The sea surface at night seemed to be soaked in ink, and it was boundless and dark. There are no stars and no moon in the sky, only waves hitting the beach, bringing echoes.
The supply warships of the Chu army were docking quietly at the pier, ready to set sail after dawn. When the sky was about to dawn, two black shadows approached the stern of the ship quietly. The figures were like lynxes, and they disappeared in a blink of an eye.
The cargo hold of this ship is very large, according to what Xiao Lingzi said earlier, the two of them quickly found the wooden barrels for storing fresh water, more than enough to hide a grown man.
"Looking at the posture of supplying grain and oil, there should be quite a few people in Bel-Air Bay." Zhao Yue said, "Be careful in everything."
Zhou Mubai nodded, and hid in the bucket separately from him. The sun was gradually rising in the east, and the boatman put away the anchor and sailed away from the shore, heading towards Bel-Air Bay shrouded in mist.
There is no light at the bottom of the cabin, and the time can only be calculated by intuition. About seven or eight hours later, the ship finally docked with a "bang", and a leader of the guards stepped forward and asked loudly, "Why is it a whole day later than the agreed date?"
"Don't mention it, I don't know what I hit in the sea, and I almost sank." The owner jumped off, "Fortunately, nothing happened, and there was no delay."
"It's not too early, let's unload the goods tomorrow, the brothers are also tired." Another person said.
The noise outside gradually subsided, Zhao Yue and Zhou Mubai took the opportunity to leave the cabin, and there was no one around. Only the old trees with intertwined roots cast hideous shadows under the raging torches.
"Lights are stretching in the distance, there should be quite a few houses, the size of which is almost as large as a town." Zhou Mubai said, "There are all kinds of sentry and watchtowers, it seems that it has become a climate."
"Maybe Chu Heng is thinking that in case of defeat, there is still a way out here." Zhao Yue said, "There are at least fifty warships at the pier, and even three cannons, plus the surrounding fog, if we really start a war, It's enough for the emperor to have a headache for a while."
"I don't care if the emperor has a headache or not, but since he's here, it's unreasonable not to give Chu Heng a gift." Zhou Mubai smiled, "Let's go, first look for the shark, I really haven't seen it before. .”
The entire island is very large, and there will be military patrols passing by from time to time, but there are not many institutions. Both of them were veterans in the rivers and lakes, and soon followed the clues to find a large sparkling pool.
Rao has seen many big scenes, and after seeing the situation inside, the two of them were also a little shocked. At the four sides of the pool, there were almost a hundred teenagers lying on their stomachs, all sleeping with their eyes closed, their hair draped over their bare shoulders, swaying gently with the waves, and looking down, it was a silver-blue fish tail.
"There really are sharks?" Zhou Mubai gasped.
"It's so close, it's hard to believe it or not." Zhao Yue said, "I don't know what method Chu Heng used to find so many sharks."
"Could it be that they raised a male and a female?" Zhou Mubai guessed.
"Wait." Zhao Yue frowned slightly.
"What's the matter?" Zhou Mubai followed his line of sight, and saw a merman in the pool who was not asleep and was struggling slightly, as if extremely uncomfortable. After a while, the fish tail unexpectedly fell off slowly, exposing two legs.
"This..." Zhou Mubai and Zhao Yue looked at each other, before they could speak, there was a sound of footsteps in the distance.
Perhaps seeing the light of the torch, the little mermaid also became anxious. He hurriedly pulled the tail of the fish and wanted to put it back on again, but the more anxious he became, the more trouble he got. Zhou Mubai was just thinking of finding a way, but Zhao Yue had already flew out, covered the little shark's mouth and brought the little mermaid out of the pool, and landed back steadily.
Zhou Mubai was amazed in his heart, what a quick effort.
The little shark was so frightened that he desperately opened his eyes to look at him.
Zhao Yue tapped his dumb point and made a silent gesture.
The little shark nodded obediently, covered his mouth with his small hands, and curled up without moving.
The officers and soldiers checked around the pool, but they didn't notice that there was one person missing. Seeing that they were all sleeping peacefully, they led the team to another place. When the sound of footsteps disappeared, Zhao Yue took the little mermaid and left the pool temporarily with Zhou Mubai.
Behind the island is a large piece of wilderness, and one can tell that there are few people on weekdays. Zhao Yue took off his outer robe and wrapped it around Xiao Yuren's body to prevent him from catching a cold. The fish tail has been taken off, and Zhou Mubai is looking at it in his hand: "I don't know what kind of material it is, it looks like fish skin, but it is much lighter and tougher than fish skin."
The little shark moved his legs secretly, and Zhao Yue looked through the moonlight, and saw that they were deformed, so his tone softened a bit: "What's your name, how old are you?"
"My name is Xiaoliuzi, and I'm eight years old." Xiaoyuren's voice was a little hoarse, not at all like the baby voice of ordinary children, as if his throat had been injured.
"You are also called Xiao Liuzi." Zhou Mubai smiled and touched him, "What a coincidence, we also know a Xiao Liuzi."
"Are you here to save people?" Little Six asked.
Zhao Yue nodded: "Where are you from, why are you here?"
"My home is on Conch Island." Little Six said, "Uncle wanted to take me out to sea, but he disappeared behind. The people on board are all bad guys."
"What about the rest? Were they all caught here by villains like you?" Zhao Yue asked again.
"I don't know." Little Six shook his head, "None of them can talk."
Zhao Yue frowned, first tied up all the children and teenagers, and then tied their legs and put fish tails on them. With such brutal methods to train the so-called mermaids, Chu Heng really couldn't die ten thousand times.
Zhou Mubai said: "Perhaps Ye Guzhu can cure it."
Zhao Yue nodded, and said to Xiaoliuzi: "Apart from that pool, is there any other place where people like you are also locked up?"
"Yes, next to a big pagoda." Little Six said, "There are many more."
"He has no conscience." Zhou Mubai gritted his teeth.
"After dawn, I'll go find out." Zhao Yue said, "Brother Zhou should stay and take care of him."
Zhou Mubai nodded, and carefully checked the injury for Xiaoliuzi. The leg bones are somewhat deformed, but fortunately, they are not very old, so they should be able to recover slowly in the future. The rope around the ankle looks familiar, exactly the same as the corpses on the beach of Haicai Island that day.
It's also a big little thing. Zhou Mubai sighed inwardly, and patted his head lightly.
Inside the Great Kun City, Wen Liunian watched Ye Jin's absence, and hurriedly said to Chu Yuan, "The King of Southwest is not bald."
Chu Yuan's expression froze: "Of course I know."
"That's good." Mr. Wen was obviously relieved.
"It's not in vain to eat so many elbows." Chu Yuan smiled and shook his head, "I still know how to find an opportunity to clarify for him."
"My minister is just discussing the facts." Wen Liunian was very honest.
"Forget it, let's not mention him, just talk about Master Zhao." Chu Yuan said, "When will you come back?"
"Maybe in just a few days, maybe it will be a while, I can't tell." Wen Liunian was a little frustrated, "If I had known this, I wouldn't have told him about Bel-Air Bay." Guan ran over without seeing him.
Chu Yuan shook his head: "The face is almost wrinkled together."
Haven't seen each other for over a year. Mrs. Wen pursed her mouth, and she had just been married when they parted.
Chu Yuan was enjoying watching, and just about to ask the kitchen to make some snacks for him, but Eunuch Sixi reported outside, saying that Prince Chu had come.
"Not for a moment." Chu Yuan shook his head, "Xuan."
When Chu Heng entered the study, he didn't expect Wen Liunian to be there, and he couldn't help but feel bad - he really couldn't afford to offend this popular man who pretended to be ignorant, spoke with a stick, and acted extremely realistically. I can't hide, I can see it everywhere.
"See you, my lord." Wen Liunian was very considerate in etiquette.
"The prince came here in a hurry this time, but for the frontline war?" Chu Yuan asked.
"Exactly." Chu Heng said, "Now that the holy driver is here, the morale of our great Chu soldiers is high. If we can take the opportunity to launch an offensive with all our strength, we will be able to wipe out the traitors in one fell swoop."
"What does Wen Aiqing think?" Chu Yuan turned his head and asked.
"It would be good if we can push ourselves forward." Wen Liunian said, "But now that Duan Baiyue is occupying the city behind closed doors, and there are people all over the city as hostages, even if the son personally leads the army, he will not be able to attack for a long time. I'm afraid It’s easier said than done.”
"Before the Chu army did not arrive, it was impossible to attack by force only relying on the troops stationed in the East China Sea." Chu Heng said, "But now it is different from the past. With the emperor sitting in the army and the shadow guards, it is not difficult to break through the city gate." Disaster."
"My Shadow Guard?" Chu Yuan raised his lips. This army is the vanguard team personally taught by Shen Qianfeng. All of them are highly skilled in martial arts, and their lightness skills are even more superb. They have made many outstanding military exploits.
"As long as we can wait for the opportunity to break into the city and open the city gate, our great Chu soldiers will be able to rush in." Chu Heng said, "There is a huge disparity in the strength of the two sides. At that time, Bai Yue can't fly even with wings."
"It sounds feasible." Chu Yuan said, "But all of these shadow guards are the best in the army, and I want them to be safe during this trip."
"Yes." Chu Heng nodded, "If the emperor approves, the follow-up plan must be meticulous and thorough before it can be implemented."
After Chu Heng left, Chu Yuan said, "It seems that he wants to start the war as soon as possible."
"I've done too many bad things, so naturally I don't dare to let the emperor stay longer." Wen Liunian said, "Otherwise, if the deeds are exposed, I guess every one of them is a crime of beheading."
"Ai Qing, guess what he will do next?" Chu Yuan said.
"Of course I'm going to find the King of Southwest." Wen Liunian didn't hesitate for a moment—you don't need to think about everything, you just need to guess.
Chu Yuan smiled and poured himself a cup of tea: "Then wait for news from Duan Baiyue."
In the camp of the Southwest King, Lao Li, who was burning the fire, was a little nervous recently, because for some reason, he always felt that he would bump into the king's sight from time to time, which made people feel hairy.
I didn't do anything wrong... Lao Li thought about it for a long time, but he couldn't find a reason to explain it.
Duan Baiyue stared at his head for a long time, then turned and left without saying a word.
Lao Li scratched his bald head, completely puzzled.
"Your Majesty." Duan Nian entered the big tent, "I have a guest to see you."
"Who?" Duan Baiyue asked.
"I haven't reported my name." Duan Nian submitted a letter, "Only this."
Duan Baiyue took a look at it, then smiled: "Call me in, you really are a distinguished guest."
I thought it would take at least a month, but now it seems that the other party is more impatient than I thought, and he took the initiative to come to the door so soon.
The small pot was gurgling and cooking, and Wen Liunian passed the kitchen, craned his neck to look in.
"This adult can't drink it." Ye Jin refused.
"Why?" Wen Liunian continued to read.
"Scholars can't drink it." Ye Jin said.
Wen Liunian was puzzled: "Can this still be divided?"
"Naturally." Ye Jin pressed the lid and refused to open it.
Wen Liunian had no choice but to leave reluctantly, still wanting to drink.
"My lord." The dark guard came over to greet him, "It's time to go to the kitchen again."
"Just passing by by chance." Wen Liunian said, "Master Ye seems to be making soup."
"Yes, stewed wolfberry with pork loin and yam." The dark guard said, "It's for Leader Shen."
Wen Liunian had an epiphany, no wonder he had to let himself drink.
It is indeed a little too nourishing.
"What's so fragrant." Chu Yuan also smelled it when passing by the kitchen.
Ye Jin wanted to blow his hair a little bit, he stayed in the study room on weekdays and couldn't come out, why did they come one after another as soon as he cooked the soup.
"You can't drink either!" Ye Jin was impatient.
"Why?" Chu Yuan asked.
"Because you haven't gotten married yet." What if you get so nourished that your body is burning with desire? Isn't it just letting Duan take advantage of it for nothing! Ye Jin knocked on the lid of the crock pot, "I'll cook some mung beans for you later, so you can relieve your fire after eating." It's best to have few desires.
Chu Yuan: "..."
Ye Jin carefully carried the earthen pot, and ran all the way to the bedroom to find Shen Qianfeng, um, I was a little overworked last night, so I need to mend it.
The hidden guards squatted on the roof and clicked tut collectively, Leader Shen was really lucky.
Chu Yuan smiled and shook his head, turned around and went back to the bedroom to rest for a while, but when he opened the door, he saw Duan Baiyue sitting at the table, pouring tea in a leisurely manner.
"Why did you come?" Chu Yuan frowned.
"Of course it's for the war." Duan Baiyue answered calmly.
"How?" Chu Yuan didn't want to go around in circles with him.
"Chu Heng really sent someone to win me over." Duan Baiyue rubbed his chin, "Frankly speaking, the price he offered is not low."
"So?" Chu Yuan looked at him coldly.
"No reason." Duan Baiyue tactfully retracted the topic, "According to the previous plan, I have already pretended to agree to him."
"Okay." Chu Yuan nodded.
"Okay?" Duan Baiyue laughed, "That's the only word?"
"What else does the King of Southwest want?" Chu Yuan asked.
"What I want, Emperor Chu naturally knows in his heart." Duan Baiyue did not hide her eyes and purpose.
"After talking, the King of Southwest can go." Chu Yuan said indifferently.
"You won't keep me for an extra cup of tea?" Duan Baiyue sat at the table.
Chu Yuan said: "No."
Duan Baiyue couldn't help laughing, she reached out her hand to fix his hair, but Chu Yuan took a step back alertly, and said loudly, "Xiao Jin!"
Duan Baiyue's hands froze. To be honest, he had some shadows about these two words.
There was silence in the courtyard. Ye Jin obviously didn't hear it, and it was impossible to hear it. He was still watching Shen Qianfeng drinking soup in the bedroom.
Duan Baiyue said: "Even if you think there is danger, you should call the bodyguard, not Ye Guzhu."
"Are you afraid of the guards?" Chu Yuan raised his tone slightly,
Duan Baiyue froze for a moment, then shook her head.
"Are you afraid of Xiao Jin?" Chu Yuan asked again.
Duan Baiyue couldn't help reaching out, wanting to touch her head.
It's not just fear, it's simply too late to avoid.
There was a smile in Chu Yuan's eyes. Although it was only for a short moment, he couldn't escape Duan Baiyue's sight.
It's worth it... The Southwest King rubbed his chin.
Still laughing.
Before leaving, Duan Baiyue left behind a pot of Yunnan flower wine called Zhili.
Although the name is quite artistic, the taste is very spicy. After drinking it for a long time, there is a hint of sweetness returning to the tip of the tongue, accompanied by a little sourness and bitterness. It is indeed like the taste of reunion after parting.
Chu Yuan put down his wine glass, and Cha Sixi put away the other half of the altar.
Wen Liunian didn't eat stewed soup, nor drank fine wine, so Wen Liunian sat at the door with a stack of files in his arms, looking through them listlessly.
No food, no one to talk to.
"My lord." The dark guard suddenly ran in.
"What happened?" Wen Liunian asked.
"Chu Mian came back from the countryside, and the first thing he did was to look for the Lord, and he is outside the door now." An Wei said, "Should we send him away?"
"No need." Wen Liunian patted the skirt of his clothes and stood up, "I'll go and have a look."
"But... Chu Mian..." The dark guard was still in a dilemma. After all, he stole Mr. Wen's trousers as soon as he came, so it was really hard to relax his guard.
"Follow me, everyone." Wen Liunian said, "Although this young master's behavior is a bit... strange, but his nature is not bad." Compared with his father and elder brother who did all kinds of evil, it was already considered rare.
"My lord!" Chu Mian was drinking tea in the front hall, and immediately greeted him cheerfully after seeing him, "I'm back."
"Why did the young master choose to come back at this time?" Wen Liunian was puzzled, "The war is surprising, and the Great Kun City is now full of dangers."
"I know, but I still want to come back." Chu Mian said, "Father and elder brother are busy fighting, and don't have time to care about me."
"Does the lord know about the young master's return?" Wen Liunian asked.
"Of course I know." Chu Mian nodded, "I trained a few words, it was not painful, and told me not to cause trouble in the future."
"Then the young master should listen carefully to what the prince has to say." Wen Liunian said, "Go back to the palace and stay at ease, don't run around here and there."
"During these days, I have written a lot of poems and quatrains." Chu Mian excitedly took out a small notebook, "Please correct me, my lord."
"So thick?" Wen Liunian was startled.
"This is just one book." Chu Mian hurriedly said, "There are seven or eight books at home."
Wen Liunian: "..."
You can't even write pairs on the street.
Although there was a war going on ahead, it didn't affect Chu Mian's mood of reciting poems at all. He dragged Wen Liunian to chat for a full hour before leaving reluctantly, and made an appointment for the next meeting.
Wen Liunian shook his head, there is a limit to everything, although it is a good thing to love reading, but it is too much to indulge in ignoring everything in the outside world.
Ten days later, the biggest battle between the two sides finally started. The generals and soldiers of the Chu army stood tall and straight under the city gate, holding sharp blades and shields in their hands, and their roar almost tore the sky. On the city wall, there is Duan Baiyue's Southwest Army. The flag is flying in the wind, embroidered with the totems of the Southwest tribe.
Wen Liunian rode on a horse and stood in front of the army with Shen Qianfan, always reminding himself to keep his back straight and not be bent by the armor—although he is a literati with no strength to restrain a chicken, but Chu Yuan wanted him to see something The world, and then ordered to bring it out together.
"The sitting posture doesn't have to be so rigid." The dark guard really couldn't see it, so he immediately said, "At this time, not many people will pay attention to this side, and it's not just the literati." As for the second literati, it is naturally Chu Mian. As soon as he heard that Wen Liunian was going to go to the battlefield in person, he also changed his mind, pestered his father and elder brother for a long time, and then followed him in.
Wen Liunian moved his waist secretly.
It's really tiring, far less light than the golden silk soft armor.
Duan Baiyue stood on the city wall with her hands behind her back, looking at Chu Yuan below, she couldn't help recalling the memories of that day, and even the corners of her lips couldn't stop curling up.
Ye Jin clenched her fist angrily below, and said that it was indeed very obscene! At this time, I can still smile lewdly, but I still found a chance to cut it clean.
"Your Majesty." Duan Nian reminded in a low voice.
"It's not like a big country to bully the few with the more." Duan Baiyue raised her eyebrows and smiled lightly.
"Much ado about nothing is indeed the style of a small country." Wen Liunian said mercilessly.
Duan Baiyue looked at him with a funny face.
Wen Liunian was not afraid to meet his gaze at all, remember to continue to give elbows next month, make it more spicy.
"Emperor Chu doesn't need to waste his efforts." Duan Baiyue said, "I won't leave the city."
"Come all the way to the East China Sea just to be a turtle?" Wen Liunian said in a disdainful tone.
Duan Baiyue's teeth itch, why does he always answer the question? !
"Open the city gate." Chu Yuan finally spoke.
Wen Liunian followed along to join in the fun: "Did you hear that, open the city gate!"
Duan Baiyue raised her hand slightly, and immediately dozens of archers stood on the city wall, drawing their bows to the full moon, and the arrows were shining brightly.
The hidden guards quickly protected Wen Liunian in the middle, so as not to be hurt by the stray arrows.
"Do you think you can hurt me with just a few dozen people here?" Chu Yuan's tone was cold.
"Of course not." Duan Baiyue smiled, "I am the only one who can hurt Emperor Chu, and only me."
Ye Jin pinched Shen Qianfeng's hand in an instant, puffed her chest out and took a deep breath, reminding herself fiercely, she must stay calm!
Chu Yuan's expression froze instantly, and he raised his hand and gave an order: "Attack!"
Hundreds of black-clothed soldiers soared into the sky like eagles, and before the opponent's archers had time to react, they landed firmly on the wall.