In the north, the wind is blowing, and the cold wave is coming, and in the south, the autumn is cool and the sun is shining.
On the mountains near Jiangzhou, the mountain maples turned orange-red, and the maple leaves in the city were scattered. This year's difficulties have finally passed. The floods in the south of the Yangtze River have not flooded in a large area. The grain harvest in Jiangzuo has failed, and the south of the Yangtze River is still a good year. Although the grain allocation in various places, corruption and shortfalls have been repeatedly banned, the civil unrest that is about to break out has finally been suppressed.
In the past six months, Mu Kuang has made great contributions. With the cooperation of the monarch and ministers, Da Chen passed the first year after moving the capital safely, but the battle report from the north came again.
"The Yuan people can't attack Luoyan City for a long time." Xie You said in a deep voice, "I'm afraid that as soon as winter begins, they will all turn south to invade and invade our Dachen border."
Li Yanqiu, Cai Yan, Xie You, Mu Kuangda, the Su clan, and the Minister of War, Chen Mao, looked at the map of Hebei.
"According to the letter sent by the Liao Kingdom, they are here now." Xie You pointed to Luoyan City in the northern Great Wall, and explained, "It is only a few hundred miles away from Runan. Once they turn around, they will cross Runan first, then Xun. Water, at least 50,000 troops, Hebei is all in the bag."
"We don't have any soldiers to support the north." Chen Mao replied, "Except for Han Bin's troops at Yubi Pass, the rest are all Jiangdong's soldiers, good at water and land warfare, but not good at cavalry warfare."
"Yubi Pass and Tong Pass still have troops that can be transferred." Li Yanqiu said, "After Wang Shan took office, Wu Du has already repelled the army led by Bu'er Chijin once. Once the Yuan people make a comeback, it will be very dangerous. Hebei County cannot Once lost, Huaiyin will become the North Gate.”
This interest needs to be safeguarded by everyone. The court did not want to lose Hebei, and Yao Fu did not want to directly border the Yuan people. Once Hebei fell, the next target of the Yuan people would either be Liao or Huaiyin. If Huaiyin falls, Jiangzhou will be doomed.
"The army under Yaohou's rule may not have the strength to resist the Yuan army." Mu Kuangda said, "Hebei has been in turmoil for many years. During this period, the prefect wrote several letters asking for help, but Huaiyin did not move. It is still unknown whether he can be persuaded to send troops this time. Whether we can win the battle is also unknown."
Cai Yan just looked at the map and didn't speak.
"The next step is to attack the army." Chen Mao said, "I wanted to survive this winter and make arrangements in the spring of next year, but the time is waiting for no one. It is necessary to strengthen Hebei's military strength."
"What do you think of the emperor?" Li Yanqiu asked.
Cai Yan replied: "The Yuan people are like a flood, and they may cross the Great Wall at any time, besieging and blocking it, but it is not a long-term solution. They want to come to Xunshui, but when Yao Hou's troops arrive, the Yuan people retreat and attack Changcheng another day, and the army will go to Chang again. Go to the city, when will there be a game?"
Everyone was silent, Cai Yan's tone was a little reproachful, and he said: "At the beginning of this year, I had the opportunity to make an alliance with Yuan, but now I missed the opportunity. Method."
Li Yanqiu laughed and said, "Not bad."
Xie You said: "When the winter begins, it is really not conducive to our troops to fight. In any case, we have to delay this year."
The Yuan people fought again and again, and they fought and came again, and the ghosts lingered. After crossing the Great Wall, they either committed Liao or Chen. If they did not organize a large-scale battle, there would be no peace.
At this point, the interests of all parties have remained the same, but when and how to fight is still unknown.
"I made an agreement with Yelu Zongzhen." Cai Yan said, "Let him send troops along the Yubi Pass to oppress the Yuan people. Then ask Yaohou to send troops north to support Hebei County. If the Yuan people attack the city, they will fight with them. If the Yuan people camp at the Xunshui for the winter, they will prepare for the next year to cooperate with the two countries to suppress the Yuan army. There must be a head-to-head battle and at least three years of respite. "
Li Yanqiu considered for a moment, but before answering, Cai Yan added: "According to the report of the messenger in the DPRK, Wang Shan and Wu Du are not in Yecheng. Where did they go during these critical times?"
Mu Kuangda replied, "It's not clear yet."
Cai Yan's face was gloomy, and Chen Mao said: "The prefect of a county leaves his post without permission, and young people are unstable after all."
Mu Kuangda said: "The generals are outside, and the ruler's orders have not been led. The Qixi Festival battle shows the effect of Wu Du and Wang Shan's cooperation, but there is no need to worry. It's just that these people are like wolves and tigers. How to deal with it, please show your majesty. Down."
Mu Kuangda looked at Li Yanqiu and knew how to make a choice. It all depended on the emperor alone. The current army of 50,000 has far exceeded the capabilities of Wu Du and Wang Shan. The next step is to take a gamble or deploy troops to support them. See what Li Yanqiu means.
"The edict was passed on to Yao Fu." Li Yanqiu said, "let him send troops to support Hebei."
The weather was getting colder, and the plain was deserted with tumbleweeds everywhere.
The charcoal kilns around Yecheng were emitting ash and smoke, and in the wilderness, many people were setting fire to the ground, preparing to plant in the spring.
Duan Ling and Wu Du climbed to the mountain behind the Prefect's Mansion, west of Ye City, and the sky was covered with gray.
"What did you bring me here for?" Duan Ling asked.
"Come out for a walk." Wu Du replied, and took off a burden from his horse. This place is not far from the prefect's mansion. A small road goes out from the back of the mansion, leading to a mountainside full of green pines. On the mountainside is a half-person-high stone wall separated by wooden boards.
Between the wooden boards, there is a misty hot spring.
Duan Ling had not taken a bath for many days, fell into the water and traveled long distances, and couldn't help but be overjoyed. Wu Du was about to stay warm with Duan Ling for a while, but Duan Ling hurriedly undressed and entered the hot spring pool.
Wu Du was helpless, so he had to take off his clothes and go into the pool with him.
As soon as Duan Lingfu entered the water, he cried out with an "ah", "It's so hot!"
Wu Du hugged Duan Ling's waist, spread his feet apart, and let him sit on his lap to prevent the bottom of the pool from slipping and falling.
"When did this happen?" Duan Ling felt that the hot spring was cleaned up.
"Yecheng has a hot spring since ancient times." Wu Du replied, "The former prefect has repaired it, but he will enjoy it."
Even after sleeping for a day and a night, the fatigue of the past few days has not completely dissipated. So soaking in the pool, all the fatigue is immediately washed away.
At dusk, the fiery red sunset shone under the dark clouds, shining between the mountains and forests, Duan Ling took a bath and lay lazily in Wu Du's arms.
Wu Du chose a shallow pool, the pool water soaked their naked bodies, Wu Du's chest and strong back were soaked red, and the strong skin shone in the water.
"Lie down a little." Wu Du whispered in Duan Ling's ear, and then pulled Duan Ling's legs with both hands from behind.
Duan Ling got up, turned around, straddled Wu Du's waist, and looked down into his eyes.
This time he took the initiative, Wu Du wanted to hug him, but he held both hands down.
Duan Ling looked at Wu Du intently, and sat down slowly, Wu Du's breathing became rapid, and the hot spring water rippled slightly with Duan Ling's ups and downs.
The setting sun sank, leaving the last lavender light behind, shining on Duan Ling's shoulders. With the wind blowing, the dark clouds gradually dissipated, and the Tianhe River in the night sky was reflected in the pool. Wu Du was lying in the pool, the stars in the sky loomed in his eyes, and under the stars, was Duan Ling's handsome and handsome face.
Wu Du turned and hugged Duan Ling, let him lean against the edge of the pool, kissed him with his scorching lips, then leaned over him, went to the deepest point, held him still, and whispered in his ear.
Duan Ling had tears in his eyes, stroked Wu Du's neck, replied in a low voice, and entangled with him.
After a long time, both of them were dizzy, Wu Ducai took Duan Ling out and wiped his body dry.
With the mountain wind blowing, Duan Ling wrapped a cotton robe and walked down holding hands with Wu Du.
"What are you thinking?" Wu Du's face flushed.
"I don't even want to go back." Duan Ling and Wu Du intertwined their fingers and whispered, "Although this place is desolate, it is also beautiful."
Wu Du replied: "When I go back to the East Palace, I will sweep out all the unsightly things and leave me alone."
Duan Ling laughed. When the two returned to the prefect's mansion, it was the time when they were holding the lantern, and the mansion brought the menu to Duan Ling.
"Sit down." Duan Ling motioned for Wu Du to sit on the main seat.
"I'm going to drink with Zheng Yan." Wu Du replied.
Duan Ling knew what Wu Du meant. He wanted to meet Yelu Zongzhen and Batu, but Zheng Yan could not participate, so Wu Du went to accompany him to dinner so as not to be neglected.
"Also." Duan Ling thought about it and nodded.
Anyway, he's back home, so there shouldn't be any danger.
"Prepare to serve wine and food." Duan Lingchao Sun Ting said, "Everyone has worked hard. After serving the wine and food, let the guest's guards guard outside the courtyard. You are waiting outside the middle courtyard. If you have any news, please let the captain of the school know at any time. that is."
Sun Ting nodded, and after a while, Yelu Zongzhen came first and nodded towards Duan Ling.
"Go to the hot spring?" Yelu Zongzhen said.
Duan Ling smiled and said, "How do you know?"
Yelu Zongzhen replied: "I wanted to talk to you in the afternoon, so as not to make a mistake, they said you went to the back mountain."
Duan Ling said, "You can go anytime you want. Batu is here...it doesn't matter, it's half of your own."
Duan Ling especially told Wu Du that although he was a native of Yuan, he should not treat Batu badly, and Lang Junxia did the same. So Wu Du only let Batu live in the mansion, let Shuluduan and several guards watch, and put him under house arrest temporarily.
When the servants in the house were serving dishes, Shuluduan brought Batu over and made a gesture of invitation, while he went to guard outside the door. After serving the dishes, Shuluduan closed the hall door, put his hands behind his back, and stood outside the door.
His words were very few, and the loyalty could be smelled through the door.
"Please take a seat." Duan Ling said.
Yelu Zongzhen said with a smile in his eyes, "Bu Erchijin, I saw you in a hurry that day, and I haven't seen you for a long time. Let's chat."
Batu glanced at the two of them, and was locked up for several days, still exuding anger from his body.
But he didn't say anything, just sat down in the guest's seat.
Duan Ling thought to himself that you should take a bath, but still the same as before, not fond of bathing.
"I'm hungry, let's eat first, the two of you please." Duan Ling raised a glass to the two of them, Yelu Zong really accepted the glass, and the two drank wine, but Batu didn't move, looking at Duan Ling silently.
Duan Ling was really hungry and only ate a bowl of noodles in the morning. After he put down the wine glass, he started tearing the noodle cake, dipping it in braised pork sauce, drinking lamb soup, adding vegetables, and gobbling it down.
Yelu Zongzhen said: "Yecheng tastes good."
Duan Ling said: "A master who is proficient in cooking has come, and it has improved a little. Previously, the dishes in the mansion were definitely not dared to be served to guests."
Batu originally thought that Duan Ling would say something, but he didn't expect that the two of them actually had a meal, so his anger subsided immediately and began to eat.
"You underestimate him too much." Yelu Zongzheng said to Batu, "Sure enough, he fell into trouble."
Duan Ling said: "Since he was a child, he played against me, and I finally pulled it back. If it wasn't for him to save me, I wouldn't have lost. Batu, I apologize to you, it's my fault, it's up to the two of us. Friendship counts against you, but I can't help myself, I toast you."
When Duan Ling said this, it could be regarded as a full face of Batu.
"I fucking found it myself," Batu replied, grabbing his cup and drinking it all in one gulp.
Duan Ling laughed, Yelu Zongzhen also respected Batu, and everyone drank the wine.
"I'll send you back in a few days." Duan Ling said again.
"Send me back?" Batu said sarcastically.
Duan Ling said: "Otherwise? What do you want?"
Batu replied: "Wokuotai will not accept any of your conditions, give up."
"No need." Yelu Zongzhen said, "I have already sent my subordinates to Xingye to send a letter to Helianbo. At that time, Xiliang, Chen, and Liao will join forces to fight against your Yuan. The next time we meet, maybe it will be on the battlefield."
Duan Ling secretly said yes, Yelu Zongzhen is really fierce.