Clear and Muddy Loss of Love

Yu Da Lihua closed the door

On the other hand, although the army from the imperial court to support Linjiang City took a detour, they still arrived in Linjiang City on time. Gong Yanghuai thought that the new Marshal must have brought a criminal edict, but it was beyond Gong Yanghuai's expectation. Yes: Her Majesty the Empress did not intend to convict him, nor did she deprive him of his qualifications as the commander-in-chief of the three armies.

Gong Yanghuai was full of doubts, and asked Han Yun to go to the tent to explain, Qi Yan also breathed a sigh of relief, after all, she and Gong Yanghuai were familiar, she was very worried that Gong Yanghuai would recognize her figure, so also good.

Qi Yan planned to find a chance to meet Gong Yanghuai after the two of them had finished talking, to reveal her identity, and let the other party know, so as not to show her flaws.

When Gong Yanghuai heard from Han Yun that he had lost the battle, His Majesty the Empress not only did not blame him, but also sent Han Yun to teach him the art of war. He was so moved that he knelt down and bowed three times facing the south.

Han Yun lifted Gong Yang Huai from the ground, and said sincerely: "Your Majesty has a benevolent heart and good governance, which is the blessing of my great Wei. Your Majesty has no doubts about employing people, so there is no need to worry about Taiwei."

Gong Yanghuai nodded in agreement, and Han Yun continued, "I don't know how the military is doing now?"

Gong Yanghuai looked a little ugly, sighed and said: "To be honest, Linjiang City has become an isolated city. After the enemy occupied Luoshui County and Jiao County, they directly cut off all connections between Linjiang City and the outside world. , I don’t know much about the outside situation.”

Han Yun: "May I ask Mr. Taiwei, how much food is left in Linjiang City?"

Gong Yanghuai asked unexpectedly: "Why, didn't you bring food and grass?"

Han Yun: "Ashamed, Your Majesty ordered an urgent march. It was snowing everywhere along the way, and it was really difficult to keep up with the team, so the officials dared to only bring enough rations for the soldiers to march, and snatched a few days along the way. Now, the 20 troops brought by the lower officials should still have food rations for about three days, but before leaving, the Minister of the Household Department once said that there are many soldiers in Linjiang City, and there is enough food and grass for [-] troops to survive the winter."

Gongyanghuai: "That being said, all the surplus food in the city can only support an army of 20 for three months at most. Luobei is not as warm as the capital, and Luochuan may not be civilized even in March. It is conservatively estimated that our army will not be able to survive anyway." You have to wait until April and May, unless you win in advance. But the enemy is aggressive this time, and I feel very ashamed... I still don't know how many troops the enemy has, and they have already occupied two cities. It seems that the situation of the horns wants to fight a protracted war with our army. I don’t know if this war can be ended in three months. If the imperial court’s supply of food and grass is not enough, we will have to fight a trapped beast.”

Han Yun frowned: "Why did the Minister of the Household Department say that there is plenty of food and grass?"

Gong Yanghuai sighed: "Not counting the mob incident in Huainan before, the imperial court has not fought a war for more than ten years. Many people in the imperial court have forgotten what war looks like. Even I have experienced it before. I didn’t understand until I lost the first battle. But three months’ food and grass are not enough, what you call abundant, I think it takes at least one year’s food.”

After Gong Yanghuai finished speaking, Han Yun also remained silent for a long time: "I'm dissatisfied with Mr. Taiwei. The officer issued a military order in court before sending troops this time. If he loses the battle this time, apart from Mr. Taiwei, the officers and men of the three armies, including the officer Everyone will be punished." According to the military laws of the Wei State, the military orders issued by lower-level officials will not implicate the superiors, but will tire the subordinates. Gong Yanghuai is still the commander-in-chief of the three armies in name, and although Han Yun has the right to act arbitrarily, In name, he was Gong Yanghuai's deputy general.

After hearing this, Gong Yanghuai felt even more ashamed: "Don't worry... I am still young and know little about the war. All military affairs in this battle will fully respect your decision."

Han Yun cupped his hands towards Gong Yanghuai: "That's how I thank Lord Taiwei."

After that, Han Yun left the big tent in the name of ordering troops, and Qi Yan lived in a tent not far from Gongyanghuai. Gu Ruolan saw Han Yun coming out of the king's tent while drying clothes, and told Qi Yan the news. .

Qi Yan came to the big tent alone, and cupped his hands towards the guard at the door: "I am an imperial envoy accompanying me, please see Mr. Taiwei."

Gong Yanghuai was thinking hard in the big tent, and when he heard that the imperial envoy asked for an interview, he felt dizzy, and he really didn't want to see him, but this title made Gong Yanghuai have to see him again, so he had to invite Qi Yan into the tent.

As soon as Qi Yan came in, Gong Yanghuai immediately felt that the person in front of him was very familiar, and when Qi Yan cupped his hands towards Gong Yanghuai: "I have seen Mr. Taiwei."

Gong Yanghuai recognized her, and excitedly took a few steps forward, stopping two steps away from Qi Yan: "You...you are?"

Qi Yan smiled slightly, and took off the mask on his face: "Bai Shi, don't come here without any problems."

Gong Yanghuai was very pleasantly surprised to see his old friend. After the two exchanged pleasantries, Qi Yan put on the mask again, and Gong Yanghuai also regained consciousness, and ordered everyone to leave the camp for thirty steps: "Yuanjun... Bei'anhou, why don't you?" It would be you, I thought you had…"

Before Qi Yan could open his mouth, Gong Yanghuai had already figured out the mystery, suddenly realized and muttered: "Sure enough... His Majesty is still reluctant to part with you."

Thinking of Nangong Jingnv, Qi Yan's heart welled up with deep thoughts.

Seeing that Qi Yan didn't speak, Gongyanghuai hesitated and asked again: "Why did you come... don't you feel embarrassed?" After all, it is the friendship of young classmates, if others dare not ask, Gongyanghuai is not afraid.

Qi Yan: "You are afraid that I will be in trouble, and I am also worried whether you still trust me as before?"

Gong Yanghuai: "Where are you talking, even though you are the Marquis of Bei'an now, to say something disrespectful, you are still the 'Iron Pillar' in my heart, I just can't figure it out."

Qi Yan: "Don't understand what?"

Gong Yanghuai: "Of course...why did you come here? As you...how do you deal with yourself? Since you are standing in front of me well, you must have been hidden by His Majesty before, so why come here now? water?"

Qi Yan: "If I don't come... I'm afraid the grassland will die out."

Gong Yanghuai gave a wry smile: "This time the enemy...they came so fiercely that we were caught off guard in the first battle, and now they have occupied two cities, cutting off the communication of Linjiang City with the outside world. I sent dozens of scouts to Beheaded, I really don't know if the imperial court can defeat them this time."

Qi Yan: "Don't be discouraged, just listen to me..."

Afterwards, Qi Yan told Gong Yanghuai about the possible involvement of the former princess in this war, and also told Gong Yanghuai that the reason why His Majesty sent him was in the hope that this war could be resolved peacefully.

Qi Yan: "The imperial court has just calmed down, and it will not be easy to fight again in three to five years, and in the long run... the existence of grasslands is not completely beneficial to the imperial court."

Gong Yanghuai: "How do you say that?"

Qi Yan: "These words, I only say to you, you can know it in your heart, in the future...if I am gone, as a captain, you at least have enough right to speak in the court, and you must guard this bottom line for me Baishi, think about it... This place is only a hundred miles away from Youzhou. The existence of the grassland can contain Youzhou to a certain extent, and the reason why Youzhou has become a town with heavy troops is also due to this. Princess Qionghua passed away. , the relationship between the imperial court and Youzhou has become delicate. Fortunately, there is a Luobei in the middle to keep things safe. If Luobei is completely wiped out after this battle, is it necessary for Youzhou to station so many troops? What? Will someone in the court use this to write a letter to abolish the military power in Youzhou, and even invite the general king to return to Beijing? From ancient times to the present, I think this kind of example has been seen frequently in the past dynasties, although your Majesty is not the one who hides everything. That kind of emperor, but what would the Great General think? It would be easier to say if His Royal Highness Qionghua is still there, and Princess Qionghua is not there, Youzhou has many soldiers and generals, and the Great General has a high position on the throne. If the court and the grassland fight to the end, then there will be Both sides will be wounded and will no longer be able to resist the Youzhou Army. Your Majesty will be on the throne... The world has reduced taxes for three years. Now the imperial court is at its weakest and most in need of recuperation. , The world's state capitals will be re-divided again. Will Luobei govern Youzhou? Or Youzhou will govern Luobei, whether it is the former or the latter... It is a difficult problem. It is true that I have selfish intentions. Half of the blood of the grassland flows, but half of the blood of the Wei country also flows, so in my opinion, the best ending is to compress this war to a range acceptable to the court and the people of the world, before Luochuan thaws... ...Forcing the soldiers in the grassland to go back to Luobei, and buy some time for the imperial court."

Gong Yanghuai thought for a long time after hearing this, then suddenly got up and saluted Qi Yan, and said sincerely: "Yuanjun's words are like enlightenment, Baishi has been taught."

Qi Yan supported Gong Yanghuai's arm, and continued: "You are the Taiwei, and all the generals in the world look up to you, Baishi... You must remember what I said today, you must maintain the three-party situation in your lifetime, even if... "Speaking of this, Qi Yan sighed deeply: "Even...after decades, the three parties really can't coexist, then we must first take back the military power in Youzhou, and then seek the safety of Luobei....If It’s really come to the point where I have no choice but to ask Baishi to look at my old face, and don’t kill all the people in the grassland.”

Gong Yanghuai sighed a long time: "Thank you for your hard work, Mr. Yuan."

Qi Yan: "You and Your Majesty are both young, and the one from Youzhou is absolutely impossible to survive you. It is not a day's cold to be frozen three feet. Lu Quan was so powerful back then, but as he grows old...even if he has the heart, he will be able to survive." Powerless, this is the best ending. There is no rush for Youzhou. When Fu'er takes the title of General King, maybe the court's real chance is. After all, Fu'er is half of the royal blood. It won't be too scary."

Gongyanghuai: "I know."

Gong Yanghuai always felt that although Qi Yan's words were reasonable, there was a trace of incongruity, and he couldn't say exactly where...

Gong Yanghuai: "The most urgent thing is what should our army do first?"

Qi Yan: "Rectify the military affairs, find a way to notify the neighboring state capitals to strictly guard. Luochuan used to be a border land, and Linjiang City was built after leaving. Most of the other cities do not have the conditions to station troops. We only need to spend it. When spring begins in Luochuan, the war can be resolved."

Gong Yanghuai: "But the food and grass in the city can only last for three months at most, what should I do? Do you want to find a way to ask the court for some?"

Qi Yan thought for a moment, and replied decisively: "No, the snowy road is difficult. It may take three months to go back and forth. If the food and grass are robbed again, all previous efforts will be for naught. I have seen the map. The south of Jiangcheng is blocked, but we can use the advantage of Luochuan to send a herald to go eastward, send a letter of divorce to Youzhou, and borrow food from Youzhou!"

Gong Yanghuai's eyes lit up: "This plan is so fast! It's just...you just said that the relationship between the imperial court and Youzhou is delicate, will they lend it to us?"

Qi Yan smiled slightly, and replied confidently: "Because of this, I think the man in Youzhou is also restless when he hears about the war. It's even more difficult for us, you just need to repair a book, and the food and grass will arrive soon."

……

On the other hand, what Qi Yan and the others didn't know was that the prairie people once again launched a siege war against several neighboring state capitals under the suggestion of the former princess. Without the grassland army equipped with engineering equipment, in less than ten days, with Jiaojun and Luoshui counties as the center, many surrounding cities have been destroyed one after another...

However, the princess of the previous dynasty was not a good friend. For all the cities that were captured, the strategy of the princess of the previous dynasty was to only plunder and not occupy. Iron pots and other things that can be used to build weapons, and then Chance retreated at the speed of the wind, one after another battle reports flew to the capital like snowflakes, causing an uproar in the government and the public...

There were almost ten cities that fell before and after. Those civil servants who had not experienced war heard this and came out to impeach Han Yun one after another, and one or two courageously impeached Gongyanghuai.

Nangong Jingnv sat in a high position without saying a word for a long time, she ordered someone to move the Kyushu Huanyu map...

Nangong Jingnv glanced at the battle report again, and walked down the imperial steps. Since she was a child, she has the ability of photographic memory, and she can remember all the fallen cities just by reading it once. She came to the Kyushu Universe Map to find all The fallen cities quickly straightened out their thoughts, returned to the high position, and said: "Look at this picture, gentlemen, all the fallen cities in the report are in the south of Linjiang City, and except for Jiaojun and Luo The nearest city in Shui County is hundreds of miles away, as the saying goes, distant water cannot save near fire, and the fall of these cities cannot be entirely blamed on Gongyanghuai and Han Yun."

Minister of the Ministry of Officials: "Although this is the case, the fact that Han Yun issued a military order is true, and so many cities have been lost in a row, the people will definitely be panicked, and the imperial power will also be compromised. Your Majesty should punish Han Yun to appease the hearts of the people."

Nangong Jingnv snorted coldly: "Does the Minister of the Ministry of Officials know about the Battle of Changping? Although Han Yun is not Lian Po, I have no doubts about his employment. How can he change his command just after he was sent? The Ministry of Household..."

Hubu Shangshu: "The minister is here."

Nangong Jingnu: "How many people are there in these fallen cities?"

Hubu Shangshu looked at the map of the world of Kyushu, thought for a moment and replied: "Your Majesty Qizuo, these cities used to be mostly border towns, and the banks of the Luonan River have always been wild places. Going to the two cities that were lost before, the total population of all the cities is less than 30."

Nangong Jingnu nodded with satisfaction: "Everyone heard it? On average, the people in each city are less than 3. How can I resist the enemy? The loss of the city is expected, and it is very clear in the report. The prairie people behind the city only plunder and do not occupy the city. That is to say... the number of troops in the prairie is not large, and it is only because of the shortage of food and grass. Although the enemy is benefiting at the moment, they have also exposed their strength. What is there to be afraid of? where?"

Everyone: "Your Majesty is holy!"

Nangong Jingnu: "Decree is ordered to order all the people who moved north to return to their homeland and temporarily avoid the flames of war. The state governments in various places actively accept those who return to their homeland. They must be properly resettled until the war is settled before making arrangements."

Waiter: "Yes."

Nangong Jingnu: "In addition... the Ministry of Households, how much silver do you have?"

Minister of the Household Department: "Taxes from all over the country have been put into the treasury one after another. In addition to the operating income of the imperial merchants, the current treasury has a total of more than [-] million taels of silver."

Nangong Jingnu: "Take out 80 taels to resettle these victims. It's the middle of winter, and it's freezing outside, and the common people are suffering."

Hubu Shangshu: "Yes... But Your Majesty, although the national treasury is full at present, the front line is burning silver every day... Is 80 taels too much?"

Nangong Jingnv clenched her embroidered fists tightly and asked back, "Didn't you just say that it is conservatively estimated that there will be about 30 people affected by the disaster? According to the estimation of a family of three, there will be about [-] households, and the average amount of money allocated to each household is not enough." Ten taels, there are still a few months before the beginning of spring, these taels are already very harsh."

Hubu Shangshu: "Yes. The old minister understands."

Lu Boyan, the left servant of Zhongshu Province, asked: "Your Majesty ordered these suffering people to move back to the local area. Isn't Luonan an empty city? If the enemy invades again, wouldn't it be possible to occupy the city without a single soldier?" ?”

Nangong Jingnu: "That's right, I just want to leave some empty cities for them. Only in this way can Linjiang City have no worries. I... will provide all conveniences to the soldiers of Linjiang City. This battle will definitely be won!"

Everyone: "Your Majesty is holy!"

Nangong Jingnv exhaled shallowly. In fact, in her private heart, she did not trust Han Yun, nor Gong Yanghuai, but Qi Yan...

Since I promised Qi Yan and sent her to the front line, then I will give her everything Qi Yan wants!

Didn't Qi Yan hope that the war could be compressed to a level that would not offend the public?Okay, why don't we just move all the neighboring people back to reduce the casualties of the victory?

Didn't Qi Yan want the prairie people to return to the north of Luochuan?Well, I will try my best to cut off the grassland people's food and grass. As long as the cities with a radius of hundreds of miles or even hundreds of miles are empty, there is no need to tell the people to leave. Can't grab food!

The biggest advantage of doing this is...with no people around, Linjiang City doesn't need to send troops to help, Qi Yan can stay in Linjiang City to relax and wait for work, and there is no danger if he doesn't need to go to the battlefield!

Everyone thinks that the empress's move is a kind hearted thing, and she cares about the common people, but they don't know that the empress also has her own selfishness.

Just like what Nangong Jingnv imagined before: the current self can also hold up a piece of sky for Qi Yan.

Even if the imperial court issued money, and this decision is indeed beneficial to the people.But it may not be satisfactory to everyone. I don't know how many people scold themselves as the empress in their hearts.

But so what?Nangong Jingnv didn't care, just like what she said to Qi Yan before: Right and wrong are all borne by her empress...

Although she sent Qi Yan to the battlefield, it was only out of love...

He loves so much that he can't bear to be wronged by the other party, and he loves so much that he can't bear to let Qi Yan have a knot in his heart and affect her health.

Ever since Qi Yan left, Nangong Jingnv often thought: If she is a man, what's the problem with the imperial conquest?He could take Qi Yan back to Luobei and untie her knot with his own hands.

It is not easy for a woman to walk in the world, even if she is an empress, Nangong Jingnv loves Qi Yan more and more, everything she has experienced over the years, everything she has done for herself, and her love for her. The body... loves her dearly, a life manipulated by fate.

Nangong Jingnv also sincerely hoped that the tragedy of Jingwei, which lasted for more than ten years, could come to an end at the hands of herself and Qi Yan.

Even Nangong Jingnv herself was actually a victim of this strife between Wei and Wei. The hatred took too much from Nangong Jingnv's life... but it was not half as much as what Qi Yan endured.

As much as Nangong Jingnv's heart ached, she cherished Qi Yan as much. Time has passed, and her anger is no longer... This feeling of sympathy and sympathy became clearer.

In this world, there is no one who understands himself better than Qi Yan, and there is no one who can empathize with Qi Yan's thoughts, even the pain in his heart, than Nangong Jingnu.

The voice of Hubu Shangshu pulled Nangong Jingnv back from her thoughts. Nangong Jingnv did not expect that she would have a day of ecstasy in class, she felt a little ashamed, but she also missed Qi Yan even more.

Nangong Jingnu: "What's the matter?"

Hubu Shangshu blushed, cleared his throat and asked again: "Your Majesty... do you know why this battle started?"

Nangong Jingnv frowned slightly: "What? But is there any news from the outside world?"

Hubu Shangshu: "However, Your Majesty, do you remember the stone carving that Taiwei Gongyang transported back to Beijing that day? The stone carving was covered with red silk all the way to Beijing, and many people in the prefectures along the way saw it. It is said that it was a sign from heaven. They all speculated about the content of the stone carvings."

Nangong Jingnv pursed her lips and said nothing, but anger welled up in her eyes.

Hubu Shangshu: "Speaking of which, the Tibetan poem on the stone carving was originally a good omen, but the war suddenly came, which turned the original good omen into a 'bad omen'. People now speculate that the content on the stone carving foretells this war. I think this is God's punishment from God... As the so-called defense of the people's mouth is better than Fangchuan, if you indulge in the wanton spread of rumors, in the long run, the people of the world will mistakenly think that your majesty has lost virtue, and disasters have come from heaven. In the hearts of the people, It is detrimental to the community, so the old minister suggested...to make the contents of the stone inscriptions public, and in order to reassure the people and respect the heavens, Your Majesty should get married as soon as possible and marry the new imperial husband."