My country, you can pinch it

It was difficult to sleep tonight, even Fang Jinling was not driven back to the car, the doctor came to see him, prescribed a routine medicine, and advised him not to get tired and go back to treat the wounded.

The five cauldrons in the camp did not stop. There were too many people. After feeding the refugees, there were still soldiers who wanted to eat. After eating, they boiled ginger soup to drive away the cold.No matter how passionate the female relatives are, they are too tired to lean against each other and take a nap.

The winter fur coats in the convoy, and even the bedding and blankets accompanying the car were turned out. Liu Ke didn't keep them, and gave them to the refugees.On a night without sun, the Northwest in early spring is really too cold. It is not too much to freeze the dripping water. In the wilderness, there are no such things. The thin clothes of the refugees can't resist the cold. At this time, there are no regulations. .

The steward who was in charge of food and grass worriedly calculated the rations for the next two days. When he left the capital, Liu Ke deliberately slapped the palace and the two palaces. It should have been more than enough, but now it has become too tight.

Fang Jinling took a sip of the soup and medicine, and listened to the steward beside him report to Liu Ke that there was not enough food, grass, and clothes, in short, one bad news after another.

Liu Ke waved his hand, and Xiao Tuanzi immediately asked all the stewards to step down, and then he sighed towards the bonfire: "Ling Ling, brother was originally here to be a free and easy king, but he ended up working as an imperial envoy, and he had to punish people at the same time as disaster relief. Corrupt officials, tsk, what are you talking about!"

After Fang Jinling finished drinking the medicine, he handed the bowl to Xiaotuanzi and said, "How can you be so easy to be a king?"

"But it's too difficult!" Liu Ke's emotion came from the bottom of his heart, and he dared to say that when only Fang Jinling was around, "It's really too difficult!"

Yes, these pairs of eyes are looking at him like this today, everyone is waiting for King Ning to make a decision, but what can Liu Ke do?There are tens of thousands of refugees, even if most of them are bachelors, the old and weak, women and children together are not a small number.

There are still three days' journey away from Yongliang City, which is calculated according to the original normal footsteps. If this huge burden is added, I don't know if I can walk there in five days, but the food can't support it.

Hunger will cause turmoil. When the time comes to loot, these thousand soldiers may not be able to suppress it. What's more, there are bandits among the refugees. If they cause chaos, even Liu Ke himself will be in danger.

From this point of view, these women and children should be abandoned decisively.Just looking at those faces full of hope, even if he is hungry, the man who still thinks about his wife and children, just asks how he can bear it and has nothing to say, otherwise, how will the refugees who surrendered treat him, the previous goodwill Wouldn't it be hypocrisy?

Liu Ke himself could not give this order.

So in the end, he didn't give an answer, and only used long-term plans to appease people briefly, and then escaped.

This made him feel a deep sense of frustration. The Seventh Prince, who had always been unscrupulous in the capital, dared to do anything, and was not afraid of anything, showed timidity before his humanity.

"Lingling, it's a pity that I pretend to be sober, and everyone looks like a fool. It turns out that the most ridiculous thing is myself. I am arrogant, stupid, and useless at critical moments."

"Does Your Highness regret it?" Suddenly, Fang Jinling asked.

Liu Ke was stunned: "What?"

"If you didn't choose Yongliang back then, but chose a place according to the place given by Master Wang, maybe there wouldn't be so many things. You must have already arrived in the fief, welcomed by all the officials as guests, and lived in a beautiful place. In the palace of the prince, there is good wine and beautiful servants, it can be said to be happy. Your Highness, do you regret it?"

Fang Jinling said while rubbing his hands against the bonfire. He didn't use the hand stove at this time, so he had to save everything.It was just too cold, his body shrank into a ball, only his eyes were exposed outside, looking at Liu Ke, there was a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

Seeing this, Liu Ke stretched out his hand and knocked on his forehead: "How can you regret it, little Lingling, you are looking down on brother!"

It didn't hurt at all, just like scratching an itch. Fang Jinling touched his forehead and said with a smile, "Isn't it? With the help of Master Wang, the officials will definitely obey orders and greet you as king with a smile on your face. What kind of refugees, what kind of power?" , You just say a word, and you won't be in self-doubt like you are now."

Liu Ke sneered and said, "But whoever orders you to listen to? I'm afraid that if you touch a soft nail at that time, it will be even more uncomfortable than now."

Fang Jinling immediately showed his face, and said loudly: "Yes."

Liu Ke suddenly felt like, leaned back, lay on the ground and looked up at the sky, and saw that the stars in the wilderness were brighter than any other place, and he suddenly said: "Ling Ling, brother is not good at reading, but there is a sentence that suddenly feels like Makes sense."

"what?"

"Is this what Confucius or Lao Tzu said? The heavens will send great responsibilities to the people, and you must first suffer from your heart...and then use what you can't do, right?"

Fang Jinling twitched the corners of his mouth when he heard this: "This is what Mencius said, and there are a few sentences in between, did you eat it?"

Liu Ke said bluntly: "Of course I didn't remember it, but it's not important. Anyway, there is no unparalleled road. At least because I came here, these refugees have a way to survive, right?"

"Of course." Fang Jinling nodded emphatically, "Think about it, even my sisters are willing to help you because they believe in His Highness's character and deserve this trust. Although they didn't speak this time, because they know that anyone in this situation It is difficult to choose the position, so no matter how your Highness chooses, you should not be criticized, because you have done much better than others. If it were King Jing and King Duan, my sister and the others would have taken me away when they left Beijing Bar."

Fang Jinling looked at Liu Ke and smiled softly, but said softly but firmly, "I didn't choose the wrong person."

Hearing the corners of Liu Ke's lips rising, being praised so much, her heart was so beautiful that bubbles popped up. For some reason, she felt a sense of euphoria, as if all her depression was swept away, it was amazing.

He raised his body and raised his eyebrows at Fang Jinling, "In this case, brother will find a way to get over this difficulty!"

Seeing Liu Ke cheer up, Fang Jinling's eyes brightened immediately, full of anticipation, and he said crisply, "En!"

"So..." Liu Ke chuckled, "Does Lingling have a good solution?"

Fang Jinling paused as he rubbed his hands against the bonfire, "..." He looked at Liu Ke speechlessly.

Your solution is to let him figure out a solution, right?It works.

Fang Jinling's rich expression and accusation made Liu Ke laugh. He held Fang Jinling's hands warming on the bonfire, rubbed them attentively, and said with a smirk: "Little Lingling, brother is not stupid, if you don't Idea, how could you be so calm tonight, and comfort your brother so considerately, you have already whispered to that scholar, right?"

Fang Jinling was young, and his hands were relatively small and thin. Liu Ke's hands could wrap him completely, and he muttered: "Why is it so cold, come, brother to warm your hands."

"I'm not cold." Fang Jinling couldn't laugh or cry, but he didn't take his hand back, it was too warm.

I don't know Liu Ke's physique. He is obviously not dressed thickly, but his palms are hot.Fang Jinling's hand, which doesn't get hot even if it is warmed by the fire, feels extremely comfortable being covered in this way.

He nodded, looked at Liu Ke, and pretended, "Since Your Highness said so, then I can't live up to this trust."

After speaking, he raised his delicate eyebrows and motioned to get closer.

The two of them were already doing their best because they were covering their hands, and when they got closer, under the firelight, Liu Ke could clearly see the fine fluff on Fang Jinling's face. Because of the fine care, the young man's skin was fine and flawless, and his slanted eyes Bright like stars in the sky, with a little whirlpool... constantly attracting him.

For some reason, Liu Ke suddenly didn't dare to approach.

Seeing that he didn't speak or move, Fang Jinling just stared at him blankly, wondering, "What's wrong?"

The sound brought Liu Ke back to his senses. He squeezed the hand in his hand, and felt a little uncomfortable. He let go of his hand, picked up the dry firewood, and flicked it in, "Let's just say, no one hear."

Of course there is no problem. Fang Jinling put his hands in his arms without doubting him. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Your Highness is hesitant because of the number of family members who are refugees. Our food reserves can't support Yongliang City at all, and this is absolutely impossible. Insurmountable difficulties, so my suggestion is not to bring them."

"Don't take it?" Liu Ke frowned, "Abandon them, but those men are not willing to drink porridge in the face, kneeling on the ground to leave it to their wives and children, how could they obey?" One, even if he starved to death, he would not give up his family.

"Not taking it doesn't mean giving up." Fang Jinling said.

As soon as this remark came out, Liu Ke thought about it immediately, "That is to set aside part of the rations for them, let them stay on the mountain where they are, and wait until Lu Wanshan is killed and the granary is opened, and then come to help. It drags down the convoy and affects the forward speed."

Fang Jinling said: "I asked Zhao Xiucai. The refugees live on the hills near the official road. The bandits originally wanted to rob and rob. The old den is not far away, so we don't need to pick them up. The whole convoy will go straight forward, about ten miles away. Tomorrow We can go there."

Liu Ke nodded slowly, seeming to agree, but his brows were still unresolved, "But there is not much food left, how much and how to keep it, there are at least [-] elderly, weak, women and children there, I'm afraid it won't help if we keep less."

"Your Highness, don't forget, that is the den of bandits." Fang Jinling reminded.

Liu Ke was startled, then seemed to realize something, and asked, "You mean to rob the bandits?"

Fang Jinling nodded with a smile: "Luo Yun said that the bandits in the crowd are all strong and strong, and they don't seem to have come here from starvation, so I guess, the bandits must have hidden food. Zhao Xiucai's words made the bandits The idea of ​​cannibalism is eliminated, not because they feel pity in their hearts, let alone because they are afraid of cannibalism, but because they have something to eat, so there is no need to go this far.”

Liu Ke rubbed his chin, "If this is the case, then the problem of rations will directly become a problem of bandits."

"Yes."

"That's right, Ling Ling, it's really a skinny rabbit with all kinds of crazy ideas." Liu Ke praised.

Fang Jinling was unhappy when he heard this, "Solemnly declare, Your Highness, please don't call me this stinky name in the future, I don't like it very much."

"That brother stopped barking." Liu Ke changed his words simply. To him, Fang Jinling is no different from his ancestors now. He said what he said, but he thought, "Then just look for the bandits who are among the refugees. Come out, it’s best to take it with you.”

Fang Jinling said: "I also have an idea, but it's relatively risky and requires the cooperation of Zhao Xiucai and my sister."

So what are you waiting for, Liu Ke turned around and called out, "Tuanzi!"

Xiaotuanzi trotted over immediately: "Your Highness."

"Look for some generals Shang and that Zhao Xiucai, and I will discuss something with you."

"Yes."

Compared to Liu Ke, Zhao Bufan was more concerned about this matter, and he was so worried that he had no intention of resting.

He was anxious for King Ning, and also for the refugees who finally had the hope of surviving. He scratched his heart and lungs with his own hatred. If he put himself in the situation, he naturally didn't want to bring the old, weak, women and children with him. Why not...

At this time, King Ning sent someone to invite, Zhao Bufan immediately cheered up, knowing that he had made a decision.

Adding firewood to the bonfire, it ignited even more fiercely. When Zhao Bufan arrived, the five Shang family sisters were already there, including Qian Duojin, who was talking to King Ning: "There is also food in the caravan. All the rations are donated, although it is not much, but it is better than nothing."

"Thank them for the king, and when they enter the city, they will be compensated." Liu Ke said.

Qian Duojin agreed.

Shang Chuqing said: "If you don't bring those old and weak women and children with you, you can indeed reduce the burden a lot. This time, when you come down the mountain to rob, there should be bandits on the mountain, right?"

At this time Zhao Bufan said: "Not many, but there are also NO.50 people guarding the lair and controlling the family members of the refugees, so as to force the men to work for them." As he spoke, he walked to the campfire and faced Liu Ke. Salute, followed by several generals.

Up to this point, he had only seen the ladies of the Shang family clearly, and seeing the light armor on their bodies, standing like a silver spear, looking majestic in their eyes, he couldn't help but praise them in his heart.

"If His Highness wants to keep the women and children on the mountain, then these bandits must be wiped out." Zhao Xiucai said.

Liu Ke said: "That's why I asked you to come here to discuss."

At this time Fang Jinling asked: "There must be food in the bandit den, right?"

Zhao Bufan nodded: "Yes, I want to suggest this to His Highness. Before going to Yongliang City, it is better to go up the mountain to suppress the bandits. Besides capturing the food, maybe you can find evidence of collusion with Lu Wanshan and the bandits to share the spoils."

Fang Jinling and Liu Ke looked at each other with a smile, and Liu Ke said, "The king and Ling Ling thought the same way just now, but before that, we must clear out the bandits mixed in with the refugees."

"What is your Highness going to do?"

"Do you still remember those unlucky merchants who were killed by you after the spring?" Liu Ke asked.

Zhao Bufan was stunned, but when he remembered, he said sadly, "I remember."

"This king will make decisions for these merchants, for the resentful souls who died at the hands of the bandits, and find their murderers."

When Liu Ke said this, Zhao Bufan opened his eyes immediately, "Your Highness, I'm afraid this will cause panic. After all, it's not just the bandits who did it."

At this time, Shang Chuqing said coldly: "These people are no different from bandits."

Once contaminated with the blood of innocent people, not only once, but countless times.The army led by the Marquis of Xiling has killed countless enemies, but the first military rule is not to attack ordinary people, because it is very clear that killing the weak will be addictive, and if there is no bottom line, the evil thoughts in the heart will continue to magnify, and eventually fall into the abyss.

Zhao Bufan has nothing to say, because it is true, those who made the first knife have really worshiped on the top of the mountain, joined the bandits, and even came back to oppress ordinary refugees.As long as there is a caravan coming, they will rush to the front with excitement and become ruthless executioners.

Seeing that he fell silent, Fang Jinling said to Shang Chuqing and the others: "So, please ask my sister to make arrangements to drag back the corpses from five miles away. At that time, please ask my brother-in-law to let the shopkeeper come and identify them, so that I can avenge their grievances."

Shang Chuqing nodded, "No Bing, Rain, you take a team there, and you must bring the corpse back within an hour."

"Yes." The two sisters took the order. Without further delay, they immediately tightened their wrist guards, mounted their horses, brought their personal guards, and left with a torch.

The crackling of the bonfire alarmed the silent ones.

Fang Jinling looked at Zhao Bufan: "It's not far from Yongliang City, since Zhao Xiucai can't sleep, why don't you prepare this Wanmin petition later, and tell everyone that King Ning will use this to arrest Lu Wanshan at the gate of the city tomorrow morning?" Yifa, cheer up your heart!"

Fang Jinling's cry not only surprised Zhao Bufan, but even the sisters of the Shang family.

Shang Xiyun frowned and said: "Lingling, at this time, you are not afraid that the bandits will leave quietly and report the news?"

"I just want them to report the news, and I also want to create opportunities for them to leave the ranks of refugees and let them go back to being bandits." Fang Jinling's delicate face was tinged with chills when he said this, "This way It’s good to catch them all.”

Everyone was shocked by Fang Jinling's astonishing words.

He said and looked at Zhao Bufan, "So tomorrow His Highness will announce that the team will stop when they pass the bandit mountain, and King Ning will allow them to go up the mountain to bring out their relatives. Although His Highness decided not to take them away after careful consideration, they can Let them drink a bowl of hot porridge, give them a few days of rations, and when they enter Yongliang City and kill Lu Wanshan, they will come to pick them up. I think, Zhao Xiucai, these refugees can accept such a decision Bar."

Zhao Bufan nodded slowly: "As long as there is food, they will only be grateful for His Highness's kindness."

"When the refugees go up the mountain to find their family members, those bandits will definitely take the opportunity to mix in and follow them into the mountain, so as to escape from the group of refugees without anyone noticing and stay on the mountain. There are tens of thousands of people, one or two hundred less I can't see it at all." Wei Xuexue and Qian Duojin looked at each other, and immediately punched their palms, "Good idea."

Shang Chuqing said: "At that time, all the refugees will go down the mountain, and they can just go up and take over the bandits' den."

Zhao Bufan thought along Fang Jinling's thoughts, and suddenly said: "But there are many mountains and mountain roads, and the bandits are more familiar with this mountain than anyone else. As long as they hide, no matter how many people there are, they may not be able to catch them all at once."

At this time, Liu Ke smiled: "Scholar, there is no need to catch them all. Being bullied by this king like this, do you mean that you will be suffocated and nest in the mountains?"

When Liu Ke asked this question, Zhao Bufan suddenly thought of a key point, and then he heard Shang Chuqing say: "Xiyun, tomorrow you order a cavalry to ambush on the official road to Yongliang, no matter who it is, take them all. Live or die."

Shang Xiyun: "Decree."

What can a bandit who has been taken away from the nest and has no food to avoid a dead end do?Naturally, he told Lu Wanshan that King Ning wanted to kill him in order to surrender.

When Zhao Bufan thought of this, he suddenly became hot.