On the second day of the emperor's birthday ceremony, the Inner Court Division officially decreed that King Ji, Yan Que, and Ye Shizhen were the main judges to review Chi Yan's counter-case. There were not a few people who had doubts and sympathy for this huge case that once shook the entire beam, but because of the coercion of power and coercion, this emotion was suppressed for thirteen years. With the deepening of Xia Jiang's confession and retrial, the details of the Meiling massacre were revealed bit by bit, and the grief and indignation among the people in the court and the public grew higher and higher, almost to the point of boiling over.
Nie Feng, Nie Duo, and Wei Zheng were taken away by Xiao Jingyan because they were both witnesses and wanted to restore their identities. How to make these people appear in the most natural way at the most appropriate time is not a simple matter. According to Mei Changsu's previous habit, of course he has to worry about planning, but this time Lin Chen and Xiao Jingyan did not plan. And together, one gave the order as a doctor, and the other intervened from the standpoint of a friend, so the matter was finally planned and perfected by the prince's confidants and think tanks, without letting Mei Changsu intervene, just reporting it every day For the specific progress, let him not be affected by the external agitation as much as possible, and wait for the final result with a calm mind.
By mid-September, the retrial process was basically over, but since the case involved a wide range of issues, it was not just a matter of changing the verdict, so it continued for more than half a month to make detailed decisions on how to change and compensate. and pension matters.
On the fourth day of the tenth lunar month, the crown prince led three chief judges into the palace, and stayed there from morning until dusk before leaving. Two days later, the Nei Ting Division passed on three decrees in a row. One was to announce that a total of 31 people, including King Zhaoxue Qi, Lin Xie, and the civil and military officials involved in the case, were charged with treasonous crimes, and to spread their grievances to various places. Ordered to move Concubine Chen, King Qi and their descendants into the imperial mausoleum. And rebuild the Lin's ancestral hall, and both of them restore the ritual offerings according to their positions. The survivors of the case were reinstated and rewarded. The unjustly deceased will be given extra generous pensions to their families by the Ministry of Rites, and it will be scheduled for October 20th. The Lingtan Dojo was set up in the Taiyi Royal Monastery, and the emperor led hundreds of officials to offer sacrifices in person to appease the souls of the dead; thirdly, the first offenders in this case, Xia Jiang, Xie Yu, and several accomplices, were convicted of serious treason. shall be punished by delay. Xie Yu is dead, the corpse is unknown, and the investigation is suspended. Except for Princess Liyang, the first to report the meritorious grace and forgiveness of the three sons, all of his nine clans are linked.
These three wills have roughly confirmed the direction of the reversal of the case, and the next step is the implementation of detailed rules by various ministries, departments and localities. The memorial ceremony on October 20th was held as scheduled. To show respect, both the emperor and the prince wore plain crowns. He personally burns incense before the spiritual seat and burns the prayer to heaven. It was a gloomy day and the atmosphere was gloomy. After Emperor Liang added incense candles, he even cried in public. Indicates that he wants to punish himself. Although Xiao Jingyan never expected that he would do such a thing. He was not surprised, and only said some routine clichés. Slightly persuaded to stop, and did not accompany him to a sensational drama of the father crying. And Emperor Liang was obviously just talking about it. Many days after the ceremony, he never mentioned the crime of committing crimes.
During this period, Mei Changsu suffered another cold, but his condition was much better than before. Due to the obvious effect, Dr. Yan initially approved Lin Chen's treatment direction, and everyone was very happy and grateful, which made the eldest son Lin feel proud for a long time.
Now Xiao Jingyan has basically undertaken all the affairs of the government, and his busyness has increased unabated. However, when he had a little spare time, he would ride Jian Cong lightly and go to the Su residence to meet his friends without disturbing anyone. After the Lin's ancestral hall was completed, he also secretly arranged for Mei Changsu to hold a very formal sacrifice as his son. Except for that day, the small wooden sign with "Lin Shu's position" written on it will always be in this cool and cool ancestral hall, occupying the place where it should appear in the eyes of outsiders. Xiao Jingyan sees it every time, Will feel heartache.
Compared with the complicated emotions of Prince Donggong's mixed emotions, Lin Chen, who had never known Lin Shu, was only pure joy. After all, the major event that Mei Changsu was thinking about the most was finally completed. and opportunities to take advantage.
"Changsu, how come you are getting more and more at this last moment, and your mood is more peaceful?" After the routine pulse recheck, Lin Chen asked cheerfully, "I thought the day when the Golden Palace was injustice would be a bad time for you. It's a big pass, who knows that everything will be fine when you come back, that is, your face is a little pale, your anger is a little bit, your pulse is a little bit chaotic, and people are shaking a little bit, "How can you still say that everything is fine? ! "Li Gang, who was accompanying him, couldn't help but want to spray him with water.
"The level is very good." Lin Chen said indifferently, "It's not dangerous if you adjust it a little. You know what I'm most afraid of is that you relax, and suddenly you can't do it, then I will Call it no way."
Mei Changsu retracted his wrists, put down his sleeves, and said with a smile, "Perhaps as Jingyan said, thousands of kung fu are done in the front. Every time I made progress in the past 13 years, I felt a little more relaxed in my heart, until the last day, but it was just a wish to see it with my own eyes. Now that the result is under control, I can be excited again. Where to go?"
"Stop deceiving people," Lin Chen snorted, "If you praise you, you are still crawling along the pole, thinking I really don't know? You are stable, not because you are really not excited, but because you are not excited. You haven't let go of that tone at all. I know what you think, you just don't have confidence in your own body, you are afraid, you are afraid that when everyone is happy, you will suddenly be unable to hold on, and the happy event will suddenly turn into a mourning event. Friends from the ground have mixed joys and sorrows, and have suffered a lot, don't they? You think it will be a little easier to hold on for a few more months than to die as soon as the case is overturned, and the impact will be less for everyone, don't you?"
"Young Master Lin," Li Gang's expression changed suddenly, "Why are you talking so badly? What life and death, how could our Sect Master be unable to hold on?"
"You got it," Lin Chen waved his hand and squinted at him, "You people, don't even look at who he is, like you, you are careful, hide your taboos, don't tell the truth, and hide your worries. , to be useful to ordinary patients, but with him... Let's take a rest. This kid's crystal and delicate heart, what can you hide from him? It's just deceiving yourself to deceive others, and in the end, everyone's heart is heavy, It's no good for anyone!"
"But... but..." Li Gang was originally very good at words. But being taught by him like this, he couldn't find a word for a while, although he still disagreed in his heart. But he could only stare blankly and open his mouth.
Mei Changsu was holding a cup of hot tea. After a moment of silence, he slowly said, "Then what exactly do you want to say?"
"I want to say, there is only one thing you need to do now, and that is to relax. Trust me," Lin Chen smiled and leaned in front of him, "Don't set limits on yourself, don't think about paying back. Whether it can last five months or ten months, you just do your best, and I will do my best, okay?"
Mei Changsu looked back at him quietly, and it was rare for Lin Chen to not show a smile on his face. Communication between two intelligent people sometimes requires no words. After a moment of silence, Mei Changsu gave a low "um".
"As for your plan to leave the capital, I'm not against it." Lin Chen laughed immediately, "The place with beautiful scenery is suitable for recuperation. Things in the capital are too complicated and chaotic. It's really not easy to calm down. Let's go back. Langya Mountain is the best place in the world. It still belongs to my family Langya Mountain.”
"Okay," Mei Changsu said with a smile, "Autumn is the season of high air and fresh air, and it's the right time to go out, but before leaving, you still have to tell Jingyan. If he suddenly disappears, he might not be thinking about it."
"Sect Master Sect Master, will you take us with you when you go out?" Li Gang asked hurriedly.
"What are you doing with you?" Mei Changsu raised his eyebrows, "Even though you have no kinship concerns, and you are unwilling to return to your old bodies to receive rewards from the court, you don't need to always follow me, do you? Well, you don't care, do you want me to take care of it? This time I only bring Fei Liu, and you all go back to Langzhou."
Li Gang was in a hurry, "Sect Master, Fei Liu is a child, he won't take care of people at all!"
"Isn't there Lin Chen?"
"Please, Sect Master, Young Master Lin... it's fine if you don't take care of him..."
"Hey," Lin Chen was dissatisfied, "what do you mean by that?"
Li Gang ignored him, plopped down on his knees in front of Mei Changsu, and insisted: "Sect Master, you have to take one of Zhen Ping and I with you, just go out with a child and someone who is not serious, we will die. I don't agree either!"
Lin Chen grabbed the folding fan and knocked on Li Gang's head, scolding: "What do you think? He is the suzerain, and if he tells you to go back to the Jiangzuo League to do things, you have to go. Who dares to disobey? You are so beautiful, there are no doors! There are no windows! Go back to Langzhou and work hard for the alliance! If you want to follow, Gong Yu must follow, she is just idle!"
Before Li Gang could react, Mei Changsu had already sat up: "Lin Chen, what did you say..."
"Best of both worlds!" Lin Chen remarked, "They think I'm not serious, and no one will die or agree, so they can't really let them die, right? But Li Gang and Zhenping are not busy, you said, Jiang Zuo League still has a lot of things to do. Son! Of course Gong Yu is the most suitable, Li Gang, go and tell Gong Yu and tell her to prepare."
Li Gang's reaction was fast enough this time, and with just one answer, the person ran away. Mei Changsu glared at Lin Chen with a stern face, and said, "Don't make trouble, you really want to bring along, there are so many candidates, how inconvenient to bring a girl?"
"Girls, be careful. Besides, Li Gang has already gone to tell her, and it's too sad to say that you don't bring it now," Lin Chen said with a smile, "Okay, you should take a girl with you when you go out. Hey. You are a young master, don't tell me that you have never used a girl in your life. "
Mei Changsu was surrounded by him for a while, and Li Gang ran away again. Thinking about it, there was nothing he could do. At this time, even if he insisted not to bring it, I was afraid that Gong Yu would follow him secretly, but it would be strange, so he might as well be calm. Everyone gets along well as usual.
"Tell you, I've made a plan," Lin Chen became more and more elated when he saw him give in, "Let's go to Fuxian Lake in Huozhou to taste Xianlu tea, stay for two days, and go to Master Qin's place to eat vegetarian food, so that we can cultivate our body for half a day. Yue, walk along the Tuojiang River, and travel to Xiaoling Gorge, where there is a Buddha light on the mountain, you can see it for ten days, then go to Fengqigou to see the monkeys, Weiming, Zhusha and Qinglin have not seen each other for a long time. Don't you like to eat the drunken peanuts of the thimble mother-in-law? Let's go get two jars before returning to Langya Mountain..."
"Alright, alright," Mei Changsu raised both hands with a weak expression, "Lin Chen, according to your approach, it will take us half a year to arrive at Langya Mountain, right?"
"What happened for half a year?" Lin Chen looked at him deeply, "What do you count the time for? What's the benefit if you count it clearly? Believe me, let's just go this way, can we finally go back to Langya Mountain? It's not necessary at all. Think about things, don't you?"
Mei Changsu looked back at him quietly, a warm feeling in his heart. Lin Chen thought he understood, and because he understood, he didn't need more politeness.
"Okay, then I'll ask you, Mongolian doctor. I'll tell Jingyan in two days, and let's go together."
Lin Chen laughed and jumped up, patted Mei Changsu's shoulder several times, and then happily rushed out of the courtyard, shouting: "Xiao Feiliu, come out quickly, you have to follow Brother Lin Chen is going out together!"
Fei Liu, who was counting birds next to the bird's nest on the tree, was startled and fell down with a plop. Lin Chen smiled, Aunt Ji smiled, Li Gang, Zhenping and Gong Yu, who rushed over, also laughed together, and even Mei Changsu, who heard it from the window, shook his head and laughed secretly.
The Su house on this day was cheerful, some people put aside their heavy burdens, some people held on to hope, and everyone was willing to laugh, hoping that the future could continue forever.
But whether it is Mei Changsu, who has no last resort, or Lin Chen, who has insight into the world, at this moment, he did not expect that just two days later, several expedited express reports of Starry Night entering Beijing, like thunderbolts, exploded in an instant. The sky of the Daliang Empire.
The seventh volume of love, the last chapter of the Qianqiu chapter
"Da Yu Xing's 100,000 troops crossed the border and raided, and Gunzhou fell!"
"Shangyang's army was defeated, Hezhou and Xuzhou fell, and Hanzhou was besieged, crying for help!"
"Donghai Marines invaded the coastal states, plundered people and property, and the situation is difficult to control in the local area. Please help!"
"The 50,000 Beiyan Iron Cavalry has broken through the Yinshan Pass and entered the Hetao, approaching Tanzhou, urgent!"
"Ye Qin rebelled, the local governor was killed, please send troops to suppress it quickly!"
A whole stack of urgent documents was pressing on Xiao Jingyan's desk like a hill, and many battle reports were on the way. The three neighboring countries launched attacks at almost the same time period, and there were rebellions in the territory. Even if it happened in the heyday of Daliang, this was a great crisis, not to mention that Daliang was already on the decline at this time, especially when King Qi was in the past. After trying to improve but failed, the situation of corrupt government affairs and armaments has become more and more serious. Although Xiao Jingyan has made great efforts to rectify in the past year, it has improved slightly, but the weakness accumulated over the decades can not be cured overnight. Now facing the teacher of tigers and wolves, if there is no good way to resist and fight to the death, I am afraid that the country will really be destroyed, the country will be shaken, and the people will suffer the disaster of losing their home and country.
"His Royal Highness, in addition to the garrisons that must be retained for security in various places, the number of troops that can be mobilized has been counted, a total of 170,000, including 100,000 troops in Taiwan and 70,000 garrison troops. In addition, the southern border and the western border..."
"Neither the southern border nor the western border army can move. First, the labor and division will be transferred far away, which will wear down the combat power. The distant water can't save the near fire. Second, Da Chu and Xi Li are not just watching the fun. They must maintain deterrence." Xiao Jingyan gave a hand. I took the memorial from Li Lin, the minister of the Ministry of War, and quickly looked at the distribution of these troops. "Needless to say, the Taiwan Army, how is the equipment of the 70,000 garrison troops?"
"It's okay, about 20,000 people are not fully armored. But the Ministry of War still has inventory, and it will be ready soon."
"What about money and food?"
"In times of crisis, I will try my best to raise funds," Shen Zhui said immediately, "I have already thought of a few appropriate ways to raise funds. As long as His Highness agrees, I will be responsible for implementing it."
"You don't need to go into details, you're on target. You can do it quickly." Xiao Jingyan clenched the newspaper in his hand and repeated it again in a murmur. "170,000... what do you guys think?"
His words were obviously aimed at several high-ranking military officials who were summoned to discuss matters. These people looked at each other for a while, unable to speak for a while. In the end, Duke Heng murmured and said, "His Royal Highness, the ministers are still the Lord and... It's better to send someone to negotiate first..."
"Master?" Xiao Jingyan sneered a few times. "Generally speaking, it's all the civil servants who lead the peace, and the military generals who lead the battle. Why are we in the opposite direction, and the war is almost burning across the river, but the civil ministers lead the battle, and the military marquis lead the peace?"
"His Royal Highness, Master Liu, Master Shen, their opinions are of course for the country and the people, but it's just a little bit of standing and talking without back pain, not the ministers and other cowardly fighting, but this is only 170,000, and we have to deal with Dayu, Donghai, Beiyan, Ye Qin… the troops are really insufficient…”
Xiao Jingyan's face was as cold as iron, and his eyes were pinned like ice needles into the old soldier's face: "The strength of the army is not necessarily insufficient, it depends on how to calculate it."
Heng Guogong blushed, got up and said: "Old minister is ignorant, please advise Your Highness." "Da Yu, Donghai, Beiyan and Yeqin were all fighting at the same time. Should they be quelled at the same time? Everything must be prioritized first, and it also depends on the situation and consequences that will occur in the development. The East Sea Division invades the sea, after all, the landing force is limited and cannot enter the hinterland. The garrison could have dealt with it, but The local officials have been playing for a long time and are not familiar with water warfare, so the court does not need to send troops, but only needs to assign generals who are good at water warfare to coordinate the war. , Compared with the troops that were recruited from other places, they have to do their best." Xiao Jingyan looked directly at His Highness's ministers, and his tone was very calm, "Besides Ye Qin, it is located in the western border, and the troops are weak, so it's just chaos in the local area. The farthest point is that they can't beat Chaoyang Ridge, but it's just a scabies problem. You can first divide the forces of the neighboring states to control the situation, and then take care of it when you free up your hands."
After Xiao Jingyan said this, the panicked mood in the entire council room suddenly stabilized a lot. The middle book commander Liu Cheng said, "Your Highness's analysis is extremely true. Only the 100,000 Great Yu Army and the 50,000 Beiyan Iron Cavalry are the ones who really endanger Daliang Jiangshan. We don't have to be too guilty when we count our strength."
"But the strength of troops is not as simple as a number," Xiao Jingyan's blade-like gaze slowly dragged across the faces of His Highness's military officials, "The same soldiers, brought by different people, have different combat strength. Now the lack of land is not soldiers, The formation of officers below the school lieutenant is also very complete. We are only the general and the commander-in-chief. Ladies and gentlemen, Daliang has entered the wartime. It is when you are worried about the country and establish a military meritorious land. Any recommendation is fine.”
As soon as he asked this sentence, His Highness's military officials almost all tensed up, all bowed their heads and said nothing. In the past ten years or so, the battles in Daliang have mainly been concentrated in the southern border of Daliang and the western border of Xili, and the wolf smoke from other places was mostly fought by Xiao Jingyan of the Jingwang era. Most of the high-ranking military officials sitting here today have not been at war for a long time, not to mention some are hereditary. Although their status is high, it is actually useless. In the case of bandits occupying the mountains, the imperial court will assign a commander to make military achievements. The errands are all done by middle-level officers, but they are the winners. So seriously, in the eyes of people who came from fighting like Xiao Jingyan, they are not even the real military. If you want to count on them to fight, it is better to let the soldiers commit suicide faster. However, these people have extremely wide connections in the capital, and they are all from aristocratic family backgrounds. If there is no proper opportunity and reason, they really cannot be easily touched.
"Why don't you speak?" Xiao Jingyan's voice was as icy as ice, "Heng Guogong. You say it." "Old... The old minister is already old, I'm afraid it will be difficult to take on a heavy responsibility, please ask Your Highness..."
"What about Marquis Huaiyi?"
"Chen...I...I...I'm also old. As long as I have something I can do, I won't give up. But this is leading an army to meet the enemy, I...I have more than my heart but I'm not enough..."
"Marquis Huai Yi, I'm about to tell you," Shen Zhui interjected, "Don't you have more than 700 horses in your Jade Dragon Pasture? I heard that they are all domesticated according to the standard of war horses. Last time During the Spring Hunting, you also said that the children of the princes and noble families came to your horse farm to buy horses..."
"Oh," Huai Yihou responded fairly quickly, and immediately patted his forehead, "Sir Shen didn't remind me, I forgot, I told the steward earlier this morning to have him check all the good horses in the pasture quickly. Once again, the court will definitely need it!"
Xiao Jingyan's face was cold, as if he hadn't heard what he said. But his eyes finally left him and moved to others. Soon, these "old" or "sick" military officials were wringing their brains one after another. I scrambled to explain what things "could be used by the court" in my home...
"Come down and tell Shen Zhui," Xiao Jingyan cut off their words mercilessly. "The most urgent task now is to help the north as soon as possible. Stop Dayu and Beiyan from continuing south and regain lost ground. The Shangyang army in charge of the north has been defeated. Commander Qi was killed in battle, and the army is unstable. The 170,000 reinforcements will go north and need a fight. Quick wins to stabilize the overall situation. So Ben Gong decided to…”
Before he could say anything, the council hall was already stunned, and Shen Zhui rushed forward a few steps and shouted: "Please think twice, Your Highness! Now that the country is in danger, Your Majesty is... When it’s time to go out, don’t go out in person!”
A dozen high-ranking officials also knelt down and persuaded them to stop. Even a few military officials followed the scene and repeatedly said, "No, no," Xiao Jingyan sighed and said, "I naturally understand what the ministers mean. Withered? Isn't the life and death of Daliang more important than the safety of me alone?"
Having said that, no one dared to say what kind of changes in the court situation would be caused by his expedition at this time. The confidants and important officials were so anxious that they risked the fire, but there were really few people who could be sent out to fight by the court now, not to mention today's The situation is not a small battle, and it is not that the situation can be suppressed by temporarily promoting a few middle-level officers, but it is the biggest crisis in Daliang in more than ten years. It is really not easy to find someone who can replace Xiao Jingyan in a while. .
"That's right, Your Highness." After racking his brains, Cai Quan suddenly had an epiphany, "Several former Chiyan generals who have been reinstated are worthy of reuse, although... just after they were rehabilitated, some were sent to the battlefield... er... But the country is in crisis, they It is also duty-bound…”
The old general represented by Chi Yan was the military system and general policy of King Qi’s era. If it was to be kept in peacetime, the high-ranking military officials would definitely try to hinder the promotion of these people’s status. Willing to go to the front to fight bloody, of course, they are strongly in favor of support.
Hearing this proposal, Xiao Jingyan pondered for a while. With the situation in the country like this, the old generals of Chi Yan certainly couldn't stay out of it. He had thought about this for a long time. However, after careful analysis, only Nie Feng could be the only one who could be on his own, but he had a problem with his voice, which made it inconvenient to command. When others think about it, it is enough to be a general, but they are not very competent for the duties of a coach.
Thinking of this, Xiao Jingyan's gaze couldn't help moving to the east corner of the hall. There was a screen there, and a detailed map of the North was hanging on the screen. A slender figure was standing in front of the map, with his hands behind his back, contemplating it, as if he was not at all distracted by the noise here. influences.
"Mr. Su, come and persuade His Highness too." Shen Zhui felt that the Prince's attitude had changed recently, as if he was particularly fond of this talented unicorn, and before he could think about it, he had already said, "There is no one in charge of the overall situation in the capital. People, people's hearts will float!"
When Mei Changsu was called by him, he turned his head and asked in a dazed way, "What did Lord Shen say?" "His Royal Highness said he wants to go to the expedition in person!"
Mei Changsu immediately frowned and looked up at Xiao Jingyan. Although he didn't speak, his objection was strong.
Xiao Jingyan knew that the time was indeed pressing now, and that military matters were left to the people in the palace to discuss, so he ordered them to do their own work. After everyone had withdrawn, he got up and walked towards Mei Changsu, saying, "Looking at what you mean, it seems that you already have a general idea about the candidate for the general?"
"Yes."
"Don't tell me you're going. Even if I go, I won't let you go."
"Then let's talk about other things first," Mei Changsu didn't argue, "the old general of Chi Yan must be used in this battle. Your Highness has no objection to this? Where is the reputation of Chiyan people, first of all, there is no need to worry about whether the subordinate soldiers will be convinced." "Of course. For the old generals of Chiyan, the process of standing up is not difficult, and everyone is full of admiration. Yes." Xiao Jingyan agreed, "Besides, Fang Xue was ordered to be in danger. It would only be admirable. If someone else was sent, I'm afraid that the first thought of the soldiers would be to give their lives again to earn credit for the lords... "
"I made a rough row. It is the most suitable for Donghai to let Nie Duo go, you can rest assured; Ye Qin has nothing to discuss, let's not talk about it for the time being. Beiyan Tuobahao led 50,000 iron cavalry all the way, but there are backups. The problem is that it doesn't seem like you have done enough effort and have great intentions. The purpose is probably just to achieve victory. Negotiate with us to get gold, silver and silk, or to return to the three states that were ceded to us 40 years ago. Tuoba Hao is supporting their seventh prince. Beiyan is still martial, if he can win back the lost ground in this battle, the reputation of the seventh prince will inevitably rise. What he has lost can't stand a few defeats at all, so when dealing with him, you must frustrate his spirit. When he finds that the gains outweigh the losses, he will naturally retreat. In terms of just defeating Gang, and fighting fast, Brother Nie's name is good for the wind. It's not a wave. Although he can't understand what other people understand now, Sister Dong can hear it very smoothly. The couple will go together, and if they have some good captains and generals, Tuobahao will definitely not be able to please him."
"That's right, that's what I thought too. The troops were divided into two groups. Nie Feng led 70,000 people to face Beiyan, and Da Yu was me..."
"Jingyan," Mei Changsu held his arm and shook his head gently, "You listen to me, listen to me first, okay?"
"Okay, go ahead." Xiao Jingyan raised his eyebrows, "I think you can tell how big a flower is."
"First of all, you can't go. In such a big battle, in addition to the front-line fighting, the rear supply and dispatching support is more important. It's not that I can't trust His Majesty the Emperor, but I can't trust him at all. I'm sure, once you get out of it, the consequences will be It’s unimaginable, you must not take chances on this.”
"I don't know about this, but..."
"Since you can't go, the next question we have to consider is who is suitable to go," Mei Changsu quickly cut off his words, "From the standpoint of lower-ranking officers and soldiers, what kind of coach do they need? What? It must be someone who really wants to be humble, has a reputation, and has the ability to make them willing to be driven by it. Except for Nihuang who cannot be mobilized and General Zhang of the Western Border Army, I can only think of one. people."
"Who?"
"Mengzhi."
Xiao Jingyan frowned, and he was about to object immediately, but Mei Changsu raised a hand to stop him, "Brother Meng was known for his bravery in battle when he was in the army, he has quite a few legends and anecdotes, and has a high reputation. , he is the number one master of our beam, and in the hearts of soldiers, he is naturally like a god, and the scene must be overwhelmed when he is sent."
"But whether a person is good at fighting or not and whether he is suitable to be a coach are two different things, right?" Xiao Jingyan glared at him, "You clearly know that Meng Zhi is indeed a strong general, but he has to take on the position of coach. he still… "
"I know that what the superiors have to consider when appointing a coach is of course not exactly the same as what the soldiers think. As a coach, the primary responsibility is to plan the overall situation and arrange the troops. These are indeed not the director of Brother Meng, and we need to find a way. make up for…”
When he said this, Xiao Jingyan suddenly understood, "Oh, do you want to tell me, just put a person who knows the overall situation and arranges troops next to Meng Zhi? Is this person you? ?"
Mei Changsu showed him a faint smile and said softly, "Jingyan, don't veto it in a hurry, I didn't make this request on a whim. Thinking about the old Uncle Nie Zhen, he didn't know much about force and physicality. Is he weak? He has been on the front line all the year round. Except for the last time when no one escaped, has he ever encountered danger? This time you let me go, naturally like him, with Brother Meng and Wei Zheng, what else do you have? Are you worried?"
"But how can the momentum of the reinforcements this time be compared to the Chiyan Army? You and I know the difficulties and dangers on the battlefield. I'm not worried that you won't be able to cope with the battle situation. . Fighting and marching requires physical strength!"
"If I didn't have confidence in my body, I wouldn't ask you to go to war. Think about it, I know that Brother Meng is not a handsome man, but I advise you to appoint him. If I am at a critical moment in the battle, I suddenly become ill and don't know about personal affairs. Isn't that hurting Brother Meng, and even more sorry to the soldiers on the front line and the people of Daliang?" Mei Changsu stared at his friend's face and said earnestly, "Jingyan, believe me, my first consideration is my own. Physical condition, this is not a problem. The current situation is so critical, I can't help taking risks!"
Xiao Jingyan pursed his lips, unable to find words to refute him. But after all, his heart was hanging on the ground, and he refused to nod his head, so he simply put on a straight face. Do not speak.
Mei Changsu did not persuade him further, but walked slowly to the window. Looking at the late autumn scenery outside the court. The expression between his eyebrows is distant, as if he is looking back in time. Think of the grandeur and youth of the past.
"The northern border is the battlefield I am most familiar with, and Da Yu is the opponent I am most familiar with." After a long time, Mei Changsu slowly turned his head, his thin smile was full of arrogance like frost, "Maybe it's because he is still in his bones. A soldier, even on this thirteen-year-long snowy road, I have been following the movements of the Da Yu military at all times, without the slightest relaxation. If I am not afraid of you being annoyed, even you may not be more successful than me. To grasp the land, let alone others. It is the monarch’s first responsibility to choose the right one, and the relationship between you and me is nothing but an affair. Jingyan, isn’t the life and death of Daliang more important than the safety of me alone?”
Mei Changsu didn't pay attention to the arguments in the main hall just now, but the last sentence he said was exactly the same as Xiao Jingyan's words when he tried to persuade the ministers. tight.
If the person standing in front of him is Lin Shu, everything will be logical and no one will want to stop Lin Shu from going to the battlefield. He is a natural god of war, he is an undefeated young general, he is the legend of Chi Yan and the pride of Daliang. He is the most trustworthy friend and the most reliable leader... However, the reality is always cruel, no matter how tough the mind and the strong mind are, they can't withstand the wear and tear of the sick body. My heart will be tangled, no matter what, Mei Changsu is no longer Lin Shu after all...
"I heard Wei Zheng say, do you have a Mongolian doctor?" After thinking for a while, Xiao Jingyan thought of an excuse for refusal, "I want to see him, if he says you can go, I will agree..."
Hearing this request, a complex expression suddenly flashed across Mei Changsu's eyes, but it disappeared in an instant, and when he looked closely, his expression was perfectly controlled.
"Okay, I'll go back and talk to Lin Chen." Mei Changsu bowed slightly, "To prepare for the expedition, His Highness has a lot of things to do, so I'll retire first."
Xiao Jingyan was a little flustered by his calm demeanor, and always felt that something beyond his control was spreading unscrupulously, but when he scrutinized it closely, he was at a loss.
However, this strange emotion didn't last long, because the urgent news from the front rushed in wave after wave, instantly occupying all his thoughts. A series of troop movements, personnel appointments and removals, silver and grain financing, and strategic integration, the ministers of various ministries took turns to discuss and report, and the prince was so busy that he could barely touch the ground, and he didn't even notice when Mei Changsu was quiet. quit.
Compared with the busy East Palace, the Su residence seemed much quieter and more peaceful. However, the haze of the war has permeated the entire capital, and Su's house is no exception. After Mei Changsu entered the door and got off the sedan chair, everyone tried their best to calm down, but the eyes that turned to him were still a little restless.
"Young Master Lin, please." After Mei Changsu briefly instructed Li Gang, he went straight back to his bedroom. After a while, Lin Chen came in alone, still with a smile on his face, standing in the center of the room, waiting for Mei Changsu to speak to him. But after waiting for a while, Mei Changsu was still in a trance, so he had to start by himself: "I just went out, and you have a few children who are signing up for the army at the recruiting office. It seems that the children of this family are also divided into two groups. One kind is useless like a worm, and the other kind, if tempered, can become the backbone of the country more easily than ordinary people..."
"When the national disaster is on the way, how can there be a man who doesn't join the army?" Mei Changsu said in a calm and authentic tone. "Lin Chen, I'm going too."
"Where?"
"battlefield."
"Stop joking," Lin Chen's face turned cold. "It's winter now, the battlefield is in the north, you can barely go. How many days can you last?" Three months. "
His answer was so quick that Lin Chen couldn't help but twitch. Lip color slightly turned white.
"Nie Duo brought two Bingxu grass," Mei Changsu's eyes fell peacefully on his face, and he whispered, "This grass can't last for a long time, you must have made it into Bingxudan. .right?"
"How did you know."
"This is Su's house, I know what's strange?"
Lin Chen turned his back, took a deep breath and said, "It's useless if you know, I won't give it to you."
"I understand your mood very well." Mei Changsu stared at his back and said quietly, "If it is according to the original plan, we will go to enjoy the scenery and relax our minds together. Then with your medical skills, maybe I can still do it. And then leisurely dragging on for the first half of the year...a year...or more..."
"It's not possible, it's possible. I know that I can!" Lin Chen suddenly turned around with fierce eyes. "Changsu. The old case is already clear, and the burden you put on yourself can be lifted. It's not too much to think about yourself at this time? There are so many things in the world, and they never stop, one after another. It's not you at all. One person can solve it! Why do you always give up when you shouldn't?"
"This is not giving up, but a choice," Mei Changsu looked directly into his eyes, her face was snow-white, but there was a smile on her lips, "People are always greedy. I will be satisfied, but now, I want to do more, I want to return to the battlefield, return to the north again, I want to revive the soul of the Red Flame Army as much as possible in the last time. Lin Chen, After serving for thirteen years, Mei Changsu was able to choose Lin Shu's ending in the end, isn't it a blessing to me?"
"Who knows Lin Shu?" Lin Chen closed his eyes to calm his emotions, "The friend I tried so hard to keep him alive is not Lin Shu... You yourself once said that Lin Shu had long ago Just died, in order to resurrect a dead person for three months, do you want to end yourself?"
"Although Lin Shu dies, it belongs to Lin Shu's responsibility and cannot die. But if there is a trace of Lin's spirit in the world, it will not allow the northern border of Daliang to be lost, the country will not be broken, and the people will be displaced. Lin Chen, I am very sorry, I promised you, but I want to break my promise... But I really need these three months. As far as justice is concerned, the flames in the northern border are blazing, and there is no general to send in the court. Between the mountains and rivers? From a selfish point of view, although I have you, I have a long way to go. If I can put on my battle armor again and ride the battlefield, I will have no regrets in this life. I am afraid that I will win by far. What has been lost..." Mei Changsu tightly held Lin Chen's arm with his fiery palm, and his eyes were as bright as stars, "Bing Xucao is a miracle medicine that can be found but not sought, and God asked Nie Duo to find it. , is to promise me that in the last three months, I can temporarily leave the sick body and relive the pride of the past. Lin Chen, we don't talk about righteousness or the people of the family and country. Just my little wish, please fulfill it. "
Lin Chen looked at him blankly and asked softly, "What about three months later?"
"I have carefully deduced the entire battle situation, and I have a grasp of the enemy's generals' territory. Within three months, I will be able to quell this mess and rebuild the northern defense line. As for the military's reorganization, Jingyan has already begun. Planning, after this battle, I believe that Daliang's combat power will gradually return to its heyday."
"I mean you," Lin Chen's eyes were deep, and his face was very gloomy, "three months later, what about you? After taking this Bingxu Dan, although it can stimulate physical strength with its medicinal effect, it is completely irreversible. The poison of life, once the three-month period arrives, even the Immortal Daluo will not be able to keep you for one more day."
"I know." Mei Changsu nodded lightly, "I am alive, but I will die. Lin Chen, I am ready."
Lin Chen clenched his teeth tightly, pulled open the front of his clothes, grabbed a small bottle from the inner pocket, and threw it to Mei Changsu very rudely, and said coldly: "It's up to you to give up or choose. I don't have the right to veto the decision, you can do whatever you want..." He turned around, kicked the door open, and strode out.
"where are you going?"
"The recruiting office outside is probably not closed yet, I'll go to sign up," Lin Chen just stopped and said without looking back, "I promised to accompany you to the last day. Although you broke your promise, I couldn't. If you lose your trust, wait until you get a military post. Lord Mei, please call me to be a personal soldier."
Mei Changsu's heart was hot, and he held the cold vial in his hand. Suddenly started to get hot. Although the other people in the courtyard did not know the existence of Bing Xudan or the details of the conversation between the two, it could be inferred from what Lin Chen said when he left, that Mei Changsu had decided to go to the north. . Several of the guards were hot-blooded guys, and Li Gang and Zhen Ping were old sergeants. On the one hand, they all wanted to go to the battlefield to defend the country and kill the enemy. On the other hand, they were afraid that Mei Changsu would not be able to withstand the hardships of the battle, and they all stood in the courtyard blankly, not knowing how to react.
In a stiff atmosphere, Gong Yu came out holding the piano and stroked alone under the corridor. Between the twisting of the slender fingers, the washing is gentle and clanging. A school of juvenile spirit, gold and iron horse, the piano sound is strong to the climax. Suddenly someone beat the bar and sang: "I think of that day when I joined the army with my hair tied up, I think of that day when I was in the Frost Corner Yuanmen. I think of that day when I held my sword and stunned the wind. I think of that day when I crossed the sky and climbed the clouds... In the blink of an eye, I was left alone. Looking at Yunshan, the barrier at that time, The creeping grass slants…”
During the singing, Mei Changsu got up and pushed the window open, staring at Tianyu, his brows raging with arrogance like a sharp sword.
The next day, the cabinet issued a decree, ordering Nie Feng to lead an army of 70,000 troops to face the Beiyan Iron Cavalry, and Meng Zhi to lead an army of 100,000 troops to fight against the Great Yuxiong soldiers. In the same decree, Mei Changsu, the famous white-clothed guest in the imperial capital, was also exceptionally appointed as the talisman superintendent. The day before he dispatched troops, Emperor Liang was probably startled by the recent land crisis. He suffered a stroke and was paralyzed in bed, unable to lift his limbs and unable to speak. Xiao Jingyan led the important officials of the clan and the generals of the reinforcements to greet him before the bed, and told him about the expedition. When everyone approached to bow one by one, Mei Changsu suddenly leaned into Emperor Liang's ear and didn't know what to say. The old emperor, who was already paralyzed, immediately opened his eyes wide, mouth drooling, and laboriously raised a hand. "Father, don't worry, Mr. Su is a talented countryman. He is not only well versed in the government's decisions, but also good at fighting and killing. With Meng Qing and him this time, the chaos can be settled. From now on, I can regain peace and stability in the northern border of the Liangliang. "Xiao Jingyan, who was standing beside him, said clearly, with a chill in his eyes.
Emperor Liang's hand finally fell down, his lips trembling crookedly, making a whimpering sound. What used to be supreme authority, now there are only vague etiquette left. When the close and noble officials followed Xiao Jingyan away, he could only hear his heavy breathing, in this cold and hard, no longer being noticed echoes in the deep palace.
The next day, the senior generals from the two reinforcements bid farewell to the imperial palace and went out to battle. Just like when Mei Changsu entered the capital in silence, the majestic city gate of the Jinling imperial capital also silently watched him leave at this moment. When he arrives, he wears no makeup and white clothes, and he is full of cunning. Two years of ups and downs seem to have changed the country, the only thing that remains unchanged is a pure heart, immortal.
The early winter wind blew through Mei Changsu's black mane horns, and rolled the jade-colored cloak behind him violently. Wu's steed, silver-clothed and thin armor, still feels so familiar in the chest, as if it is imprinted in the bone marrow, and it cannot be removed.
Looking at 100,000 men, galloping like a tiger, looking around Ai Jiang's best friends, and stubbornly holding on to each other. The world that was lost in the cold and snow of Meiling back then seems to have faintly returned to the front. Amidst the billowing smoke, a bright smile appeared on Mei Changsu's lips. He no longer looked back at the imperial capital, but turned his horse's head, urging the horse that was already flying with four hooves, and resolutely ran towards the place of his choice. The future is also the ending he chooses.
end
At the end of winter in the sixth year of Yuanyou, Daliang, Beiyan was unfavorable in the three battles and returned to its own country. Dayu lost 60,000 troops, and the table above paid money to ask for peace. The lost states were restored, and the people were pardoned and appeased. Meng Zhi's troops merged with Shangyang's defeated troops, reorganized, renamed Changlin Army, and stationed at the northern defense line. In this war, many young officers stood out and became reserve talents that can be vigorously cultivated. Xiao Jingyan and Yan Yujin also received military merit, but the former did not receive the reward due to his background.
For the common people, courtiers and the royal family, this is a complete victory. The strong prisoners have retreated, the border defenses are stable, the improvement of government and military affairs in the courtroom is advancing rapidly, and the destroyed homes of the state capitals are slowly being rebuilt. In a congratulatory atmosphere, most jubilant people seem to have overlooked the losses that should be mourned.
But Xiao Jingyan didn't forget that he copied the names of those who died in this battle all night long in a plain room in the East Palace, starting from the lowest-ranking soldiers and writing carefully. But every time he wrote the last name, he would always drop his pen and cry at the desk, his grief was uncontrollable, and even the pregnant princess could not persuade him. In the summer of the seventh year of Yuanyou, Nie Duo returned from the East China Sea to report his duties. However, Xiao Jingyan always refused to agree to his marriage with Nihuang, until one day, Gong Yu brought a letter written by Mei Changsu, and he silently agreed. After the marriage, Nihuang handed over the Southern Border Army to Mu Qing, who had become more and more mature, and accompanied Nie Duo to the ancestral hall of the Lin family, and went to the Eastern Border to be stationed in Haiphong.
In the autumn of the seventh year of Yuanyou, the princess gave birth to a baby boy. Three days later, Emperor Liang died. After a full month of filial piety, Xiao Jingyan officially ascended the throne, enshrining his biological mother, Concubine Jing, as the Empress Dowager and the Crown Princess Liu as the Empress.
As expected, Tingsheng was accepted by Xiao Jingyan as his adopted son, and he assigned a famous teacher, Su Ru, to teach him carefully. Because of his intelligent nature and strong temperament, he is still well-behaved. Xiao Jingyan loves him very much. Therefore, although he is not a prince, he can often enter and leave the palace and greet the empress dowager and queen.
The long-lived Gao Zhan still holds the title of the chief of the six palaces, but now the Queen Mother has granted him the grace to retire, and can live comfortably in the palace without any further service. Gao Zhan likes the cute little prince Yuxue very much, and often goes to see him in the Queen's Palace. Every time Tingsheng holds the little prince to play outdoors, he insists on staying by the side.
"Eunuch Gao, do you want to hug him?" Seeing the white-haired old man guarding him, Ting Sheng would sometimes ask him with a smile, but every time Gao Zhan bowed his head and shook his head, shaking his head. Majestic said: "This is the future master of the world, and this old slave dare not hold it..."
As for his answer, Tingsheng seemed to just take it as a breeze and didn't care. He still laughed and teased the little prince.
"Look at their brothers, their relationship is really good," the nanny next to her said with a slight smile, while paying attention to the sky, "but it's time to hug it. The sky is so cloudy, Eunuch Gao, don't you think... It seems like the wind is blowing. already?"
"No, it's not the wind, but within this palace wall... The wind has never stopped..." said the old eunuch who had gone through three dynasties, narrowing his dim eyes.
(End of the book)