"Although I don't like the way these literati usually act, their ability is still remarkable," said Hexuhong, "It's a pity that the troubles they encountered temporarily are all disconnected from the old dynasty, and I can't help much. I'm busy, but I have to listen and be on guard from time to time."

Fu Chen understood, and said: "Third Uncle has worked hard... I think the border war here can be handed over to my nephew. Third Uncle should return to the Imperial Capital to take charge of the overall situation. On the one hand, it is for safety, and on the other hand, it is also to stabilize the hearts of the people everywhere. "

"Are you planning to still defend here?" He Xuyi raised his eyebrows, "... Originally, I wanted you to go to the southwest to support Qiu Feng's war."

Fu Chen lowered his head and said calmly: "Did he encounter any emergency?"

"I don't see any dangerous news for the time being." He Xuyi raised his eyebrows, seemingly helpless, and said, "It's just that I sent Hu soldiers to fight with him before, but he sent them back with excuses in the end. I miss you old Rili still has a little relationship with the Yan army, and Chao Er's group of soldiers are originally Yan people, if you take them to go, you won't be sent back by him again."

The young man was silent, and He Xuxu saw that he was unwilling, and said again: "...When I mentioned this, I remembered that when you first arrived in Hu Qiang, the Podo Luo family exposed you as a Yan general. I asked Qiu in private. Feng, he said that when you joined the Yan army, he just caught up with him because he was sick and relieved of his military power, so he didn't know each other well. But seeing that he has a lot of support for you later, I think this is a foreign country, and you were half of the Yan people at the beginning. , it still makes him feel a lot closer. You can go this time, and if there is any unforeseen danger, send a message to the neighboring city in time. But I still feel that if there is a little sympathy from the past, he... also I can't do anything to you. After all, your identity has not been publicized yet."

"...Third Uncle wants me to monitor him?"

"While watching the internal actions of their army, while helping them," Huxun said, "the two are not in conflict."

Fu Chen still lowered his eyes halfway: "If you insist on asking, I will do it."

Hu Xuhong glanced at him again: "You don't want to? Why don't you want to?"

"...It's nothing," Fu Chen staggered his eyes, "I'm just afraid that if I just stare at Qiu Feng, there will be troubles happening elsewhere, so I won't be able to take care of them."

"Let's not hide it from my nephew," He Xuhong said, "If it's a matter on Yan's land, the biggest hidden danger is Qiu Feng—the Chiwu Yicong in his hands is from Yan."

Fu Chen slowly raised his head and looked at him with a cold look.

He Xuyi also met his gaze calmly, and said solemnly: "Besides, he has the status of a nobleman in the old Yan Kingdom."

Fu Chen said firmly: "Third Uncle doesn't believe him, so he should trust me. I can guarantee him. Qiu Feng will not worry about Third Uncle's worries."

Hu Xuyi smiled impressively, and the beard on his lower jaw twitched.It doesn't seem to be ridiculed, it's purely a sigh from the heart, and it also has a bit of sadness.

"I hear these words very familiar..." He straightened his face and regained his composure, "A few years ago when Hu Qiang first built the iron cavalry, he was also so determined to serve as your retainer in front of me a few years ago. Chief...but, my nephew, you were alone at that time and had nothing to rely on. Even if you really acted out of line and wanted to kill you for punishment, there was no need to report the news to me. But in the hands of Qiu Feng Yes, it is his own army, how can it not be feared and doubted about its intentions?"

"You must think this way, and there is nothing for Cheng to persuade," Fu Chen lowered his head, "I will obey your orders and march westward, don't worry. My nephew just wants to remind you, don't blindly focus on the enemy. At Fengchu, the Yan Kingdom has just been destroyed, and a thousand things are waiting to be rebuilt, there are still many hidden hidden dangers happening at once, please don't take it lightly."

Huxun nodded, as a reply.

"If there is nothing else, Sheng will order the subordinates to prepare."

"Don't worry," He Xuhong picked up something from the desk and handed it over, "You take this."

Fu Chen stepped forward to take a closer look: "This is..."

"This is the letter of commission for the Xiong cavalry. It is written in the ancient language of Hu and Qiang. You shouldn't recognize it," said Hexu. There are still those who are disobedient and unconvinced, so just use this to block their mouths. After all, when I am not present, I probably know what excuses they can use... And your father's jade, if you want Keep it well, I have lost my piece, and it is really precious that you still have one."

"Third Uncle," Fu Chen held the cloth and said, "You know...I..."

He Xuhong interrupted him: "It's not just me. The night before yesterday, Chao Er came here to ask me for orders, and he planned to follow you in the future. If it was someone else, even if it was me, I would have to doubt it a few times. You will be different if you distinguish between true and false. Instead, you have chosen a good younger brother by your side."

Fu Chen had no choice but to put the thing away, and then said: "Third Uncle is very thoughtful."

"There is also the matter of your identity," He Xuyi said again, "I thought that if we waited until the coming day and announced it to everyone suddenly, the news would come so suddenly that the people might not be able to accept it all at once. Release the news bit by bit, the Xie cavalry is your own army now, and you have to rely on them when marching back and forth. So I plan to tell them your real name when you have assembled your army and are ready to go. At least this journey is enough for them to digest. If you want to dispatch troops again, it will be much smoother than before."

Fu Chen silently agreed, but suddenly thought, if he hadn't promised his third uncle to ask him to go to the southwest to oversee the army today, wouldn't the appointment letter and the reveal of his identity not be implemented?

Seeing his silence, Hu Xuyi thought he was thinking something, so he said, "What other ideas does my nephew have?"

Fu Chen didn't shy away from it, and directly confessed what was in his heart. Even if his gray eyes were absent-minded, there was still something oppressive and hidden. It was the hostility of many years of marching and killing people.

"...That's a big deal." He Xuyi was taken aback by what he said, and then sighed.

Fu Chen lowered his eyes: "It's my nephew who is overthinking."

"...Yesterday, the defenders of the capital received a letter, and the surrounding counties and cities are gradually operating, and the officials have returned to their positions, and there is no riot," Hexuhong said, "So I plan to go back to Le Guin. Leaving the mess to Ah Jun, I think even if she has the royal status to protect her, all the ministries have their own ghosts, and it would still be hard for her to deal with it alone, I have to go to cheer up the minds of those people.”

"Then be careful on the road," Fu Chen said again, "But once the two armies leave, Qiannan's important land will be empty. Third Uncle still needs to send people to guard this place, and he can't be careless."

"Well," He Xuhong said, "The 2 people sent before are still staying here. Anyway, the rebels have surrendered. I will transfer some of the Hu troops from Jiangbei, which is enough to resist the barbarian army's sneak attack here."

"it is good."

After Fu Chen discussed with him about the formation of troops, he left the camp to prepare for the rest of the chores.

When passing by the rear army, he heard the sound of human voices, he vaguely recognized that it was Chao Er's voice, after thinking for a while, he was about to step forward.Squinting his eyes, he saw a person standing opposite Chao Er, who was a little shorter and thinner than him. When he heard footsteps, he turned his head first.

As Fu Chen approached, Fang Shi realized that the person talking to Chao Er was none other than Chao San, whom he hadn't seen for a long time.

"Sanlang?" A little surprised, Fu Chen came to his side, "Why are you here?"

"Brother." Chao Er who was beside him said coldly.

Chao San swallowed his saliva, and looked at him slightly evasively. Fu Chen saw his hesitation and embarrassment, glanced at Chao Er, and said in time: "It doesn't have to be like this, there is no such rule, you can call it whatever you want, and Same as before."

"If you still recognize me as your second elder brother, treat him as your own elder brother in the future."

Fu Chen glanced at him quietly from the side, while Chao Er stared straight into the distance, turning a deaf ear to him.

"Cough," Chao San cleared his throat, made a vague mouth shape, and turned, "I came here with my master this morning. Last year, I stole leisurely in Qianchuan's Zhuangzi, and I also took in a lot of people. Forging weapons. Several batches of firearms designed by my master, and wolf whisks that were specially remade, have been copied in batches, and they were escorted along the road for you to use..."

Fu Chen bent his lips: "Master Pang is here too, where is it?"

"It's unloading the equipment at the back," Chao San said with a smile, "If you want to see him, I'll take you there now."

"Okay." Fu Chen agreed, and before leaving, he squeezed Chao'er's arms to the side, warning with his eyes.

Chao Er pursed his lips and watched the two of them leave, a gloomy light flashed through the corners of his narrowed eyes.

"You..." After walking away, Chao Sanfang dared to turn his head to look at the tent, but the figure was gone, "What happened to you all, why did my second brother become... like that?"

"How?"

"It's just... I can't say it," Chao San scratched his head, recalling the expression on Chao Er's face when he was talking to him just now, with a look of surprise on his face, unable to organize his words clearly, "I just feel that he...is a little colder than before. Although my second brother and I didn't see each other very often in the past, and later when the eldest brother was away, he once managed me very strictly. But this time, I see him... a bit unreasonable."

Fu Chen patted him lightly on the shoulder: "I have dealt with dead people on the battlefield for a long time, and most of them are like this. What's more, your second brother leads a group of brothers who used to work under Chao Da, you have to understand his difficulties .”

"I understand the truth," Chao San lowered his head along the way, and said, "...it's just a little sad."

"It's okay." Fu Chen couldn't say anything to comfort him, "Don't be afraid."

Chao San stretched his neck, stretched his head to look at the young man's face, and then said desolately: "You also lead soldiers to kill people, so you can still smile a little, but he can't..."

"So this is where your second brother is better than others," Fu Chen said with a smile that couldn't help but quickly dropped, "At least he won't deliberately hide his emotions and put on a show."

The two had their own concerns until they arrived at the ordnance battalion in the back camp.Chao San hurriedly called out from a distance: "Master!"

Hearing the sound, the rickety old man who was supervising the soldiers arranging their equipment turned his head, and couldn't help but shift his gaze from Chao San to Fu Chen, and let out a soft snort.

As the two approached, Fu Chen took the initiative to salute with his fists together: "Master Pang, the journey is difficult, and it's really not easy for you to come here."

"I don't need to say these things," the old craftsman waved his hand, and said coldly, "I'm here to tell you how these things are used, otherwise, I will waste things for nothing like last time .”

Fu Chen hesitated slightly, and said, "You mean the wolf trap last time?"

"That's right," said the old craftsman, "later someone explained the situation to me. I think it's true that the bamboo branch withered. Go, isn't it just a matter of not being burdensome when attacking? Even when it is used as a knife and gun, it is lighter than that knife."

"No," Fu Chen bluntly refused, "It looks light, but it is also vulnerable to a single blow. Although you have added fire-roasted oil to enhance its stability, the wolf's whisk is originally good at hooking its thorns and disrupting the enemy's attack. Just like you For one thing, it just happened to conceal the advantages and disadvantages, which erased the original important function. Let alone fighting in the winter snow field, using this, I am afraid that it will hinder the soldiers from getting started."

The old craftsman was choked by him, and his face turned red and white.I haven’t been choked for a long time, and I’m quite short of breath: “Huh...but this time I can replace the material and add a conversion device to the rod. Now... no matter where you use this wolf whisk, you can beat it. You can't blame your weapons for losing a battle."

"Thank you, Master Pang, for your help," Fu Chen cupped his hands again, expressing his sincere thanks, "However, those wolf traps also made a lot of effort when they were walking in the snow, and I really want to thank you for your willingness to drill and sharpen the equipment for me. .”

Seeing his modesty, the old craftsman's face softened a little, and he led him forward to carefully inspect the usage of various making tools.In addition to common weapons, there are also vans that have been improved according to the situation in Yandi, hitchhikers for siege, hook crash cars, goose falcon cars, etc.Fu Chen had only seen records of many devices in ancient books, and had never personally seen them.He intentionally squatted down, inspected carefully, and tried his best to record the appearance and purpose of each piece of equipment, which was also an eye-opener and a sense of respect in his heart.

The old craftsman could not help showing some complacency, knowing that he had worked hard for months, Fu Chen also ordered people to specially prepare food, wine and meat for him to replenish his strength.Chao San was next to him with some light from his master, and logically ate some of the unique fresh wild animals in the military camp, but before he finished eating, he was dragged away by Chao Erxun who suddenly appeared with an excuse.

Fu Chen took care of the people until the end of the night, and led the old craftsman to find a place in the camp to settle down.

"Hey!" The old craftsman glanced at the young man who was staggering a step beside him, and said in surprise, "You are young, and your eyesight is worse than that of an old man like me... looking up at such a big stone trip?"

The night was dark, just covering Fu Chen's expression: "...Sorry, I was thinking about something else just now, and my mind was distracted..."

"Oh," the old craftsman snorted, still with the same lukewarm attitude, "'Birth is less than a hundred years old, and I often worry about a thousand years old'... just now I heard Xiaosan complaining about his brother there. I see, Chao Erna Most of the problems are caused by staying with you for a long time."

"...It's the younger generation's fault." Fu Chen said in a low voice.

The old craftsman snorted again with unknown meaning, and continued: "I haven't eaten much rice, just thinking about killing people to get a position... If you are not tired, who are you?"

"...You are right," Fu Chen said, "but sometimes... we are not willing to take the responsibility."

"Then let it go and do it in your own comfortable way," the old craftsman said, "I don't believe that if one thing happens to different people, the result is the same? It's just that some people are too lazy to figure out their own way, Just unwilling to change."

"But sometimes... there are people who don't want to find an easier way, so what should I do?"

"You said that some people are born to like to be abused and self-mutilated?"

"...That's the choice."

"Then let him go!" The old craftsman snorted coldly, "If you don't treat yourself well, how can you expect him to do something good? It's just a self-willed depravity. When you meet such a person , you'd better stay away, one day he swung a knife and killed himself, be careful of blood splashing on your face."

Fu Chen frowned slightly, and said: "Could it be that if a person does something wrong and no one can punish him, shouldn't he punish himself for the sake of justice?"

"Fart justice!" The old craftsman retorted, "Everyone has his own justice, and it's all a selfish judgment. Do you think that by pushing yourself to the scaffold, you can change the facts of the past? Not only everything will change. No, I added another member to the team of fools in this world. Let me tell you, you would rather be shameless in this world than let insignificant things hurt yourself. Otherwise, do you think anyone else really cares about it? Are you alive or dead? You can’t even take care of yourself, are you worthy of the physical body that your parents have given you so hard? Are you worthy of the only ‘you’ who has been loyal to you for so many years?…It’s all nonsense.”

Fu Chen was silent.

The old craftsman talked excitedly, and he couldn't help recalling some old things, and after drinking some wine at the dinner, he revealed some past experiences: "...I was also persecuted by those Beijing officials of Yan Kingdom for no reason. I couldn’t get along here, so I fled to the outer city. They were all persistent enough, and they chased and killed me to the border city in Jiangbei... I’m a weapon maker, and I can’t make weapons, so I insisted on sending out some of them A soldier chased me alone at full speed, which made them overqualified..."

"A person from the Ministry of War?"

"Not only..." The folds under the eyelids of the old craftsman reveal complicated layers in different shades under the faint moonlight, "there are also local merchants, they colluded with the government and businessmen, and they sheltered each other... well, it's no wonder that the country is about to perish. The virtue of their group of people will be a disaster for the Yan Kingdom if it survives for a day."

"You can tell right from wrong," Fu Chen said in a low voice, "Now you can see the fairness."

"I don't care too much..."

For decades of youth, there was no praise from the capital that he deserved, but only the hard life of deliberately burying the border town and accompanying the sand and soil.Even if good and evil are rewarded, what is the use of turning back the age?

"If you have any other thoughts, this junior can realize them for you."

The old craftsman sneered: "I am so useless, I want you to take pity on me..."

"It's not pity, it's just respect." Fu Chen said with low eyes, "Chao San is still young, and he can't do many things. If you have needs from the Imperial Capital, you can immediately ask the younger generation to do your best for you."

"That's all," said the old craftsman, "I came here to remake weapons, mostly because I saw that Chao Er's child was related to Xiao San, so I came to help. It really didn't take me so fast to serve the barbarians. can be transformed."

"Yes, listen to you."

When he arrived at the assigned barracks, Fu Chen made the bed for him, put in new candles, and tidied up.

The old craftsman was sitting on the edge of the bed, while watching the young man busy, he said suddenly: "You kid...what's your name?"

Fu Chen's subordinates paused, and his Adam's apple slid up and down in a circle:

"...Huxu Sheng."

"Huh?" The old craftsman raised his eyebrows, "...I look at your appearance, you look like a barbarian, why are you involved with barbarians?"

Fu Chen pursed his lips and said, "My mother is a barbarian, and my father is from the Utron tribe."

The old craftsman was silent for a moment, and murmured softly: "No wonder it's so inappropriate..."

Fu Chen was originally deaf, so he caught this sentence in his ears for some reason.Stepping up to set up the table and put the chamber pot away, he got up and took two steps towards the old craftsman, saying:

"Master Pang, you just said that the selfish nature of that person is irrefutable for the younger generation. It's just that there are all kinds of people in this world, and there are still some idiots who just want to do hopeless things. You are right... I know that I am also doomed I don't want to die, so I don't dare to make friends with outsiders and implicate them. So..."

Fu Chen took a deep breath and found that there was nothing to say: "...so... that's it."

The old craftsman moved his eyes from the young man's curly hair that was even paler than his own, and said in a deep voice: "Although you keep saying that you have seen through these things, I don't believe it. There are no people or things that linger. I don’t believe that people will be willing to give up those things under their own choice.”

"...I have been arguing with the court for so many years, and now I am looking for an excuse to go back to my old business..."

The old craftsman shook his head, kept his breath low, and revealed the truth, looking a bit naughty and childish.

Fu Chen's expression relaxed a little, and there was a gentleness that no one else had seen before: "But it's those things that I don't want to let go of...that allow me to firmly follow the same path."

"...None of those things can change you?"

"It's changed, but it doesn't seem to have changed."

At this time, the old craftsman was also confused, drunk, and didn't know the meaning of his riddle-like words. He slowly leaned on the bed and pillow mat, and said: "Everyone has his own way. Now that you have figured it out, then Just treat me as an old guy talking nonsense."

Fu Chen nodded: "You should rest early, this junior is leaving."

"...By the way," the old craftsman said suddenly, "Are you planning to leave within two days?"

"If there is no mistake, we will set off in the morning after three days."

The old craftsman exhaled deeply from the bedside, cleared his throat: "...take Xiaosan, he knows how to use those ordnance."

"Before Erlang was worried about his safety and didn't allow him to join the army," Fu Chen hesitated, "The juniors have already written down what you said this afternoon."

"... How old is he, and do you want others to worry about his life?" The old craftsman said wearily, "One day he has to learn to live on his own... He told me before that he wanted to learn how to help his brother If you are busy, you should let him go earlier. I think that Chao Er has matured a lot when he came back this time. If he is not willing, don’t you recognize him as your younger brother? How can you not listen to you?... I will This request, if you speak like a doll, it should still count as some weight."

"Okay," Fu Chen said, "I promise you."

The old craftsman turned over, revealing a gap in the quilt he was wrapped in, and his swollen back was caused by years of working among iron tools.Fu Chen had lived in a border town, and he knew that the local doctors and food were not comparable to those in the inner city. Even if he had a chronic illness, it would become a brand that he would accompany him for a lifetime, so that it was convenient for neighbors to nickname him and recognize him.

Fu Chen walked to the table, extinguished the burning candle on the table, and then walked out of the barracks slowly.

Stepping on the yellow sand and rocks, Fu Chen looked up at the sky, but he couldn't see the stars, moon and shadows clearly.

People are independent, and love is connected.Even if you want to meet after a long separation, there are thousands of feelings that you can't bear and would rather leave each other.

"Your Highness."

The seat closed his eyes and opened his eyes, saw someone coming, and said in a hoarse voice: "Come and sit."

Kou Bing stepped forward anxiously. Recently, wars have been raging all over the place. No matter how comfortable he is in the palace, he can't stop the instant message from his ears: "You are looking for the next official at night, but there is something urgent?"

"see this."

Fu Xuan pointed at the objects on the table.Kou Bingyi ordered to pick up the narrow piece of paper, and unfolded it for a closer look: "This is..."

"Look at the handwriting, is it familiar?"

Kou Bing was half startled and half doubtful, but he still remembered what happened at the beginning: "This is the person who sent a message to you by means of an eagle a few years ago?"

"This time, they changed the method and specially took the feathered arrow and shot it into the palace after nightfall."

Kou Bing looked down at the writing on the paper again. It was scrawled and sharp, and it was written alone:

It is better to have no books than to believe in books, and it is better to have no generals than to have doubts.

"If we talk about the messenger, at the beginning we suspected that the courtiers in the Yan court who were in conflict with each other were instigating and harming the Yan army. Now, it seems that there may be someone else. And this person is in the barracks facing each other outside the pass." Fu Xuan said coldly. road.

"Then what is the meaning of the words on this paper?"

"What do you think?" Fu Xuan leaned on one side of the couch, slightly raising her eyebrows.

Kou Bing held the piece of paper, thinking about it, and said: "I don't know... that person was in the Yan Dynasty for personal gain and we corresponded and helped each other. Don’t necessarily think so.”

The barbarian lowered his eyes halfway, still feeling sleepy, and snorted, "The lonely king thought that this man...was really interesting. If he said his words, they were all plain truths, but this It’s time to send a letter to remind me. It’s a bit arrogant to ignore me and other barbarians.”

"You don't believe him?"

"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not," Fu Xuan said, "We will still follow the original plan. When we attack the enemy camp in the future, sometimes it is time to pick this person out for torture."

"Yes."