Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

On winter nights in the northwest, the wind is so cold that it seems to penetrate into the bones.

It was a dark and frosty night. The old and dilapidated post house stood alone and shivered in the wilderness, as if it would collapse in the next second if the biting north wind blew the roof off.

In the old room, on a table with a missing corner, a dim light was lit, illuminating a map finely marked with cinnabar on the table and two grim-looking figures standing in front of the table.

The two men were tall, with steady breathing. Although their faces could not be seen clearly under the dim light, their upright postures, which did not look bloated at all even in their thick cotton robes, made one know at a glance that they must be extraordinary men.

Even though it had been temporarily repaired, a draught suddenly blew through the house, which was still leaking on all sides. The already weak oil lamp was shaken by the wind, as if it would be swallowed up by the endless darkness at any time.

Seeing this, the shorter woman among the two figures quickly stretched out her hands and placed them on the oil lamp. After the slanting lights on both sides finally settled down, she let out a long sigh and looked at the other figure beside her.

"Sir, there is still no news from Li Que."

The woman whom she called "Madam" heard the words, and a hint of coldness flashed across her phoenix eyes. She nodded and responded in a deep voice. Then she took the pen and inkstone that was burning on the charcoal fire that was about to burn out, and used the pen to cross out a certain place on the map.

"So what should we do now? We have sent messages asking for help to Qingzhou, Yanzhou, and all the prefectures near the pass, but now it has been half a month and there is not even a reply."

Seeing that Lin Xi's expression had not changed, and she still looked as calm as if facing a catastrophe, Huaiyun couldn't help but become a little anxious.

"How much food and grass do we have left?" Lin Xi put down his pen, gave Huaiyun a reassuring look, and asked in a deep voice.

"There is still a cart of food and grass, but only two baskets of charcoal. In addition, the heavy snow two days ago collapsed the shed, and the charcoal was damp. It was difficult to light it, but the smoke was so thick that it choked people."

"But even so, the charcoal fire cannot be turned off. Many soldiers on night duty have had their hands and feet frostbitten. I can only arrange for many people to take turns to go into the house to keep warm."

Hearing Lin Xi's question, Huaiyun's face suddenly turned bitter. Recalling the ups and downs of the past few days, he couldn't help but complain to his master.

Three months ago, war reports suddenly came from the northwest, saying that there was something unusual in the northern barbarians. First, small groups of roving soldiers frequently invaded the border, and then there was news that the newly-appointed Gulu Khan was suspected of recruiting soldiers and horses, seemingly with the intention of launching a large-scale invasion.

The people of Beirong are tough and brave. They live a nomadic life, living near water and grass. They are not good at farming. However, in spring and summer, when there is abundant water and grass, they are still able to be self-sufficient.

But in autumn and winter, the grass leaves wither and are covered with frost and snow. Livestock have no fodder to feed, and people are blocked by the flying snow, so life becomes difficult.

Therefore, every autumn and winter, the hungry and cold Northern Rong tribes would set their sights on the towns and villages on the border of Qin State, which were like freshly baked pie after the autumn harvest.

The Rong people were armed with scimitars and rode fast horses. They would chop down anyone they saw, rob any food they saw, and even kidnap men and children. They had always been the object of deep hatred of the Damu people.

However, although they always went out to rob in small numbers, and because of their small number and simple travel, by the time the nearby government offices or military camps heard the news and rushed over, they had already escaped.

It has always been said that a thief can steal for a thousand days, but you can never be on guard against thieves for a thousand days. Therefore, although Dazhen spent a lot of manpower and resources to deal with them, it has achieved little results. Over the years, the various tribes in the north have become more and more arrogant.

Fortunately, during the reign of Emperor Gaozong, a fierce general emerged from Daqin. He led 100,000 elite soldiers to defeat the Northern Rong and even captured the then Northern Rong Khan alive, severely damaging the Northern Rong's vitality and forcing them to behave themselves for decades.

But a centipede is still alive even after its death. Over the years, the Northern Rong gradually recovered. While the Qin had been stable for so many years, its brave generals had passed away, and there was a lack of new generation of generals. Therefore, after several attempts, the Northern Rong began to feel restless again.

Lin Xi came here to accept the order in a time of crisis, because along with the battle report, there was also a secret letter handed to Emperor Li, accusing the Lanzhou Jiedushi of delaying the battle and not reporting the situation.

Lanzhou is the largest prefecture in the entire northwestern border, and it is also the place with the largest number of troops stationed. It is an important pass for defending against the northern barbarians. But now the governor of Lanzhou has committed such a serious crime at such a critical juncture. How could Emperor Li not be terrified?

Therefore, Lin Xi made this trip to the northwest.

Lin Xi bid farewell to the tearful Chang Sun Yan and led five thousand elite soldiers, ostensibly to inspect the border for the emperor, but secretly to investigate whether the Lanzhou Jiedushi was suspected of collaborating with the enemy.

"If Lu Mi really has ulterior motives, Lin Qing can act first." Emperor Li, whose temples were already covered with some white frost, had a gloomy expression and a murderous look in his eyes.

Lin Xi understood that this meant that she was asked to kill Lu Mi, the governor of Lanzhou. Regardless of whether she was really involved with the Northern Rong or not, the moment her name was printed on the secret letter, she was already a dead person in the eyes of Emperor Li.

Emperor Li was a wise ruler. During her 30 years in power, although the country did not enjoy a prosperous scene of "rice flowing with fat, corn turning white, and public and private granaries being full", there was generally a rare stable atmosphere of "there were no jackals or tigers on the roads of the Nine Provinces", as can be seen from her.

But she also has characteristics common to emperors throughout the ages, that is, she is deep-minded and suspicious, and has a strong desire to control power.

However, the emperor has multiple reputations, so he naturally cannot put all his thoughts on the table. This is the meaning of the existence of the Criminal Justice Department - to say what the emperor cannot say, and to do what the emperor wants.

Over the years, as the Crown Princess' health gradually improved and she had more children, Emperor Li naturally gave up the idea of appointing another crown prince and focused on training the Crown Princess.

However, compared to Emperor Li's deep thoughts, decisiveness and ruthlessness, the Crown Princess developed a gentle and elegant temperament due to her previous illness. Although she is now kept by Emperor Li for advice and guidance, her nature is hard to change. It seems that she is at most a king who maintains the status quo.

Fortunately, the world is peaceful now, and Daqin does not need a new king who is warlike and aggressive and wants to expand the territory, so Emperor Li was not discouraged.

However, as she saw herself getting older day by day, as both the emperor and the mother, she naturally wanted to clear the obstacles for the Crown Princess.

Therefore, over the years, Emperor Li adopted drastic measures to clean up many corrupt officials and treacherous ministers, and also granted more special examinations and recruited talented people, thus reserving many pillars for the future crown princess to ascend the throne.

The officials of the imperial court worked more and more cautiously, fearing that they would be affected by the remaining power of the fading beast. However, at such a critical moment when everyone was in danger, the governor of Lanzhou caused such an incident. The outcome can be imagined.

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