Xiao Yi drove the dark cloud under his crotch to ride the snow and gallop past them like lightning, and galloped towards the old and the young. Behind him, Fu Yunhe and Guan Yubai also followed one after the other.
The old and the young also heard the sound of horseshoes, and when they heard the sound, they all looked over with joyful faces.
"Grandfather!" Xiao Yi called overjoyed, stopped Wu Yun Ta Xue in front of the two of them, and flew off the horse.
Lin Jingchen, who was dressed in a blue straight suit, stroked his long beard, looked at Xiao Yi with a smile, and said, "Ah Yi, I heard that you have recovered Yanding City and Yongjia City, very good, very good!"
Lin Jingchen's loving face revealed a trace of elder's unique pride: his granddaughter has a good eye for picking her grandson and son-in-law. Ah Yi really has the style of a general!
Chang Huaixi in the back froze for a moment, thankful that he didn't have time to say what he said just now.
"I remembered!" At this time, Yu Xiufan who was beside him beat his left palm with his right fist excitedly, "That girl seems to know my sister-in-law, right? I remember I saw her last time at Tayun Restaurant..."
Yu Xiufan was still talking endlessly, but Chang Huaixi didn't want to listen anymore, so he glanced at him lightly, and said three words in his heart: hindsight.
Fu Yunhe was also very pleasantly surprised, and blurted out: "Old Master Lin, Cousin Xia, why are you here?"
His address to Han Qixia drew a slightly surprised look from Guan Yubai in the back, Guan Yubai was thoughtful and didn't say much.
"Cousin Crane, A Yi." Han Qixia also greeted the two with a smile, and then explained, "My grandfather and I came here to collect herbs. There is a kind of herb that grows near the swamp, and my grandfather and I found several places. I couldn't find any in the swamp, so I ran here... Fortunately, I still got something." The bamboo basket behind her has already filled a lot of herbs.
At this time, Guan Yubai, who had dismounted from his horse, also strolled over, clasped his fists at Lin Jingchen and Han Qixia with a smile on his face, and said, "Old Doctor Lin, Miss Han, are you all right?"
Seeing this, both Xiao Yi and Fu Yunhe were surprised, Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows and said, "Grandfather, do you know Xiaobai?"
"It's just a one-sided relationship." Lin Jingchen said while examining Guan Yubai, and then said, "Young Master Guan, let me check your pulse."
"Thank you, Boss Lin." Guan Yubai obediently handed over his left wrist. Lin Jingchen lifted up the sleeve of his right hand slightly, and stretched out three fingers to rest on Guan Yubai's left wrist.
Han Qixia on the side talked to Xiao Yi and Fu Yunhe about how she and Lin Jingchen met Guan Yubai by chance in an inn in Heyu City.
Xiao Yi and Fu Yunhe listened with great interest, Xiao Yi smiled and sighed: "This is a coincidence!"
Xiao Yi felt quite emotional in his heart: This really affects the whole body. If his grandfather hadn't cured Xiaobai, Xiaobai might have been delayed for a few more days on the road, thus missing the kidnapping in Nanliang. Without Xiaobai's plan, the war on his side would not be so smooth!
Lin Jingchen withdrew his hand, pondered for a moment, and said, "My lord, you had a good rest a few days ago... but you've been tired again these days. With your body, you still need to pay more attention."
Xiaosi who was originally expressionless showed his face for a while following Lin Jingchen's words, and frowned for a while, and the nervousness could not be concealed between his brows.
Xiao Yi looked at Lin Jingchen eagerly and said, "Grandfather, meeting by chance is worse than meeting by chance, can you prescribe some prescriptions for Xiaobai to recuperate?"
Lin Jingchen readily responded.
"Thank you, Old Doctor Lin." Guan Yubai thanked Lin Jingchen with a smile.
At this time, Xiao Yi's smile faded, and he said seriously: "Grandfather, although Yanding City has been recovered, the surrounding area is still not peaceful, and there may still be people from Nanliang and rogues running around... Why don't you follow me in Yanding City? Stay for a while, and wait for the situation to stabilize before leaving."
Xiao Yi had good intentions, and Lin Jingchen was not a person who didn't know what to do, so he agreed without saying a word.
"Grandfather, please ride my horse!" Yu Xiufan smiled courteously, imitating Xiao Yi's address to grandfather, and got off the horse at the same time.
Seeing Yu Xiufan's familiar appearance, Chang Huaixi's eye corners twitched again, and the next moment he saw that guy walking towards him in a nonchalant manner, insisting on squeezing a horse with him cheekily.
Zhuzi also spontaneously gave up the horse under his crotch to Han Qixia, and went to make do with Xiao Si for a squeeze.
A group of people rode back to Yanding City.
The soldiers standing guard at the sentry tower saw Xiao Yi and his party coming back from a distance. Although it was strange why there were two more people, no one questioned anything. Before Xiao Yi and his party came close, the guards had already opened The gate welcomes them into the city.
The crowd drove their horses slowly.
At this time, the sun was already westward, and the bright afterglow covered the city walls, roofs, treetops, and ground with a layer of blood. The streets were empty, and few people walked around. Those restaurants and shops are now closed. Go, the whole town exudes a desolate and dilapidated atmosphere in the calm.
Han Qixia grasped the rope subconsciously. Although she didn't see the war here with her own eyes, she went south to collect medicine and treat diseases these days, but she passed through several villages and towns that had been devastated by war. Heartache. Let her realize what cruelty is, the cruelty of war!
It was getting late now, so Xiao Yi didn't bring Lin Jingchen to wander around the city, but took them back to the Garrison Mansion to settle down. Afterwards, a reception banquet was held for the two of them.
It was said to be a welcome banquet, but in fact it was just a few of them getting together to have a meal. There were only eight dishes and one soup on the table, and because alcohol was not allowed in the army, they could only use tea instead of wine, which was very simple.
Now that Yanding City is in the midst of a waste of time, most of the original food in the city was looted by Nanliang soldiers. Even if a batch of food and grass were urgently sent from Luoyue City, it could only solve the urgent need. At this time, Xiao Yi, as the township The prince of the Southern Prince naturally has to set an example and should not be extravagant.
However, the cooks in the garrison mansion are very skilled, and Xiaohui hunted a hare to add a meat dish to the table, and Lin Jingchen and Han Qixia are not picky, they both practice medicine and collect herbs outside, and they always save money when they can. If you can keep it simple, you will enjoy this meal.
Only Fu Yunhe had a strange expression, looking at Han Qixia from time to time. If he hadn't grown up together, he would have dared not recognize Cousin Xia, but in just a few months, Cousin Xia not only changed greatly in appearance, clothing, and temperament, but also her diet—look at her current appearance. Although eating looks gentle, but this appetite is already comparable to a big man...
Is this really the eldest daughter of Prince Qi whom he knew before? ! Fu Yunhe felt an indescribable feeling in his heart.
After dinner, everyone went back to rest.
Whether Lin Jingchen, Han Qixia, Xiao Yi, Guan Yubai and the others worked hard all day, everyone fell asleep as soon as they touched their pillows. As the night gradually deepened, the entire Yanding City fell into a peaceful sleep, silent...
Suddenly, a red horse rushed into the garrison mansion, like a drop of water falling into a hot oil pan, waking up the sleeping mansion.
"My lord, I have something to ask to see my lord!"
A soldier turned over from the red horse and shouted eagerly, and immediately a servant led the way to lead him to Xiao Yi's residence.
Tread, tread, tread...
Xiao Yi, who was sleeping in his clothes, immediately opened his eyes when he heard the messy footsteps outside, and got up abruptly.
Although it is said that Yanding City has been recovered, the war has not yet subsided, so these days Xiao Yi has been on standby at any time, keeping his body on high alert to deal with various emergencies.
Zhuzi walked into the inner room half-running, and said: "My lord, something happened at the cruise camp..."
Xiao Yi brushed his robe casually, and strode from the inner room to the main room outside.
As soon as the soldier entered the room, he knelt down on one knee profusely with sweat, and said in a military salute, "My lord, there are hundreds of soldiers in the cruise battalion who have eaten their stomachs badly. Two hours ago, some people had vomiting and diarrhea one after another. Symptoms, diarrhea still persists.”
Xiao Yi stared.
After taking down Yanding City and Yongjia City, Xiao Yi appointed a cruising battalion to be responsible for patrolling the surrounding area. On the one hand, it is to search for nearby enemy troops and bandits who slipped through the net. On the other hand, the main reason is to beware of the sudden attack of the Nanliang army.
"Have you seen the military doctor?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.
The soldier hurriedly clasped his fists and replied: "Master, the military doctor said it was stomach discomfort...prescribed a prescription, but after taking one dose, there was no effect."
Xiao Yi's brows were tightly furrowed, how could so many people suddenly feel sick to their stomachs together! Could it be that there is a problem with the grain and grass
Xiao Yi pondered for a moment, then ordered: "Send two more military doctors over there, and ask carefully what they have eaten."
The soldier should be respectful, and then hurriedly retreated.
The night is getting darker...
…
Dawn broke.
Two guests were ushered in the Tingyu Pavilion of Bixiao Hall, one was an old man wearing a blue robe, lean and capable; the other was a middle-aged man who was nearly forty years old, tall and strong, with dark skin.
"Master!" The old man, that is, Manager Zhao, bowed respectfully to Mrs. Fang in the wheelchair, "You asked me to find a blacksmith, and I brought it here." He said, introducing the middle-aged man next to him. People, "This is Zhang Zhu."
The middle-aged man Zhang Zhu also bowed his head and saluted: "I have seen the old man."
"Zhang Zhu..." Mrs. Fang seemed to remember something, "Could it be Lao Zhang's..."
Manager Zhao replied: "That's right, he is the eldest son of the old Zhang family, and his forging skills are quite outstanding." Over the years, Fang Chengxun has been in charge of the Fang family's affairs, and he has naturally promoted many of his cronies, but like Masters like blacksmiths pay attention to solid skills, but they cannot be easily replaced. What's more, the Zhang family's forging technique has been passed down for three generations, and they have their own unique secret skills that are not known to outsiders.
Zhang Zhu was a little apprehensive, and said modestly: "The young one is still far behind."
Mrs. Fang asked Manager Zhao to bring him here in person, just to see if the blacksmith's character is trustworthy. After all, this matter is of great importance and must be done in secret, and the news must not be leaked out.
Now that he saw that he was an old friend, Mrs. Fang felt relieved a lot.
He took out a piece of densely written paper and handed it to Zhang Zhu, saying, "Look at this..."
This piece of paper was not the one that Guan Yubai had given to Mrs. Fang, but Mrs. Fang had re-excerpted it. The content about arrows was removed, and only the part related to smelting was left.
Zhang Zhu took it respectfully, and after only reading a few lines, his eyes were full of light. He looked down eagerly on his rather dull face, and then excitedly looked up at the other old man, clasped his fists and begged for his life: " Grandpa, can you give it a try?"
An expert looked at the doorway, and Zhang Zhu understood the value of the piece of paper in his hand after a rough look. He immediately felt that his hand was heavy. Once this new metal was forged, it was not only tougher than iron, but also much cheaper. Its value is self-evident.
Old Master Fang smiled slightly: "How sure are you?"
Zhang Zhu showed hesitation on his face, and after pondering for a while, he said: "Seventy percent, no, I should go back and discuss it with my father, and I should be 80% sure that it will work!" He almost couldn't wait to try it. .
"Okay!" Mrs. Fang nodded, and said again, "Then I will leave this matter to you. This matter is of great importance, and you must understand that, first of all, it must be done in private. Except for your father, no one else should know about it. , this piece of paper must be kept properly; secondly, this matter is extremely urgent, you must hurry up."
"Yes, old man." Zhang Zhu calmed down his excitement, and after calming down, he cupped his fists and accepted the order.
Mrs. Fang gave a few more instructions to Manager Zhao, and then sent the two of them away.
Mrs. Fang was sitting in a wheelchair, looking at the backs of Manager Zhao and Zhang Zhu leaving, feeling a little bit sad in his heart.
The waves behind the Yangtze River push the waves ahead, I am old, Lao Zhao is old, and Lao Zhang is also old... From now on, I will see young people like A Yi and Yubai, but their Fang family has no successors...
Old Master Fang's eyes darkened, and he said to the boy, "Qingshi, push me to the study."
The little servant, Qingshi, was naturally in a hurry. After Mrs. Fang entered the study, he sent the little servant out, and then locked himself in the room and never came out, even without lunch.
Ting Yuge's servants were worried, so they quietly sent someone to report to the princess.
After a while, Nangong Yue came with Baihui. Nangong Yue knew that Manager Zhao had brought people here before, so she thought that there was something in the Fang family that displeased Mrs. Fang.
"Grandfather..." Nangong Yue pulled out the curtain and entered the study. Mrs. Fang was sitting by the window. The sun cast mottled light and shadows on his face through the shade of the trees, and his expression seemed a little melancholy.
"Grandfather, Qingshi told me that you didn't have lunch, but is there something wrong with you?" Nangong Yue said with concern, "Why don't I check your pulse?"
Mrs. Fang was originally in a bad mood because of the decline of the Fang family. Seeing that Nangong Yue was worried about her, she was about to say that she was fine, when suddenly she had a thought and sighed faintly: "... Ah Yue, I'm fine. Ah Yi is going to fight For several months, I was just worried about him and had no appetite... "
Nangong Yue hurriedly comforted: "Grandfather, Ah Yi has already captured Yanding City and Yongjia City, we can rest assured that he will return in triumph."
"Hey, Ah Yue, I naturally believe that Ah Yi will definitely defeat Nanliang and return in triumph. It's just that Ah Yi has been out alone for so many months, and there is no one to take care of him..." Mrs. Fang said Said with a sigh, while secretly looking at Nangong Yue's expression, "Ah Yue, if you can go to Huiling City to take care of A Yi, I will feel relieved."
Ever since Guan Yubai proposed to let Nangong Yue go to Huiling City last time, Mrs. Fang has been thinking about how to persuade Nangong Yue. Now this opportunity is just right, let him pretend to be pitiful for his grandson.
Nangong Yue's eyelashes trembled slightly. Of course, she also missed Xiao Yi very much, and wanted to go to Huiling City to take the opportunity to meet Xiao Yi. It's just that there are too many worries in my heart.
Firstly, Mrs. Fang is in the palace with no one to take care of her; secondly, I have worked hard to bring the situation of the palace to where it is today. If I am not there, Zhennan Wang is "accidentally" coaxed back by Xiao Fang , then all previous efforts will be wasted.
Old Master Fang naturally saw that although Nangong Yue was moved, he still had scruples in his heart, so he continued persistently: "Ah Yue, if it wasn't for my poor health, I would really like to go to Huiling City to see Ah Yi in person. You just take my place..."
Before he finished speaking, he heard a servant girl outside the house say: "Old master, the fourth old master is here and wants to see the old master."
Old Master Fang's entire face turned gloomy, almost dripping water, and said coldly, "No! Let him go back!" Needless to say, Old Master Fang also knew what Fourth Old Master Fang was looking for. Isn't it because of their shady little thoughts, and they kept saying that it was for the Fang family...
Old Mrs. Fang felt disgusted when he thought of their faces now.
The servant girl responded outside and hurried away again.
Old Master Fang rubbed the center of his brows, then raised his head to meet Nangong Yue's clear eyes, and said helplessly, "Ah Yue, the Fang family has been backed by Zhennan Prince's Mansion all these years, and life has been going so smoothly, I don't know what is possible." Here, he couldn't help sneering, "The family style has fallen to this point, and the ancestors of the Fang family may find it difficult to rest in peace."
He is the head of the house, and he had the responsibility to control Fang's family, but he failed to fulfill this responsibility. Every time he thought about this, Mrs. Fang felt a little depressed.
Nangong Yue half-closed her eyes, a flash of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she finally said bluntly: "Grandfather, does the Fang family want to marry another girl from the Fang family into the palace?" Didn't say it.
Mrs. Fang's eyes widened slightly, but Nangong Yue had already noticed it. Fearing that she might misunderstand, she eagerly explained: "Ah Yue, don't worry, I will never agree to such a ridiculous idea!"
"Grandfather, don't worry." Nangong Yue poured a cup of tea for Old Master Fang with a smile, and said lightly, "If Fourth Old Master Fang really wants to marry a girl from the Fang family into the palace, it's okay..."
Old Master Fang was about to persuade her not to be confused, when she suddenly realized that she was talking about the palace, not Bixiaotang.
Nangong Yue carefully presented the poured tea to Mrs. Fang, and said meaningfully: "Grandfather, my father will not refuse this matter." The King of Zhennan would never refuse Ru Huamei who came to his door. My family, "Why do you bother to be that 'wicked person'?"
Old Master Fang smiled wryly, and said: "Ah Yue, the Fang family got the protection of the Zhennan Palace thanks to the two girls who married into the palace, and they were not affected by the turmoil caused by the new establishment of the Dayu Dynasty. These years, they have lived too comfortably. So much so that now instead of thinking about cultivating outstanding children, I still want to rely on the girls of the Fang family in exchange for the glory and wealth of the Fang family. If this continues, the Fang family will perish within three generations..." Although he is not the Fang family now The patriarch of the family, but he didn't want to watch the Fang family's foundation ruined.
Nangong Yue understood the helplessness in Mrs. Fang's heart, and said, "Grandfather, because of this, you don't need to interfere too much. Today's Fang family is 'safe and forget danger, survive and forget death', only Only when they really suffer, will they understand. There is a saying: "If you don't break it, you can't build it, if you break it, you can build it." has hope."
Old Master Fang couldn't help thinking.
Yes, in the past, the Fang family was able to stand in southern Xinjiang for 300 years, relying on the concerted efforts of the children of the family to go upstream in the turbulent southern border. In a beautiful dream, it gradually fades away.
No matter how much they try to persuade and drag them now, they will only think that they are old and foolish, disregarding the Fang family's honor and disgrace. I still have a few years to live, even if I make the Fang family stupid again and again, when I go, the Fang family will not have any outstanding children to inherit, so it will inevitably decline. Instead of that, it's better to let them hit their heads and break their blood. Only when it hurts will you remember it. While I was still alive, I would still have the opportunity to help the Fang family reshape the lintel.