From Tianyuguan to Tianlangguan, it was twice as slow as before. Because Pang Xiao was afraid that Qin Yining would freeze, he went to the prince's guard of honor and used the most spacious and warm carriage. He had to stop and take a rest when he encountered a good scenery along the way, and also stopped for a rest when there was a festival in a small town. .
Walking and stopping along the way, it is not like returning to Beijing with guilt, but like taking the princess out to play.
Yi Binghu was so angry that he had a headache along the way, but the people around him also highly praised Pang Xiao, and they agreed with Pang Xiao's words.
Qin Yining lifted the warm curtain of the carriage and looked out, seeing Yi Binghu's sullen face, which seemed to have lost weight in the past few days, so he could not help leaning back into Pang Xiao's arms and said softly, "If this goes on like this, I'm afraid General Yi's burly He's almost out of shape. I've seen him barely eat in the past few days."
Pang Xiao leaned against the big throw pillow, half-lying with his long legs bent, holding a military book in one hand, and hugging Qin Yining to his chest with the other, the two of them covered a thick blanket together, and Qin Yining also hugged him in his arms. A small stove, very warm and comfortable.
"That person is not right, and he is self-righteous. If he can sharpen his temper this time, it will be a good thing. If not, we can't control so much. The reason why the Hu Ben army kicked him out was because he was too temperamental. It is unstable, and it can easily affect the overall situation when placed in the military.”
Qin Yining couldn't help laughing when he heard the words: "It seems that you know a lot about the people under you. That's what it means to know people and make good use of them."
Pang Xiao smiled, kissed Qin Yining's hair on the top, and said, "It's like playing chess, you always have to know the function of each piece and what role it can play on the chessboard."
Qin Yining nodded, and turned over in Pang Xiao's arms, "That's why I said, that one is not as good as you."
Pang Xiao was amused by her praised tone, "You are biased towards me, so you think I'm good in everything."
"It's not. Anyone with a discerning eye can see who is better. If you are not really good, will those men in the army who dare to kill and fight will recognize you?"
Ten thousand words of praise from outsiders were not as comforting as Qin Yining's words.
Pang Xiao kissed her cheek happily, and whispered in her ear: "My wife is so appreciative, my husband is very happy."
Qin Yining buried his entire face in Pang Xiao's arms, and said with a smile that couldn't be concealed on his lips, "Geek and smooth."
"How can it be glib? Every sentence is from the bottom of my heart."
The blanket was too warm and the "pillow" was too comfortable. With the heater in Qin Yining's arms, his mind became a little dizzy, and his eyelids gradually became heavier.
Pang Xiao saw Qin Yining in his arms like a kitten, and felt even more loving and pity in his heart. He patted her back slowly with his big hand, and whispered like coaxing a child, "Go to sleep, I'll watch over you."
Qin Yining closed his eyes and fell asleep unconsciously.
The team marched slowly for seven or eight days, and finally came to the second checkpoint on the northern border, Sirius Pass.
When Pang Xiao approached Tianlang Pass, he changed to horseback and followed Qin Yining's carriage.
Yi Binghu secretly scolded Pang Xiao for being cunning. He usually enjoys the carriage like a girl, but when he sees the soldiers at the border, he changes to horseback riding, which looks like a man.
Pang Xiao noticed that Yi Binghu's eyes were wrong, but he didn't care. Leading a group to the gate of the city, someone above the tower of Tianlangguan immediately asked loudly: "Who is coming!"
Hu Zi said loudly: "This is the team of Prince Zhongshun returning to Beijing, passing through Tianlang Pass, please open the city gate."
There was a mixed sound of footsteps on the city gate tower. After a while, someone leaned out and took a look. After confirming that it was correct, he stepped down from the city tower, and the city gate was opened in a short time.
A group of defenders came out first, stood on both sides, and then saw a tall, scarred-faced middle-aged man dressed in armor and walking out with a saber in hand.
Seeing that the other party was walking, Pang Xiao also turned over and dismounted, and the Jinghu guard behind Pang Xiao also dismounted.
Yi Binghu pouted, snorted lightly, and muttered: "Pretend."
Wei Erbao, Li Daniu, and Qian Dong around him were dissatisfied with Yi Binghu for a long time, but they couldn't do anything because they were crushed to death by the senior official.
Yi Binghu sat alone on the horse, and seemed so out of place that he finally had to jump off the horse with a dark face.
The general guarding the Heavenly Wolf Pass is a tough guy. He doesn't believe that this person can also defy the emperor's orders, so be polite to Pang Xiao!
Thinking of this, Yi Binghu quickly stepped forward, passed Pang Xiao, and clasped his fists in salute to the person who came: "General Tao."
"General Yi. So you have found the team of Prince Zhongshun and came back with you?"
What he said was about to explode Yi Binghu's heart, liver and lungs.
What does it mean to come back with you? He is escorting the treasonous criminal back!
But looking back, the gorgeous carriage, the magnificent team, and the guard of honor on the prince's trip all indicate that he is indeed accompanying, not escorting.
Yi Binghu's face was as black as the bottom of a pot, and he said sternly: "Yes. Prince Zhongshun has been found. Can General Yi arrange a residence here for the prince and his party to stay temporarily?"
"The inn is well-arranged and can be checked in at any time, but the lord has a distinguished status. Later, he will immediately order someone to tidy up the ya, and invite the lord and princess to check in."
It's this set again!
Yi Binghu thought to himself how these people's brains grow? Why did Kang Qiong, as the Grand Marshal of the Longxiang Army, say that he would let Pang Xiao live in the inn, but he actually asked someone to live in the Houya, and now this upright appearance of General Tao is the same
Pang Xiao stood beside him playing with a horse whip and watched Yi Binghu's face change, he couldn't help laughing.
And General Tao's eyes fell on the whip in Pang Xiao's hand, and he was stunned for a moment, then he came forward and saluted respectfully.
"Last general Tao Jun, see Prince Zhongshun."
Is this Tao Jun
Seeing that there is a scar on this person's forehead that runs across the brow bone, and a smoking gun is attached to his waist. Although his skin looks rough and mature, he actually looks like he is in his early thirties. These characteristics are similar to Ji Zeyu's. Just like what he said, Pang Xiao understood.
This person is the leader of Ji Zeyu's more than 100 cronies. He must have seen Ji Zeyu's whip and suddenly became more respectful.
"No ceremony. General Tao has been promoted, and this king has not yet congratulated me."
When he went out, Ji Zeyu said that Tao Jun was a school captain, but now he has become the main general guarding the Sirius Pass. He must have been promoted recently.
Tao Jun knew that he was a small person. Pang Xiao had never met him before, and it was impossible to know who he was before, but now he mentioned the matter of "promotion", and then saw that Pang Xiao was holding Ji Zeyu's token, He knew that this person must be someone Ji Zeyu values, and Ji Zeyu must have told Pang Xiao about him.
Therefore, Tao Jun showed some kindness in his respectful respect to Pang Xiao: "Your Highness has been exhausted by boats and cars. It's really hard work. It's better to do some repairs. At the end, you will immediately order people to prepare wine and food to wash away the dust for Your Highness."
Pang Xiao smiled and said, "Thank you, General Tao."
"Your Highness, please, Your Highness."
Tao Jun stepped aside and let the carriage of Pang Xiao and Wang Fei go ahead, while he walked in front of Jinghu Guard, and followed in very politely all the way.
Wei Erbao, Li Daniu and the others couldn't help laughing, and whispered: "It is our lord who is so powerful in all directions. Look, even the Longxiang army treats the lord with courtesy."
"Isn't it? Some people don't think it's great to be a petty official. In the end, they're not like clowns jumping on the beam, which makes people laugh out loud."
When Yi Binghu saw that Tao Jun treated Pang Xiao the same as Kang Qiong, he was no longer angry. Now even the people who came out with him said that, his face was flushed with anger, and the blue veins on his head were violent.
"Wait, you're going to be arrogant! Don't enter the city!" After reprimanded, Yi Binghu took his horse and followed Jinghuwei and entered the city gate.
Wei Erbao and the others looked at his back, and couldn't help laughing again, chatting and laughing all the way in, and the atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful, as if it was a New Year's Eve.
Qin Yining was placed in the Houya to rest again.
Pang Xiao still took people to the banquet. At the banquet, he also took Ji Zeyu's whip by his side, but he saw a lot of people who were very respectful and close to him as soon as he saw him.
After the banquet, in the main hall of the back office, Tao Jun respectfully saluted Pang Xiao and said, "My lord, if Master Bi is willing to give the token to the lord, he will also hand over our more than 100 brothers to the lord. Whatever is instructed, just say it bluntly, and I will wait until I die."
Pang Xiao was even more grateful to Ji Zeyu in his heart. He supported Tao Jun with both hands, and said with a smile, "There is no need to give such a big gift. This king is going back to Beijing for trial, and there is nothing to do for now."
Tao Jun heard the words and said: "My lord, please forgive me for speaking bluntly. Your return to Beijing this time, the situation is not optimistic, and the sage is probably going to kill you."
Seeing that Tao Jun was so frank, Pang Xiao knew that this was Ji Zeyu's subordinate who saw the whip and took him as his master. He couldn't help but admire Ji Zeyu's imperial skills.
"Is there anything major in the DPRK during the time I've been out?"
Tao Jun said: "The trivial matters of the DPRK and China have been written in the Di newspaper, but most of them have nothing to do with the prince. The most important thing is that the Tartars are just about to move, and their intention to attack our Dazhou is very obvious. Their first batch of supplies to go to war Although the food and forage were lost, the Tatar Utkin Khan seemed to be very persistent in starting the war, as if he was preparing food and forage for another battle.
"To be honest, the treasury is empty, and it is difficult to complete disaster relief work. The Holy Master made a series of arrangements for the war. The end of the world was only a captain, and it was this time that he was promoted to guard. the general of the city.
"It's just that although the personnel transfer can be carried out smoothly, what the court lacks most now is money. To start a war, you must use the national capital. The Tartar side is firm, saying that they want to avenge their Anari Khan. , I don't know what it means here.
"However, according to General Mo's humble opinion, it is better for the lord not to take the princess back. The general is worried that the Holy Admiral will hand over the princess to quell the war."