Clear and Muddy Loss of Love

Conspiracy to force the empress to marry

The heavy snow covered their feet, but the army had to move forward at full speed. The dense ruts and horseshoe marks melted the snow on the road, and it was quickly formed into ice crystals by the harsh north wind. Soldiers travel very hard.

Even so, no one complained. There seemed to be only the sound of the wind, the sound of horseshoes, and the sound of equipment hitting the armor.

Everyone in the three armies knows that their coach Han Yun issued a military order at that time. If the battle is defeated, the coach will be beheaded, and other soldiers will also be convicted. This is the customary system in the army. No one is spared.

In such a cold weather, the hardest part of camping outside is the soldiers at the bottom. Those adults and officers are okay, and they can sleep in the carriage at the last time, maybe there is a stove. The soldiers at the bottom can only sit around the fire in the cold wind One night.It was precisely because of this that Han Yun ordered the soldiers to advance at full speed, so that they could reach the next important military town before sunset, a city that could accommodate a hundred thousand troops. He fell to the ground and immediately got up to catch up with the team.

There is a saying in the art of war: before the army moves, food and grass go first.

However, due to time constraints, the entire army only brought a small amount of food and grass, which could probably support them to Linjiang City.

Qi Yan huddled in a corner of the carriage, wrapped in the fox fur coat that Nangong Jingnv gave her before leaving. There was a copper furnace in the middle of the carriage, and the silver charcoal in the furnace was burning red, releasing heat. No one in the army at that time was more at ease than Qi Yan, but she still felt cold.

The windows of the carriage were thrown open by the cold wind from time to time, and the cold wind poured in with a "huh", every time Qi Yan smelled the cold air, he felt the cold wind piercing directly into the lungs along the nose and mouth.

"Ahem..." Qi Yan turned her head to the side and coughed a few times. Gu Ruolan opened an inconspicuous cloth bag, grabbed a handful of herbs from it and threw them into the stove one by one. It smelled very pleasant, Qi Yan took a few deep breaths, feeling that the desire to cough was not so strong.

Gu Ruolan: "Brother, are you feeling better?"

Qi Yan: "Thank you."

Gu Ruolan lifted the cushion of the carriage again, and took out a quilt from inside to cover Qi Yan's body: "Your water syndrome is the most afraid of the cold, and it gets colder as you go north, so you should be more careful."

Qi Yan did not refuse, but pulled the quilt to cover her mouth and nose, Gu Ruolan could only sigh silently in her heart.

The body of her "big brother" was fine even if she was raised in the southern part of the capital, but even if she came to this frozen northern country for thousands of miles, she was well cared for... the biting cold wind alone was enough for her to bear.

Gu Ruolan didn't speak any more, took out two steamed buns from her rucksack and put them on the cauldron to bake with a clean cloth. The march was hard, even with Nangong Jingnv's repeated care, Qi Yan could only eat it during the rapid march. This satiation.

Fortunately, the team arrived at the next city before dark, and the snow was still falling, which broke Han Yunye's idea of ​​marching, so he had to order a rest.

Qi Yan was arranged in a small courtyard in the backyard of the prefect's mansion, and Gu Ruolan asked someone to prepare a wooden barrel for Qi Yan to make a medicinal bath.

After drinking the medicine, Qi Yan half leaned on the bed and chatted with Gu Ruolan.

Qi Yan: "Sister."

Gu Ruolan: "Yes, big brother."

Qi Yan: "I have something I want to ask you."

Gu Ruolan: "Brother, just say it."

Qi Yan: "I want to know...whether my illness will have any effect on... here?" Qi Yan stretched out her index finger and tapped her temple.

Gu Ruolan was a little surprised, because Her Majesty the Empress had asked the same question before, and she had already given the answer... Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress did not mention this matter to her eldest brother?

If so, should I tell the truth?

Seeing Gu Ruolan, who is always bright and hesitant, already knew the general idea in her heart, but she still wanted to know how serious it could be, so she showed a relieved smile and said softly: "Sister, don't worry, my own body is still clear. , I just want to know how long the status quo can last and what the most serious consequences will be.”

Gu Ruolan pursed her lips, wrung her hands together on her legs, and replied after a long thought: "Brother's current physical condition... on the one hand, it is caused by water disease, and on the other hand, there seems to be a kind of toxin in the body of my brother. Fleeing, I thought of many ways, but I could barely suppress it. My brother’s body is the most avoidable toil. If I can choose a place where the seasons are like spring, I can take care of it, suppress it with medicine, and eat tonic... Although I can’t fully recover, I can enjoy it in peace Ordinary people's days."

Qi Yan: "Don't take my feelings into consideration and choose those conservative words to say. I want to know... Does my disease affect my mind? If I can't suppress it, what will happen in the end?"

Gu Ruolan took a deep breath, and replied truthfully: "It has an impact. And this impact is almost irreversible, not only the brain...every attack has an irreversible impact on most of the organs in the body, but the elder brother is currently Your physical condition is still good, if you can take good care of it, it is possible to maintain the status quo. I really don't understand why Your Majesty the Empress sent you to this bitter cold place... Your Majesty also knows about your illness."

Qi Yan was startled, and murmured: "She already knows?"

Gu Ruolan: "Yes."

Qi Yan felt melancholy, not because of anything else, but because she didn't want Nangong Jingnv to know her current physical condition.

However, Qi Yan heard the dissatisfaction in Gu Ruolan's words, and took the initiative to explain: "This trip to Luobei was not sent by her, but by my own begging. Don't blame her, if I didn't beg again and again, She will definitely not send me here... I am very grateful that she respects my wishes, but in fact, making such a decision, His Majesty is more distressed than anyone else. It is I... who make things difficult for her."

Gu Ruolan: "Brother, it's been so hard after just walking for a day, how about...?"

Qi Yan said firmly: "Since you are my adopted sister, I should not hide some things from you. I am originally the princess of Beijing Kingdom, and Luobei is my hometown, where I have my Anda and the people. The reason why the war started was more or less due to me. My sworn brothers thought I was dead, and this time the army was raised to avenge me. Now that the imperial court is strong and the capital is far from the battlefield, the grassland has no chance of winning. When Luochuan is thawed, once the supply is cut off, the grassland will become a dead end, and it will be difficult to turn back. Since his ascension to the throne, His Majesty has been diligent in governing and loving the people, spreading benevolent governance, and the court is united. There are tens of thousands of people, and the foundation of the grassland has been eaten up long ago. Although it has been slowed down for these years, the population may not have returned to its heyday. Take advantage of this opportunity to completely conquer the grassland to avoid future troubles..."

Speaking of this, Qi Yan's eyes flashed a trace of tenderness: "Your Majesty, she... is thinking about my feelings, and gave me this chance. This is also the last chance for the grassland."

After hearing Qi Yan's words, Gu Ruolan felt inexplicably sad.

Gu Ruolan had also heard about the Jingwei incident. When the late emperor ordered the purge, she had also seen the horrors of mass graves on the way to practice medicine with her grandfather.

She really can't imagine that the two people who are facing national hatred and family hatred are still two women... How much courage and heart, how much pain and obstacles must be resisted to get to where they are today.

Gu Ruolan's last bit of resentment towards Nangong Jingnv also dissipated. Although there are still some things she can't understand, Gu Ruolan knows... Her Majesty the Empress must love her "big brother" to the bottom of her heart.

She loves so much that she can't be selfish, she loves so much that she is willing to bear everything to fulfill her wish.

Changing places, Gu Ruolan braved the crime of usurpation and secretly changed the position in her heart to think, if she were Her Majesty the Empress...would she still let her beloved risk her life to fulfill her wish?

The answer is obviously no, if you love someone so much, you will never let the other person leave you.

Regardless of the danger of the battlefield, it is very likely that the body of one's beloved will never return.

If the one you love is lost, how will the one who survives go through the rest of his life?

Just thinking about it will make her heart ache, but Gu Ruolan also realized her determination from Qi Yan's words, if she fails to stop this war, it will definitely become a regret in her life.

Perhaps it is precisely because of this: Her Majesty the Empress is willing to bear some unknown consequences and fulfill her lover.

The room was very quiet, Qi Yan and Gu Ruolan were silent with their own thoughts, a knock on the door broke the silence.

Gu Ruolan: "It's so late, who could it be?"

Qi Yan: "General Han."

Gu Ruolan: "How does eldest brother know?"

Qi Yan smiled without saying a word, picked up the mask beside the pillow and put it on his face.

Gu Ruolan opened the door, and it was indeed General Han Yun standing outside the door, Gu Ruolan couldn't help admiring, and asked General Han to come in, while she tactfully went out and closed the door.

Facing Qi Yan who was still wearing a mask in the middle of the night, Han Yun did not show any surprise expression, he bowed to Qi Yan as usual: "Master Imperial Envoy."

Qi Yan: "General Han, you are too polite. You are the commander-in-chief. I should have come to salute, but I'm not in good health. I feel weak all over when I lie down. I hope Master Han will forgive you."

In fact, at this moment, Han Yun didn't even know the name of the imperial envoy. Han Yun didn't seem to care about Qi Yan's identity, or maybe he had learned to be smart after suffering from being excluded.

Han Yun: "It's okay, the rapid march on the snowy road is much harder than usual, and Han took the liberty to interrupt late at night."

Qi Yan: "What is Master Han doing?"

Han Yun smiled slightly, and took out a palm-sized ceramic jar from his bosom. He was riding past the lord's carriage during the day, and heard coughing. If the imperial envoy does not dislike it, I hope to accept it.

Qi Yan thanked him calmly, raised her hand to take Qiu Lilu, but made an evaluation of Han Yun in her heart, this person is a delicate and meticulous person, even though she has no official status, it was arranged by the empress Those who came in, Qiu Lilu was not valuable, and if it spread out, it would not constitute a crime of bribery, but in the end it was what they needed.

Seeing Qi Yan smiled and accepted, Han Yun was even more happy in his heart, and leaned forward with his hands on his knees: "My lord, I just looked at the map just now, and I want to share some ideas with my lord, may I?"

Qi Yan: "Master Han, please tell me."

Han Yun: "I'm ashamed, although this officer can be regarded as a half-life soldier, but Duo Luobei knows very little, so I did some homework before leaving." He took out a sheepskin scroll from his cuff and handed it to him. Gave it to Qi Yan.

Qi Yan unfolded it and saw that it was a map of Luochuan, which recorded all the state capitals, counties and counties that Luochuan flows through.

Han Yun straightened his waist and continued: "Luochuan flows through nine prefectures, more than 28 counties and counties, and a total of [-] cities. According to the report before leaving, the two cities of Luoshui County and Jiao County have fallen one after another. Sir, please look at the picture... These two cities can be regarded as the rear of Linjiang City, so Linjiang City has now become an isolated island, basically cut off from the outside world."

Qi Yan nodded, and Han Yun continued: "If the army wants to support Linjiang City, it must break through the blockade of these two cities, or take a detour to arrive at Luochuan from other counties, and then march on Luochuan, go around the back Arriving at Linjiang City, which route do you think is feasible?"

Qi Yan did not answer, but instead asked: "What does Mr. Han mean?"

Han Yun: "The lower officials think that since this army is a reinforcement, it must reach Linjiang City safely without any loss, so regardless of the odds of winning, it is not appropriate to have a direct confrontation with the enemy, and should go around to the rear and directly support Linjiang City. "

Qi Yan agrees with this, but the worry in her heart is even deeper.

Han Yun sighed, and said suddenly: "It's a pity that a military order has been issued."

Qi Yan asked: "Why is it a pity?"

Han Yun: "To tell you the truth, my lord, I have a clever plan in my heart, which may easily defeat the enemy."

Qi Yan: "Master Han, please tell me."

Han Yun got up and came to Qi Yan, drew a circle on the map, and said: "My lord, this area is the 28 cities that the lower official just mentioned. Some of them have strong walls and a lot of food and people. The rest are It’s just some border towns, the city walls are mostly adobe, short and weak, and there are few people.”

Speaking of this, Qi Yan roughly understood what Han Yun wanted to express, and her worries deepened. This Han Yun has surpassed the description in the dossier back then, such a talent... is definitely not something that Bayin can resist.

Han Yun: "The lower officials think that before the flames of war are over, it is better to order all the people in these cities to move south. All the food in the city can be taken away, and the ones that can't be taken away should be buried or burned. There are also all the defensive equipment that must be destroyed. These cities are easy to attack and difficult to defend, so it is better to let them all out, so that even if the city falls, the enemy will get nothing but an empty city, and Linjiang City will not have to be exhausted to rescue. "

Qi Yan: "Are you trying to divide the troops in the grassland?"

Han Yun showed admiration, and said happily: "That's right! Please look, my lord. As far as I know, most of the foreigners gather in this area. It's three hundred miles away from Luochuan. So I guess we lost two The city, but the aliens dispatched this time may not have many people, maybe only tens of thousands, or even less. Adding the 20 soldiers and horses from the imperial court, Linjiang City has an army of [-]. We can no longer guard it If the empty city is released, they are bound to attack it. It takes troops to defend the city, so the combat capability of a single alien city will be greatly reduced. We only need to notify other important towns adjacent to Luoshui to beware of grassland reinforcements and snipe them to cross Luoshui. Sichuan can cut off the enemy's food road, and it won't take long for their food and grass to run out. Just wait for the spring of the next year, and Luochuan will definitely thaw in May at the latest. If you move out, you will be able to take back the lost ground in one fell swoop, and wipe out all the rebels!"

Qi Yan suddenly tightened his grip on the brocade quilt on his body, then let it go quickly, and replied after pondering for a while: "But...Didn't Master Han issue a military order? His Majesty will probably blame him for losing so many cities in a row."

Han Yun sighed: "Having said that, I really think this is the best way. I don't know if the Imperial Envoy...can you explain it to His Majesty?"

Qi Yan: "I'm afraid it won't work. General Han issued a military order under the witness of the officials. Even if His Majesty is willing to believe it, the courtiers will probably pursue it. Although this plan is brilliant, Mr. Han should not find another way."

Han Yun sighed heavily: "In this way, the lower official will not embarrass the imperial envoy. It's getting late, and the lower official will leave."

Qi Yan: "No."

After Han Yun left, Qi Yan sat up straight, and the snow-white jacket on the back was almost soaked in sweat. At this moment, Qi Yan was extremely glad that he insisted on going to the battlefield. Just now, Han Yun kept saying "exterminate"... With his talent , coupled with the military strength of the imperial court, maybe it can really be done.

Qi Yan thumped the brocade quilt on her body: Bayin, Bayin...why didn't you listen to my advice?

Even if he has no relationship with Nangong Jingnv, in all fairness: I don't agree with the revival of the grassland war.Over the years, the people of the prairie have gone through several purges, and the tribal population has been reduced to one out of nine. How can they fight against the imperial court?

Bayin, Bayin, I know the hatred and pain in your heart, but... why do you have to fight a battle you know you will lose?

……

In the blink of an eye, it has been more than half a month since Qi Yan left the capital.

In the past, Nangong Jingnv would go to the half of the Forbidden Palace when she came down from court, but now she suddenly had nowhere to go, and she was at a loss as to what to do.

However, on the third day after Qi Yan left, Nangong Jingnv found a new place to replace her, which was the former palace of Concubine Liang.

Now the palace is empty, but Nangong Jingnv remembers that Concubine Liang believed in Buddhism in the past, so there is a small Buddhist hall in her palace, where several Buddha statues are enshrined.

From the third day after Qi Yan left, Nangong Jingnv would come to the Buddhist hall every day, copy scriptures, and then kneel on the futon and pray for a while.

If she could explain it, Nangong Jingnv had already given it to Han Yun. Gu Ruolan was also beside Qi Yan, and she even filled Qi Yan with a lot of medicinal materials she needed. It seemed that Nangong Jingnv had done everything she could...

Even so, Nangong Jingnv still felt uneasy, she wanted to do something for Qi Yan, but found that she couldn't do anything...

After watching her board the carriage and head north, it seems that the only thing left to do is pray to God and Buddha.

Nangong Jingnv never believed in these things, but when Qi Yan was "poisoned" last time, Nangong Jingnv also prayed, and as a result Qi Yan was really cured, although the truth came out later, it was just Qi Yan's scheme That's all, but this idea took root in Nangong Jingnv's heart.

It seemed that as long as he prayed sincerely, Qi Yan would really be safe.

For more than 20 years since she was born, Nangong Jingnv has never prayed for herself once, and she rarely burns incense to pray to the Buddha, but for the sake of Qi Yan... even if it is something illusory, she is willing to give it a try.

On the other hand, the courtiers, especially the left and right servants and the six ministers, felt that this war was likely to be related to the "Mandate of Heaven". Just imagine: Why did the stone carvings appear on the front feet of Luochuan, and the back feet started the war?

The north and the south have been at peace for so many years, why did the war suddenly break out?Maybe it's because Her Majesty the Empress disrespected the destiny, God's punishment!

The officials of the household department acted swiftly, and quickly collected all the men with the surname Long in the Wei country.

Hubu Shangshu carefully selected three men whose birthplaces and times of birth were also related to "dragons", and the portraits were re-beautified by court painters, and they became three scrolls.

That night, the left and right servants and the six ministers gathered again at the mansion of the minister of the household department, and the minister of the household department took out the portraits of the three of them: "Look, my colleagues, these three portraits are the birthplaces carefully selected by the old man. Shi Chen, a man of the right age with the surname "Dragon". The North and the South have been at peace for so many years, and the sudden war this time may be a warning from the heavens. Since the stone inscription says, "The harmony between the dragon and the phoenix can keep peace", we will do it no matter what. Give it a try. If you don’t respect the destiny, you will never know what will happen.”

Everyone claimed it was true, but Qin De, Minister of the Ministry of War, remained silent.

He was originally from the Jinzhou Prefecture, and he was lucky to be supported by Qi Yan in his official career. Even though Qi Yan's identity as a person from Jinzhou seems to have been overthrown, Qin De still recognizes Qi Yan as his mentor from the bottom of his heart.

There are men in the world who remarry, women... Although it is not impossible to remarry, Qin De always feels a little uncomfortable.

But Qin De didn't defend Qi Yan in the end, because he knew: the current situation is the general trend, and he alone is powerless.

Besides, Marquis of Bei'an has been missing for more than half a year, and no one knows whether he is dead or alive, maybe...he is gone.

An even more frightening possibility is: Bei'anhou sneaked back to Luobei under the pretext of disappearance, so is Bei'anhou the mastermind behind this war?If I act rashly, will I be implicated when the truth comes out in the future?

In the end, Qin De fell silent.Your lords only think that Qin De is acquiescing, a drama of forcing the empress to marry was secretly planned in the highest authority of the imperial court.