At the beginning, I became a county magistrate with greed of 500 million. The empress asked me to be

Of course, the reason why Xiao Yan thought that Xiao Ling'er and Xia Yun had an unusual relationship was not just because of Xiao Ling'er's performance.

Also because of the past few months.

Various rumors inside and outside the court said that Xia Yun and the empress had a close relationship.

Xiao Yan did not believe those rumors at first, but as the saying goes, three people make a tiger.

As time went by, Xiao Yan heard more and more rumors.

I couldn't help but start to doubt myself.

Earlier, at the city gate, when he saw Xia Yun hugging the empress who was about to fall to the ground, the doubts in his heart reached its peak at that moment!

"My Lord, how did you encounter the Japanese pirates?"

Seeing that the other party had no intention of pursuing the matter of Hangzhou City, Xia Yun simply changed the subject and asked about another topic.

Xiao Yan was also happy not to talk about Xia Yun's misconduct, and immediately told him everything that had happened to him and his group along the way from Hangzhou City to Nanzhili.

Until the time of an incense stick passed.

Xiao Yan finally explained the whole story.

Sun Maocai, who was sitting in a chair, was so nervous after hearing about the empress's thrilling escape that a cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

Who would have thought.

As the empress of Daliang, she was actually hunted down by Japanese pirates in the territory of Daliang.

Once this matter gets out, it will inevitably cause a public opinion storm.

"In my opinion, the sudden appearance of the Japanese pirates in Huwei Mountain was not intended to specifically target Your Majesty."

Not long after Xiao Yan finished speaking, Xia Yun followed up and expressed his own judgment on the whole matter.

"Some time ago, Xia received news from the Governor-General of Zhejiang Province, Lei Zhenning, that the 100,000 Japanese pirates retreated from the battlefield in Zhejiang and entered the coastal areas of Fujian."

"However, during these days, Xia led his army to fight in Fujian, and only annihilated 50,000 Japanese pirates."

"I think the 50,000 Japanese pirates who appeared on Huwei Mountain are the Japanese pirates who were divided from Zhejiang and entered Fujian!"

Xia Yun spoke one after another, analyzing carefully.

No matter how you look at it.

The fact that the empress was hunted down by the Japanese pirate army was purely a coincidence.

Even the 50,000 Japanese pirates themselves did not know that they had been chasing and killing the Empress of Daliang all the way due to a series of coincidences.

"That does make sense."

After listening to Xia Yun's analysis, Xiao Yan nodded in agreement.

This was what they were most worried about before.

That is, some officials secretly colluded with the Japanese pirates and sold out their whereabouts.

Now it seems that the possibility is not only slim, but even close to zero.

"Xia Yun, that day the Hangzhou prefect Xiao Haiyang sent Lieutenant General Zhao Daxun to escort us to Nanzhili."

"General Zhao then led his troops to block the Japanese pirates in Chengtang County to protect His Majesty. His life or death is still unknown. I hope you can help find his whereabouts."

There was a hint of request in Xiao Yan's voice.

Ever since Zhao Daxun resolutely stayed in Chengtang County that day, they have never received any news from Zhao Daxun.

During this period, Xiao Ling'er mentioned it several times, asking the Nanzhili government to find Zhao Dahun's whereabouts.

But Xiao Yan knew very well.

Under the circumstances at that time, Zhao Daxun stayed in the valley to block the Japanese pirate army, and he was determined to die.

There is a great possibility that Zhao Daxun has died at the hands of the Japanese pirates.

"Such a loyal and brave minister, I want to see him alive or dead!"

Xia Yun looked solemn and responded slowly.

There have always been many people who are afraid of death and few who are loyal and brave.

Zhao Daxun was so courageous that even he was deeply moved.

Soon, Xia Yun gave the order immediately.

Send out five hundred cavalrymen to immediately rush back to Nanzhili to find the whereabouts of Zhao Daxun.

But these five hundred cavalrymen had just left.

Soon after, 30,000 cavalrymen led by Jiang Wen appeared at the gates of Xiamen.

After the defense of Ningdu City ended, the 30,000 cavalrymen took a short rest for a few hours, and then headed straight for Xiamen.

Soon, Sun Maocai ordered his men to open the city gates and let Jiang Wenzhong and his 30,000 cavalrymen into Xiamen.

"Your Excellency, I have been ordered to lead 30,000 cavalry to rescue Ningdu City. Now the crisis in Ningdu City has been resolved, and the 50,000 Japanese pirates have been annihilated!"

When Xia Yun and his party arrived at the military camp, Jiang Wenzhong and others immediately dismounted, came to Xia Yun, knelt on one knee, and reported respectfully.

"How is the situation in Ningdu City? How is Gu He?"

Xia Yun asked successively.

What he was most worried about in this battle was undoubtedly Ningdu City.

Before this, he came to Fujian from Ningdu City and almost exhausted all the troops in Ningdu City, leaving only some old, weak and disabled soldiers.

When he learned that the Japanese pirates were about to attack Ningdu City, he was really worried for Gu He.

You know, although Gu He is good at governance, he is a complete novice when it comes to marching and fighting.

"Don't worry, sir. Except for some damage to the east gate wall, the rest of Ningdu City is intact."

"When the Japanese pirates invaded, Lord Gu urgently recruited the yamen runners from the prefectures, counties and districts around Ningdu City, and also recruited guards from the homes of wealthy merchants in the city. Together with some of the soldiers already in the city, a total of about 4,000 people were gathered..."

In just a few dozen breaths, Jiang Wen repeated Gu He's deeds of defending the city in detail to Xia Yun.

Xia Yun showed an expression of approval and spoke immediately.

"Order Hangzhou prefect Xiao Haiyang to immediately allocate one million carts of silver to Ningdu City for use in its post-war reconstruction."

Xia Yun gave the order.

"Yes, my lord!"

Jiang Wenzhong responded and accepted the order.

Ningdu City was already short of money, so Xia Yun could only allocate this money from the Hangzhou treasury.

Xiao Yan, who was standing aside, not only admired Gu He's deeds in defending the city, but also couldn't help but be surprised at Xia Yun's current control over the two provinces of Zhejiang and Nanzhili.

Even if Xia Yun is no longer in Zhejiang, he can easily transfer one million taels of silver from the Hangzhou treasury with just a few words.

Even the imperial treasury might not be able to handle things at this speed.

"Sir, we also brought you a gift. Would you like to see it?"

At this time, Chong Heihu suddenly spoke, with a half-smile on his face.

"Gift?"

Xia Yun raised his eyebrows.

These guys who only knew how to kill people actually prepared gifts for him.

This is something new.

Xia Yun nodded immediately.

"Bring it with you!"

Seeing Xia Yun nodded in agreement, Chong Heihu immediately waved his hand, with a look of excitement on his face.

Soon, four personal soldiers under Chong Heihu brought a middle-aged man in black armor.

This sudden scene made Xia Yun, Xiao Yan and Sun Maocai all show a look of surprise on their faces.

"Sir, this is the person we captured alive during the battle to defend Ningdu City. He looks like the leader of the Japanese pirates."

When Xia Yun and others were confused, Jiang Wenzhong immediately explained.