first minister

Chapter 74

!!!

The exclamation couldn't be suppressed, it almost broke through the roof.

This time it was not the dismay of fear, but the surprise of joy.

"Is this true?"

Su Shidao was quite impatient, so he sat right next to the reporting sergeant and asked directly.

The sergeant nodded repeatedly, and then looked at Concubine De, "It's absolutely true, both General Jin and Lieutenant Li have withdrawn to the city. General Jin stayed at the top of the city just in case, and specially ordered the younger one to come and communicate."

Concubine De nodded slowly, and said softly: "Are there any casualties among the officers and men? Is it serious?"

The sergeant's heart warmed, he didn't expect that the concubine de concubine actually knew to care about their safety, "Going back to the empress, because I was riding against each other, and I made a surprise attack at night, only four brothers in our army unfortunately died for the country, and the rest are not serious."

There was another burst of loud cheers in the hall, two hundred broke one thousand, and only four died. This is a complete victory!
Concubine De also nodded approvingly, "General Jin, please pay compensation according to the military practice, and I will also reward you later. Xiuyun, give this strong man a bowl of wine!"

When the sergeant excitedly drank the bowl of wine, Concubine De smiled happily, "Thank you for your hard work, let's go down and rest."

After the sergeant left, the atmosphere in the field was like the sky breaking through the clouds, the haze cleared away, and laughter and laughter came from the bottom of the heart, filling the hall.

Under the leadership of Wei Yuanzhi, everyone stood up together, respectfully and convincingly toasted Concubine De, "Your Majesty is holy!"

Concubine De smiled lightly, "You all rely on us, let's drink together!"

Look at this demeanor, look at this posture, not panic in danger, not arrogant in victory, how calm and elegant!
This kind of determination, this kind of courage, simply makes these men who usually pride themselves on being extraordinary feel ashamed!
She is indeed a first-rank imperial concubine who can be entrusted with such an important task by His Majesty and the Central Committee!

Everyone was deeply impressed, and said in unison, "Thank you, Madam."

After drinking a glass of wine, Concubine De left the table.

When she reached the empty room, she suddenly turned around and hugged Feng Xiuyun beside her.

The body was trembling, excited, sobbing softly, letting out the fear, worry and panic in my heart.

How could she not be nervous, how could she not panic, a woman who had been carefree since she was a child, and then lived in the deep palace for a long time, pampered and pampered!
That was a rebel, one wrong step would be an eternal stain on her life.

Her ambition and future will be smashed by the swords and guns of the rebels.

Her identity and aura will become the most alluring scent of prey in the eyes of the wolf-like rebels.

Even if her innocence is preserved, even if she regains her freedom, what she has right now will be gone.

What's more, she was the final decision on the task of dividing the troops.

It is conceivable how heavy pressure is hidden in her delicate body.

But she couldn't show a little bit, so she could only endure it, and built a dam with her mind to block the turbulent emotional torrent.

At this moment, the overall situation is settled, the dam collapses, and the tide of emotions completely drowns it.

Tears dripped down, pouring out all the emotions in her heart, Concubine De slowly collected her mind, looked at Feng Xiuyun's face that was not too inferior to her own, and said softly: "You really found a good husband!"

Feng Xiuyun's heart trembled violently, and she didn't know how to answer for a moment.

Subconsciously, I wanted to say [My lady, you can have such a good husband], and immediately realized that this is not a crime of disrespect.

Hastily said: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty is unparalleled, the difference between Gao Yang and Your Majesty is like a firefly and a bright moon, the difference is thousands of miles."

Concubine De gave her a resentful look, slowly let go of her hand, and collected herself, as if what she said just now had never happened, "Take a break, and follow me to the city wall to work as a soldier."

Feng Xiuyun's eyes widened.

Concubine De took a look at him, "Don't you want to see this man?"

Feng Xiuyun blushed instantly.

Concubine De snorted, and slowly walked back to the hall.
-
After Concubine De returned to the main hall and proposed the idea of ​​going to the city wall to work as a soldier, she won everyone's approval.

No one would refuse to show the magnanimity and compassion of the superiors and the courtesy of the corporals to the sergeants who survived the blood and fire after the victory of the war.

The door of the main hall opened, and a team, led by Empress De, filed out and walked towards the city wall.

The low city wall, after standing on the soldiers of the Wudang Army, instantly became tall and stable, just like the towering city wall of Zhongjing City, it can bring people at ease and calm.

It was the first time that the simple city building welcomed such a high-level sightseeing group.

"At the end, I will see my empress!"

"General Jin please get up!"

Concubine De stepped forward, supported Jin Jiancheng with her own hands, and then said with satisfaction and comfort: "General Jin, thanks to your merits, we are all spared, you should wait for me to worship!"

As he said that, he would take the lead in leading the crowd to bow to him deeply.

Jin Jiancheng stepped forward and said hastily: "Your Majesty, this achievement is not the work of the last general, it is all due to the hard work of Wudang's army to fight to the death. If it is not the first achievement, Lingdi should be the first!"

Xia Jingyun stood aside, he didn't expect Jin Jiancheng to be so kind, and he could still have something to do with him!
After hearing Jin Jiancheng's words, the courtiers and gentry standing behind Concubine De felt suddenly stunned.

Who says soldiers are careless?
There are not many eyes!

At such a moment, remember to push out the concubine's brother-in-law to sell a big favor, this is not called heart, so what is heart!

Concubine De frowned slightly, "What credit does he have? But a frail scholar, drawing a bow and wielding a knife, which one can he do?"

Jin Jiancheng was taken aback, don't you know what credit he has?

Immediately, he met Concubine De's eyes that could be seductive without deliberate effort. After being in a trance for a moment, he instantly understood, and said loudly: "Niang Niang, please report in detail!"

"This time defending the city, we have only four hundred defenders, and we started in a hurry, without any precautions. It is all thanks to Mr. Xia who saw the opportunity quickly and predicted the enemy first, so we had a little chance to prepare. Otherwise, the rebel army suddenly attacked the city tonight. I am afraid that I will not have time to fire an arrow, and the whole city will fall!"

"Mr. Xia is very knowledgeable. He saw the whole picture from the details. He saw through the tricks of the rebel army to cooperate with the outside. He successfully intercepted the conspiracy of Jiang'an County Captain Zou Jirong to secretly open the city gate, preventing the rebel army from entering the city directly, and winning the opportunity for us to defend the city."

"Afterwards, Mr. Xia even discussed with the last general, tried his best to dispel all opinions, and ordered his elder brother to pretend to be the son of the city, lead the horses out of the city, and pretend to be an ambush behind the enemy, bluffing. After that, I led a hundred cavalry and attacked from both sides. Only then did I win tonight!"

"Therefore, the first credit for this battle should be attributed to Young Master Xia. It is not a flattery of the last general, but it really deserves the name!"

Jin Jiancheng's words reverberated in the small city tower, making everyone who followed Defei empress stunned for a while.

How do you say it is as real as it is?
Can this Xia Jingyun really have such abilities?

But people who think they are smart are still skeptical, and people who are really smart have already started to tout it.

"Congratulations, congratulations, congratulations, Mrs. Xia is not only amazing in literary talent, but also has such a great martial arts, both civil and military, which is really rare in the world!"

"I thought that Mr. Xia's poems handed down from generation to generation were already great enough, but I didn't expect to have such unique insights into war affairs. Even if His Majesty saw it, I'm afraid he would have to ask, who is this son of a man, you are so embarrassing, Mr. Manchao!"

"Old Master, Mr. Xia is your apprentice. If you have this apprentice, you will be famous in history and be looked up to by future generations!"

Everyone boasted one after another, and the admiration and flattery in their words made Xia Jingyun, who was thick-skinned, a little embarrassed.

Any businessman talks about business for fun, and the real thick-skinned is in the temple!

Wei Yuanzhi opened his mouth and said: "This major event has been settled, and the whole city will be safe. It is thanks to the majesty to strategize and calm down, so that there will be an orderly result in the city; it is thanks to Mr. Xia who knows little things, predicts the enemy first, has a lot of wisdom and plans, and defends the enemy outside the city wall. Brother and sister are united, and both inside and outside are safe. It is really a blessing for the country, and it is really a blessing for us. Thank you, Mrs. Xia!"

Everyone hurriedly bowed after him, startled Xia Jingyun, and quickly glanced at Auntie, but Concubine De gave him an encouraging look in return.

"Everyone please hurry up, I just did a little trivial thing, how can I deserve such praise."

Wei Yuanzhi waved his hand and said: "Young Master Xia, don't underestimate yourself, we have already seen it, and your contribution deserves my worship."

Then should I read two poems
Xia Jingyun laughed dryly, and was about to speak when the old Shangshu beside him looked at him fondly, "Gao Yang, when I go to Zhoucheng to enroll next time, I'll go to the old man's house, okay?"

Xia Jingyun hurriedly cupped his hands, "I'm determined to do what I want, but I dare not invite you! But whether I can enter the state school or not is still a matter of two opinions, and I'm afraid I will disappoint the old minister's love."

"Who dares!" Old Shangshu snorted, "Father and son of the Zheng family started a rebellion, and Song Yanzhi is no more than a lamb to be slaughtered. The old man proposed that Su Daru be the head of the school and report to the court. Who agrees with it and who opposes it?"

"I wish to attach the old Shangshu Jiwei!"

Everyone abruptly agreed, and then a group of dignitaries in the state who could afford it came forward to express their views, inviting Xia Jingyun to visit the mansion in the future, and Xia Jingyun responded one by one, decently and steadily.

Concubine De smiled and nodded, feeling relieved and happy.

"Young Master Xia, I don't know if you were married before, but I have a prostitute."

Before Xia Jingyun asked if he was pretty, Concubine De immediately stopped her, "Ahem, Gao Yang was still young and failed to make it to the first place. We will discuss it later."

Everyone also immediately realized that Xia Jingyun is so talented, with a literary and martial arts strategy, and the future marriage is probably the most crucial one in the family of concubines, how could he just promise to go out so easily!
According to this kind of development, if he can successfully obtain Jinshi, he will not dare to mention marriage with him if he is not an important minister of the central government or the founding father of the country in the future.

With all kinds of thoughts in their hearts, everyone returned to their residences under the instructions of Concubine De, and used the second half of the night to calm down a throbbing and restless heart.
-
In the north of Jiang'an City, Zheng Tianyu supported the crooked helmet on his head, pointed to the torches stuck on the ground, "Look, father!"

Zheng Yuanwang, who was also in a mess, with his beard and hair messed up, came over with the help of Tian Si and the others, looked at him for a while, and remained silent.

Tian Si glanced at it and reacted, and cursed bitterly: "Damn it, Wudangjun is too cunning! It's been tricked!"

An hour ago, an unknown number of reinforcements suddenly appeared in the rear, which made them panic instantly, and a cavalry team suddenly rushed out of the city.

Once the formation is chaotic, the infantry is no different from lambs waiting to be slaughtered in front of the cavalry.

Their seemingly well-equipped hundreds of dead soldiers and hundreds of carefully selected bandits turned into well-equipped corpses under the swords and guns wielded by the two indiscriminate cavalry.

Zheng Yuanwang recovered from the silence, "How is the defeat going?"

Tian Si said nervously, "There were more than 200 dead, more than [-] wounded, and less than [-] combatants left. Moreover, all the laborers in the labor camp have collapsed."

Zheng Tianyu pursed his lips. His father worked hard for many years and planned in many ways. He successfully transferred thousands of Wudang troops away from the garrison, and successfully stole more than a thousand elite soldiers armed with court soldiers into the Wudang army's defense circle.

But now, Neiying has been killed, the laborers have been scattered, and the most fundamental thousand elite soldiers of one's own side have been completely lost in the unexpected surprise attack of the other side, under the iron hooves of swords and guns.

The anti-flag has been raised, and the road ahead is like the night in front of you, so dark that you can't see your fingers.

"Hahahahaha!"

Amidst the gloom and gloom, facing such a situation, Zheng Yuanwang suddenly burst out laughing.

Zheng Tianyu was worried about his father's mental state immediately, and asked quickly, "Why is father laughing?"

Zheng Yuanwang turned his head and looked in the direction of Jiang'an City, "I laugh at the golden sword as a scheming man, and Xia Jingyun's lack of wisdom. If he can go all out at this moment and chase after him with a hundred cavalry, how can we rectify the defeated army? There will be no place for us to die!"

Zheng Yuanwang's voice sank, "Since they can't shrink back, let me take it easy, let them see what it means to make a comeback!"

He said loudly: "I am responsible for today's defeat, but we are not yet at the end of the road!"

"Jiang'an City still only has those defenders! And the old man's confidant, Jia Songzhi, has gathered more than a thousand elites from the county. He set off from the county city last night, and will come here to meet him later!"

"The old man originally wanted them to help defend the city. In that case, we will risk everything and give them a surprise!"

"Everyone, keep your spirits up, the outcome is not yet decided, follow me tomorrow to decide Jiang'an!"

"Yes!"
-
After waiting for everyone to leave, Xia Yunfei and Li Ruhuo who were covered in blood came over.

"Two sips?"

Li Ruhuo threw a flagon over, Jin Jiancheng reached out to catch it, took a sip, and then handed the flagon to Xia Jingyun.

Xia Jingyun:? ? ?
I feel like I'm very weak now, can I get some sleep first?
In addition, I don’t know if you have heard of a virus called Helicobacter pylori that comes in casually?
He silently passed the jug to his mouth and took a sip.

???

This time, it was Li Ruhuo's and Jin Jiancheng's turn to be suspicious. These two people put the most powerful burning knives in the flagon. They planned to watch Xia Jingyun's jokes, but Xia Jingyun didn't even frown.

Xia Jingyun rolled his eyes at the two of them, and when I have time to spare, I will make some tables for you, when you cry!
Immediately, he threw the jug to Xia Yunfei, and said with a smile, "Brother, thank you for your hard work."

Xia Yunfei took it and smiled honestly.

"Hey, it's a pity, I couldn't chase after him with the tail in my head, and captured the Zheng family father and son directly, which is a great achievement!"

Li Ruhuo sighed, sat down on the ground, leaned against the city wall and regretted.

Jin Jiancheng pursed his lips, "Okay, Empress Defei is willing to let us go out of the city to fight, she is under tremendous pressure, really think that the city's dignitaries are all mud bodhisattvas and not angry? Otherwise, do you think there will be any problems if we have 400 people and one or two thousand mobs?"

Xia Jingyun also sat down wearily, and said slowly: "Anyway, the biggest crisis right now is over, wait for the manpower to come back and stabilize the city defense, and then pay slowly."

Li Ruhuo suddenly whispered: "I ran into someone when I was ambushing outside."

The voice was gradually lowered and gradually became inaudible.

After chatting for a while, the four of them sat on the floor, looking at the bright moon and sparse stars in the sky, and the scattered lights reflected by them in the world, smiling lazily and contentedly.

The night was dark, the four of them retreated into the small room of the tower, one of them was wrapped in a small blanket, closed his eyes and rested, snoring a lot.

Until at some point, a small soldier hurried over, "General! I found a large group of troops appearing from the south of the city and heading north in a detour!"

　and also.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)