has become a demon

Zhao Yuan knew he was dreaming.

He is now sitting in a wheelchair, being pushed by Feng An, shuttling between the waterside pavilions of Prince Xiao's Mansion.Feng An is still a child, younger than him, with two horns tied on the left and right sides of his head, carved in jade and pink, smart and well-behaved.

"Jun Wang, we are here!" Feng An said to him.

Then the wheelchair was pushed under a pomegranate tree. He looked up and saw the red fruits hanging down from the tree. Some pomegranates had exploded and smiled at him.

"Be careful!" my father yelled from under the tree.

Then I saw my elder brother turn over and sit on a high branch and climb over to pick the pomegranate at the top.

Under the tree, my mother brought moon cakes and sat down. She broke open a pomegranate and peeled it. In the bowl in front of her, the red pomegranate seeds were piled up very high.

Zhao Yuan pushed the wheelchair closer by himself and looked at his mother carefully.Ten years since he left home, his mother's face had long been blurred, but in his dream, his mother's face was as clear as ever, but if he looked carefully, he couldn't describe his mother's appearance.

His mother smiled and said to him: "Yuan'er come to eat. Don't wait for your brother to come back and finish eating in one bite."

He responded, took one and stuffed it in his mouth, the sweet juice exploded, and even the taste seemed to be red with joy.

"Is it delicious?" His mother asked him.

He nodded, still looking at his mother.

Still smiling, his mother asked him, "You told your father the day before yesterday that you wanted to go with them to inspect the side wall?"

"Yes."

"Yuan'er is too young, let's forget about it." Mother said.

"Brother, when I was my age, I was able to go hunting." Zhao Yuan said.

"But you are different from your brother. You have been weak since you were a child, and there were strong winds and sandstorms along the way... not to mention your legs are not convenient."

The young Zhao Yuan looked down at his knees, and then said: "I know mother is worried about me, so I just took a look. The side wall is not too far away, but it's only more than a hundred miles away, and I came back in three days. I Will take care of myself."

"You are only 14 years old, do you know how to take care of yourself?" My father threw away the pomegranate bamboo pole and sat on the stone chair and asked him angrily, "I told you the day before yesterday, study hard at home. Don't think about it." There are none!"

"No injury, no illness." Zhao Yuan said, "I'll just wear more clothes. I can get out of the car by myself because my legs and feet are inconvenient. I can arrange myself freely if I have a wheelchair. Let Fengan go with me, and my daily life and food are enough."

King Su was impatient, and suddenly lost his patience. He slammed the table and said, "Fart! There are many Tatars who violate the border on the side wall. When inspecting the side wall, you must be ready to point out where to hit! If I take you, Tatars Come, shall I take care of you, or kill the enemy? If I go to kill the enemy, the people will flee in panic, and you will be disabled—”

King Su's words came to an abrupt end, and he grabbed his bun in annoyance: "Yuan'er, that's not what Dad meant. Dad was afraid that something would happen if you went. Your mother gave birth to you after a narrow escape, and the problem with your legs is beating your mother's womb Bringing it out, I have worried about it since I was a child... Neither your mother nor I can live without you."

Zhao Yuan's eyes were red and he remained silent.

"The prince and the king of Ning are fighting, and I am caught in the middle, and there are no people on the left and right. My son, we vassal kings are meat on the cutting board. Whoever becomes the emperor can come and cut it. You are my second son of King Su. County king, don't be burdened with such thoughts. Everything depends on me. After I die, there is your brother. You grow up in peace, and become a carefree clan noble. This is the mission you were born with. It's the destined path of life." Su Wangchang sighed, "I've seen through it long ago, fate cannot be controlled by others. Life is empty, you have to accept your fate."

"I just want to go to the side wall to see what it has to do with fate. If Dad doesn't take me there, I will go by myself..." Zhao Yuan said, "I am responsible for it myself."

"It's no use co-authoring me to say so much, right?" Su Wang was angry, "What can you do if you go to the side wall?! What can you do after seeing it? You can be the emperor, you can allocate military pay, you Can it destroy Tatar Wala?!"

"If there are Tatars coming, life and death depend on fate. Father, don't feel sorry for me." Zhao Yuan said.

"You—! You are an unfilial son!"

King Su raised his hand to slap him, Zhao Yuan closed his eyes and let him slap him, but King Su raised his hand halfway and saw the boy's legs on the wheelchair, so he couldn't be more cruel.

At this moment, King Su's son, Zhao Zhen, fell from the pomegranate tree and fell next to King Su. He rubbed his buttocks and got up, and said with a mournful face, "Oh, it hurts me so much!"

King Su was full of anger and had nowhere to vent, Zhao Zhen was hitting him with a gun.

"Climb a tree! Brat!" He slapped Zhao Zhen on the forehead with a slap, and the voice was scary.

Startled by the voice, Zhao Yuan woke up from his dream, turned over and sat up, only to realize that he was still in Ningxia, stripped of his title, and imprisoned.

At this time, the sun was just right, and there were firecrackers outside.

In a trance, Zhao Yuan realized... It seems that the new year has arrived.

The curtain moved slightly, Xie Taichu had already come in, he was holding a thick cashmere cloak, it was maroon red, if you look closely, there are patterns of Fu Lu Shou on it, very delicate.

The furniture in Zhao Yuan's room was also replaced with yellow rosewood.

The house was also refurbished.

The yard is paved with bluestone slabs.

All kinds of utensils are available in the house, the storeroom is filled with new year's goods, and even the big black horse has its hooves repaired and new horseshoes installed.

Money, goods... are all given by Jinbaozhai.

When Lu Jiuwan delivered the things, he smiled and said, "My dear nephew will settle the score."

"...What do you want, Master Uncle?" Xie Taichu asked in silence for a moment.

Lu Jiuwan took out six or seven birthday horoscopes from his bosom: "Here are the horoscopes of a few merchants' children, you can count them for Panpan Ziwei. See if there is any official luck."

"...I only count the world, and I don't push people's lives. And Ziwei Doushu is not my orthodox fortune-telling in Qingxing Pavilion." Xie Taichu's faint tone seemed to be somewhat disgusted, "It doesn't count."

Lu Jiuwan took a silver note of 100 taels and put it on the table.

Xie Taichu remained silent for a moment, picked up the horoscope of birthday, and after the deduction was over, Lu Jiuwan said again: "Let's count the marriage."

"..."

The dignified disciples of Qingxing Pavilion, for the sake of the 100 taels, counted the horoscopes of these people over and over at Lu Jiuwan's request using various Yishu.

When Lu Jiuwan left contentedly, even Daoist Ningshan couldn't help calling him a profiteer from the bottom of his heart.

Zhao Yuan put on the light red satin Taoist uniform with Wanfu pattern, a black cotton bijia and a hood of the same color, and then put on a warm cloak.

He picked up two crutches from the wall, tucked them under his armpits, held on with some difficulty, walked two steps, and asked Xie Taichu: "Is it appropriate to go to Mr. Di's house like this."

Xie Taichu took out a light pink velvet flower from his bosom and pinned it to Zhao Yuan's ear.

"It's suitable. Your highness looks like a phoenix and a dragon, so it's suitable for any outfit." He said intently.

He is still dressed in black today as usual, but he has added a dark red cotton bib on the outside, which seems to echo Zhao Yuan.

Zhao Yuan's ears turned red, and he hurriedly said, "Shall we, shall we set off now?"

"Yes, dumplings are already being made over there, just wait for the two of us." Xie Taichu said.

"Is there anyone else going too?" Zhao Yuan asked while focusing on his feet, and slowly walked to the door outside the courtyard step by step. When he got to the door, he suddenly vacated, and Xie Taichu had already picked him up.

Zhao Yuan exclaimed, dropped his crutches and hugged Xie Taichu's neck, and was carried into the wheelchair outside the courtyard by him.

That is the new return nest that Xie Taichu rushed to complete.

The streets were deserted a few days ago, and finally there was some festive look, and every household hung up patched red lanterns.

Jinbaozhai also prepared money, food, and red paper firecrackers to send to the living families in the village.

So from time to time there will be flying monkeys flying into the sky on the street, children running around in the alleys, lighting firecrackers to fight, and occasionally startling the passing villagers.

With the guard gone, no one dared to stop Zhao Yuan from letting him go out.

Zhang Yiqian knew he was at a disadvantage, and he hadn't shown up to collect feathers for many days.

Xie Taichu pushed him to Di Bianping's house smoothly.

He can be regarded as an imperial official of his size, and he has a green brick courtyard, which is quite decent.

During the Battle of the Yellow River North, Di Bianping was injured in his shoulder, and now he has died. He was drinking Gaomo in the main hall, and when he saw the two of them coming, he quickly smiled and said, "Happy New Year, Happy New Year."

Supported by Xie Taichu, Zhao Yuan supported his crutches and said, "It's been a hundred years for Mr. Di. It's safe and smooth, happy and worry-free."

"Oh, I don't dare to take it seriously." Di Bianping said, let the two sit down, and shouted to the kitchen next to him, "Yingzi, you have to hurry up when making noodles, your elder brother is here."

Yingzi let out a hey beside him, and then the kitchen curtain was lifted.

Then he saw Xiang Ming, the commander-in-chief who had also won the lottery, come out, and when he saw the two of them, he clasped his fists and said, "Happy New Year, Prince."

Zhao Yuan replied calmly, "I'm already a common man, please be polite."

"You're welcome, you're welcome." Bu Xiangming said politely and perfunctorily, looked at Xie Taichu, as if he didn't know who he was, and said, "Who is that... the Taoist minister of the county king, right?"

Bu Xiangming is the commander-in-chief of Ningxia Town, with more than [-] subordinates. Although the number of troops is not complete, he is also one of the top figures in the border areas. Naturally, the true identities of Zhao Yuan and Xie Taichu can be found out.

It's just that I don't know why he, as the commander-in-chief of Ningxia, came to Di Bianping's house to celebrate the New Year?

"Yes."

"I brought two catties of mutton bones over to stew the bone soup at night. I'm missing something to chop the bones."

Xie Taichu got up and said: "I'll go."

After a while, there was the sound of chopping bones...

Lamb bone soup, cabbage and pork dumplings, and a variety of dishes are on the table.

Bu Xiangming brought wine, but it was a pity that Di Bianping was injured and Xie Taichu didn't drink. In the end, a group of people encouraged Zhao Yuan to drink a big glass.

As soon as he drank the wine, his face turned pink, even his neck turned pink, Xie Taichu stared at such a Le'an County King under the light for a long time.

As night fell, every household lit their lamps.

There are endless firecrackers.

Zhao Yuanfeng gave Di Ying a tael of silver and a pair of jade bracelets as presents. Di Bianping asked the general soldier if he was married. Bu Xiangming was absent-minded and only worried about forcing people to drink. The king of the county was drunk by him again.

The festive atmosphere has reached a fixed point. In a trance, people will think that the war not long ago never happened, and it seems that all wounds can be healed by time.

After another commotion for quite a while, the night was getting late, and it would be Zishi in a while. Everyone bid farewell to their masters and went out. Di Bianping's house did not have a wheelchair-friendly slope, and Bu Xiangming hurriedly reached out to help him. Zhao Yuan got up and walked over the threshold, before he touched the hem of Zhao Yuan's clothes, Xie Taichu had picked him up and walked out.

"Please general, please get the wheelchair out."

Bu Xiangming scratched his head inexplicably, grasped it with both hands, and easily carried the heavy wheelchair on his shoulders out of the gate.

"Where will the Chief Soldier rest tonight?" Zhao Yuan asked.

Bu Xiangming was also a little drunk, and had a chat: "I, I rode a horse and tied it to Yuanma Temple... I will return to Ningxia Town in a while."

"Your Excellency, stay here. The villager next to us has left, and the room is empty." Xie Taichu said.

Bu Xiang walked a few steps unsteadily before answering: "Okay."

Cold wind blows.

Firecrackers blared.

Everyone was a little fuzzy, and even their footsteps became soft and slow.After walking for a while, Zhao Yuan asked, "General, have the Tatars retreated?"

"Well, we have withdrawn from the side wall for the time being. Relying on their excellent cavalry, the Tatars always attack with large-scale cavalry and fight fast-moving looting battles. If no one resists, they will drive straight in. If anyone resists, they will take The looted food population left quickly. Our horses are not good enough to keep up. Even if we can barely keep up, the number is not enough to contain them."

"Why is the general so worried?" Zhao Yuan asked again.

"...The prince of the county is really observant." Bu Xiangming was talked about by him, and he didn't shy away from it, "They haven't harassed the border this whole winter, but they gathered thousands of people under my wall and rushed into our border at once. Ningxia Town is rampant. This time, they have figured out the actual strength of the troops near Ningxia Town. Although Ningxia claims to have a garrison of 20 troops, it can only mobilize less than [-] troops in an emergency. Think about it, it is scary."

A few people walked quickly to the entrance of the village, and not far from there was the Yellow River embankment.

Bu Xiangming sighed: "This group of troops left the side wall, but did not retreat. They tried repeatedly along the Ningxia side wall, looking for opportunities. In recent days, there have been constant firefights along the side wall. The number of our troops is really small. It’s hard work. It makes me worry more and more. If they attack Ningxia Town or even Weizhou City in a big way, the hinterland of Guanzhong will be opened...the consequences will be unimaginable.”

Zhao Yuan pondered for a moment and asked again: "I don't know much about military affairs, but I like Go games, so there must be something in common. Now I want to ask the general, if the Tatars really went deep into Ningxia and went straight to Weizhou, how can I be in Ningxia? The town, the vanguard and the rear are assembled, can they be encircled and suppressed? Although the soldiers in the Ningxia guard are mixed, there are still 20 soldiers sent to garrison, [-] soldiers from the Qing Palace, plus the governor and supervisor. It is not an exaggeration to say that there are [-] troops."

"20. Heh..." Bu Xiangming laughed at himself, "King Qing, the eunuch who supervised the army, and the governor, among these three nobles, which one can I, the general soldier of Ningxia, be able to mobilize? King Qing is content with pleasure In the military, Eunuch Jin only cares about making money, while Governor Lou Zhen is a fool, since the crown prince came to power, he has treated Eunuch Jin in every possible way... It’s really difficult for me to be a bare-bones commander.”

Speaking of this, he finally reached Zhao Yuan's house.

"I heard about the bravery of the Taoist priest, so I came here to have a look at the god-man." Bu Xiangming cupped his hands, "If the time comes... I dare not ask for anything else, but ask the Taoist priest to take care of the neighbors in Fort 47 around Ningxia Town. Come on, help me."

Xie Taichu was silent for a moment, and then said: "As the generals know, there is no way of heaven—"

Bu Xiangming looked at him with a confused face.

Zhao Yuan tugged him.

"...to help the common people, I will do my best." Xie Taichu replied.

The steps to be placed are clear.

When Xie Taichu returned home, he saw Zhao Yuan rummaging through the large boxes that Jinbaozhai had sent him.

"What is your Highness looking for?"

"I vaguely remember that there is a set of "Daduan Overseas Atlas"..." Zhao Yuan said, "I don't know where it is?"

Xie Taichu looked at the festive and lively New Year scene outside the courtyard, said nothing, bent down to open a few big boxes, rummaged for a while, and found the wall chart about three feet long and wide, hanging on the golden hook of the curtain.

Then Xie Taichu picked up the oil lamp on the table and raised his hand to illuminate the wall chart.

Under the lights, Daduan thousands of miles of rivers and mountains can be seen.

The last time I saw this picture, it was before Frost's Descent, in Duanben Palace in autumn, he said similar words and had similar emotions.

"To the north is Nuer Gandusi, and the outer Xing'an Mountains are the natural side wall. To the south is Qiongzhou Island, and farther away is Changsha. Jiangsu and Zhejiang are rich in fish and rice on the banks of the East China Sea, and Hamiwei melons and fruits in the Hexi Corridor are fragrant. Two Beijings, one Thirteen provinces, [-] miles of fertile land..." Zhao Yuan said, "In the universe, if you are the second best, there is no first."

"Your Highness thinks, why is Daduan so powerful?" Xie Taichu asked him.

"It was superficial before, and I thought it was because of the wise and wise ruler of the Daduan dynasty, the capable ministers who ruled the world, the vast land and resources, and the iron cavalry and firearms." Zhao Yuan sighed softly, "Now... I know it's not the case."

He looked at Xie Taichu, his black eyes were bright and moving under the light of the jumping lights.

"The strength of Daduan lies in the hearts of the people. Those who win the hearts of the people win the world, and those who lose the hearts of the people lose the world." Zhao Yuan said, "The king is for the people's livelihood, the ministers are for the people, and the community is built for the people. I would like to live in such a paradise, and no one is willing to guard the country for this. Such a country, no matter how powerful the foreign enemy is, it cannot be invaded." Zhao Yuan said.

"When I looked at Daduan before, I was only impressed by the vastness of Daduan. I thought that Daduan would never end like the past dynasties. Looking at it now, every mountain, river, and state capital is shaped by the people. Survival. If people are underestimated and profits are valued, then there are thousands of miles of rivers and mountains and thousands of miles of land. More because of the death of the people."