Empress Chu

He jumped into the sea like a fish from an exquisite fish pond. The boundless water in front of him was ups and downs, but he was carefree and free.

After half a month of non-stop day and night, the fish jumped out of the water.

Standing on the hill, when the wind blew, the scorching sand filled her head and face. Xie Yanlai let out a mouthful of sand, took a deep breath, and arrived home.

The thought flashed and he laughed at himself.

He actually made it his home—

"Got home!"

A dozen soldiers and guards behind him also followed at this time, regardless of chasing Xie Yanlai exhaustedly, looking at the faintly visible fortress in front of him, they shouted and shouted, and some people jumped off their horses and rolled on the ground.

But the smoke and dust billowed ahead, the people and horses boiled, and cheers came like thunder.

"came back--"

"Master is back—"

The corner of Xie Yanlai's mouth curled up, he urged his horse to meet those people, and the followers behind him also ran wildly, setting off billows of dust and smoke on the hillside.

The dust and smoke from the two sides collided quickly, and people were turned upside down. Many people rolled to the ground, shouting, cursing, and laughing.

Xie Yanlai didn't know how many people he knocked down, and he didn't know who knocked him down in the end. He lay on the ground and didn't get up again, unlike in Jingying who insisted on standing up no matter how many times he fell down—my brother, let them all be together horse.

He was lying on the ground, the grass and ground under him were not soft enough, but he felt extremely comfortable.

This is not hypocritical, it may have been hypocritical before, but now it is the truth, he is lying here, because he can control himself, his knife, and his troops, which are better than rich clothes and jade food, and better than being surrounded by people's compliments. People feel at ease.

He rested his hands on the back of his neck and looked at the blue sky, feeling a little pitiful for that girl now.

No matter how treacherous she is, living in that kind of place may not necessarily lead to peace of mind.

In the past, I just joked casually, but after meeting this time, I feel even more——

"Azhao, what happened to her?"

Zhong Changrong's loud voice almost broke Xie Yanlai's ears.

After running for another day before arriving at Daying, he was dragged to see Zhong Changrong without any rest. Xie Yanlai, who was sitting on a chair, was inevitably distracted. When Zhong Changrong asked Chu Zhao, he subconsciously spoke his mind.

Xie Yanlai pointed to the case on the table: "She wrote you a letter, you can read it yourself."

Zhong Changrong didn't look at it: "She definitely won't make me worry, I don't believe what is written on these papers, I let you go to let you see her real appearance."

"She's fierce." Xie Yanlai touched her chin, is it real?Still the same as before, "She dared to stand up in the court to refute the Tai Tuo, I—"

He took out his new waist card and shook it.

"This guerrilla general was won by the queen for me."

Although Xie Yanlai didn't bother to talk about what happened in the capital, other people have talked about it more than a dozen times since they entered the city. What is invincible in the capital camp, what is parading naked in the streets, the people of the capital are full of welcome, and countless women throw flowers in admiration , was almost robbed as a son-in-law in the street, and of course there were some resentment——

"Master Xie has been robbed of credit."

"It can't be said that it was robbed, it was Liang Qiang who climbed up to the Taifu."

The soldiers and guards didn't know the specifics of what happened in the court, but they knew that Xie Yanlai made a fuss in the Ministry of War and was imprisoned. In the end, the queen came forward and treated them equally, and both of them were named guerrilla generals.

This trip to Beijing allowed everyone to watch several exciting scenes, which is enough to talk about for a lifetime, and can be passed on to the sons and grandsons to continue talking.

Of course Zhong Changrong didn't just listen to the excitement. He frowned and glanced at Xie Yanlai, and couldn't help muttering: "I don't need her to fight for a guerrilla general. Why did your family become greedy? What general Wei do you want? The Taifu is dissatisfied."

Indeed, the origin of this matter was that the Ministry of War invited Xie Yan to seal him.

It's not surprising to ask for a seal. After all, military exploits, status, and family background are all there, but it's just a little meaning, Zhang's opening is too big.

Deng Yi and the Xie family did not get along, so how could they let it go.

Xie Yanlai didn't feel guilty at all, and said with a sneer, "How big is General Wei? I've always been doing what General Wei should do. Now it's wartime again, and there aren't so many strict rules. My family background is extraordinary. I seal Wei The general is not surprised at all, but the strange thing is that Liang Qiang gave the Taifu some undeniable benefits, and the Taifu was so opposed to my reward."

Of course, this battle for rewards cannot simply be a fight for rewards. Even if Zhong Changrong hadn't been there to witness it in person, he could have guessed that Mrs. Xie and the Tai Tuo, even the queen, and those messy court disputes, What he wanted to say, in the end he just cursed: "During the war, you people didn't stop calculating."

Xie Yanlai said lightly: "It will never stop, and there will be more wartimes, because the benefits brought by wartimes are greater."

Zhong Changrong naturally knew this truth, so he was helpless and silent.

"The imperial court will definitely make new adjustments to the frontier army." Xie Yanlai continued, raising her eyebrows and smiling, "This adjustment must be mixed with the interests of all parties."

With a heavy expression, Zhong Changrong cursed and said, "I hope they know that the greatest benefit is to defeat Xiliang."

Xie Yanlai said: "I must know this, because victory can also bring them greater benefits." He stood up, "Zhong Shuai, I will leave the city to you—"

Xie Yanlai was named a guerrilla general, but he can lead [-] soldiers alone, plus there was a dispute in the capital because of falling into the city, Xie Yanlai will definitely not be allowed to stay here.

For three years, this kid has been following him, and Zhong Changrong looked a little bit reluctant——

"From now on, you will be on your own." Xie Yanlai went on to say, "If I don't help you, you will be lucky."

This bastard!Who helps who!Zhong Changrong hesitated, and stared: "You can ask for good luck. If you don't change your rashness and cause disaster, even if your surname is Xie, you won't be able to protect yourself."

Xie Yanlai sneered, ignored him, walked a few steps and stopped.

"Also, you have to remember that other people come here for their own purposes." He looked at Zhong Changrong and said, "Take good care of your own people, and remember, besides defeating Xiliang, it is also in your interest to fight for the queen. , Don’t believe everyone, and be willing to dig your heart out for everyone.”

He paused at this point.

"including me."

After all, he strode out.

Zhong Changrong pouted behind him, "Who is the brat teaching me?" After he finished speaking, his expression changed for a moment, and finally his face became gloomy. From Xie Yanlai's words, we can know that in addition to the outside world, he must also be vigilant internally.

He sat down and opened Chu Zhao's letter.

A personal guard came in and asked in a low voice: "Mumianhong has sent news that [-] soldiers and horses can be called. General, will you take it and fill it into the army?"

Of the [-] soldiers and horses confiscated by King Zhongshan back then, [-] were assigned to be disciplined by Mu Mianhong. After more than a year, a batch can already be delivered.

Zhong Changrong looked at the letter in his hand, and suddenly shook his head: "No need."

The personal guard was stunned for a moment: "No need? Then when will you wait? Recently, the generals and others have come to ask about the supplies of soldiers and horses. If they don't divide, will they misunderstand—"

"What is the misunderstanding?" Zhong Changrong shouted in a deep voice, "I am the commander in chief, and all soldiers and horses follow my orders."

The personal guard also didn't see him, not only didn't get scared, but smiled, and said: "General Zhong, why are you so angry? Did you get mad at Mr. Xie again?"

After speaking, he ran away, and Zhong Changrong didn't have time to kick him.

……

……

The rolling mountains in Yunzhong County are shrouded in darkness, and occasionally fires flicker in the valley, like stars, which seem to be close at hand, but no one can find them when they get close.

Sitting by the campfire, Mumian Hong threw a firewood into it, and the fire shone brightly, illuminating her slightly surprised face under the veil.

"No?" she asked, "Is that what Zhong Changrong said?"

The visitor nodded: "That's what he said, let's keep it first."

A man squatting on the tree next to him snorted: "Not now, but we won't give it in the future."

Another person stretched out his hand and said, "Could it be that you don't want to give supplies?"

The person who came hurriedly said: "The supplies are given, and there is no deduction at all. I brought them back this time."

So what is Zhong Changrong doing?Miss Azhao had given the order before, but he was still reluctant, lest these soldiers and horses would turn into bandits and bandits, everyone would look at each other.

Mu Mianhong said softly: "It is estimated that there is some movement in the capital."

"What's the trend?" Everyone asked, "I didn't hear the news from Xiaoman, it's been good all the time."

Sitting in the tall imperial city, how could a little girl like Azhao have been fine all the time, even if she was good, it was definitely not easy to be so good, Mu Mianhong didn't speak, and looked towards the direction of the capital across the dark night.

……

……

The night shrouded deep in the imperial city, and the lights were bright.

Surrounded by the maids and servants, Chu Zhao came down to the front hall and presented the memorial to Deng Yi, along with a midnight snack.

"I've seen it all." She said with a smile, "Thanks for your hard work, Master, this is the end of the promotion and transfer arrangement for the frontier army."

Deng Yi looked at the memorial that had been put down, and after half a month of tugging, he finally passed it.

"Your Majesty has worked hard too." He said meaningfully.

Chu Zhaodao: "The battle with Xiliang is not only related to the Great Xia Dynasty, but also my father's last wish. Please understand, Taifu, I can't let it go."

Deng Yi nodded: "I understand."

Chu Zhao smiled, sat down and poured tea for him himself.

"Then, the queen will go to court tomorrow, won't she still hang the curtain?" Deng Yi asked.

In the past half a month, Chu Zhao still did not hang the curtain in court, because she had to speak from time to time because of the transfer of frontier army generals, and everyone didn't say anything.

But what's next?

Chu Zhao paused while holding the teapot, raised his head and smiled: "No, the weather is getting hotter and hotter."

Deng Yi looked at her and said nothing.

Chu Zhao put down the tea and looked at Deng Yi.

"Teacher." She said, "The curtain can't stop me from speaking, so there is no need for the curtain."

Chapter 31 Difficult

Going to court in summer is not pleasant, and the capital is extremely hot today.

Before the sun came out, several officials standing outside the imperial city were already sweating. One of them, regardless of elegance, fanned the wind back and forth with his sleeve, cursing: "This damn weather."

The officer next to him smiled and said, "For the Empress, it's a very good weather."

All the officials around laughed. Since the frontier army offered rewards, the empress no longer lowered the curtains. When asked by the censor, the empress said that it was too hot.

"What does the empress mean?" an official whispered, "to get angry with the magistrate?"

Another official chuckled: "Do you think women can only show their temper? Her meaning is very clear—"

He mouthed two words.

"in power"

The officials next to him were silent for a moment.

Someone scoffed: "The emperor isn't even in power! What is she in charge of!"

But immediately an official muttered: "It is precisely because the emperor is not in power that the empress is in power."

These words caused the officials next to him to be silent for another moment.

If it wasn't for the fact that the emperor was young, it would have been impossible for the Queen of Chu to accompany the emperor to the court. It is not surprising that she first used the emperor's youth to get the opportunity to attend the court, and then took the opportunity to take power.

Otherwise, when the emperor personally conquers, the queen will be just a queen.

"Why is she—" someone muttered, and swallowed half of what she said. This empress does have authority and cannot be treated like a little girl, but—"Even if she has military power, she can't do whatever she wants, breaking the ancestor's rules!"

If the empress wants to be in power, go to the harem to take charge. The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, and don't dictate to the former court.

"I don't know who instructed her—" someone said suddenly.

"Who can do it." Someone next to him said, "Thank you, sir."

This time the officials next to him were not silent, Qiqi let out a muffled snort: "They are all relatives."

The humming fell, there was some commotion outside the palace gate, the officials moved out of the way, Xie Yanfang walked slowly in the misty morning light, he even held a fan in his hand, fanned the wind while walking, and greeted others with a smile.

“It’s so hot today”

All the officials responded with smiles, and those who didn't want to respond lowered their heads and made way.

Xie Yanfang walked in the forefront, when he reached the palace gate, the palace gate just opened, and he entered the imperial city unimpeded.

Only then did the other officials move forward in sequence, and the officials standing behind also resumed their conversation.

"Will the queen still speak today?"

"Will no one answer today?"

"How will Xie Yanfang respond?"

"I didn't expect Mr. Xie to not speak."