The border gates and fortresses were mostly used for military garrisoning.
The General's Mansion was built in the center of the city. It was the mansion of the generals stationed in Xinzhou and Yanmenguan in the past dynasties. It occupies a very large area in a small town like Xinzhou.
Yan Lin took them all the way and arrived at the door.
"The city has long received the news that Mr. Xie is coming to the supervisor. There are generals of high rank in the army, and they are all waiting inside."
He dismounted at the door, handed the reins to the sergeant beside him, and helped Jiang Xuening who was about to dismount next to him, said this to Xie Wei who came out of the car, and then waved his hand.
"Please sir."
Xie Wei was not wearing an official uniform, only plain clothes.
Others have only heard that a high-ranking official from Beijing has come to the border town for the past two days, and they have always wondered what kind of person he is.
Is such a person an official
Xie Wei didn't look at the others. After getting out of the car, he walked up the steps with Yan Lin and walked into the general's mansion. He only asked, "Do you want to listen to the discussion together?"
Jiang Xuening was stunned for a moment before reacting: "Mr. asked me?"
Xie Wei glanced at her and said nothing.
Jiang Xuening shuddered inexplicably, and felt that Xie Ju'an's eyes were chilling, and her back straightened a little, but she subconsciously glanced at Yan Lin, and thought about the relationship between the two, she felt that she should not interfere. Regarding this matter, he said, "No, how can I understand it? Just let Yan Lin find someone to take me to rest first."
This mouthful of "Yan Lin" made the people around him sweat.
She didn't realize it herself.
Yan Lin had no opinion at all, so he called the old housekeeper of the General's Mansion and asked him to take Jiang Xuening to the guest room.
Xie Wei waved his hand to Jianshu and said, "You also follow."
Jian Shu lowered his head and said, "Yes."
He stepped back from Xie Wei and automatically followed Jiang Xuening.
This made Jiang Xuening a little confused.
But on second thought, it was said that Yan Lin had already taken control of the military, but after all, the time was short, and who knew that there would be no accident at such a time, and it was always right to send someone to follow her.
She didn't say anything, turned around and followed the housekeeper.
Yan Lin looked at the sword book behind her, but she suddenly frowned for some reason, and felt the vague strangeness again.
He turned his eyes to look at Xie Wei.
Xie Wei didn't respond, he just said "Let's go too", then passed through the hall and went to the conference hall.
There are 100,000 troops stationed at the border, and there are more than a dozen generals with names and surnames, and there are also local state officials in Xinzhou, so it was quite lively when Xie Wei went to meet.
He was calm, but these people were somewhat apprehensive.
After all, it was almost winter, and they had never heard of anyone taking the initiative to provoke a battle in winter. They each had their own concerns.
Yanlin arrived in Xinzhou a month ago.
alone.
At that time, he had neither an order nor an imperial decree, and he was even a "criminal official" who left the place of exile without authorization. Fortunately, not many people knew him at the border, and he just took this opportunity to find out the situation at the border.
The Marquis of Yongyi had originally led the army to fight.
Many of the frontier generals were old men of his father Yan Mu.
This would have been a good thing.
But after the incident at the Houfu, many people were also implicated because of it. They were either not allowed to go further in the army, or were dismissed and demoted. The one who was in charge of the 100,000 garrison in Xinzhou naturally belonged to the Xiao clan.
So when he first came to power, Yan Lin did one thing in order to be able to transfer orders in the future.
"Beheaded?"
Jiang Xuening followed the housekeeper to the direction of the guest room. On the way, he couldn't help but inquire about things in the border town, but he was stunned when he heard something that Shi Yanlin didn't say on the street just now.
"Immediately slaying..."
The old butler was old and had a hunched back, but he was not a pity for the unfortunate ghost who lost his head. Fighting, but I don’t know how many wastes are raised, lying on our flat-headed people and sucking blood. It’s a joy to kill, and it deserves it!”
Jiang Xuening was suddenly silent.
But the old housekeeper continued to babble: "Seeing that the Tatars are about to come over, a bunch of rice buckets still want to avoid the battle. Yesterday, the eldest princess went to have a kiss, and tomorrow those dog things can come and kidnap the girls in the city! A general who doesn't want to fight is a good general, but a general who doesn't dare to fight will be dragged out and cut like this. You're late when you come. It's a few days in the morning, and the blood on the stage outside the city has not dried yet. It's beautiful. ."
Jian Shu quietly glanced at Jiang Xuening.
Jiang Xuening was thoughtful.
The old butler had already arrived in front of the guest room, and after a long while, he came to his senses, and he quickly bowed and said, "Look at me, I am old and talk a lot. I don't know if these words should be said in front of the nobles, so don't blame me."
Jiang Xuening was just a little surprised.
But it's nothing surprising.
In order to gain a firm foothold in such a place and truly take control of the military, decisive means of killing are indispensable. Only by killing the chickens and showing the monkeys can we make the rest of the hearts of the people have ties and convince the old men of the Houfu in the army.
She's just a little pity for the old boy—
In a place like this alone, he has to make various decisions when he is alone and helpless. I don't know how many difficulties and dangers he has encountered, but when he meets her, he never mentions a word, as if everything is going well.
Jiang Xuening thanked the old housekeeper and entered the house by himself, and found that the house was carefully furnished, not as rough as it looked from the outside, and there was even a newly bought rouge on the makeup.
She couldn't help but smile.
Turning his head, he said to Jianshu, "I won't go out even if I stay in the house. You should go back and follow your husband first. If you have any orders, you can take care of it."
Jian Shu hesitated for a while, probably because he felt that Xinzhou was such an unfamiliar environment to be worrying, so he bowed to her, and without saying anything, he said goodbye and turned back to the direction of the council hall.
Xie Weilai naturally understood the situation in the city first.
The most worrying thing for these generals is the food situation.
The imperial court sent Xie Wei to say that he was an overseer, but in fact it was to prevent mutiny at the border. Naturally, he would not prepare any food and grass. It can be said that there was not even the slightest rumor. But Xie Weiyan Lin had other plans. The Tartars must be fought, and Shen Zhiyi must be rescued. Therefore, there was no panic when responding to the question about the grain and grass. They only said that the grain, grass and luggage were already on the way. Worry.
He said that the high-ranking officials from the capital said, and everyone was a little relieved.
After the discussion was over, he only said that he would hold a banquet in the evening for Xie Wei to wash away the dust, and then they all retire.
Only Xie Wei and Yan Lin were left in the hall.
The tea in the tea cup has only a little temperature left.
Xie Wei got up and took a sip.
Yan Lin stared at him, with a rare hesitation in his eyes, even with a different kind of scrutiny. He tried to distinguish something from his eyebrows, trying to match his father's hope and watch for the past two years.
At the beginning, the Houfu of Yongyi was in a difficult situation to seize the family and exterminate the family, but fortunately someone behind him came to help.
This person is Xie Wei.
But what does he have to do with Houfu? There is nothing on the bright side, it's just his husband when he entered the palace to study.
When his father was ill, Yan Lin had his own guesses and asked him, "Who is Mr. Xie?"
My father coughed so badly that he wouldn't reveal more.
With tears in his eyes, he said to him, "It's someone you have to fully trust."
At that time, he had the answer in his heart.
Yan Lin was silent for a while before saying, "Thank you for taking care of Mr.
Xie Wei rolled his eyes: "Is Lord Hou okay?"
Yan Lindao: "In the past years in the capital, there were always some things that weighed down the body. The root cause of the disease was early, and it was more serious on the way to Huangzhou. But after getting there, the life was hard, and then it was more leisurely, which seemed to open up something. It was like a knot, but it was raised. When I left Huangzhou, Boss Lu came to take care of me, and the people were settled properly."
Xie Wei nodded and said nothing.
He was never easy to approach.
It was hard for Yan Lin to think that the old gentleman was actually his eldest brother. He blinked, unable to change his name, and asked, "Sir, what will happen to the court over here?"
Xie Wei said: "The border is still some time away from the capital. With such a big war, even if Xinzhou is under control, it is impossible to cut off the exchange of information. Therefore, the war must be resolved quickly, otherwise it will be uncertain when the court reacts. You have to face the enemy. But if you can take down the Tartar and rescue the princess before the court reacts, you will win a move. At that time, I will only say that when you get Xinzhou, the border garrison has already fallen into your control, which is beyond my ability. If you change, you have to go with the flow. You are both in control of the military and popular with the people, but the court does not dare to tear your face with you.
Yan Lin frowned immediately: "The Duke and Earl?"
Xie Wei looked at him with a smile but not a smile: "Don't you want?"
Yan Lin calmly said, "I don't want to."
Xie Wei put down the tea cup gently, and the curvature of his lips became a little more inscrutable, and only said: "It's simple if you don't want it."
The two didn't talk for long.
Xie Wei also came all the way, and there was a banquet in the evening. After a few words with Yan Lin, he came out of the conference hall and got his own guest room. After asking about Jiang Xuening's situation, he washed a little first. Rest for two hours.
When it was getting late and people came to invite him, he went out again.
The banquet to catch the wind and dust is set in the general's mansion.
Everyone knew that a noble person had come to Beijing.
Apart from the fairy-like Mr. Xie, the one who attracted the most attention was the "Secret Ning". Everyone didn't know her name, name, and surname, but they heard that people who came with her called her like that, so they also called her like that, thinking that her surname was "Ning", and she was staying at home.
How special General Yan treated her was spread all over Xinzhou City in just one afternoon.
No one in the house dared to wait.
In addition, Yan Lin had given instructions to catch the wind at night, so she naturally invited her to attend.
The courtyard outside had been refurbished a long time ago. The tables in the original conference hall were refurbished, and the rare good food and wine were brought out.
When Jiang Xuening came, everyone was almost there.
Xie Wei took the seat.
Yan Lin was opposite him.
She thought that she was just here to eat and drink, not to join in the fun, but to sit closer with the female relatives brought by some other officials and generals, and listen to them tell some interesting things about the border.
There is no doubt that Jiang Xuening is definitely the focus of attention among these ladies.
People can't help but wonder about her identity.
She didn't report her family, but only said that she was Xie Wei's student and Yan Lin's friend. Everyone was amazed when they heard it, and they even came to toast her.
Jiang Xuening really doesn't have much alcohol.
But it was a difficult journey, and she finally got to the frontier. When You Fangyin and Lu Xian arranged the food and grass, they could attack the Tartars and rescue the princess. She had some expectations and some happiness in her heart. Dizzy.
The woman at the border is really bold.
Even the woman who had already entered the inner house was not as well-behaved as in the army, and she was quite open. Seeing that she didn't really refuse, she tried to persuade her to drink more and more vigorously.
After Jiang Xuening drank two more cups, there was a warning sign.
She didn't dare to be too presumptuous on such an occasion, and after all, she wasn't a girl who grew up in the North, so she couldn't stand it, so she hurriedly found an excuse to sober up and slipped out first.
On the generals' side, they also had three tours of wine.
Yan Lin saw Jiang Xuening going out from a distance, and couldn't help but feel a little worried.
There was a good-natured laughter behind him.
Who hasn't heard the rumors in the city today
Although I didn't know the identity of the second girl Ning, I guessed that it was Yan Lin's sweetheart.
Seeing people go out, can you still not know what he is doing
During the banquet, someone ridiculed: "Heroes are sad for Beauty Pass."
Others agree.
Only Xie Wei watched coldly and picked up the wine cup.
Everyone present knew that this was the imperial teacher of the dynasty. He didn't dare to neglect him at all, and he was very winking. When he saw him holding the wine cup, he immediately came up to toast with a smile.
Xie Wei insisted on the wine cup and did not refuse.
His fingers are as slender as jade bamboo, and his drinking posture is also very elegant, but his expression is a little dull, and he is not warm to people. The generals didn't dare to be presumptuous, but they were jealous of him and became more cautious.
There are lanterns hanging in the corridor, and servants who are waiting to be dispatched with wine and dishes are coming and going.
Jiang Xuening came out of the hall and leaned against the beauty sitting in the corner to blow the wind.
The wind in the north is cold, and it makes people sober as soon as they scratch their faces.
Yan Lin came out of the hall, and at a glance, she recognized her indistinct back in the dark place. She was about to walk forward, but when she turned her eyes, she saw the small group of dianthus that was open by the corridor.
White on the outside, purple on the inside.
Although the flower is only bigger than a copper coin, it can be considered cute in a cold day like the Northland, which is extremely rare.
He stopped and watched for a while, remembered something, couldn't help smiling, bent down and picked a flower, attached to a slender stem about the length of a finger, with a small leaf.
After turning a circle between his fingers, he put his hand behind Jiang Xuening's side.
As he got closer, he coughed.
Jiang Xuening looked back at him, raised his eyebrows in surprise, stood up and smiled, "Why did you come out?"
Yan Lin said, "Look at you coming out."
Jiang Xuening raised her eyes, she had to look up at him slightly, and muttered, "This is Xinzhou, you are the commander of the three armies, and there is no reason to leave the table at will. Be careful, sir, and scold you."
Yan Lin thought, what is there to worry about
It's been a while since I've come, but it's a matter of discussion and an arrangement at one time. Apart from the frivolous remarks on the way here, there's really no chance for a detailed discussion.
He looked at her: "How are you doing these two years?"
In the distant hall, the sound of staggering of gongs and chips came.
It was very quiet nearby.
The lantern swayed gently in the slightly cold wind, and also swayed gently in Jiang Xuening's sight.
She curled her lips and smiled: "How can I be bad?"
After a long silence, he asked, "How about you?"
Yan Lin's dark eyes were illuminated by the faint light, which gave him a warm taste. He only said slowly, "It's not as bad as I thought."
For a while, he was relatively speechless.
In the dark blue night sky, the bright moon hangs high.
It was as bright as plain and as bright as frost.
Yan Lin took another step closer and asked, "Why did you come with Mr. Xie?"
Jiang Xuening remembered Xie Wei and did not speak.
Yan Lin looked at her for a long time and asked, "Where is Zhang Zha?"
At this moment, Jiang Xuening seemed to be hit by something.
She hadn't thought of this person for a while.
When she heard the name suddenly, a dull pain that was already unfamiliar surged up, making the bottom of her eyes moist a bit, but she didn't know what to say, and she lowered her gaze a little bleakly.
In fact, no words are needed.
Yan Lin accompanies her through those days of mischief in the streets and alleys. She doesn't know her well, but she can also distinguish her emotions, and guess that there is no good result.
After hesitating for a moment, he turned out the dianthus and handed it to her.
He just smiled: "What a big deal. Now, don't be unhappy when I saw it for you just now."
In the quiet night, the small petals trembled.
Jiang Xuening's eyes fell from his face to the flowers, and he remembered the rainy night a long time ago, that string of winter jasmine, with tears rolling down his eyelashes, but he only looked at him, without reaching out to pick it up.
Yan Lin suddenly became very angry.
mad at her.
For a moment, he wanted to hug her tightly and rub her into his arms, but he was not a frivolous young man, he just said, "Even if there is no Zhang Zhe, it is not me, is it?"
Jiang Xuening did not dare to answer.
Yan Lin smiled suddenly.
He looked at the dianthus for a moment, and finally raised his hand to pinch the flower at the top, and only handed out the flower branch with a thin section connected to a leaf. He was spoiled, helpless, and slightly injured. Huai: "It's all my heart, don't let it go."
Jiang Xuening just took it over.
The tip of her nose was sore, the bottom of her eyes were astringent, and she almost choked and replied, "Well."
Yan Lin smiled and rubbed her head: "I haven't seen you for two years, why is it still like this? No wonder people don't want you."
Jiang Xuening thought, is that something to do with Zhang Zha
It's just that although he was full of sadness, he was disturbed by the mess he pressed on his head, he burst into tears for a while and laughed, annoyed him: "If Master Zhang listens to you, no matter how good-tempered you are, you will be beaten up. ."
Yan Lin looked at her without refuting, but said, "It's cold outside, go back."
Jiang Xuening was tired after thinking about it. He didn't want to go back to the room, so he nodded and wanted to go back to the guest room to sleep.
But she took two steps forward and stopped.
Turning around, holding the slender flower branch in his hand, he looked at Yan Lin, who had become more and more mature, after a few steps, and said seriously, "Yan Lin, I'm not unhappy, I'm really happy. "
I am glad that you are still the young man who is willing to pick flowers for me.
Although…
I am no longer the girl who can accept your flowers with peace of mind.
She has gone far.
The lights on the porch are as old as ever.
Yan Lin stood tall, his figure stretched out on the ground, his fingers grew a thin layer of cocoons due to holding the sword all the year round, and the small purple and white dianthus drooped between his fingers, silent.
After a long time, he smiled slowly.