The Dai family commanded an army of 400,000 in the Great Yan Kingdom, and the total of the 50,000 imperial guards of the Great Yan Kingdom and Emperor Yongming was only 560,000. It can be said that Emperor Yongming almost entrusted the safety of the Great Yan Kingdom to the Dai family, or in other words, he entrusted all of his wealth and life to the Dai family. If it were someone else, they would have already supported the soldiers with self-respect and high achievements, threatening the rule of the emperor, not to mention that the queen is also from the Dai family. But that's how the Dai family reassured Emperor Yongming. Many ministers wrote to Emperor Yongming to weaken the military power of the Dai family, but Emperor Yongming never moved. How did they know that it was not the Dai family who controlled the military power, but Emperor Yongming was not at ease in handing over the military power to others. Three lords, five marquises and one king general, the only prince, King Luo Rong, doesn't care about things, and the other, only this general, can make Emperor Yongming feel at ease. Emperor Yongming would never hand over the most important military power to generals controlled by any of the three lords and five lords.
On the other hand, the low-key, introverted, prudent and humble attitude of the Dai family is also the most important reason why Emperor Yongming is so relieved. After Dai Qiyou entered the palace, he never worked for the Dai family, but did his best to assist Emperor Yongming. This was another reason why Emperor Yongming was relieved of the Dai family.
Huxing Pass and Kuiye Pass are the two most important passes of Dayan Kingdom to the outside world. If Huhar, the sworn enemy of the Great Yan Kingdom, overcomes these two checkpoints, it will be able to drive straight into the hinterland of the Great Yan Kingdom and attack the capital. Therefore, these two checkpoints are also heavily guarded by the Yan State. Kuye Pass is guarded by Dai Mingjun, the eldest son of General Dai, and his only son, Dai Zhanli, and Huxing Pass is guarded by Dai Mingrong, the second son of General Dai, with his only son, Dai Zhanxiao. The place where Wang Shijing fought during his military service was Huxing Pass.
The 180,000 army led by Dai Mingjun was called the Flying Eagle Army, the 120,000 army led by Dai Mingrong was called the Yihu Army, and the remaining 100,000 army was led by the Dai Ming Army and generals appointed by Dai Mingrong. As the Great General of the Great Yan Kingdom and also the main general, the Dai Ming Army guarded the most dangerous and difficult Kui Ye Pass. As a general of hussars, Dai Mingrong, like his elder brother, guards the border all the year round and regards the border as his home. Like their father, the two brothers devoted their entire lives to the border gates of the Great Yan Kingdom. Their son also inherited his father's legacy. He showed extraordinary talents in leading troops since he was a child. Frontier, go to battle to kill the enemy.
Dai Zhanxiao is just like his name, brave and good at fighting. He led troops into battle at the age of twelve, and was named Zuo Duwei at the age of fourteen. Now he is just a weak crown, and he is already a fourth-rank general of Wuwei. With Dai Zhanxiao's ability and family background, he should be the object that many elites and bureaucrats in the capital would like to marry, but the reality is just the opposite. A man who marries a Dai family, especially a man at the border, not only has to worry about it all the time, but is also likely to be a widow (husband). Although all the men in the Dai family are still alive, no one can guarantee that they will survive the next battle. Furthermore, the Dai family is a stubborn royalist, and the family's tough temper is not in line with the three views of the family members, and they are not their preferred marriage partners.
Jiang Kangchen, who was ordered by the queen to come to Huxing Pass, arrived at Huxing Pass after walking for more than a month. This is the farthest journey Jiang Kangning has traveled in his life. The journey was tiring, if not for the Guyuanyu and donkey-hide gelatin red date paste Shao Yunan made for him, he might have collapsed on the road long ago. The conditions on the road are too difficult, and it is the cold season of late spring. The further we go to Huxingguan in the northwest direction, the lower the temperature is, as if it is still in the deep winter, and the wind blows on the face so that it hurts.
But no matter how difficult it was, Jiang Kangchen never flinched. For him, no matter how hard it is, he is not afraid, just for the flame of hope that will never be extinguished in his heart. When Jiang Kangchen arrived at the barracks of the Winged Tiger Army with a group of escorts, he took out the Queen's handwritten letter to express his intention. Seeing that it was someone sent by the Queen, the garrison hurriedly sent someone to report to Hussar General Dai Mingrong.
Dai Mingrong was dealing with military affairs in the camp, when he received a report from the camp guard that Empress Qiantui had sent someone, Dai Mingrong was very surprised, and ordered the camp guard to take people to meet him quickly, and ordered the battalion commander's guard to meet him Go and tell Dai Zhanxiao at the training ground to come over immediately.
Jiang Kangchen, who had been traveling all the way, was warmly welcomed into the barracks by the soldiers of Huxing Pass. Not only because he was sent by the queen, but because he brought thirty or forty carts of grain and other supplies! This is the best gift to condolences to the soldiers who have a full stomach at the border.
As soon as Jiang Kangchen entered the general's tent, he immediately saluted: "Jiang Kangchen, the humble secretary of the inner court, pays his respects to the Hussar General." A team of garrison troops who came in with him helped him put down boxes of various sizes, as well as clay pots of different capacities, and then went out. up.
Dai Mingrong hadn't met Jiang Kangchen much, but he had definitely heard his name. Dai Mingrong returned the gift, asked Jiang Kangchen to sit down, and then asked: "Jiang's nephew is coming to such a bitter and cold place in Huxingguan, but what is Qiantui's order?"
There is no war now, and Dai Mingrong is very puzzled that the Queen will send someone to come. Even if it is to transport grain and grass, it should not be escorted by the inner palace.
Jiang Kangchen said: "The humble staff came here this time because they were entrusted by others to come to the Tiger Pass. The Empress Qiansui ordered the humble staff to deliver a letter to the commander-in-chief, and escorted a batch of food, grass and supplies by the way. Those grains, grass and supplies are Queen Chitose bought it with silver taels allocated from the 'relief fund', and half of it needs to be sent to General Kuiyeguan."
Dai Mingrong asked in surprise: "'Relief Fund'?"
Jiang Kangchen first presented the Queen's letter to Dai Mingrong with both hands, and then explained that Dai Mingrong was not only surprised but also very excited just like his father, General Dai.
"Although this fund is called 'relief', it also includes material relief for areas in need in times of natural and man-made disasters. The soldiers at the border are struggling, and now the imperial court has no money to distribute enough salaries. The soldiers do not have enough food and clothing, so this It is also within the assistance of the 'relief fund'. The humble job brought dozens of supplies such as grain, cotton clothes, bacon, jam, pickles, etc. At the same time, there is one most important thing that needs to be handed over to General Wuwei in person .”
Just as he was talking, a guard shouted from outside: "Young commander!"
Soon, the curtain was lifted, and a young but weather-beaten face came into Jiang Kangchen's eyes. The visitor was very tall, and he only wore a thin shirt in such a cold day. His skin is dark, his physique is strong, and the veins on the back of his hands are bulging, which makes him look very powerful. His hair was tied around his head with a cyan jade crown, a few strands of hair fell down, and beads of sweat covered his forehead, obviously he was practicing just now.
"Father handsome!"
When the visitor came in, he first called Dai Mingrong, and then saluted Jiang Kangchen. Jiang Kangchen immediately replied: "Secretary of the Inner Palace Jiang Kangchen has seen the little general."
Both Jiang Kangchen and Dai Zhanxiao are at the fourth rank, equal.
Dai Zhanxiao: "Jiang Neiguan has had a hard time on the road, please sit down quickly."
Jiang Kangchen didn't sit down, but said: "Little General, I came here this time to escort food, grass and supplies, but in fact I was entrusted by someone to come here for you."
"for me?"
Dai Zhanxiao was puzzled. Jiang Kangchen walked up to a medium bamboo box, bent down to open it, followed by exclamations from Dai Mingrong and Dai Zhanxiao.
Jiang Kangchen looked at the two of them and said, "Here—a total of 3,500 taels of gold was donated by the little general's former subordinates to the little general to buy what the soldiers needed."
Dai Zhanxiao immediately frowned, and Dai Mingrong's first reaction was the same as his father's, and said sternly: "I can't accept this gold! I also ask Jiang's nephew to take it back to that person!"
Jiang Kangchen smiled slightly and said: "The two generals misunderstood. The emperor, the empress Qiansui, and the old general all know about this. The 3500 taels of gold are not given to the young general, but to the young general's vanguard army. I don't know the little general. General, do you know that there was once a centurion named Wang Shijing under your command?"
Dai Zhanxiao immediately replied: "I remember. That man was brave and affectionate. He killed the enemy general, ruined one eye and half his face, but in the end he gave the credit to Shangfeng who had supported him, just to give That man asked for some more money for pension. I remember his name is Wang Shijing."
Jiang Kangchen nodded and said: "It's better if you remember. Ishii always remembers the old friend of Bianguan and you, the little general. Now that he has made money, he is even more concerned about the brothers in Bianguan who don't have enough food and clothing. In fact, the gold belongs to him. The man's wife decided to donate for him. It is also because of this that Empress Chitose came up with the idea of establishing a 'relief fund'."
Jiang Kangchen told the two generals what happened before and after in detail but without being wordy. Dai Mingrong, Dai Zhanxiao and his son were both surprised and happy when they heard it, and even more grateful. After Jiang Kangchen finished speaking, Dai Mingrong said: "Wang Shijing's husband and wife are capable people, so Wang Shijing can be regarded as a blessing in disguise."
Jiang Kangchen said: "It's not just that. To be honest with the two generals, Ishii and Yun'an recognized their humble younger brother Jiang Kangning as their righteous brother, and they also became the adopted son of Dean Cen Yuebai Cen of Yongxiu County School. Dean Cen is Old Emperor Weng The division's younger brothers. The public security officials also recognized them as nephews. This "relief fund" was also proposed by Yun'an. He said that they donated 3,500 taels of gold because Ishii came from the vanguard army of the young general, but other people's donations But you can’t just give it to the little general, it’s better to set up a fund to absorb donations from all parties and help those in need. The emperor and Qiantui also appreciate him and his wife very much.”
Dai Mingrong: "This Wang Shijing is really a person who values love and righteousness. From this point of view, he took a big advantage and was able to marry such a capable man. His family is short-sighted."
Jiang Kangchen: "Exactly. The two families have completely broken off their relationship, and Shi Jing has also moved out of the Wang clan and is free."
At this time, Dai Zhanxiao asked: "Wang Shijing's wife is called 'Yun'an'?"
Dai Zhanxiao is particularly sensitive to people with the word "An" in their names. When he asked, Dai Mingrong's eyes dimmed. Jiang Kangchen explained comprehensibly: "My real name is Shao Yun'an, and he is from the Shao family village. But he is an adopted son. His adoptive parents forced him to marry Shijing's younger brother Wang Zhisong for money. Later, the Wang family broke up the marriage, and the Shao family made trouble in Xiushui Village. Ishii's parents forced Ishii to marry his younger brother, but it was wrong."
When Dai Mingrong and Dai Zhanxiao heard that Shao Yunan was an adopted son, they immediately asked in unison, "Is he adopted?"
Dai Mingrong: "We know the whereabouts of his biological parents."
Dai Mingrong lost a son, and has been looking for his whereabouts for more than ten years. Thinking of Shao Yun'an's life experience, Jiang Kangchen was a little nervous about being named by both father and son.
"Yun'an didn't know who his biological parents were. He said he was definitely not adopted by his adoptive parents. Yun'an said that he had a few fevers when he was a child, and he couldn't remember anything before the age of seven or eight. Or His adoptive parents privately said they regretted adopting him and he didn't know he was adopted until they should have sold him."
Dai Mingrong's eyebrows immediately crease, and he asked without giving up: "Does he not remember at all?"
Jiang Kangchen: "I haven't asked about this humble job, and Yun'an hasn't mentioned it either."
Dai Zhanxiao asked without giving up: "How long has he been born?"
Jiang Kangchen replied: "He should be 18 years old. I didn't ask when he was born. I saw him in November last year, and he was said to be 16. If it is calculated," Jiang Kangchen calculated in his heart, " It should be Kang Sheng who was born in 32 years."
The hearts of Dai Mingrong and Dai Zhanxiao jumped violently, and Dai Zhanxiao hurriedly asked: "Jiang Neiguan, do you think he looks like me?"
Jiang Kangchen didn't think it was such a coincidence, but he still looked carefully at Dai Zhanxiao's face, then at Dai Mingrong's face, and couldn't bear to say: "Uh, I'm sorry for my poor eyesight." It didn't look like that at all.
Dai Zhanxiao was clearly disappointed, Dai Mingrong thought about it, and asked, "I wonder if Jiang's internal officials know Danqing?"
Jiang Kangchen nodded: "Yes."
Dai Mingrong: "Thank you Jiang Neiguan for drawing a portrait of that child. Please forgive me, my commander's youngest son has been missing for many years, and I can't find him every day, and I can't be at peace every day."
"Humble job understands, humble job just paints."
With Jiang Kangchen's background, piano, chess, calligraphy and painting are the most basic compulsory courses. Dai Mingrong spread rice paper on Jiang Kangchen himself, and Dai Zhanxiao ground it. After Jiang Kangchen brewed for a while, he wrote neatly. When Shao Yun'an's appearance gradually became clearer under his pen, Jiang Kangchen didn't see Dai Mingrong's expression change. Dai Zhanxiao frowned and looked at the boy in the portrait who was about the same age as his missing brother, but he didn't notice his father's abnormality. Just as Jiang Kangchen continued to paint, the rice paper he was drawing was taken away by someone, and the paintbrush that could not be lifted in the future left a long red water line on the rice paper.
"Father handsome!"
Seeing his father's appearance, Dai Zhanxiao stopped beating for a beat. And the red pen in Jiang Kangchen's hand almost fell off.
Dai Mingrong looked at the boy on the drawing paper with shortness of breath, his eyes widened. The hussar general, who never changed his expression in front of millions of enemy troops, had red eyes at this moment, and his complexion changed drastically. Dai Zhanxiao's scalp tingled for a while, and he shouted: "Father handsome! This can't be, it can't be my brother!"
The pen in Jiang Kangchen's hand fell on the table, leaving behind a puddle of red juice.
Dai Mingrong couldn't hear anything. He stared at the drawing paper and murmured: "Like! It's really like! It's him, it's Zhan An, it's my Zhan An! He's Zhan An! It's my Zhan An!" install!"
Looking up, tears almost fell from the corners of Dai Mingrong's eyes: "Zhan Xiao! This is your brother! He is very similar to your little grandfather!"
Upon hearing this, Dai Zhanxiao snatched the painting from his father. Dai Zhanxiao's memory of his younger brother has long been blurred, but the elders in the family would always tell him how much his younger brother Dai Zhanan is like his little grandfather, and therefore, what he loves the most is his cousin who looks like grandma Dai Yingsi and her younger brother Dai Zhan'an who look like a little grandfather.
Jiang Kangchen came to his senses and raised his arms to salute: "Congratulations, general! Congratulations, little general!" But he was a little hesitant.
Dai Zhanxiao almost jumped up: "Father! I'm going to Xiushui Village right away!"
Dai Mingrong forced himself to calm down at this time, and said: "You are the chief of the vanguard army, how could you leave the camp without authorization. Your brother," Dai Mingrong choked, and he took a few deep breaths, "Your brother , I don’t remember, it’s family matters, you will scare him if you go like this. Besides, he is in Xiushui Village, when the situation in Huxingguan is more stable, I will ask the emperor to allow you to return to Beijing for my father. , it’s not too late for you to see him again.”
Dai Zhanxiao wished he could grow a pair of wings and fly to Xiushui Village immediately, but his rationality reminded him to be calm over and over again. He is the elder brother who has been looking for his younger brother for many years, and he is also a general who leads thousands of people, so he should not act emotionally.
Jiang Kangchen said: "Uncle Yun'an is busy picking and making tea at this time. After returning to Beijing, I will play Qiantui. First, I will call his family to Beijing to meet the old general."
Dai Mingrong: "This is good, this is good. This matter is really thanks to Jiang's nephew coming, and I will have to trouble Jiang's nephew in the future."
Jiang Kangchen hurriedly said: "The general is too polite. Yun An is also the younger brother of the humble officer. It is a big deal to find his relatives. By the way, many of the special meals brought by the humble officer for the two generals were made by Yun An himself. .”
"where!"
Jiang Kangchen opened a box, which contained Guyuan ointment. He said, "This is Guoyuan ointment. It was made by Yun'an for Qiantui. Qiantui allocated some for the humble officers to bring to the commander and junior general."
He opened another box, looked at it and said, "This is goat's milk wine and Longjing tea, both made by Yun'an. In the entire Great Yan Kingdom, only Yun'an can brew this goat's milk wine and make this Longjing tea."
Dai Mingrong and Dai Zhanxiao already knew from Jiang Kangchen that Empress Qiantose is now in the business of new tea and new wine, which is why they have the money to buy them so many supplies. Dai Mingrong tried his best to restrain his emotions, while Dai Zhanxiao simply picked up a small can of goat's milk wine and slapped open the mud seal.