Li Hong watched the pretty figure slowly board the carriage, never looking back, and there was a white jade-like crescent moon pendant around his neck.
Holding the jade crescent moon in his hand and watching the figure on the carriage shrugging his shoulders, Li Hong couldn't help but sigh. If he had known better, it would be better not to kidnap her...
"Go back to the city and set off tomorrow." After Li Hong finished speaking, he turned away and put the pendant into his collar.
The sharp-eyed Bai Chun naturally saw everything clearly, and the smile on his face became thicker and thicker. That girl was really cunning.
The next day, after leaving Quan Yi and Yao Chong to guard Shule City, Li Hong set out with his prince's guard, starting from Shulecheng and taking the northern passage, passing through Qiuci and then entering Yumen Pass.
And Yang Jiong, one of the four heroes of the early Tang Dynasty who had never been appointed to any city, was appointed by Li Hong to the position of Prince Zhan Shi of the East Palace!
This position is equivalent to the position of Shangshu Ling in Shangshu Province, which is no small matter. Li Hong appointed Yang Jiong to this position because of Yang Jiong's negative view of official positions and rights in history.
In this way, Yang Jiong in the Anxi Protector's Mansion is equivalent to commanding the Governor's Mansion and the political affairs of each city, superior to the other four people.
Along the way, the troops encountered an endless stream of caravans, and the sound of camel bells never stopped ringing in their ears since they set off.
From time to time, the wind would come from the edge of the desert, some melodious Qiang flute sounds and songs, and even mixed with the poetry of some literati.
Along the way, one side is the desert Gobi, and the other side is the beautiful water and fertile grass, with Populus euphratica forest that has been growing for thousands of years. The dense Populus euphratica forest and flowing water also provide an excellent place for the endless stream of caravans to rest at night.
From time to time, I would see from a distance, groups of children and some guard dogs running back and forth between groups of caravans. And along the way, they naturally became the targets of Bai Qi's bullying. The small amount of money in Hua Meng's pocket was already gone. All lost.
Behind the troops, there were several caravans in the distance. I sent people to inquire and found out that these three westbound roads are not absolutely safe. There are still some nomads who act as thieves and rob the merchants. .
But fortunately, there have been very few in recent years. In addition, there are Tang troops cruising on every road day and night, protecting these three important business and travel channels. Robbery only happens occasionally.
The merchants were not afraid of the Tang Army. Looking at the huge flag, each group of merchants passing by would take the initiative to say hello, and even take out some gadgets to reward the Tang Army soldiers.
Li Hong didn't think there was anything wrong with this, so he didn't bother to care about it and allowed the passing caravan to chat with the soldiers.
This is a good thing for the Tang Dynasty. After all, if the Tang Army can become the only protective umbrella here, it means that more people will recognize the Tang Dynasty's rule here, and it will also weaken the feasibility of rebellion by disaffected tribes. .
Qiuci City is in sight from a distance, just like Shule City, it has become a symbol of the Western Regions. The gray wall stands there quietly, looking like a giant beast lying there, giving people a sense of strength and strength. A majestic and majestic momentum.
After a night's rest, Li Hong continued to move eastward on the next day, escorted by generals Huan Yanfan and Xue Rengui.
After sending them for dozens of miles, Huan Yanfan and Xue Rengui's generals turned around and returned to Kucha City.
"Where is Li Jingxuan now?" Li Hong asked helplessly.
Now, the only people around him who can get involved in military affairs are lawless. Quan Yi was left in Shule to guard, and he didn't know that Yiyang would be so noisy with him after he returned.
"Back to the Protectorate, Li Jingxuan took over from Wang Fangyi three days ago and was stationed at Yumen Pass." Unable to do so, he had already received the report from the messenger yesterday.
Li Hong nodded silently and said nothing, but he was thinking in his mind, if he entered Yumen Pass, could he return to Chang'an
With doubts that no one could understand, Li Hong decided to accompany the troops and enter Yumen Pass resolutely. As for whether something unexpected would happen, he himself was not sure.
Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan had been waiting for Li Hong at the west gate of Yumen Pass for a long time. On both sides were the brightly armored defenders of Yumen Pass, with flags waving and drums and music playing. This was the etiquette for welcoming His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, not the Governor of Anxi.
Of course, all this was not intentional by Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan, but when Li Hong approached Yumen Pass, he had already ordered the troops to fly the prince's flag, conduct the prince's chariot battle, etc. The honor guard of the Anxi Protectorate could be easily modified with a few modifications. became the prince's guard of honor.
Hua Meng, Mang Zhong, Jingzhe and Cheetah, including the four girls from Xia Zhi, have already changed into palace clothes and have returned to their slim and delicate appearance.
As eunuchs, the four of Hua and Meng naturally followed the etiquette of the prince's east palace and followed the prince's car on both sides.
Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan came all the way over. I wonder why the Anxi Protectorate was reorganized halfway. What happened in the meantime? Could it be that the achievements of the Great Protector of Anxi are not higher than the achievements of His Highness the Crown Prince? Or does His Highness the Crown Prince want to keep a low profile
No matter what they thought or doubted in their hearts, now that His Highness the Crown Prince was reorganizing the government, they naturally had to follow the etiquette of a monarch and his ministers. The two of them said respectfully in front of the Crown Prince's carriage: "Your Majesty Wang Fang Yi and Li Jingxuan respectfully welcome His Highness the Crown Prince."
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has given orders not to stay too long and enter Yumen Pass immediately." Hua Meng held his head high and chest high, and said in a high voice as he lifted up the two people who were bowing in the sky.
"I obey the order." Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan replaced Hua Meng and Mang Zhong and stood on both sides of the Crown Prince's carriage. The followers slowly entered the city gate.
Today's Yumen Pass is no longer what it used to be. It is several times larger than the Yumen Pass four years ago. Although the city wall is not as tall as the four towns of Anxi, its thickness and strength exceed that of the four towns.
Moreover, the beacon towers at the four corners of the city wall are so high that if you stand at the top with a telescope, you can see hundreds of miles away under good weather conditions.
It was also because of the tall beacon tower that the height of the city wall was lowered. It can be said that as long as the enemy army cannot approach Yumen Pass silently for fifty miles even at night.
This distance is enough for the defenders of Yumen Pass to prepare to defend the city, and even deploy troops from within the pass to garrison.
As the only passage for east-west business travel, although Yumen Pass is still called a pass today, its role is already a prosperous metropolis with a highly mobile population.
The number of permanent troops has increased from the original 20,000 to 40,000. Adding in the business travelers coming and going, as well as the merchants from both inside and outside the Tang Dynasty who regularly conduct business here, the city now has a population of less than 200,000.
The tax here is also the highest tax level since going west, so it creates a bustling, noisy and lively scene here.
But as Prince Li Hong's ceremonial guard entered, the entire Yumen Pass was cleaned, and defenders stood on both sides of the road to protect him.
In the carriage, Bai Chun couldn't hold it back in the end. He looked at the people outside who occasionally peeked out of the windows and asked, "Sir, why do you act like this? Do you think Wang Fangyi..."
"Wang Fangyi has something to do, let's not talk about it for now. Now that we enter Yumen Pass, I'm afraid there will be people who don't want me to go back alive, so I will do what they want, give up the honor guard of the Metropolitan Protector, and swagger around with the honor guard of my East Palace. Let's see what obstacles they will set up for me along the way," Li Hong said calmly. The mysterious man never showed his face, which forced him to take risks. Otherwise, who knows about this potential threat when he returns to Chang'an. How much trouble will you create for yourself!
Using the prince's guard of honor means that Li Hong's every move will be known to the court. Where to station his next station and when to break camp, Hua and Meng will notify his prefectures, counties, etc.
And now after arriving at Yumen Pass, there are only three states left: Gua, Gan, and Liang, plus Jincheng County and Anding County, there are five places where he needs to stay. In these five places, he believes that someone will be unable to bear it and attack him. of.
"Master, how about we get Wang Fangyi first..." Bai Chun was shocked. She had never thought of this and thought she could return to Chang'an smoothly.
Now that I think about it, I have really neglected a lot during this period. I was kept by the prince's side every day and favored by the prince every night. Now I almost forgot about my responsibilities.
"No, I think there will be no problem with Wang Fangyi. By the way, I heard that there is a man named Wang Xiaojie under Wang Fangyi. What position does this man hold now?" Li Hong looked at the scene outside. Rows of soldiers holding horses. He stood on both sides of the street with a solemn expression.
"Yes, Master, I will order them to investigate now." Bai Chun said solemnly.
Wang Fangyi is only forty-five years old now. As a military general, this period is the period when his thoughts and government are at their peak. He is also powerful and strong, with a righteous look on his face.
He has been a soldier throughout his life and has made many military exploits in the Western Regions. Compared with Li Jingxuan, his military ability is much higher than that of Li Jingxuan.
Li Jingxuan was promoted by Pei Xingjian, but he was strong in literature and weak in military affairs. This was already seen from the memorials when he was asked to guard Khotan. Fortunately, there was no trouble during these days of guarding Khotan, and he managed the civil affairs in an orderly manner. .
At the gate of the Yumenguan government office, His Royal Highness's carriage slowly stopped, and Li Hong slowly walked out after Bai Chun opened the door.
Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan were surprised when they saw Bai Chun riding in the same car with His Highness the Crown Prince. However, looking at her angelic appearance and her plain white dress, they had already guessed the identity of this woman.
"No need to be too polite, let's go in first and talk later." Li Hong watched the two people about to salute and stopped him calmly.
He glanced at the newly built Governor's Mansion, then turned around and scanned the rows of guard soldiers on the opposite side. Then, under the guidance of Wang Fangyi and Li Jingxuan, he strode into the Governor's Mansion.
(End of chapter)