The battle of Hedong slowly came to an end amid the relief of a group of hermit masters.
In September of the fourth year of Zhonghe, Li Keyong, the governor of Hedong, led his troops to Chang'an; Zhu Li, the general of Huaihua, took advantage of the opportunity and quickly captured five prefectures in Hedong, including Taiyuan, Shizhou, Xizhou, Yizhou, and Fenzhou, forcing Li Keyong's forces in Hedong to retreat to Fennan.
When the news reached Chang'an, Li Keyong, who was burning the palace, was so angry that he spit out a mouthful of blood. He immediately turned his troops into the river and rushed towards Jinzhou.
After this defeat, Li Keyong's power was greatly reduced. He quickly degenerated from the former number one vassal state in the Central Plains to an ordinary vassal state. His power is now even weaker than that of Yang Xingmi and Zhu Wen.
Zhu Li controlled the eight states of Hejian, the ten states of Hedong, and the grasslands along the Yinshan Mountains, and suddenly became the largest vassal state in the Central Plains, with great power and influence throughout the world.
Zhu Li ordered General Xuanwu Zhao Zilong to be the governor of Fenzhou, and Xie Tian and Xie Di to be deputy generals, and led 30,000 troops to build a pass at Gaobiling to block the Hedong army in the south.
He ordered the Light Cavalry Commander Lü Fengxian to be the governor of Yizhou, and Moheduo and Mohe?1? to be deputy generals, and to lead 30,000 troops to station in Yushe to defend Wuxiang.
He ordered Guide Zhonglang Jiang Gao Siji to be the garrison commander of Jingxing, and Ji Kui to be the deputy general to garrison Jingxing Pass.
Wang Chan was promoted to General of the Central Army of Guide and stationed in Ningwu.
Xue Wei was promoted to General of the Central Army of Guide and stationed in Shiling Pass.
Huo Qing was promoted to General of the Central Army of Huaihua and Governor of Xizhou, and Gai Hong and Gao Mian were appointed as deputy generals. They led 30,000 elite troops to garrison Daning to guard against Cizhou.
Zhou Dewei was promoted to General of the Left Thousand Oxen Guard and Governor of Shizhou, and Ren Huan was appointed as a deputy general, stationed in Shizhou to respond to the four directions.
Of course, the positions of governor held concurrently by these generals were only temporary. Once Shuozhou sent out a new governor, they would have to give up the position.
After arranging all this, Zhu Li returned to Shuozhou with Yuchi Jin, and He Huihu and Cheng Huaixin, who had surrendered long ago.
On the way, Zhu Li and Yuchi Jin rode in front, while He Huihu and Cheng Huaixin led their troops to follow behind, avoiding the guards and soldiers. Yuchi Jin pouted and complained to Zhu Li in dissatisfaction: "Why did you leave Xie Tian and Xie Di in Fenzhou?"
"That's someone else's general, not one of yours, right?"
Zhu Li looked at her in surprise and said seriously: "Jin'er, you are almost becoming my family, let alone them."
"Who, who is going to become your family?" These words made Yuchi Jin's pretty face flushed, as if she was suddenly stung by a wasp, and she became shy and timid in an instant. Occasionally, she would steal a glance behind her stealthily, as if she was afraid that Zhu Li's words would be heard by the close guards, and her expression was indescribably shy.
"Did I say something wrong?" Zhu Li walked on without hesitation, turned around, and looked at the lady with burning eyes who made him unforgettable at first sight.
Under Zhu Li's gaze, Yuchi Jin instantly lost her former courage, snorted and turned her head away, but she still muttered, "You are punishing them in disguise, is it because of my exile to Hedong this time?"
Of course, she was referring to the Xie brothers, and Zhu Li knew it very well.
"Why do you say that? Not only did I give them official titles, I also let them stay by my brother's side. Didn't you see how happy they were? If it was a punishment, how could they be so happy?" Zhu Li refused to admit it.
In fact, he asked the Xie brothers to leave Yuchi Jin because he was worried about these two guys. Zhu Li had this idea as early as when Yuchi Jin went missing.
He had no doubt about the loyalty of the Xie brothers, but he couldn't help but worry about their impulsiveness. Impulsiveness is the devil. Fortunately this time, although it took some time, Yuchi Jin was finally found safely. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous.
"You stingy guy, you look like nothing happened on the surface and people thought you wouldn't mind, but it turns out you do mind. Otherwise, why would you leave Xie Tian and Xie Di in Fenzhou?" Yuchi Jin was indignant and kept questioning Zhu Li.
"If you mind, why don't you tell me when you meet? Why do you keep it in your heart and let others speculate based on your decision?"
Zhu Li glanced at her indifferently and said helplessly: "Jin'er, even if I say I don't mind, I'm afraid you won't believe it."
"But I really don't mind it. I'm just a little scared. In such a chaotic time, how can a young lady like you wandering outside without a family member worrying about you?"
Upon hearing this, Yuchi Jin lowered his head and said sullenly, "Why didn't you ask when we met?"
"What are you asking?" Zhu Li was puzzled.
"Ask me why I left Yongfengli without saying a word; why I ended up in Hedong; why I helped Li Keyong do so many things; don't you want to know these reasons?" Yuchi Jin refused to believe it and kept asking.
"Oh, does that make sense?"
"What, what makes sense?" Zhu Li's question made Yuchi Jin confused.
"Is it meaningful to know this?" Zhu Li still looked at her seriously, "As long as you come back safe and sound, it doesn't matter whether I ask about the questions that worry you or not."
"Besides, my sworn brother was there at the time, thank God and the earth, and also He Huihu; I still understand the principle of 'teach your son in public and your wife behind your back'." Having said this, Zhu Li looked at Yuchi Jin with an expression that said, "I'm saving face for you."
"Who, who is your wife?"
"You, isn't it just a matter of time? What's more, you've admitted it in front of so many people. If I don't marry you, who will you marry?" Zhu Li said it very seriously, but this serious look, in Yuchi Jin's eyes, seemed a bit mean.
"Asshole, Zhu Li, I just realized today that you are a asshole." Yuchi Jin was a little crazy. Now, she had long forgotten the problem that she was entangled with at the beginning. Instead, she hoped to find a rag to cover the mouth of this asshole Zhu Li.
The look of "you are my wife" and "you are my wife" made the unmarried Yuchi Jin's heart skip a beat every time she heard it. This sweetness was mixed with shame and indignation, which made her feel uncomfortable and she could not even think about the original topic.
Shuozhou, the governor's office.
Wang Yueyao, Zhu Ning'er, Lin Heier, and Zhu?m were chatting in a pavilion in the back garden. Of course, the little guy Zhu?m was eating something, it seemed he was eating a box of cakes, his face and neck were all wet, but he didn't even realize it and was enjoying the meal very much.
"Xiao San, can you slow down?" Zhu Ning'er couldn't bear it any longer. She looked at Zhu?m fiercely with a stern face, pretending to be angry.
Zhu?m, who was eating happily, raised his head quickly and looked over blankly when he heard his sister calling him. As for Zhu Ning'er's words asking him to eat slowly, he had already automatically filtered out the answer and had no idea what she meant.
Seeing this, Zhu Ning'er felt a little helpless and said angrily, "Humph, big brother will be back soon. When big brother comes back, I will let him spank you."
But when Zhu Xiaom heard the word "brother", he was not afraid at all. Instead, he became a little excited. He immediately stuck out his little head and said proudly, "Brother, if you come back, I will ask you to teach me how to use a stick. If my sister is disobedient, I will use the stick, 'bang', 'bang', 'bang', to spank her butt hard."
After saying that, he looked at Zhu Ning'er with an arrogant look, as if to show that he was not afraid of her at all.
In the scene where the sister and brother were threatening each other, Zhu Ning'er was almost driven crazy by Zhu?m's words. This bastard actually wanted to spank her, he was so bold.
Lin Heier was the first to burst out laughing, "Haha, sister Ning'er, if you really get spanked by this little jerk, you, as a sister, will be famous all over the world, haha."
"He dares?" Zhu Ning'er looked at Zhu?m unkindly.
"I, huh, I dare." Zhu?m was still not convinced.
Seeing that Zhu Ning'er was about to get angry and pull Zhu?m's ears, Wang Yueyao hurriedly said, "Okay, sister Ning'er, Sanlang is still young and doesn't understand. Sister, just let him be."
"Did you just say that the general will be back soon?" This is what Wang Yueyao cares about.
"Well, Sister Yueyao, my brother has already picked up Sister Jin'er. He has defeated the Hedong Army and will be back soon." Zhu Ning'er replied casually while still glaring at Zhu?m.
"Wow, is it true? My brother and Sister Jin'er are coming back?" Lin Heier exclaimed with excitement.
"Of course, Sister Hei'er, when have I ever lied to you?" Zhu Ning'er looked at Lin Hei'er with dissatisfaction.
But when Lin Heier heard that Yuchi Jin was coming back, he didn't pay any attention to Zhu Ning'er's eyes and his expression was always excited.
If we talk about the person that Lin Heier is most grateful to in the whole Shuozhou, it is naturally Yuchi Jin. It was that lady who brought her out of the devil's cave. That's why she was regarded as the adopted daughter by Zhu Li's parents. How could she not be happy that Yuchi Jin was able to return safely
But after hearing Zhu Ning'er's confirmation, Wang Yueyao fell into deep thought.
Yuchi Jin was really lucky, she was actually found by the general. Wang Yueyao was a little unwilling. You know, Zhu Li, Yuchi Jin and Wang Yueyao were the same age, almost eighteen years old.
Both girls were interested in Zhu Li, which was a fact seen by many people. The time when Yuchi Jin was away from Shuozhou was actually her best chance, but she did nothing.
Now that Yuchi Jin is coming back, the general's wedding must be not far away. Zhu Li's decision concerns the fate of both of them. At this time, it is impossible for her to say that she is not nervous.
She has been in Shuozhou for more than four years. During this long time, she has been constantly analyzing Zhu Li's words and deeds. She is sure that he is a man who is not fond of alcohol and women and is strict with himself.
There are many brothels and taverns in Shuozhou now, but Zhu Li has never been there once. This is a good proof. At least the Cuiwei Pavilion spies she hired have never found any information in this regard.
For Zhu Li, a high-ranking official who controls more than ten states, this is an incredible thing. In this era, Zhu Li is simply a rare flower, but also the rarest flower that makes women's hearts beat the most.
Whether it is a man or a woman, as long as he or she sincerely wants to obtain a long-lasting true love, he or she will hope to find a partner who is loyal to love. Whether in ancient times or in later generations, the foundation of family harmony must meet two points, that is, filial piety and loyalty. How many right and wrongs, how many misfortunes, and how many tragedies are caused by the violation of these two points.
Zhu Li was a man without a wife or concubines. Although he was a high-ranking official, he did not even pick wild flowers by the roadside. He kept himself clean and strictly disciplined himself, which really made her fall in love with him.
Yuchi Jin is back, and Wang Yueyao seems to be worried and anxious.