One of the palace maids giggled and said, "We'll give the queen something, and it will be cheaper for you! You must not grab the queen and eat it all."
Chuntao suddenly looked at them seriously: "Don't mention this to the empress. The empress has a stubborn temper. If she knew that we secretly gave her extra meals, she would definitely not eat it."
"And what if she asks?"
Chuntao tilted her head and thought for a while: "You just say that the emperor loves her so much that he adds food to her. She loves the emperor in her heart, so she will definitely eat."
The three of them agreed and went to the palace.
"Queen, it's time to eat!" Chuntao shouted to Rong Chang'an.
Rong Changan stood up, but his eyes were still looking outside: "Is there someone?"
Chuntao could tell from her eyes who the so-called "person" was referring to.
"No one, there are only these two little sparrows!" Chuntao pointed at the two little maids, cheerfully.
The two court ladies were only fourteen or fifteen years old, many years younger than Chuntao, so Chuntao called them "Budianer".
The maid was not convinced: "If we don't order, you are an old chili!"
The three were talking and laughing, the atmosphere was harmonious, Rong Changan was also happy, and the corners of his mouth curled up beautifully.
While eating steamed buns, Rong Changan couldn't help asking about things in the north.
"How is the battle in the north now? Which general did the emperor send to fight against Pan Meichen?"
The four of them sat on the stakes and watched Rong Changan and Chuntao eat.
"The emperor sent General Song to resist Pan Meichen. General Song is so powerful, he will definitely be able to drive Pan Meichen back to the north again." A court lady said.
Another court lady said: "In addition to General Song, there is also Commander Lin Hai. Commander Lin Hai and the Imperial Forest Army have already stationed outside the north gate. I believe that General Song and Commander Lin Hai will definitely keep us safe."
Song Qiang and Lin Hai alone may not be Pan Meichen's opponents. Pan Meichen is an old fox!
Song Qiang can fight hard, but it is his weakness to strategize. In terms of tactics, he is not at the same level as Pan Meichen; Lin Hai is not as good as Song Qiang in terms of martial arts or combat experience, so, Together, Lin Hai and Song Qiang are not optimistic about dealing with Pan Meichen.
The first court lady asked Rong Changan: "Empress Rong, you used to be a general protecting the country. Tell me, can General Song repel Pan Meichen? How do you think General Song and Commander Lin Hai should fight?"
Rong Changan's eyebrows were covered with heavy shadows: "I'm a common man now, and I can't talk about state affairs and military affairs. Don't ask me about these things."
Chuntao ignored those bad rules: "What are you afraid of! Anyway, we are now in Fengming Palace, the words come out of our mouths and enter our ears, who else will hear it?"
Rong Chang'an couldn't help worrying about Chuntao, after staying in the palace for so many years, her mentality was still as innocent and pure as that of a three-year-old child. The palace is full of intrigues and pitfalls. Maybe the people you think are the best are actually the people who hurt you the most.
"The emperor is so wise, he must have his own opinions on dispatching troops. We just have to wait and see."
Chun Tao said: "When it comes to leading troops to fight, the queen is actually more powerful than the emperor! Look at King Jing, look at Pan Meichen last time, didn't they all lose at the hands of the queen! So, if the queen leads the army, she must If you can beat Pan Meichen to pieces, fuck off!"
Rong Changan smiled slightly: "I told General Song last time, I am just a common man now, how can I lead the army to fight again? It is reasonable for us as women to embroider and weave at home. I hope General Song and Commander Lin was able to drive out the rebels and return in triumph!"
Chuntao nodded: "What the queen said is true. We have a Buddhist hall here, so we read the scriptures for General Song and Commander Lin Hai every day, and pray that they are safe and sound and come back victorious."
…
Northwest camp, dusk. At this time, the snow was a little lighter, and in the west, the clouds were a little thinner, and the bluish sunlight came out from behind the clouds, smudged the whole camp, turning the whole camp into a chilling blue. The sobbing of the corner of the picture made this chilling atmosphere even more intense.
Song Qiang, who had just received the imperial edict, called all the generals in the barracks to discuss military affairs.
"The emperor's intention is to let us stop Pan Meichen's rebel army on the north bank of the Jinghe River. Our Southern Army will attack from the east side. If necessary, the Imperial Forest Army led by Lin Hai will also support us and attack from three sides. The three groups have a total of 150,000 troops. people, and Pan Meichen only has 50,000 people, if he crosses the south bank, if he is allowed to flee back to the north, I, Song Qiang, will never lead troops to fight again!"
A general asked: "When does the emperor want us to stop Pan Meichen's army?"
Song Qiang looked at the marching map on the table, and pointed to Jinghe: "There is no time limit, as long as Pan Meichen crosses Jinghe, we will send troops immediately."
Song Qiang took a fancy to a high slope called Niutou Mountain on the north bank of the Jinghe River. "After we cross the river, we will immediately occupy this high slope, and then gather cavalry to commandeer. If Pan Meichen wants to recapture the north bank, we will attack them with cavalry."
However, some generals questioned: "Pan Meichen's cavalry is famous all over the world and has experienced a lot of experience. Even if our cavalry occupies a high point, it may not be their opponent."
Song Qiang didn't want to hear such words that boosted other people's ambitions and destroyed his own prestige.
"Hmph, what they eat is not food, what we eat is not food? What they ride is horses, but what we ride is not horses? When we meet on a narrow road, the brave wins. We must not disgrace General Rong once again. Pan Meichen was hit so hard that he never recovered from the setback!"
Although they are all horses, the horses in the north are of good breed and must be better than the horses in the south; the men in the north gallop across the grasslands and make a living by riding and hunting, and their riding and archery skills are definitely much better than those in the south .
Song Qiang underestimated the enemy a little and didn't see this.
Outside the army tent, the horses were buzzing, and before a soldier arrived, he called out loudly: "General Song, I have a military report!"
The eyes of all the generals in the military tent showed stern light. I don't know what kind of military rewards this soldier who spy on the military situation will have in return.
Song Qiang was extremely excited and shouted: "Come in!"
The soldier hurried in and knelt down in front of all the generals: "I just got the military situation ahead, and Pan Meichen's small army has already crossed the Jinghe River."
As soon as this remark came out, the generals had different opinions.
"Pan Meichen marched so fast!"
"I don't know how many people there are in this small army?"
"Now Pan Meichen's brigade has not crossed the river, what should we do?"
Song Qiang pointed to the soldier and asked, "How many people crossed the river?"
"About 5,000 troops!" the soldier replied.
Song Qiang asked again: "Where did you cross the river?"
The soldier replied: "Cross the river from Niutoushan."
Song Qiang looked at the marching map, pinched his chin and thought for a while: "I think these five thousand troops must be Pan Meichen's vanguard, and the brigade will cross the river soon. It is not too late. We will send troops right now to cross the river and occupy Niutoushan !"